She came into my life at a time of transition for me; divorce behind me, raising an adopted daughter alone and a new business owner.   Looking for a friend and companion, finding the light in stars; warm and sincere with little tugs at my heart strings, while being flirtations and playful.  We struggled at first just learning the boundaries of our relationship; learning the new appetites and castoffs of the journey we have just begun.  She was a beautiful figure of lanky build and long wavy reddish blonde hair with the softest brown eyes you have ever fallen into.  Her posture was correct at all times and her walk was one of both propinquity and command.  She knew she had your attention and she was not about to share this moment with anyone.

Any new friendship has some trepidation and some alluring to make it worth the work.  Learning how to accent each other and yet not over shadow one another; while looking into those dark brown eyes was for me a journey I wanted.,   Our life  made up of the very fundamental steps, eating, sleeping honoring each other and keeping the other one safe, the very foundation of a good life.  She was for me the essential part of my being which had been missing and I was done grieving.  As we struggled through those first few weeks, I learned so much.  She was willing to do anything I wished as long as it meant I would caress her.  Food became a big issue for us as our tastes were similar and yet very different; liking sweet and sour, foods lifted us to a new place of mutual respect, but rarely having the opportunity to eat together.  She did and does savor every morsel of the food before her. 

And so it was that she came into my workplace so we could spend more time together.  I had not believed that she could add so much to my life, many came to greet her in my business and to accept our newest employee.  She could take a wonderful day and make it brighter or take a tragic situation and bring some peace to it.  Of all her abilities and the one seeming to be the most beautiful were to make people feel at ease and as though they were the only person in the world.  We would start our day together and frequently I would find her ministering to someone new.  She never stopped to find out if they were our clients or not, just saw the need and offered an open heart, an ear to listen and never break with confidentiality. 

There were of course her favorites and she lavished them with her attention and gifts.  Her great kindness and love of the work got around and soon she was the one everyone wanted to see.  I was not offended but I was in awe of her.  She seemed to have no end to her energy or ability to give.  So many people from new born child to the oldest of the old cherished her boundless love.  From the beginning of the day once coffee was made and all were at their desk, she was the ambassador to each outside entity.  Even the Postman was struck by her beauty and sweetness to offer a welcome and eagerness for the mail to come in.  She was and still is the only one of my employees who has full access to a national bank.  She just bats those long lashes and the staff opens their hearts to her.  She will sashay behind the counter or into the greeting area to say Hello and will always be acknowledged in the most positive light.

Her love extended into many different areas of the employment field from the hospital to the motorcycle shop down the block or the lawyer’s office across the street.  Always gracious and accommodating to the local color she met challenges as though they were hers and hers alone to conquer.  And if someone was in trouble she was right there to offer a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen. 

Moving on in our life she only managed to grow in her ability to put people at ease and succeed at making new friends and savoring others.  From the day I brought her into my business I knew there was a promising change afoot; I just did not realize the total magnitude with which she would change my business and life.  She trained new employees in the business and welcomed them into the office no matter what.  You never heard, ‘this is the way we have always done it.’   And she only mused about departed employees in the most positive sense.  She did more to build business and reap success than any other employee or owner ever could.  She never let what was happening in the world fluster or creeps into her emotion.  She was ready for good, bad and middle of the road.

Her parting shot to me was the same every evening after work, ‘Good work today’.  Now she lives with me and each day brings new beautiful things to mind.  Although she is slowing down and maybe looking a little older, the reddish blonde hair and stature are all still there.  And every night, she always says ‘Good work today’.

Her name is Sasha and she is a golden retriever.  She is an assistance animal and has worked with me for the last 10 years.  I have been a Geriatric Care Manager coming into people’s lives at a difficult medical or legal time for them to help muddle through.  She has graced so many lives both at work and at home in our neighborhood.  She helped me raise a child to an adult, she was there for every one of my clients never passing judgment, just accepting.  She has welcomed other pets into our office and two cats into our home, only to grieve the loss when they are no longer available for her to shepherd and tutor.  What a beautiful view of the world she has.  “Good work today”