Do you believe in miracles?

BILLINGSGATE JOURNAL (Dateline San Diego)

Bulletin: SunnyBear, my beloved Golden Retriever, with his thick, reddish coat and magnificent, Secretariat like bearing, certainly one of God's most impressive creations, almost went down last Saturday.

He was, by all counts, on his last legs. Like most large dogs when they get older, he has been hampered by arthritis for the past year and walked with a definite hitch in his giddy-up. Something like the hesitation step the Afro-Americans seem to be born with. He had been getting along well with various non-steroidal drugs easing his way, and he still answered the call for his stroll on the beach, always with a wagging tail and a doggy smile.

Last Wednesday evening, though, he collapsed on the deck outside my den and couldn't get up. I picked him up (he weighs around 85 pounds) and put him on his bed. The next morning, my champion couldn't answer the bell for his morning walk and I despaired his demise. Not wanting him to suffer, I called the Vet and made an appointment to have him euthanized. I even made arrangements for him to be cremated so that I could honor him in my memory.

Saturday morning, my son and I went to the backyard, gathered SunnyBear up in a blanket and carried him to the front yard from where we normally debarked on our way down to the beach. Putting him down gently before hoisting him into the back seat, the most amazing thing happened. He got up, staggering like a punch drunk pugilist, hobbled over to a beckoning bush and took a pee. I knew instantly that he deserved a recount.

The Veterinarian, a lady of great compassion and love for animals, listened as I described the events as they unfolded. She knew that I couldn't give up on my buddy because he hadn't given up on himself. It has been almost a week now of rehabilitation. Sunny Bear has improved so much that we are now walking down to the Bay where he loves to swim and chat and sniff with the other dogs, as he has done a thousand times before.

I can't believe that he is still with me. His company makes me smile and feel good about life.