MOXIE & ME
By: Jim Martin
(With apologies to John Grogan for stealing his “Marley & Me” title) 

When my beloved Honey passed away in August of 2009, I cried at the vet’s office as I hadn’t cried since I was a little boy. In fact, our longtime Golden-loving vet cried along with me as he administered the “mercy shot”. I had adopted Honey when she was 7 weeks old and we had been together for 15 1/2 years. Although she had left an unfillable hole in my heart, I vowed at that time that I WOULD eventually have another Golden Retriever.

After a few months had passed, I completed applications to both G.R.I.N. and Golden Treasures, and after a series of telephone interviews and home visits decided to go see a rescue Golden being fostered by Mrs. Cindy Schiberl in Madison, OH. Cindy is an absolutely amazing woman who works part time in a school and has fostered many Goldens. 

One sunny Saturday in November, my wife Elaine, her one year old Westie, Angus, and I drove from our home near Akron up to Madison to meet one of Cindy’s step-dogs, Moxie. Well, Cindy and her husband Mike, can tell you it was love at first sight. Mike said I had the biggest smile on my face when we got out of the car. Moxie has had a very rough first 3-4 years of her life. She has obviously been severely abused and neglected. She is very fearful and needs a lot of patience and TLC. 

What a coincidence! In addition to recently losing Honey, my 44 year teaching career had ended in June due to financial problems at the school where I taught part-time. I missed those kids SO much and still do, but now I have a project; another living, very special, soul who needs all the patience, time, and love I can give her. This time the shoe is on the other foot. Instead of being the one getting the unconditional love that I received from Honey, I am the one giving it. We are half -way through our basic obediance classes (from which Elaine says I can also benefit) and Moxie is, ever so slowly, coming out of her shell. I fully realize that Moxie will probably never be the enthusiatic ballplayer and kisser that Honey was, but every bit of progress she makes in learning what fun it is to be a Golden Retriever is a fantastic victory!  I am so blessed!