Freckles has crossed the rainbow bridge, and everyone at Day-Break Adult Day Centre and The Gateby in Vernon is mourning the loss of their therapy dog.
The collie cross first came to Day-Break in 2003, after she was adopted by Marijon Florentinus, manager of program services for Day-Break, from the Vernon SPCA.
“Freckles was a beautiful dog, with such a gentle and caring spirit,” said Florentinus. “She was our therapy dog at Day-Break and has been a constant ‘employee’ in the program for many years, greeting clients upon arrival, sitting with them when they wanted her to, accompanying them on little walks, and just lending her ear to clients’ stories and a confession here and there.
“She certainly had her special friends, the ones who would look forward to seeing her there, the ones who would sneak her a treat from time to time, but throwing the ball and expecting her to retrieve it was another matter. She seemed to play along for a little while, but very quickly would stop running after the ball and look at you as if to say, ‘you throw that ball one more time and you can get it yourself.’ She was a very smart little dog.”
Freckles came to work as a therapy dog for about seven years before she retired. When not at work she kept an eye on the household at Florentinus’ house. There, she would make sure the different cats would not get into trouble and would pick sides with the children when there was roughhousing to be done.
“At times she would even notify me if the kids were outside doing something that could be dangerous,” said Florentinus.
Although mostly quite content to be at work and with her family at home, she would occasionally walk away to follow her personal interests, and come home hours later, her coat covered with burrs and twigs and a prize bone she had picked up along the way.
“As the years went on, she started slowing down and we noticed that she was having more and more trouble with simple daily activities, until she could not walk normally anymore and would without any advance warning just fall over sideways. It was awful to see her struggle so.
“On August 11, 2014, we said our tearful goodbyes to her.”
Schindel said both her family and Day-Break would like to thank the SPCA.
“We could never have wished for a better family dog and work companion.”
They also thank Crescent Falls Veterinary Hospital’s doctors and staff for their gentle care over the years and at the end.
“And we would like to thank all the staff and clients of Day-Break and the Gateby, who have been interacting with Freckles — she will be missed.
“But in my opinion we have come full circle, as all of her belongings and the big bin with the food were brought to the SPCA, where we first met her in the spring of 2003.”
Schindel said if people wish to remember Freckles, they are asked to make a donation to the SPCA.
