The Last Walk

By Rich Wangard



Is it mine or is it hers?  In a few days I turn 74.  I am one of the lucky Vietnam vets!  Still kicking!  By why?  I have cheated death at least ten times over!  I don’t know God’s plan for me or why He keeps me on earth and that is ok!  He has given me so many chances and gifts!

I am disabled both physically and mentally.  PTSD is so much worse than 20 different operations.  So, God gave m something to help me cope and survive!

First it was WAGS, corky golden retriever mix—sweetest dog in the whole world!  A Rescue.  Wags was so good—she lived to be 16 years old giving all that unconditional love only a dog can.  I was aa complete slobbering idiot the day I had to put her down.  I will never EVER let any animal suffer!  You see I saw enough suffering for any human being to las 100 lifetimes!  Wags the greatest dog in the whole world.

There was only one way to fill the void after Wags.  Sandy (my wife) and me took another trip to our local animal shelter and found Jazzy.  Jazzy was already two years old and very active!  Loud bark!  She is a Walker Coon Hound and Half Tall Beagle mix.  Our second dog.  She too is so so sweet!  Lick you to death and at the same time you always know she’s around because she has a loud bark and wants her treats!  Lets’ see now—I think she is on her 1,596,000th bag of treats!  Jazzy now is going on 17 years old!  The vet calls her Wonderdog!  All those years please tell me --- where did they all go?  Jazzy is super slow now and her time grows short and you know what?  Soo does mine.  That is ok too for although I am not a churchgoer, I have a very strong faith.  I have to!  There is no reason whatsoever for me to be alive other than the will of God.  So, I will become despondent and a blubbering idiot again when I have to take Jazzy into the vet and say goodbye.  What besides a dog gives you unconditional love.  Is there to sooth you!  Love you—Give you sloppy kisses no matter what!  What an incredible blessing!  For a guy with PTSD and in physical pain much of the time.  All Wags and Jazzy ever did was love me, ease my pain.  I just got done walking Jazzy in the park.  There will not be many more.  Soon, very soon, it will be her last walk and you know what?  I wish I could go with her for all Dogs go to Heaven!