Obie

I'm sorry it has taken so long for me to share an update on Sandy, whom you knew as Obie. Sandy has quite a back story that may interest you. I was treated at Moffitt Cancer Center between Jan and May 2015. I was discharged last June. Unbelievably, my sister, Sandi -- exactly to the day, three years younger than I -- was diagnosed and began treatment the same week a year after I had, for an eerily similar lymphoma, even though it isn't supposed to be genetic. Although I couldn't physically care for Sandi due to my recovery from the treatment, I provided long-distance support to her caregiver, another sister. Things did not go well, and I began to realize I needed pet therapy in the worst way! I fell in love with the picture of a cockapoo you posted. But I was too late. He had already gone to another family. Weeks passed. My sister, Sandi, didn't make it. She died on Valentine's Day. Born on my third birthday, she was known in the family as my "birthday present." So, only four days after Sandi died, our shared birthday came around. I was sad knowing I wouldn't get my usual card signed "Love from your birthday present." But I like to think Sandi was working on a substitute birthday present for me. On the night of my sad birthday, I received an email from you that the dog I had fallen in love with had unexpectedly become available again! The timing was providential, perhaps literally. Within days, I met him. Although he was almost five years old, he did not respond to his original name, Obie. So, I thought: what the heck, I'll try the name "Sandy." Upon hearing the name, he came to life! It was as if he had been waiting to hear "Sandy." He has been a joy to our family. He is so sweet and personable. I thank my lucky stars -- and my sister -- and you -- for working together to help him heal me.