 Matthew Barton
I was newly married, and, with my wife came her dear old Springer, Lady. The name suited Lady perfectly. She was a regal sort, as much a "person" as a dog. As one who grew up mostly with cats, I appreciated Lady, but our relationship was more cordial than close. That began to change as Lady's inquisitive and quirky nature became more and more apparent to me. No household task could be completed without Lady's full attention. She was trying to help in whatever way possible, even to the point of getting a wet, milky-white muzzle from too much curiosity over cleaning paint rollers with a garden hose in the yard.
Our kinsmanship was cemented on a cold day in early spring when Lady, standing by my side, hour after hour, helped me tend to a batch of home-cooked, slow-smoked pork barbeque. From that day forward, I knew indeed that I had found a kind of soul mate - a spirit made kindred to mine through our shared love of hot coals and dripping fat.
As Lady, whom we deemed to be the greatest dog who ever lived, pushed age sixteen, we dreaded the day we would need to find another Springer companion. Lady was a "found" dog. Angela had found her through a newspaper’s classified ad about a "Brittany spaniel" found on the side of a road. She took in Lady who was in terrible health and spent all of her savings on vet care. Lady was treated for seizures and a host of other maladies including parasites and a skin infection. Through the love she gave, Angela transformed Lady into a smiling, happy dog, giving her ten of the greatest years a puppy could ever hope for.
From our experience with Lady, we both felt strongly about rescue. As the time came to welcome a new friend, we turned to MAESSR. Through MAESSR, we had the opportunity to love a number of dear, wonderful seniors, Jessie, Spencer, and Charlie. Now, we love Jack (formerly "Dutch Boy"), Gracie (one of the "six-pack" from North Carolina in 2006), and more recently, Miss Rose. Each are their own person and we are enormously grateful to MAESSR for bringing them into our lives.
So now, this former "cat person" - while not necessarily a "dog-person" - is most definitely a "Springer-person." I believe that springers in particular, and spaniels in general, are really that unique. Their desire for love, affection, and companionship is simply infectious. I remember that one of the most difficult things about losing my sweet old girl, Jessie, was that, for the first time since we got her, I didn't have a pair of spaniel eyes locked on me, all the time, all around the house. Now, I am continually entertained by Jack's goofy "crab walk", Gracie's cute little howl, and Rosie's antics with her ball. They have all been such a profound blessing to Ang and me.
Since joining MAESSR’s board in early 2008, I am grateful to have an opportunity to serve as the adopting family representative. Ang has long served as a volunteer, conducting interviews of prospective adopting families. Together we have participated in the occasional transport and have fostered a few times. The devotion displayed by MAESSR's cadre of volunteers is simply awe-inspiring. I am continually amazed and gratified to see how the people, who make up this organization, consistently and without a moment's hesitation, sacrifice their time and money to serve the needs of Springers in their communities. I believe there is no nobler act than charity for those unable to care for themselves. These dogs are a well-spring of love, hope, and compassion. MAESSR and its volunteers are a blessing, both for the sake of the springers and for the sake of the people who love them. Thank you to all who volunteer. You too know it can lead to a life changing experience……………
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