Editors note: This column is a follow up to the below column entitled “A Lesson Learned,”  which ran, Nov. 19, 2010.

It was a hectic week leading up to my gala; it seems I have animals under my purview everywhere.

I’m working with excellent people on their behalf – vets, rescues, fosters kennels and even a trip to Dr. Allen at Upstate came into play. Lots of tales mixed in among them that may be told at a later date.

During the week good friends called about their old girl who had pancreititus, could I help? Unfortunately another tumor was found and she couldn’t be saved.

When I had Hadley sent to Landrum vet I also sent Beulah. The next day I learned that Beulah’s body was full of poisons and she succumbed at 7 a.m. Believe me, there are stories in each of these cases.

For the past few months I’ve been helping the Laughter’s who have my dear little friend Patches. Patches had developed a disease similar to Cushions in humans. Patches taught a family and a whole community the kind of love this breed possesses. Many hearts were broken when she lost her battle.

“It’s like I lost a family member,” Gary stated.

Lord knows I understand the feeling. Patches was very young and somehow I feel the Good Lord sent her here to serve a purpose and when she served it, He wanted her back.

I am having the original story “A lesson learned” reprinted; perhaps you all will see it as I do.

Thanks for listening.