As much as I enjoy participating in the outdoors, it's equally rewarding relaying that passion through text and photos. In some cases I don't really know how this information is received. However, there is the occasion where I know I've struck a chord with readers and the response is immediate. Such was the case with the article I wrote about the passing of my 12-year-old Labrador retriever, Magnum (Magnum's Mark-Kansas Wildlife and Parks November-December 2010).
I wasn't surprised. Everyone has a dog. And when it comes time to say goodbye to a cherished, four-legged friend those feelings cut deep. That pain has no boundaries. I got bunches of e-mails and personal comments.
But one lady's extra effort of contact allowed me to take comfort knowing I had indeed made a difference. She tracked down my work number and got my mailing address from our receptionist. A short time later I got a small envelope with a typewriter-written address taped to the front. She included a couple poems about dogs' final farewells and a poster from her hometown paper with a big ol', tongue-wagging Golden Retriever.
She also included a typewriter-written note that said, "No one for all time here on earth will write a better article about the love and final farewell of a black Lab. The photos are beautiful. Thank you for the good I got out of reading your article...."
She was from McCook, Nebraska, and had seen the magazine at the library in Colby, Kansas. In a busy world it was obvious she went to a great deal of effort to relay her appreciation, while at the same time trying to make me feel better letting me know I wasn't alone.
It's truly nice to know that once in a while you make a connection.
I wasn't surprised. Everyone has a dog. And when it comes time to say goodbye to a cherished, four-legged friend those feelings cut deep. That pain has no boundaries. I got bunches of e-mails and personal comments.
But one lady's extra effort of contact allowed me to take comfort knowing I had indeed made a difference. She tracked down my work number and got my mailing address from our receptionist. A short time later I got a small envelope with a typewriter-written address taped to the front. She included a couple poems about dogs' final farewells and a poster from her hometown paper with a big ol', tongue-wagging Golden Retriever.
She also included a typewriter-written note that said, "No one for all time here on earth will write a better article about the love and final farewell of a black Lab. The photos are beautiful. Thank you for the good I got out of reading your article...."
She was from McCook, Nebraska, and had seen the magazine at the library in Colby, Kansas. In a busy world it was obvious she went to a great deal of effort to relay her appreciation, while at the same time trying to make me feel better letting me know I wasn't alone.
It's truly nice to know that once in a while you make a connection.
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