Hero the Rescue Dog

“In three words I can sum up what I’ve learned about life: It goes on.” – Robert Frost

I recently reconnected with my friend, Jonathan, who I knew from my days at Rutgers College. Despite appearances, he too was drifting, suffering a broken heart, and trying to navigate between his past, which he had painfully outgrown, and the future, which he was in the process of creating. Jon and I exchanged updates. Despite neither of our plans from college having come to fruition, Jon was most excited about his recent addition to his family: a 2 1/2 year old Black Labrador Retriever. Sight unseen, Jon adopted the dog from a rescue in Arkansas. Although not much was known, it was clear that this dog, originally named Turin, had quite a tough life. He was found wandering the rural backcountry of Arkansas, malnourished and suffering some health complications. When the rescuer spoke with Jon over the phone, he felt an uncanny connection to this dog with soulful eyes and took a leap of faith. Turin arrived in the Big Apple a few weeks later, ready for his fresh start. Jon renamed him Hero. After a relatively easy adjustment period because of Jon’s magical dog whispering abilities, Hero had a fitting new name and zip code, lots of trees and fire hydrants to mark, and an owner who was madly in love with him and would do anything to make their pack a loving one. Hero finally had the life that he deserved.

This past weekend, I joined Jon and Hero for a respite on the Jersey Shore, where Jon delivered on the promise of a restful escape from the city’s daily grind and the healing powers of the cool sea air. I brought my camera, hoping inspiration might find me after a three-month dry spell. I loved watching their new love blossom: Jon belly laughing with joy as he watched Hero frolicking among the waves and recklessly chasing seagulls down the beach. It was obvious that these were two lost souls finally reunited. Although on paper Jon had rescued Hero, clearly Hero had given Jon a renewed sense of family and purpose; hence, rescuing him right back. Their deep connection filled me with hope and served an inspiring canvas to make some new photographs. At the end of the weekend, I was struck with the thought that perhaps, despite obstacles and setbacks, everyone, myself included, will get a second chance at happiness.