A Tribute to Slider: The Big Brown Dog Who Saved a Life
Tracey Lukkarila
Beautiful photo of Slider on the beach.
Slider was a big brown dog no one wanted. His time in the shelter was running out and he was destined for euthanasia. Slider needed to find his forever home soon. Week after week, he and his FOJA champion, Carolyn Edwards, waited patiently at each adoption event for his forever family to walk through the door and claim him. One Saturday, a family took him home, but as fate would have it, it was not a good match. On a routine home visit, Carolyn discovered that Slider was being abused by a well-meaning but totally overwhelmed owner who didn’t have the energy or know how to provide a good home for a big brown dog.
In a ‘last ditch effort’ to find a home for Slider, Carolyn reached out to K9s for Warriors and convinced them to consider Slider. This was not an easy sell as Slider didn’t meet some of their standard criteria. Luckily, the staff recognized Slider’s potential and he was admitted into their training program.
Meanwhile, Charlie was in trouble. Charlie is a Navy veteran who returned home from active duty in 2006. Angry, sleepless and depressed, Charlie suffered from the debilitating effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome he acquired as a result of his distinguished service during two tours in Iraq. His day-to-day reality was plagued by painful memories that eventually imprisoned him. As the years passed, the scope of Charlie’s life narrowed. He could barely even leave his house. Charlie wasn’t the only victim of his demons, his family suffered as well. Finally, Charlie’s therapist told him, “You need a dog.” Even though Charlie was more than skeptical, he cooperated with the plan. The walls were caving in on him. He was desperate for relief. He agreed to keep an appointment at K9’s for Warriors.
And then, a miracle happened! Charlie and Slider met and it was love at first sight. Charlie says he felt as if he was ‘struck by lightning.” The attraction, the bond, and the understanding were instantaneous. Slider offered Charlie his paw and the deal was struck. They spent a mere three weeks training together at K9’s for Warriors. During that time, Charlie learned that Slider had some trauma issues of his own. Chain leashes, metal bowls, brooms and anything held over his head triggered a fear response in Slider. As the pair learned about each other’s issues, they also learned ways to comfort and reassure each other. When training ended, Slider donned his vest knowing he had a job to do for a man and his family who loved and cherished him. Slider had found his forever home!
Slider and Charlie became an inseparable duo who, together, developed the confidence and the courage to live life to the fullest. With Slider by his side, Charlie and his family were out of the house and on their way to all kinds of adventures. They lived the RV life going from destination to destination unafraid to experience new surroundings. They showed up to NASCAR races and minor league baseball games able to cheer on their favorites despite the noise and the chaos. Frequent trips to the beach were Slider’s favorite. He rolled in the sand, dug in the puddles and waded into the surf. The big brown dog became a big brown muddy mess!
Slider was featured in FOJA’s table book “Better Together: A Friends of Jacksonville Animals Story.” To see more and to purchase the book, click here.
Slider poses in between two wood carvings of Slider that his parents Carol and Charlie had made of him. They donated one to K9s for Warriors and the other guards their house by the front door.
For many years, life was good and got even better. Slider and Charlie settled into a dependable if not always predictable daily routine. Slider’s uncanny ability to read Charlie (and others) enabled him to sense when to approach to offer a loving gaze, a paw on the arm or to put his head in Charlie’s lap. Charlie says that Slider literally saved his life, just as Charlie had literally saved Slider’s life until the inevitable end.
On August 4th of this year, at the age of 15, Slider succumbed to the debilitating effects of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. He passed away peacefully in Charlie’s loving arms in his forever home.
Mission completed sweet boy. Rest in peace.
