We lost our 4-year-old golden retriever suddenly in January due to a silent mix of medical maladies. A team at the emergency veterinary center in Central Point did everything they could, but she was gone in 90 minutes. It was a genuine sledgehammer to the heart.

Ashland friends and neighbors brought over countless bereavement bouquets and cards.

Then a few weeks later someone suggested: “Get another dog. Will it make you feel worse?”

We’d always had reputable-kennel purebreds but, after moping, I lobbied hard for a rescue.

“You won’t know what you’re getting!” cried those worried about bad cross-breeding and ill temperament. 

True, with bespoke puppies at least you can count on some breed tendencies.

A little quick Googling produced this: “A rescue dog is a dog that has been adopted from a rescue organization or animal shelter after being saved from mistreatment, neglect, or abandonment….and given a second chance at a loving home.”

Gamblers know that sometimes you just gotta’ go all in. We’ve long volunteered with — and donated to — animal welfare groups in the Valley, plus taken in many rescue cats. Now it was time to turn our passive canine support into concrete action.

What became our lucky pup was found in a carton with a brother in front of a big-box store in Grants Pass. Fortunately, someone had abandoned them in a high human-traffic area.

They were transported to the Josephine County Animal Shelter, then fostered by a very caring woman in the North Applegate. We saw the doggies on the Shelter’s Facebook page and were smitten. The vet said they were relatively healthy and roughly 14 weeks old.

Again friends chimed in: “How could anyone do this — walk away from helpless babies?”

Well, I’m giving the benefit of the doubt to whoever dropped off these pups. Maybe the people couldn’t afford to feed their kids, let alone pets. Maybe they were evicted or allergic.

Maybe they were painfully “self-deporting” and had no room in a packed pickup. And maybe they didn’t take them to a shelter for fear they’d be put down. Whatever the reason, I’m sure the family wept.

A simple DNA test revealed a curious and beautiful mix: 50% Australian cattle dog (red heeler), 27% Bassett hound and, wait for it, 23% Great Pyrenees. That makes for a perfect blend of intelligence, energy and cuddliness.

Of course, puppies require a special kind of commitment. If only they could wear diapers or use a litter box! But everyone loves this little goofball and, as predicted, she filled an enormous hole in our hearts. Her brother was adopted, too, and I’m certain he did the same for another lucky family.

Oh, and the Golden Retriever’s name was Skye, so we naturally had to christen the new pupster Terra (earth, land).

Marilyn Hawkins lives in Ashland. Send Readers Who Write submissions to community@rv-times.com. Columns are limited to 550 words.