In the dead of night in July, 2002 a dog was dumped at a shelter in Santa Barbara, California. The dog had been emotionally and physically neglected. She related to none of the staff or volunteers at the shelter who tried to comfort her. She was depressed and apathetic.
Three days later, the dog spotted a man at the shelter. He was standing near her, participating in a shelter program. She went wild. She barked. She ran to him and jumped up on him, crying. She was spirited and energetic. She had found what had eluded her for so long. He named her Chrissie.
Her medical and psychological issues kept this retired animal lover busy. She became the focus and light of his life. The two of them were rarely apart. He made her healthy and beautiful; she made him inordinately happy. He called her his Princess and spoiled her. Nothing was denied the little Princess of boundless, unconditional love.
The rest of the family - wife and assorted dogs - rallied around this symbiotic partnership. Chrissie became a playful, affectionate dog and he became a more patient, emotionally generous man.
There was always something going on medically with Chrissie. Her immune system was probably compromised from the start. On the night of December 27, 2006, she was having trouble breathing. He drove her 40 minutes to a clinic where the problem was misdiagnosed. She was dying, but was sent home because they didn't know. This was a blessing for her. She spent the last night of her life surrounded by those she loved.
The next day, the clinic put her on oxygen and told the family to return later for a visit. Chrissie died thirty minutes after they left the clinic. An autopsy revealed she had died of a rare disease, fungal pneumonia.
When she died she was almost twelve years old. How unfair that she had only four and a half years with the family that loved her and with the man with whom she had such a special bond.
To honor Chrissie and to commemorate the importance of dogs in our lives, Chrissie's Fund has been established. The Fund will help dogs in need and work to end cruelty and neglect toward dogs. Our hope is that because Chrissie existed, countless dogs will come to enrich their owners' lives and embody the vitality and spirit she exuded.