Everyday for years Scout and I have walked at one of our local parks. One day as we were starting our walk a gentleman called out to me from his car. Is that a Yorkie you have there, he asked. I quickly answered yes, her name is Scout. He asked if I would like to see his Yorkie. I happily walked to his car since I never can pass up meeting another Yorkie. He had with him a beautiful little Yorkie, cuddled up to his chest, gently stroking the little guys head. His name is Corky the Yorkie and my name is Mr. Smith he told me with a smile.

As he spoke a few more words I noticed he had a walker in the backseat of his car. He told me he was from the city, moved to my small town and was living with his daughter. He and Corky went for a ride everyday to allow his daughter a little time alone plus giving himself a chance to be independent. He explained to me he had ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and the living situation was necessary due to his health. He went on to tell me that his wife had passed away a very short time before from cancer. Corky was her constant companion, never leaving the side of his beloved mistress. Mr. Smith fed and watered Corky as he lay on the bed, rarely leaving her. When she passed away, her brave little companion lay across her to protect her when they came to remove her lifeless body. Corky did his best to growl menacingly to keep them away.

After his wife died he felt he could not care for Corky because he was such a painful reminder of his beloved wife, but he came to love the little guy deeply. As I walked away I was nearly overcome by the sadness of this wonderful man having to go through such heartache. He had lost the love of his life and now his life was slowly slipping away. I wondered too, what would happen to Corky?

That conversation was the start of frequent visits we would have when I would arrive at the park. Mr. Smith was always surprised to see me again and we would talk of his life and mine. He would sit in his car since he had difficulty walking, Corky always cuddled up to his chest.

He would tell me about his life, his hand always gently stroking his little dog. He told me how special his wife was, how much he loved and missed her. His words were so soft and gentle when he spoke of her that I knew they shared a great love. It was easy to understand how much he cherished her. He went on to tell me what he did for a living before he retired, how he and his wife were very athletic and loved sports. She was a runner, he loved to ride a bike. He was 73 years old and very active before he became ill. He had served in the Navy in the South Pacific, same as my father so we found much to talk about. I enjoyed these visits very much, he was a kind and gentle man.

We had another topic of conversation over this period of time and that was Corky. He also asked me many questions about Scout. What did she eat? Did she like cats? Did she chase squirrels? So many questions! He would follow up these questions by telling me about Corky's life and routine. I learned what Corky ate and what his favorite treats were. I came to find out that Corky was not fond of cats and he did indeed chase squirrels.

One day I told Mr. Smith I was thinking of looking for another Yorkie, I had always had two. I asked him where he found sweet little Corky, I admired him so. "Oh gosh, she doesn't have dogs anymore. After all these years I have completely forgotten her name, I wouldn't know her phone number" he said discouragingly. It wasn't like him to be so gruff! I moved on to another topic and then started my daily walk.

It wasn't long that the fall turned into winter and I did not see Mr. Smith again. I would think of him every time we went to the park however. I managed to keep track of him over the next year through my veterinarian. Mr. Smith and I shared the same vet in common for our dogs. It soon became apparent that Mr. Smith was not going to win his battle with the horrible disease that had taken over his body. The vet told me Mr. Smith was wheelchair bound but he had a constant companion. Corky was always on his lap, he never left him. They even attended church together, Corky sitting quietly on the lap of his master throughout the entire service. It saddened me deeply to hear of his decline, but I felt better to know he had his little dog for comfort. Everyday when I walked I would look at the spot where he and Corky usually parked, thinking of what was to come for this wonderful, kind, gentle man. I missed our visits together and I missed Corky too.

One early morning in January of 2003 the phone rang. I heard my husband talking to our veterinarian. I wasn't waiting for a call from him, Scout had no health problems. I heard my husband say quietly, "I will let her know". When my husband hung up, before he could speak, I quietly said, Mr. Smith passed away didn't he and he left Corky to me. My stunned husband answered, yes, but how did you know? Corky had been taken to our vet by a family member of Mr. Smith. The brave little Yorkie was waiting for me to arrive to bring him to his new home. The home Mr. Smith had chosen for him. His last kindness to his little dog.

My mind went over all those times we talked, all the lessons Mr. Smith gave me. What Corky ate, how he chased squirrels and how much he disliked cats came back to me. All along he knew he was making sure Corky would be loved and cared for after he was gone. He even took the care to prepare a file for Corky detailing his health care, the date he was born, even Corky's first baby tooth! A few days after Corky came to me I was leafing through the file and a piece of paper fell to the floor. It was the original ad he answered to purchase Corky for his wife. He knew the breeders name and phone number all that time! Mr. Smith had my new Yorkie in mind for me all along.

Now Corky romps and plays at the park with his companion Scout. He no longer sits on his masters lap, watching the other dogs run and play. He has loved, comforted and protected two wonderful people who are no longer with us. I like to think they see him, strong and healthy and deeply loved, chasing after Scout and those darn squirrels.

Corky is a gift in my life. I have never inherited money or precious items, but I have this sweet little dog that is more precious than gold.

Everyday I thank God and Mr. Smith for my little Corky the Yorkie.

THE DAILY PUPPY~SCOUT AND CORKY

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*Thanks to Chanch for creating my signature gif*

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