Life 101 – Loyalty

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself,” said Josh Billings. Loyalty, a.k.a. allegiance, is faithfulness or devotion to a person or cause, and perhaps we could all start the week learning something from “Lady,” an Ohio golden retriever who stayed by her dead owner’s side in a field for almost a week. Even though family members passed out fliers and searched for Parley Nichols, 81, who had dementia, his body was only discovered after Lady barked at a passerby. “This dog would not leave his side,” said Coroner Investigator Harry Campbell. “No question, she stayed out there on her own volition. Lady saw another human and started barking and wailing.” The coroner found that Parley had died of natural causes. Family members are now caring for Lady, and all I know is when I die, I want to go where the dogs go. Enjoy your week. Oh, and be thankful for loyal friends.