This special montage is a tribute to the most unique 15 year partnership of Carolyn Scott and her beloved Golden Retriever, Rookie. Arguably, the most famous canine freestyle team in the world, Carolyn and Rookie’s love for one another has been cheering millions through the many clips that have circulated over YouTube since Dave Mintzer originally digitalized the famous routine from a videotape Carolyn had provided us several years ago. Little did we know that our posting of that video would bring so much joy to so many, actually even bringing soldiers in Iraq to tears.
Learn about our nonprofit foundation’s documentary film that is based on this special union.The film celebrates the human-canine bond and how it was critical in their overcoming adversity, given Carolyn’s polio and more. It is being produced for fundraising purposes by the Land of PureGold Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit providing cancer treatment grants for working dogs and funding research in comparative oncology, the study of cancers that occur similarly in people and companion animals.
We originally published the following update from Carolyn Scott and Rookie on February 27, 2008
I have received so many emails of support and prayers I feel blessed. Thank you all for taking the time to write and keeping us in your thoughts. Rookie is doing GREAT! He greets me with a smile every morning as he leads me to kitchen for his breakfast. : )
As many of you know Rookie was diagnosed with a spindle cell tumor on his right leg near his elbow a few months ago. Since Rookie was about to turn 15 I decided to have my vet remove the tumor but I didn’t want to put him through any further treatment. My vet removed the tumor and I happy to report there is no sign of it returning.
At this time I decided to cancel my seminars and not schedule any others for awhile. I just couldn’t be away from home at this time. Then about a month afterwards, when I woke up, I found Rookie completely paralyzed in both rear legs. I was devastated and thought this was the end BUT Rookie had other ideas. I took him to the vet where she x-rayed and explained to me he had arthritis and some other problems that were probably causing the paralysis. Our floors are tile with very little carpet and he could not walk without falling. I decide to follow the vets recommendation and put Rookie on bed rest for awhile with meds to see if he improved. Well, by golly he perked up and was a happy camper every day during this. After a couple of weeks he was able to master the tile and even throw in a few spins.
I have to admit I have been depressed a time or two but I have realized that Rookie is happy every day. So I decided to live in the moment as he does and do the same. I feel I have been so blessed to have this extra time with my sweet boy. His attitude is amazing everyday. The other day I let him out to roll in the grass by the pool and the next thing I knew he got this wild look in his eye and headed straight for the pool. Rookie loves to swim but even in Houston thewater in a pool can be very cold at this time of year. I almost wasn’t able to stop him from jumping in. : )
Like I said, Rookie loves life and doesn’t realize he is 15 years old now. I am hoping it will warm up soon here and he can take a swim and once again enjoy one of his favorite activities.
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. I cannot begin to express how much they have meant to me. Rookie will always be a eternal puppy with thoughts of freestyle, rolling in the grass, eating and swimming in our pool. He thinks everyday is his best day and I am trying hard to do the same.
Sadly, I now have a new update regarding our beloved boy, Rookie.This weekend Carolyn contacted me to let me know that she would be helping Rookie to cross over to the Rainbow Bridge on Monday. She asked me to pray for her to have the strength and courage needed to let go.
Carolyn and her hubby Randy helped Rookie over the bridge at 3:00 yesterday. Today, Carolyn let me know that she was not up to writing anyone about this traumatic event. Her heart is breaking, and understandably, she is overwhelmed with feelings of sadness. She truly needs your prayers and support right now, and specifically requested that I link to the following video featuring the Jane Siberry song, Calling All Angels.
I have included the words to this special song below
Calling All Angels
Santa Maria, Santa Teresa, Santa Anna, Santa Susannah
Santa Cecilia, Santa Copelia, Santa Dominica, Mary Angelica
Frater Achad, Frater Pietro, Julianus, Petronella
Santa, Santos, Miroslaw, Vladimir and all the rest
a man is placed upon the steps, a baby cries
and high above the church bells start to ring
and as the heaviness the body
oh the heaviness settles in
somewhere you can hear a mother sing
then it’s one foot then the other
as you step out onto the road
how much weight? how much weight?
then it’s how long? and how far?
and how many times before it’s too late?
calling all angels, calling all angels
walk me through this one
don’t leave me alone
calling all angels, calling all angels
we’re cryin’ and we’re hurtin’
and we’re not sure why…
and every day you gaze upon the sunset
with such love and intensity
why it’s … it’s almost as if
if you could only crack the code
then you’d finally understand what this all means
but if you could … do you think you would trade it in
all the pain and suffering?
ah, but then you’d miss
the beauty of the light upon this earth
and the sweetness of the leaving
calling all angels, calling all angels
walk me through this one
don’t leave me alone
callin’ all angels, callin’ all angels
we’re tryin’, we’re hopin’, we’re hurtin’
we’re lovin’, we’re cryin’, we’re callin’
’cause we’re not sure how this goes
This special montage is a tribute to the most unique 15 year partnership of Carolyn Scott and her beloved Golden Retriever, Rookie. Arguably, the most famous canine freestyle team in the world, Carolyn and Rookie’s love for one another has been cheering millions through the many clips that have circulated over YouTube since Dave Mintzer originally digitalized the famous routine from a videotape Carolyn had provided us several years ago. Little did we know that our posting of that video would bring so much joy to so many, actually even bringing soldiers in Iraq to tears.
Learn about our nonprofit foundation’s documentary film that is based on this special union.The film celebrates the human-canine bond and how it was critical in their overcoming adversity, given Carolyn’s polio and more. It is being produced for fundraising purposes by the Land of PureGold Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit providing cancer treatment grants for working dogs and funding research in comparative oncology, the study of cancers that occur similarly in people and companion animals.
For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I’ll be forever thankful baby
You’re the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You’re the one who saw me through through it all
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I’m grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don’t know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You’ve been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
I want to thank each of you that sent cards, gifts, emails and called with words of sympathy and support for me and my family during this very difficult time. I especially hold dear your individual stories of how Rookie touched your life.
The pain of his loss persists but the thought of how special Rookie was to each of you continues to bring me comfort.
Land of PureGold Foundation 