Shelter Dog Offers Grieving Family 'Pet Therapy'
Friends believe adopted shelter dog was sent by late husband to comfort and guard over family.
Photos
Tragedy struck the household of Flossmoor resident Vicki Burke in late October when her 40-year-old husband, Steve, died unexpectedly.
The sudden passing left her and her two sons, Andrew, 9, and Ryan, 5, with broken hearts and a big, empty space where their husband and father used to be.
“After Steve died, I thought about getting a dog. A dog was never an option when Steve was here—he was horribly allergic. I looked at the listings (online) and nothing really called to me."
That’s largely because all of Burke’s former pets came to her serendipitously she says, citing an experience in her youth when a stranger thrust a puppy into her hands, got into her car and sped off. Because of this, Burke resolved that fate would bring her a dog if it were meant to be.
“I knew I couldn’t just go find a dog,” Burke said. “I knew a dog would have to find me, somehow.”
Facing their first Christmas without Steve, Burke had all but given up hope when her octogenarian father, Homewood resident Russ Bensley, offered a suggestion.
“My dad said, ‘Well, every now and then they do a thing on the Patch about a dog who needs a home,’” Burke said.
Two days later, Patch posted an “Adopt Me” feature showcasing Amarillo, a big, five-year-old yellow lab. Amarillo was recently left tied to the fence of the South Suburban Humane Society.
“I thought, no. Bad idea. Crazy,” Burke said.
A few days later, they adopted Amarillo—but not without renaming him, “Scoop.” Burke says the name is a nod to Patch for helping her find him.
'A Sign from Steve'
A peculiar thing happened as Scoop was getting acquainted with his new home. Burke said she and the boys outfitted Scoop with plenty of new toys from the store, but he didn’t seem to care for any of them. Instead, Scoop took interest in an old tennis ball he found behind Steve Burke’s old desk.
“We don’t know why there was an old, beat-up tennis ball in the house because we never had a dog. And he finds it under Steve’s desk,” Burke said. “There are people who believe—and I’m not saying they’re wrong and I’m not saying they’re right—that Steve sent this dog to us. There’s one person who believes this is Steve.”
While she may not be convinced that their new pet is channeling the spirit of her former husband, Burke isn’t discounting the coincidence.
“There’s a ‘meant to be’ factor, for sure, that I can’t argue with,” she said. “I feel like I’ve had this black cloud over me. I feel like bad things keep happening. I feel like I need to do something to change our fortune. I wonder if maybe we need this dog as he needs us.”
Scoop can’t make up for the loss of Steve, but he’s helping the Burkes get through it the best way he knows how.
“He’s just love,” Burke said. "Ninety pounds of pure, unadulterated love.”
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Lynn Shafer
7:33 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
What a sweet , uplifting story and wonderful thing for all
V. Koblick
8:30 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I loved this dog!!! I am so happy he found a great family. Thank you so much for posting this story and bless the family with their new animal:)
Linda T
8:56 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Aw, what a lovely story! I'm so sorry for your loss, Burke family. I'm glad Scoop found you, and wish you all many happy years together.
Karen Kurowski McHugh
9:06 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
My sympathies to the Burke family for their loss. I do believe in fate and have every belief that Steve did direct them to Scoop and Scoop to them. SSHS pooches are the best in the world! We have 2 and they have made life in our home amazing! God bless and watch over you Burke family.
Babs
9:16 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
We got our black lab from SSHS nine years ago, and he is also "just love". I'm so happy that your family and Scoop found each other.
Lori Bullio
9:17 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Aww, such a beautiful story!! I am so sorry for the Burke Family's loss, but so glad you and Scoop found each other. Wishing you and your family many years of love & happiness!! God Bless you all!! ❤
James Sylvester
9:18 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Loved ones who have passed away can send messages to us. The messages take different forms .This time it was a tennis ball and a wonderful dog full of love sent by Daddy. This was a Father saying I am okay and we will meet again in God's time.
Smith Family
9:29 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
What a touching story of "lost & found". While sadden by their lost, I'm happy that the Burke family & Scoop have found each other.
Sara Stonitsch
12:28 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Oh Vicki! I'm so glad you got a dog - I've been thinking of you guys and this story brings tears to my eyes. I can't fathom what you are going through, but I know having a dog will ease the pain - your scoop will love you guys unconditionally. I'm so happy for you and the boys! Christmas wishes your way!
Martina Pohl-Martin
3:34 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
We just got our Molly,a yellow lab, thanks to the PATCH (and many encouragements from friends)! She came to us "broken"and ended up healing us all. Many blessings to the Burke family. No such thing as a coincidences. It was meant to be!
SouthSide
4:42 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing it, Patch. Long may the Burke's love their Scoop of healing and joy!
Mary-Jo
5:48 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I'm so sorry for your loss and so happy for your new found family member. Merry Christmas to you and your boys...all three of them!
Betty tsamis
8:19 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Cannot imagine the magnitude of the family's loss. Having had dogs throughout my life, however, I know Scoop will bring comfort, laughter, and unconditional love to Vicki and her sons. Go Scoop Burke!
Hernendo RevolveR
1:53 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
God bless the Burke family.
Laurie Lat
9:11 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
bless them for adopting this dog. i wish everyone would consider a shelter dog. they do have a way of mending a broker heart and helping one heal. they also lower blood pressure and give u a reason for getting up in the morning. love this story. thanks.
kim freer
9:40 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
Pets love unconditionally...just like dads..Merry Christmas to you!
Cheryl
11:52 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
A loss, a gain, what a great Christmas story for everyone involved.