Winston Churchill

Ch RWR Sir Winston Churchill, CGC,TDI

April 7,1997 - May 17, 2007

Bred by Barb Wasik

Owned and loved by Rose Johe

From Rose

I could tell many stories about Winston.  The one that stands out the most in my mind is the one where he went with me to the hospital to visit an 8 or 9 year old boy who was seriously ill, and wanted to meet "Hercules", the mastiff from The Sandlot, his favorite movie.  I went, planning to stay about 15 min.  When I was ready to leave, Winston wanted to stay, and would not go.  So I wound up watching the whole movie with Winston and this boy, cuddled together on the floor on a blow-up mattress, with the young man making weak comments to Winston, and telling him what a good actor he was for a dog.  Eventually we departed, and I found out later that the young man passed away a few hours after we left; but everyone said how excited he had been, and how much he loved Winston.  He told one of the nurses that when he got better, he was going to "get him one of those dogs”.  I surely would have given him one from my next breeding!

Winston often goes with me to my job.  I am a teacher in a psych setting.  He is able to just lay quietly with kids and, believe it or not, at times the children will talk to him when no one else has ever been able to get them to speak.  He instinictivly knows who is hurting and what to do.  He is never intrusive, but will gain attention from the child with a nose bump, paw, snort or snore.  He decides what to do.

Winston also visits the school for blind children.  Amy and John Coglio work there as well, and are training their mastiffs for this wonderful work.  The children are multiply physically challenged, and he has never stepped on one, knows exactly who to give a nose-bump-kiss to, and how to make sure each child can pet him no matter how many tubes or machines they are hooked up to.  He will lie down for tummy rubs and let the kids do whatever they like.  He just loves children!!!!!

Winston will be 9 years old in a few weeks, and we realize we won't have him forever.  He will be a tough act to follow.  When he does pass, he will be cremated and buried under a tree that we'll plant for the blind children on their school grounds.  I think he needs to go to his final place where he was loved and gave so much love to so many.

These are just a few of his stories over the years.  He has not been the perfect dog, and as a puppy, he was pure hell, giving us some really funny stories.  He now has a grandson who is 4 months old, and is so much like his grandpap, it is amazing.  We have high hopes he will follow in his footsteps.

Afternote from Louise

Rose wrote in a recent email:  As you know, he has been a truly wonderful ambassador for the breed.  We have been so blessed to have him in our lives.  I don't think there is a creature on earth he doesn't love and want to nurture.  Rose

Comments

[Sam Daniels]

Those are some really inspirational stories. I know from my own experience that animals can be very healing, and comforting. Their senses go way beyond ours. Do you know of any organizations where people can volunteer with their dogs to help out in these kinds of circumstances?

[Louise]

Rose, I'm so sorry.

[Rose Johe]

Winston passed away on May 17, 2007. He was a little over 10 years old. He did his last therapy work 2 months earlier. His entire life was dedicated to making others feel great. He is missed terribly. Rose