Publisher's Synopsis
Sometimes the love between a dog and the dog's companion can be a bond like no other experience in a human's lifetime. The unconditional love given by a dog to its owner is life-changing for many of us. Enter a lop-eared Beagle by the name of Georgia. She appeared older than her ten weeks, and she had the wisdom of an old soul. She was loyal and seemed to have a sixth sense that told her when danger was near, except the one time she wasn't on her guard, the time danger found her, and she chose to stand her ground. Enjoy Georgia's Orchard: The story is taken from the author's memories and accounts by her son, Gregg. Georgia's Orchard: My Best Buddy Georgia, A Confused Runaway, Independence, Home Sweet Home, Georgia Gone Missing, Georgia Rushed to the Vet, All Dogs Don't Go To Heaven, Georgia the Hero, Running Through High Clover...My Mom didn't know that I bought Georgia to comfort a girl I was trying to help, a confused runaway I met at a party at a friend's house. She thought she was in love with me the moment she discovered I had a pad of my own. I'd agreed to bring her home with me when she asked if she could stay with me for a while. At twenty years of age, I was still not too sure I knew anything about girls; late bloomer, I suppose."You can stay at my house as a friend," I told her, "but that's it."My taste ran more toward PlayStation(R)2 and the latest video games. When I wasn't playing video games, I was running in the forest surrounding our house. I knew every game trail for miles. I found peace in nature missing in my own mind. Despite Tracy's good looks, flaming red hair (a weakness of mine), ocean-blue eyes, and quick sense of humor, I was wise enough to know a runaway when I saw one. Tracy looked wide-eyed, confused, scared, pale, and lost, worst yet -she looked young. I knew I was in over my head one day at lunch over a big bowl of veggie soup when Tracy said, "I think I need to tell you something. I am sixteen..."Georgia would have her head resting on my arm...On 18 August 2009, a deer jumped in front of Gregg's Harley Davidson Sporster. He sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), consisting of seven skull fractures; though he wore a helmet, the deer kicked him in the head, split the helmet in half, and continued kicking him until it died as the bike lay on top both of them. Gregg was hospitalized for 2 1/2 months. His long-term memory is intact, but he has no short-term memory. He suffered no body injuries. He recalled the accident in vivid detail seven months afterward, right up until the time the ambulance came to his aid. That was the last thing he remembers. It is locked in his long-term memory with all his other memories. Over the past nearly twelve years now, Gregg has completed a rehabilitation center program for five months. At one time, he worked daily with seven different therapists, including a Speech Therapist, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, among others, and progressed well. Gregg was a working artist and was a few credits short of obtaining his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He made replicas of antique furniture, was an avid photographer, painter, created sculptures, and worked as a leader in the art community to bring other artists together to share their craft and talents. Gregg now makes his home with his mother, Kat Kaelin. She talks to Gregg about Georgia and Georgia's Orchard. When she told him, she wrote the story about Georgia. Gregg replied, "Read it to me."After his mom read him the story, he said, "You told our story. That makes me happy."Gregg's relationship with Georgia shows the love of a man for his dog, but more importantly, it shows the sustaining power of love and the power of the independent spirit in all of us. Gregg cannot tell you what he ate for breakfast this morning, but he remembers Georgia and the time the two of them shared in the sunshine under the trees.