• Originally published May 18, 2008 at 12:13 a.m., updated May 18, 2008 at 12:13 a.m.

That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep

of shady summertime,

of old dogs and children

and watermelon wine.

Her name is Amber, like the orangish fur that sweeps her back, and despite her dozen or so years on Earth, she maintains an excitement in her eyes, a cat-chasing spirit and a love of every human she meets.

This, despite a long life of sometimes being neglected, without proper shelter from the hot Texas sun and the bitter winter winds from the East, and sometimes without the love of people that she craves so badly.

Amber is a Chesapeake Bay retriever who wandered onto the grounds of the Devereux School about 12 years ago as a puppy. One of the clients at the school fell in love with her immediately, and begged school officials successfully to become her caretaker.

But years passed, and Ramon, the client, moved on, leaving Amber with uncertain ownership.

But Jeanne Weldon, an employee of the school, took over Amber’s care recently, shortly after retiring from her job.

“Now she just lays around and sleeps most of the time, and she is absolutely the sweetest, most good-natured dog I’ve ever seen,” says Jeanne.

In fact, that’s pretty much been the story of Amber’s life -- unconditional love for every person around her, asking only a little in return here and there.

“She was such good therapy for the kids out there (at Devereux),” Jeanne says, “and for the grownups.”

Now “retired” and living at Jeanne’s home, Amber is old, and she limps a little from arthritis, and she coughs a little here and there from her heartworm treatments. She’s pudgy, but as I said before, she’s still got it in her to chase a cat, though the race is a complete mismatch.

“I hope we get to see our pets in heaven, like they say,” Jeanne says, adding with a laugh, “because I’d rather see them than some of the relatives I’ve had.”

The problem is that Jeanne already has three other dogs, and she needs to find a good home where Amber can be loved and where she can live out her days in peace.

“She is no trouble at all, and she’s so loving,” Jeanne says.

If you’d like to get a look at Amber, just give Jeanne a call at 361-576-1998.

You might be very glad you did.

Jim Bishop is a senior editor for the Advocate. Leave him a message at 361-574-1210 or jbishop@vicad.com or comment on this column at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.

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