Bayner: Tragedy to Triumph

Prologue

It was almost three years to the day, a little puppy opened its eyes in a local rescue group's shelter for the first time. As he opened his eyes he knew this world needed him. Or did someone need him. He was a Labrador-golden mix. This breed is called a Goldie by some and make no mistake his coat was as golden as Repunzel's hair. Although he inherited the short coat gene from his mother he still glistened in the sun light. His eyes were a shade between hazel and gold. As the weeks flew by he grew and began to show his colors. "He was always one of the lively ones" said Cindy, who worked for the low-country lab rescue at the time. He ran, romped, and rolled twenty-four-seven. As Cindy also recalls, "He was particularly bouncy". He jumped on everyone and everything. He was always smiling. This little puppy soon became the alpha of the pack. (At this particular shelter all young puppies were kept together as a means of socialization.) He was the only puppy of his litter that hadn't been adopted. Even his mother had been adopted causing him to almost be an orphan. Another litter of puppies all named with the letter R were his "pack". He always led them around in a way seeming to have great trust from the other "pack" mates. As if they knew he was something great. And indeed he was. He would be known as the one dog who changed the lives of many.!?