As many of you know I started my time here in Middleburg on Madison Street at A PLACE TO BE with my human Tom about eight years ago. He brought me to work every day as he offered Music Therapy to his clients. We had a place there for six years and across the street was this store which had an enormous amount of colorful and interesting things; The Wisdom Gallery. It was run by a small little lady named Pauline. She had a great accent and took her inventory very seriously, but I never really understood how someone could have so many items in one store. Pauline also seemed to keep to herself and she had very firm opinions on politics, people and the town of Middleburg. One thing I learned at work with Tom at A Place to Be was that no matter how different someone is than us, we are all very much the same. Tom and Pauline even had different opinions on different subjects, but they would always end a visit with a hug. Tom would walk me around the block and Pauline would always go out of her way to pet me, talk to me and bring me a dog treat. She literally lit up when she saw me. If I noticed Pauline looking frustrated I would give her an extra nuzzle or a kiss.

It's amazing how in life you really only get to know a portion of a person. I always wondered with all of Pauline's candles, puppets, cards, candies, stuffed animals, trinkets and accessories what was it about that made her want to sell them, until one day she and Tom had a talk about her store. She talked about selling beauty and loving unique items which would make people feel special. She didn't often talk like this in front of people, but Tom had a way with her. To be honest it was me. It's always the dog. She opened up to us about her childhood, her life in America and the changes she saw in the town she loved, and the challenges in her life she never expected. After lots of tears and hugs we walked across the street back to our center. I looked up at Tom, he looked down at me and said, "We're all the same."

I will miss my friend at the Wisdom Gallery. She showed me love and she taught me that you will never know a person's real story unless you stop by for a hug, or a dog bone.