Fifty Years, One Love, and a Faithful Collie Named Polly

This year, John and I are celebrating a remarkable milestone—50 years together. Five decades of shared dreams, hard work, faith, laughter, tears, and the quiet moments that shape a life. Looking back, it’s impossible to tell our story without including the animals who have walked beside us, especially our beloved collies.

Nearly eight years ago, our hearts were aching. We had lost our beautiful collie, Duchess, just two weeks earlier, and the house felt unbearably quiet. The grief was still fresh when John did something so very “John”—he opened the Des Moines Register and began scanning the classified ads. There it was: a small notice about purebred collie puppies for sale from a farm in northwest Iowa.

That simple ad changed everything.

Soon after, Polly came bounding into our lives as a fluffy, joyful puppy—and into our hearts forever. She arrived at just the right moment, bringing light where there had been sorrow and comfort where there had been loss.

Polly has been with us through so much. She curled up beside us during the long days of COVID lockdown, offering companionship and calm when the world felt uncertain. She walked with us through the heartbreak of losing John’s brother Pat, not only family, but also our trusted business partner. In moments when words fell short, Polly’s presence spoke volumes.

Now, as John has retired and faces ongoing health challenges, Polly is once again exactly what we need. Every single day, she is there—faithful, gentle, and unwavering. She sits beside him, follows him from room to room, and loves him with the kind of pure, unconditional love only a dog can give. She doesn’t care about schedules, diagnoses, or difficult days. She simply loves him—completely and without question.

As we celebrate 50 years of marriage, I am reminded that love shows up in many forms. It’s found in commitment and resilience, in shared history and quiet understanding. And sometimes, it shows up on four paws, with soulful eyes and a wagging tail, reminding us to live in the moment and cherish what matters most.

Our journey continues—hand in hand, heart to heart—with Polly right by our side. And for that, we are deeply grateful.