Divine Intervention
By Ellen English

It was a cloudy, moonless and unusually cold night for late October, even for Richland, Washington. It had gotten down to the low 20s, Jim Simpson remembers, when his yellow Lab, Buoy, reminded him about 8:30pm that it was time for a walk and bathroom break from the family's Halloween party. As the pair started off on their usual route, a walking path on the dike that runs right behind their house, Buoy peeled off from me and didn't come when I called. When Simpson walked back down the levee to search for his dog, he noticed Buoy standing perfectly still on the side that slopes down to the Columbia River. Worried that the inquisitive Lab was staring down a skunk or, even worse, a porcupine, Jim carefully moved closer and was amazed at what he saw. Buoy, still dressed in his angel costume, was standing next to a woman, on her hands and knees on the rugged rocks-soaking wet, shoeless and shivering violently.




Simpson rushed to her side to offer assistance, but the woman, Dragica Vlaco, spoke little English. While he ran to get help to carry her inside, Buoy stayed right beside her. Once inside the warm house, they wrapped Vlaco in blankets and called 911. She was taken to the local medical center where someone recognized her. Vlacos husband had been looking for her since about 3pm, when he came home to find the front door open and his wife gone. She had probably become disoriented from the pain medications for a recent shoulder surgery, walked down to the levee and at some point slipped into the river. She was treated for hypothermia and released over the weekend-fortunate to be alive.

Because of the clouds and low light, it is very unlikely that Jim would have seen Vlaco if it weren't for Buoy. Im very proud of him, of course, but he was just being Buoy - inquisitive and loving people, Jim recalls, once he found her, he was determined to stay with her. If he hadn't, she probably would have died of exposure. Many agree. In fact, Buoy was selected by the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association for their 2003 Animal Hall of Fame Award, presented September 27th in Yakima, and once his unique story hit the AP (Associated Press) it spread across the country. Along with mentions in newspapers as far away as Florida, Buoys tale was featured in USA Today, on Paul Harvey's radio show and even on PAX TVs Lifes Animal Miracles, with Allen Thicke, in a piece called Guardian Angel.

While all the adoration and praise have probably not gone to his head, Buoy certainly enjoys a life of luxury. He's pretty much spoiled, to put it mildly, Jim says with amusement. The 92 pound Lab sleeps on the couch, but he also has about 8 different places he sleeps. He's never spent a night outside- other than the time he got skunked about 1am and we made him stay out until we could give him a bath in the morning! Buoy also enjoys his stuffed bunny, koala bear and little dog toy-the leg of which he's torn off and still enjoys carrying around in his mouth.


He also loves to tag along when Jim goes for bike rides, so hell fetch Jims special bike shoes and drop them in his lap to tell him that its time to go. He's also a seasoned boater. In fact, Simpson chose the name Buoy since that's what you turn around when you water ski competitively as Jim does. The four year old Lab tags along on training sessions and even travels to out-of-state competitions, he just lays back and enjoys the ride. Buoy also seems to take great delight in dressing up-no doubt for the extra attention it brings but none-the-less, an example of what a character he is.










His biggest joy however, is being with people. He's kinda the neighborhood dog, Jim explains, there are a lot of kids on the block who come over to play with him. He endures a lot of hugging, squeezing and even the occasional tail pull. It was this tolerant and people pleasing nature that the breed is known for which led Jim and his sister Diane to get a Lab in the first place. Jims father, known as Big, had survived by-pass surgery in 1998 but just 13 days later suffered a stroke. This formerly active man now found himself depressingly disabled and the family sought ways to brighten his day. They remembered the beloved yellow Lab named King that their father had hunted with and thought another dog would be good companionship, to maybe lift his spirits and help with his rehabilitation.



Buoy proved to be a great idea. The loving Lab would sit close to Jims father, so that he could stroke his head and he would even jump on the bed and lick his face to help him get going in the morning. And like most Labs, he was happy to sit close at the dinner table. Buoy would rest his head in Big's lap and since the man had some difficulty feeding himself, there were usually crumbs that Buoy diligently kept from hitting the floor.











While Buoy turned out to be quite a blessing for both Vlaco and Jims father, Simpson is quick to point out that his loyal yellow Lab has turned out to be great companionship for everybody. He's an unusual dog...he seems to know and understand what you're thinking...he's very perceptive. Jim recalls the heart wrenching time of his fathers final days, I was allowed to bring Buoy to his hospital room. I would take my fathers hand and move it over Buoys head and body. Buoy would nuzzle and lick my dads hand. Sitting at the side of his bed, Buoy would gaze intently at my father, waiting for him to awaken. Dad never did. We took my father home shortly thereafter where he died peacefully surrounded by his family. When the men from the funeral home came for my father, Buoy laid down in front of the stretcher blocking their path. I asked Buoy to get out of the way but he just laid there, chin on his paws and big brown eyes looking up at me. Again I gave him the command to move but he would not. I truly believe that some dogs have a sixth sense and several of us witnessed it that morning. I came over to Buoy and gently moved him from their path. It was obvious that he did not want them to take his old friend away.

As you reach for the tissues, smile as well, because this divine yellow dog, with his angelic ways, would only want his story to gladden your heart.





















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