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In display of compassion, woman helps family get dog

by Celeste Tholen Rosenlof • Jun 20 - 2:59pm

STANSBURY PARK — As a unit clerk in a hospital emergency room, Lynda Gertson sees a lot of people at their worst. But last month she saw people, including her family, at their best — even if it took a little stretching and growing.

On May 22, Gertson's five children were getting ready for one of their last days of the school year when their dog of six years, a black and white shih tzu named Lily, was struck by a car.

Gertson took their sweet, cuddly dog to the vet, who determined to put her down.

Later that afternoon, the Gertsons received a large, beautiful bouquet, a stuffed dog and a sympathy card containing $500 from the woman who hit Lily. Gertson didn't feel she could accept such a generous gift, but when she called to offer the money back, the woman was adamant that they keep it.

"(She said,) 'No, I want to do something. I've been in tears all day. Please, if this can help with the vet bill, and when you guys are ready to get another dog I want to help," Gertson said of the woman.

Touched by her kindness, but still uncomfortable with the gift, Gertson kept the money and continued helping her children overcome the grief of losing their childhood companion.

"When Lily died, the kids went through this and said, 'I don't want to have another dog because I don't want to have to be this sad again,' " Gertson said. "It's one of those life learning lessons where you don't choose out of things because it might hurt a little."

Like many children with childhood pets, Lily's death was the Gertson children's first experience with the death of someone close to them. Together, they came to the conclusion that Lily was in Heaven with little kids, keeping them company. She might not be laying on their laps watching movies, or playing catch out in the yard with them anymore, but maybe she was doing that for someone else.

"You know that Lily's happy because she was such a great dog and made us love her so much that we want another dog," Gertson said. "(Dogs) add something to your home that nothing else can."

Monday, the family brought home a black, brown and white shih tzu puppy named Maggie, and Gertson said the kids are excited to have her around. Though they didn't want a dog, much less another shih tzu after Lily's death, now they can't wait to hold the dog next.

"We're not trying to replace Lily, but it brought this joy into our home immediately after that loss," Gertson said.

Besides learning about death, the Gertsons also learned a bit about charity by the example of the stranger who hit their dog, their mother said.

"To see people do care and do take the time to do the right thing, to have someone take time and think about somebody else and not just themselves, I think was a good lesson for my kids that you have to stop and care for other people," Gertson said.