Aaron Salkill, a Marietta resident and firefighter with the Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services in Georgia, happily brought a Dalmatian puppy named Ember into his home when she was just three months old. This heartwarming story unfolded when her previous owners abandoned her at a veterinary office.
He tried to tire her out, but she had «more energy than a preschooler on Red Bull,» even after playing with a lot of kids who happily lined up everywhere they went to give her hugs and kisses.
«When this kind of line appeared one afternoon, I had an insight. Imagine the profound impact Ember would have on children in a hospital, considering the powerful response she generates in healthy children. I had to find out. The following day, Ember and I embarked on our journey to become a certified therapy dog team.»
Ember successfully completed over a year of training and received certification from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Two years ago, on Halloween night, she embarked on her first official therapy visit to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. They patiently waited in the lobby alongside other therapy dogs and their handlers. The room quickly became bustling with children and nurses, all dressed in delightful costumes. Interestingly enough, one of those nurses decided to dress up that night as Cruella Deville, from «101 Dalmatians.» Of course, they couldn’t resist capturing the moment with a photo.
The children repeatedly scolded the nurse, insisting that she should stay away from Ember.
The children repeatedly scolded the nurse, insisting that she should stay away from Ember.
«However, there was one patient who truly caught my attention: Picture this: a young girl, her head completely bald, being gently wheeled out of the elevator in a little red wagon. It’s a heartbreaking sight, as she is too weak to walk on her own. However, as soon as she caught sight of Ember, she quickly jumped out of the wagon and hurried over to greet the adorable little bundle of fur.
After she left, her mother approached me with tears in her eyes and expressed her gratitude for brightening her daughter’s spirits. She proceeded to tell me that her daughter hadn’t been able to walk for weeks, and this was the first time she had seen her do so. After enduring the draining effects of chemo, she found herself lacking the motivation to move. However, the sight of a genuine Dalmatian sparked a surge of excitement within her, igniting a newfound energy that propelled her to run.
That single thank you was one of the most rewarding moments in my whole life.»
Aaron and Ember have been on a heartwarming journey, visiting numerous hospitals and brightening the lives of countless children with their infectious smiles and laughter. Meanwhile, Ember continued her work at an area day camp for children with autism, where they taught them the importance of proper and safe interactions with dogs.
As soon as she managed to get that little girl excited, Ember’s mere presence sparked a conversation between Aaron and a young boy who was usually very quiet. Thanks to Ember, Aaron’s life took a beautiful turn when he met Lindsay, a compassionate registered nurse at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Their love story blossomed, leading them to a joyous marriage.
Ember has been a source of peace, comfort, and joy in my life for the past 5 years. Lately, it has become my responsibility to offer her the same level of support that she has always provided me. It is now my responsibility to keep sharing her happiness and preserving her memory.
Ember’s energy levels began to decline during the summer, leaving Aaron concerned. It wasn’t long before they discovered the cause: kidney failure. Out of nowhere, it struck without warning, leaving him helpless. The veterinarians offered no solutions, only the option of providing her with daily fluids to ease her discomfort during her final moments.
We made sure to make the most of our limited time with Ember, filling her last days with joy and affection. I couldn’t bear to be apart from her; she was my constant companion, accompanying me on all my adventures. Over the past few days, we’ve had the pleasure of visiting kids at work, capturing numerous photo shoots with local fire departments, embarking on a delightful hike to her beloved creek for a day of water-filled enjoyment, and, above all, indulging in cozy cuddles on the couch.
Ember continued to bring joy and light to people’s lives until the very end. As Ember made her way into the vet’s office, a familiar sound reached my ears. At the event, a young girl was captivated by Ember, unable to look away. Caught up in my overwhelming emotions, I failed to consider allowing the girl to pet Ember. Ember was well aware.
Despite her illness, the little pup took a moment to stop beside the girl and receive a gentle pat on the head. I couldn’t help but feel a rush of emotion as I witnessed the girl’s radiant smile, a moment that touched my heart deeply.
As I cradled my precious daughter in my arms, I gazed into her beautiful, soulful eyes and poured out my overflowing love for her. As I gazed into her eyes one last time, I could sense that she was prepared to embark on her next journey. Despite her exhaustion, she found joy in the gentle wag of her tail. I truly believe that she was brought into my life for a greater reason, and it seems evident that she was aware of her accomplishments and their significance.
Ember’s memory will forever remain in my heart, as well as in the hearts of those who cherished her deeply.
