When I turned two years old my breeder person told my people I must attend training classes — and so they took me. I loved it — I was free for a short time. There were other dogs to talk to and I watched and learned quickly. Perhaps too quickly as I didn’t need a lot of training and then it was back to my domain with just the birds and the basement. Oh, they did feed me the best food and made sure I had all my shots but I was crying on the inside.

At night I could hear lots of disturbances up in the house. I don’t really remember when it started but I do remember my people quit smiling and I never got a kind word anymore. I tried playing a game and did not come to them when they called. They did not think this was funny — they got very angry. The third time I played this game they left me out all day and went off to work. At first I was excited and called out to my bird friends to come and talk. But no one came. It was a windy cloudy day and the sky got darker and darker. Then the rain began and it came down in great sheets. Soon I was drenched and chilled to the bone. I tried to hide under the pine trees but their great boughs reached to the ground and there was no place to take cover. By the time my people came home I was really miserable. I was lucky I didn’t get sick. After that I came when called. My dreams of grandeur were many and perhaps that’s what kept me going. The disturbances up in the house became more frequent. I would hear a door slam and then a car start. Tires screamed and the car would drive away. Then, crying upstairs. If I could only be up there — I could have offered comfort and love.

One day I heard a familiar voice upstairs and the next thing I knew I was being called up there. I couldn’t believe it — me up in the house! There stood my breeder person. I was delirious — I did circles, I laid down and stretched, I jumped and ran. Then, I knocked over a lamp and turned the carpet up. My breeder laughed but my owner frowned and scolded me. I settled down and tried to listen to what was being said. I didn’t understand the conversation but somehow I knew my breeder person had driven a long way to see me. She took me out on a leash and moved me around. She placed my legs and had me stand still. Then we went back in the house. My breeder soon left and back I went to the basement.

My dreams became constant and longing. I dreamed of a world with pretty flowers, lush fields, bubbling streams and many many friends.

Three weeks later my breeder appeared again and this time she took me off in her van. Hours later I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was back where I was born — back at my birth place and romping with a young beautiful gal. That night I slept up in the house and I was so good. I didn’t run around or knock anything over — I pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Could I stay here? Yes, I did stay and this is where my story begins.

Author’s Note: This story of Thunder is true. However, some of the episodes which follow are a figment of T.R.’s imagination. Because of Thunder’s pure heart and deep compassion, he decided to devote his life to giving words of wisdom to all his fellow dogs. Hence he started a column to offer help to those who were depressed and discouraged. Following are a few of the letters Thunder has received. If you need to write to Thunder please send your email to TRdane@hotmail.com

Send your letters to "TR" at: TRdane@hotmail.com

Dear T.R. I live a life of loneliness. My people feed me good and that’s about all. I never get a pat on the head. I lie outside tied to a long chain with a wooden house to sleep in. The ground is always muddy, my coat is dirty and I scratch all the time. Sometimes I hear children laughing and I can smell the sweet earth beyond my domain. I cannot endure this much longer. Is there any hope? Please answer me soon. With love, Samantha Dear Samantha: Please have faith. Let your dreams take over. Remember your other lives. Sometimes we must suffer in one life in order to gain happiness in another. Your dreams will be your salvation. I wish I could help more. Love, T.R. Dear T.R: I am big and ugly. Nobody wanted me. They call me "The Clux". I may be big and ugly but I have a heart of gold. I read your story and although you weren’t abused, your loneliness was felt. I am in a foster home as I was rescued from an abusive family and I can tell you it’s heaven here. I hear them talking and now I know they are going to keep me. Hurray! There is hope. Please continue with your column. We all need a shoulder to lean on. Your friend, The Clux