Word came a few days ago that Boomer, Kevin and Nancy Mueller’s golden retriever at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., died after suddenly taking ill.
An autopsy revealed the dog was riddled with cancer, even though there were no outward signs until the day of his death.
Boomer, along with another golden retriever, Bessie, served as the unofficial welcoming committee at the historic Route 66 motel. Boomer even had his own Facebook page.
News of Boomer’s death elicited scores of sympathy messages on Boomer’s page and the Blue Swallow’s Facebook page. It even produced this tribute video from photographer KC Keefer:
The Muellers say they’re heartbroken (having lost two dogs — including one from cancer — in recent years, I can relate). But they can take comfort in what they gave in the last two years of Boomer’s life — a constant stream of visitors, regular trips to the Ute Lake, chasing varmints around the motel’s grounds, and owners who obviously adored him. To socially active dogs such as golden retrievers, that’s already like heaven.
Thanks, Ron. What a pleasant surprise to find Boomer here. He is greatly missed, but Bessie is working hard to pick up the slack!
Prayers from here.