We all need to “Mellow Out”

Let me tell you a story about a dog named Mellow.

Last week, a flyer went around to neighbors in a little town in northeastern Pennsylvania. “Mellow’s Last Walk Around Dupont” was a letter, apparently written in the hand (or paw) of Mellow the rescue dog, full of gratitude for neighbors that had pet him or given him treats over the years. But the flyer also had a more sobering purpose: Mellow had recently been diagnosed with lymphoma “and will be leaving for doggie heaven in June.” On the evening of Saturday, June 3rd, Mellow would take his last walk around the neighborhood.

You can probably guess what happened next. As one neighbor explained: “There were at least 25 people [on the first block]. When I looked to the next block, there was another 20. I’m going to say that was how the whole walk went.” Neighborhood kids made signs. Folks scratched Mellow behind his ears. They spoke words of kindness and encouragement to Mellow’s owner, Kevin. It was a beautiful evening of kindness and connection, even in the midst of hurt.

Read the rest in today’s Omaha World-Herald…