Praying and crossing our paws for our friends John and Gert

Never in my life did I imagine that doing volunteer work with Josie would be THE most rewarding experience of my life. But at the same time challenging and heartbreaking. Last night, Gert had John moved into a Hospice Care Center, after learning that the doctor's refused to allow her to take John home to care for him. They said she couldn't handle it, that he would need too much care. The Center which John is going to is a small center, only 6 beds, so he will be getting care 24/7 and the facility is quiet and about as nice as a place can be for that purpose. I held her hand the night before, the last night in the hospital as she was distraught and cried and said to me, "I feel as if I am just bringing my husband somewhere to die..". I didn't know what to say. I am not trained in hospice work. I am only a volunteer. But I am now her friend. So I spoke from my heart. I looked into the Center and it turns out that this particular center is quite well known in our area and there is usually a waiting list to get in. I looked it up on the internet and asked staff members about it and then came back and told Gert that if she has to go through this, and she does, to go through this with the best care available in the best place possible.

So last night was a very emotional night for all of us. Once we got John settled into the Hospice, I sent Gertrud home so she could take a shower (she spent the last 2 nights in the hospital) and get some extra clean clothes. John's sister and her husband ran out to get something to eat and Josie and I stayed with John. Josie slept with him and I held his hand and sang him Beatle songs until they all arrived back. Gert's sister-in-law brought food back for Gert and I set up a tray with all the food on it for her so she would eat.

I kissed Gert and John good-bye before I left and told John (who I call "Handsome") that I would see him tomorrow.

All I can ask of all my blog friends is to keep John and Gertrud and her family in your prayers. These next couple of days will be very up and down and emotional. I will keep you posted when I can.

I will be checking your blogs as soon as I can, so keep them light and funny for me and Josie because we will need that. ;-)

Oh, I made a card for Gert and this is what I wrote inside:

"I'll cry with you,
until we run out of tears.
Even if it's forever.
We'll do it together."
There it was a simple
promise of connection.
The loving alliance of grief
and hope that blesses both
our breaking apart
and coming together again.

When I get a chance, I will post a copy.

Please post any support messages for Gert and John that you would like to post. I will print them out and share them with them. Love you all!!!! Woof!

Much Love to all of you. Woof!
Josie

Mischievous Monday....Snow and Squirrels!!

I just needed a small break from the seriousness I was posting. I mean, why does Jazzi, Chloe, Remington and Madi get all the fun! LOL!! I wanted to just post some fun pictures of Josie playing in the snow. They remind me of what she would look like if playing with Khyra! So here's to you Khrya, my beautiful snowy friend. And of course all my other friends out there. You know who you are. ;-)

The bottom two are for....oh come on......it's not that hard...SQUIRRELQUEEN!!!

Judy and Miss Cindi, OMG....sorry they are a little blurry...we have a big picture window, (so I had to shoot through that)...and our holly bush was broken in one of the snow storms. And it was last Saturday, and I had just come back from a visit to the hospital (that's of course a whole new story) and there's a squirrel sitting right on top of the broken branch eating a nut. Well, I thought of SQ (really, I did, isn't that great!!) ran and grabbed my camera and clicked away. So there you go Judy....I hope you enjoy them. So cute. If you enlarge it, you can see three colors in the squirrel's tail. Pretty neat. I will try to get more for you. They have been pretty active since the snow has started to melt.

Madi and M.O.M., you are next. The birds are starting to arrive too. So get ready when I take my breaks from my visits and serious posts. Which I can tell I will need. I have some serious pictures of some Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks I know I promised you!!!

John and Gert need your prayers, BTW. So keep them coming. It's only a matter of time. Thanks. Josie and I have been working overtime. That's why the much needed break.

Sorry if we haven't been hitting your posts or posting too much. I hope you all understand. Plus I heard the Rainbow Bridge has been a bit busy. For all of our furry friends that have passed on, may angels carry you on their wings and may your humans get peace in knowing that you loved them dearly unconditionally. May that love live on in stories and pictures, so that they may live forever in all of our hearts. Much love everyone. Life is way too short for anything else. Woof!

Getting a dog was the best thing I ever did....EVER.

I'd like to start off by thanking everyone for their heartfelt support of Hana's passing. I'm sure Priscilla and her family really appreciated the support. You guys are so amazing. Give yourselves a big hug from Josie and myself. You just learned your first lesson about Pet Therapy. ;-) Although, you've all been doing it all along, just via the computer. I guess we can call it 'Puter Therapy. Big Hugz to all of you!

It's been a crazy couple of days. Sorry it's taken me a couple of days to write. Josie and I have been really busy with our hospital visits. We went on Tuesday and found out that Joe passed away late Saturday night. I'm glad we got to visit him on Saturday. (Re Post: Happy Valentine's Day) Hopefully it made him more peaceful and able to cross over more easily. You know, I never found out his last name, but I am going to inquire at the hospital, so Josie and I can send the family a card. I had a wonderful talk with them during our visit. (Sigh)

And we have been visiting with John and Gertrude all week. John has been having a very rough week. He has finally been transferred from Respiratory to Oncology, which, in a way, is good. The rooms are newer and all of the rooms are single rooms. And when Gert spends the night, the chair is much more comfortable for her. Weird, how the little things mean so much. The love between the two of them is incredible. And they look forward to Josie's (or our) visits every day, except for the occasional day off. I feel really special to be a part of their lives. And I truly believe that Josie is part of the reason John has made it this long. And will make it longer. He will get better. Gert admitted to me yesterday that she never expected him to come home from the hospital in January, but he did. I just held her hand and told her to be strong and that he was going to pull through this.

My life has completely changed the day I adopted Josie. April 1, 2007. I've done a lot of things in my life. Made a lot of mistakes. Done a lot of good things. But nothing compares to that day. That day was the best day ever! It was the day that changed my life forever. It is because of  Josie that I am now giving of myself unconditionally and with her and through her I am able to give more love to complete strangers and help people in ways I've never thought possible. Although, after one visit, they are not strangers anymore. They are friends. We have bonded. And there's a connection and love. That's why, getting a dog was the best thing I ever did! EVER!

BTW, the photo above is of Josie waving good-bye to a patient. She always waves good-bye when we leave a patient's room or say good-bye to someone. I know...she's a cutie!!!

Dogma Thought of the Day:
Be wise, even if someone you love hurts you, stick by them.
They'll come to their senses.
You be the smart one.

Much Love! Woof Soon!

One of my Blog Friends needs our support

Hi Everyone...

One of my blog friends, Sheltiebeauties, lost their beloved dog Hana yesterday, on Valentine's Day, no less.

She was only 3 years old. They do have her beautiful daughter, Eva, who is not even 3 months old yet.

If you have the time to leave a message of condolences, please go to:

http://sheltiebeauties.blogspot.com/2010/02/rip-hana.html

Long may you run, Hana, over the rainbow bridge....

Thank you so much!

Much Love!!!

Josie


I AM NOT THERE
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone, animal or human, especially those who are sick, unloved, unwanted, and hurting, and in extra need of love and prayers, a Very Warm, Cuddly, Happy, Valentine's Day. And know that there are people out there who do care about you and will be coming to help you and rescue you and give you food and shelter and warmth and love.

I also wanted to shout out a few Happy Valentine's Day wishes to some of my FBF's (First Blog Friends), so here I go...in no particular order: Cloud the Wonder Dog, Madi and Mom, Lindy MacDuff, Sandra, Bijou and Banjo, Khyra and Mom, Remington, Sagira, Judy and Miss Cindi Lou, An English Shepherd, Bunny and all at Houndstooth, Aine, Lorenza, Anya and Kareltje, Mistaya and M.O.M., Sara, Havetailwillwag, Fosterdoggies, Yodi and Jess, McGillicutty, Emma Rose, P.J., Life With Dogs, Jazzi, Sugar, Max, Twix, Chloe, TC, Priscilla, Sharon, Daisy, Summerrr, Canoe.Bill, Kinga, Tina, Coltin1948, Kasmid, Miz Minka, For The Love of Dogs, Jacks Dad, NancyTurtle, Spider and Smudge, Signe, DSS, Shangey....oh yeah..Jersey Joker and Josie's Dad...BOL...that's Uncle Gary and Daddy! If I've left anyone out, I apologize...but I think I've got you all. I've only been doing this for a couple of months, but the love we've received has been tremendous...life saving...in a way you'll never know. So I want to thank you all for being there for me and Josie and letting us share our stories with you. Thanks so much for listening. Hopefully next year the list will have more than doubled, but you will be special because you are my FBF's!!!

Josie and I visited the hospital on Wednesday, during the big snowstorm. On Thursday, we had to dig out. On Friday we visited again. And on Saturday, we had a Pediatric visit. We also visited 2 patients in the ICU Unit. These are patients that we've visited before and needed some extra love. We also visited John and Gertrude. John is doing better, but not good enough to go home yet. Then we visited an patient in Oncology, who had taken a turn for the worse.

We ran into most of his family Friday night while waiting for the elevator. They explained his condition after they asked a bunch of questions about Josie. (Josie is a great conversation starter!) I explained that we would be more than happy to visit their father/grandfather, even if he was "seemingly" out-of-it and Josie could lie on the bed with him. They seemed a bit skeptical, but I explained about how the healing/calming properties of the dog's presence helps the patient and the patient is aware the dog is there. I just left it at that. When we walked out of the hospital that night (Friday), we ran into them again, as they were bringing a bunch of food into the hospital and they said "did you go visit him?" and I said "well you didn't seem like you wanted us too, would you like us too?" and they said "Yes!" so I explained that we would be back on Saturday and we would visit then (meaning tomorrow).

So when we got there on Saturday, their Dad/Grandfather was mostly out of it, breathing steady, and I laid Josie's blanket on his bed on one side, and picked up Josie and laid her on the blanket. I introduced myself and Josie and she laid her head right on his chest and breathed in synch with him and fell asleep with him. It was quite beautiful to watch. I was told that Joe (that's his name) is a huge animal lover, especially dogs. We'd like to visit Joe again on Monday.

Also, I will have more updates on "Rescue" the dog when I can. We still do not know if she is going to lose her leg or not. So please keep her in your prayers.

Dog-Ma Thought for the Day:

Be Gentle and Kind.
There is Already so Much Pain in our World.

Much Love. Woof Soon.

UPDATE ON "RESCUE"!!!

I opened my eyes this morning and waited for someone to call my new name. If I could just hear this I would be free from worry.  And then it happened, someone called "Rescue".  It is for real, a new name and a new start at life. I want to get up but I could not.  I tried over and over but I am just too weak. I needed to let them know I heard my name so I lifted my head.  Everyone around me looked very happy.  Now all I need is to hear that familiar voice who whispered to me just the night before.  And then she came and that voice made everything more real.  I am saved.  I need not worry anymore.  I trust my new friends.  They did what they said they would do, help me through this.  I feel a heartwarming relief that my new friends will not fail me as I have been failed in the past.  This is important to me for my healing because my emotional pain seems to be leaving me and that will give me more strength to conquer my physical pain.  I will forgive the humane who discarded me and begin my life with trusting people.  Thank you all for giving me the chance to trust again. I am told that I have badly injured my front left leg and I may loose it.  I also injured my front right shoulder but I must wait to see how bad it is.  As far as my back end, well, we just have to wait and see what happens.  It is way too early to tell.  I feel much better and have a positive attitude.  My spirits are good.  Without the help and prayers of you, I don't know if I would have opened my eyes this morning.  I realize now how important to my new friends it is for me to pull through.  I am trying very hard. Alex has been such a big part in my recovery.  She has gone over and beyond for me.  I want to soon get up and run over to all of you and feel you touch me.  I am looking forward to that day.  For now, I am tired and will need to go so I can get my rest.  My only wish for tonight is to wake up again and hear someone calling "Rescue".

"Today was a quiet day for me.  After looking out the window I am so glad that I am not wondering outside in this weather looking for food and shelter.  It makes me sad to think of all the others that are still out there waiting and praying to be saved.  There are so many humans that help us but more that discard us each day.  I once heard someone say that the soul would have no rainbow if the eye had no tear.  My tears are not able to be seen by you but for now my tears are shed for others like I was only a few days ago."

"I received a beautiful letter from someone today.  She read my story and responded to me with kind thought and comforting words.  If you get the chance, take a minute to read this.  I will read it one more time and then return to resting.  Again, I will be looking forward to tomorrow and my recovery so I can extend my never-ending loyalty to you for all you are doing for me."

Faithfully,
Rescue

Letter which Rescue received:

"You never met me and probably never will, yet I know so much about you.  It breaks my heart when I think of all the torture you had to go through and I thank God you finally found so many people who love and will take care of you.  Think of the voice that whispered in you ear, she is the one that brought you here, she is the one that will stand by your side, she won't give up, she never does, she's your angel sent from above.  This angel's name is Sharon, she saves so many, but never enough, the job she has is really tough.  She's not looking for someone to blame, she just wants you to live for her, she's the one that gave you your name.  You have a long road to go down, you won't go alone.  When you get better you'll have a brand new home.  So PLEASE wake up each day and fight to stay alive, so many people are praying for you  to survive.  Right  now all we can do is pray, pray for you to get strong enough so the vet can decide  what has to be done to make you better and keep you alive.  You have come this far, PLEASE don't give up, be brave, stay strong, this was so very wrong, lets make it right PLEASE RESCUE WIN THIS FIGHT."

Thank You to all the prayers and love everyone is sending for "Rescue". She is one of many, but at least she has a chance now, thanks to Animal Rescues such as Adopt-A-Pet. Please keep those prayers and happy thoughts coming. I will be posting updates as I receive them. Can you imagine her being out in the streets in this snow? She never would have made it after being hit by that car. The thought is just too much for me to bear.

Much Love to all of you! Woof Soon!

Wordless Wednesday! Well, Sort of...

I'd like to start off by thanking everyone for their prayers for "Rescue". I will hopefully have an update about her tomorrow. Word is that she is in critical, but stable condition.

But for today, Wordless Wednesday, Sort of..., we are in the process of a "white out". The snow started last night and has been hitting us pretty much non-stop since. Here are two pictures, taken this morning at 10:00 am. One of our Redwood, (not normal in our area) and one of our brook.

The rest of the pictures are of Josie and her BFF Lily playing in the snow together this morning. Josie is wearing a her first sweater. How do you think she looks? Mah-velous!!!!

And for those of you who are wondering. My patient John is still in the hospital and in stable condition. His wife Gertrude is keeping the faith bedside. I was able to visit them with Josie this afternoon during a slight lull in the storm. But we had quite a ride getting home. Good thing for Subaru's!

Much Love to all of you. Woof Soon!

Rescue's Story. Sure to bring tears to your eyes.

This isn't my normal post, but Josie and I have been so busy this past weekend with Hospital visits and snow, I just haven't had a chance to post yet.

My good friend Sharon, sent me this email, and I had to share it with all of you. She runs a rescue called Adopt-A-Pet out of Freehold, NJ. Website: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ05.html

"My name will be Rescue if I live. I heard my new name whispered in my ear several times today but I was not sure if that was me. As I lay here now, clinging to life, I will look forward to everyone calling me Rescue. Several months ago, many people saw me running the streets. They tried to call me over but I did not trust them. At one time I had someone to trust but as my life went on I must have done something wrong to be tossed into the streets. I am very street smart, even looking both ways when traveling across the street. Sometimes I had to wait a bit to cross, but I made it. I made it every time for months. I was good at getting food, not sure what it was that I ate, but I could survive. Then someone was tired of chasing me and set a humane dog trap. I knew if I went in it, I may have been caught by someone who would just love me for a short time and rid of me again. I could not deal with that anymore. I did not want my heart broken again. One day Ken came looking for me. He saw me, opened up a can of food and as I ran away, he tossed the food to me. When he turned around to leave I saw the dog food all over his back. I had to laugh but I didn't get that meal. I passed the baited trap every day but still would not trust it, even know the meals inside smelled great. I would just have to search for each meal on my own. The weather has been getting harder and harder to get around and find shelter and food. I was hoping the spring would come soon.  

As I wondered aimlessly late last night, my pads of my feet were starting to crack from the snow. I could not feel my feet anymore so I decided to walk on the part of the road that had no snow.  It made my feet feel much better.   A few more days and the snow would be gone again and I could go back to walking on the shoulder of the road were it would be much safer. But as someone whispers "Rescue" in my ear, they tell me that I will NEVER have to walk the streets again. I will never have to search for food again and I will be loved FOREVER. I only hope that this is true because  Ann came to pick me up off the side of the road where a car struck me. I am very badly injured and each second is a miracle to be here. Ann called the person who named me Rescue. She said she would one day soon save me off the streets but by the tears in her eyes I don't think she meant this way.  I will start to trust again if only I get a second chance at life. I ask for the sake of my humane friends that you say a prayer for me because their hearts are broken. They tried for several months to help me and I do not want to disappoint them. If I survive, I will ask again for your support for I will be in need of surgery. I hope that I will someday be able to meet all of you that listened to my story. If I do not survive, I will now know that I leave this world remaining in someone's heart. Thank you to all animal lovers."

2/9/10 Update: Those prayers seem to be working. Please keep them coming. Rescue has make it through the night and if she holds on for another day we believe she will make it. There is a chance that her front leg is so badly broken it might have to be removed, but that isn't something to worry about now.

Please keep the prayers coming for Rescue. Much love to you all. Woof soon!

Josie bringing her love to patients anyway she can

I don't know if any of you remember me talking about a patient named John and his wife Gertrude, whom we got quite attached too. (Re: Pediatrics and Germany! post) Well, on Monday, I actually dropped Josie off at their house in the afternoon so they could watch her while I was at work. That is how close we have become. When I went to pick her up after work I sat with Gert and she told me how much fun it was for both of them watching Josie and having a dog in the house again. They used to have a German Shepherd named Rex in their younger days, so watching Josie was a big thrill for them. Josie hung with Gertrude in the kitchen for a while and eventually ended up sleeping with John on the couch. All-in-all it was a fantastic visit. It felt really great to give them the opportunity to spend some "alone" time with Josie. I mean, Josie and I visited John and Gert while John was in the hospital almost every day since November, and then once he was in Rehab, we visited him there too. He has been home now for about 3 weeks, which is great. He is on the road to recovery!!

Unfortunately, I received a call from Gertrude yesterday morning that John had been brought to the emergency room and was being admitted to the hospital. He had contracted pneumonia. So Josie and I went to visit him and Gertrude last night. We had a good visit, although John wasn't doing too well, but he was stable. He was basically just unsettled.

I heard from Gertrude this morning that he slept last night and that he was doing a little better (yeah!). Josie and I will be going there right after work to spend time with the two of them. Hopefully, the doctors will get his pneumonia under control and out of his system and he will recover and he can go home (soon). But if it takes a few days or weeks, as long as he recovers, well, that's what matters. I know he is fighting an uphill battle, but we are right there along side them both. And I know Josie's visits make a difference and mean something to both of them.

Now, the photo above is of a patient we visited on Monday night after I picked up Josie from John and Gert's and went to the hospital for a visit. We went to the ICU unit. We met a nice woman whose husband had been in ICU and had been unconscious for a week. He finally woke up and she wanted us to visit him. I wanted to show you how she lays on the bed and how patients hold her "nose" for comfort. They just keep petting and stroking her nose and face. She can lay there for hours like that. See how her paws are outstretched too. Sometimes they hold "paws" with her. The red blanket is a blanket that I lie down on the patients bed so Josie lays directly on that blanket as to not get "doggie hair" all over the hospital linens. That patient is doing VERY WELL and they really appreciated our visit.

I'd just like to ask all of you, if it's not too much trouble to please keep John and Gertrude in your prayers for us. I will keep you up to date on their progress and Josie's visits. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Much love everyone.

Dog-Ma Thought for the Day:
Always stand by the one you love,
And remember to lick their face. (slurp)

Wordless Wednesday

Bath Time!!!!!

After a very long weekend, my mom decided to give me a bath Monday night. Thought I'd keep it simple and let the pictures do the talking. My heartfelt thanks to everyone and their kind words of support for our "loss" and experience we were going through this past weekend. I doubt it ever gets easy. The wake was yesterday and Joyce was very happy we came. So was her whole family, including her daughter Kelly, who we met on Wednesday night, our last visit with Steve.

My mom tried to hit all your blogs, but if she missed a few, she apologizes and will be back on track tomorrow. Please enjoy the bath time pictures and the rolling, flocking dry time ones too. I just love to throw myself around the floor after the bath.

Just so you know we did do a Pediatric visit on Saturday. My mom wasn't her usual perky self, but I was up to par, so the visit went well. I picked up the extra slack and the kids never knew my mom was sad underneath it all. She hid it well anyway. Then we visited our other patient friends Gertrude and John (Re: Pediatrics and Germany! What a Great Day! posting) on Sunday to see how they were doing. More on that I guess tomorrow. Woof tomorrow. Much love to you all.