Josie smiling

Josie smiling
One ear up and one ear down...my trademark look

Thursday, February 18, 2010

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!

20 comments:

  1. Khyra's Mom here...

    I understand - Khyra(aka Whitney) was my birthday present to me in 2006 - the best thing I did (or right up there with getting out of a bad marriage) for me

    Because of her, I'm 'here' -

    How different my life would be without all the people (and pets) I've met throught the blogs - either virtually or physically met -

    The two of you make a real difference!

    THANKS FOR THAT!

    H&K,
    Khyra's Mom AND Khyra too
    P.S. LOVE the Dogma Thought of the Day!

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  2. You beat me to it: She IS a cutie!

    It must feel so wonderful to make a difference in someone's life the way you and Josie do.

    I remember when my brother was moved to hospice, our plan was to bring his dogs to visit the next day. He didn't make it that long, and I always wished that the hospital could have bent the rules and let us bring them in, just once during his three weeks there. It would have made all of us so happy.

    Thank you for what you do. I hope I never need your services, but I'm grateful to know that people like you are out there with their therapy dogs "just in case."

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  3. I feel the same way about the day we adopted each of our dogs, but especially my heart dogs, Treat and now Bunny. It's like a piece of my heart broke off and grew fur and legs! Josie is so darned cute!

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  4. Another beautiful post! Thank you!

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  5. While I don't particularly believe in predestination I do think some things are just our destiny, like you and Josie coming together. Separately you both would have taken different paths but together you are making a difference in peoples lives. You are both very special.

    Judy

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  6. Josie is so special and yes a cutie. I think it is great what the both of you can do together. It helps so many people. You should be very proud of Josie. God is really using the both of you in a wonderful way. Keep up the good but busy work!!

    Big smiles
    Jazzi and Diana

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  7. hey josie my name is Keiko (key-ko) and I would love to become good furriends with you... Im following your blog and would love it if you could follow mine by going to my blog and clicking the follow button!! I hope to see you soon!!!

    wags and Lick
    keiko

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  8. i bet josie feels the same way about you!! :)

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  9. Josie is a great dog and you're so lucky to have her. I'm so glad she has helped people through their illness and that she has touched the lives of others ... and you too. The picture of Josie waving goodbye is the best thing a dog could do to a sick patient.
    And yes, you are most welcome to put a picture of Hana on your blog :)

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  10. What a sweet post.

    Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

    "For it is in giving that we receive." ~ Francis of Assisi

    With Josie, you are able to give so much to people, but you are the one who receives an even greater reward. Amazing. Dogs are amazing. Josie is amazing. What a gift she is to the world.

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  11. Great post! What a great gift to have our friends....

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  12. Dear Josie and Mom thank you for this beautiful heartfelt post!!! If we all 'listen' we can learn so much about love from our pets. Thank you for all you do!!!
    Madi and Mom

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  13. the wave is priceless and i fully understand how you feel. my husband and I have often said how our lives changed when we got our first dog, and the 3 since then. they bring laughter and love to us every day of our lives. You are blessed to have found Josie and I pray God's blessings on both of you for the love you are sharing with people so in need.

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  14. I don't think you'll find much disagreement in this crowd! We are fortunate to have the opportunity to share space with dogs. They are incredible animals.

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  15. Fate brought you two together for a reason. Keep up the good work!

    Yay team!

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  16. What a beautiful post. The transformative and redemptive power of love never ceases to amaze me. :)

    Thank you and Josie for the great work you are doing!

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  17. We should all be so fortunate to find our "calling." You and Josie are most certainly blessed!

    You might enjoy this "meant to be" story. Although different from your own, still quite amazing.

    http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=news&mode=entry&entry=D707732A-C5CB-C21F-AF5AACBFCA746248&utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Love+is+in+the+air

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  18. Josie makes such a great therapy dog! Keep up the great work.

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  19. pretty sure that speaks for all of us!! Pebbles and I will be testing this weekend and I hope that a year from now we will be able to reflect on all the unconditional love we have been able to give as you and Josey have given. What powerful messages you are sending to those around you. You have impacted a great multitude and will continue to as people remember Josey and how she loved them through thick and thin, through pain and gain!

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  20. Adopting animals it's the best experience. I have one dog and two cats, and I'm leting a cat from the streets to come in if he want to live here :D

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