Josie smiling

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

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Update on John and Gertrud


On Saturday, March 20, John passed away early in the morning with his wife Gertrud and his sister by his side. In the past three weeks, Josie and I had spent only 4 nights home in our own house, and that was one of them. The other nights, Josie and I had spend with Gert and John in the Hospice sleeping on Josie's largest dog bed, which I purchased one Christmas from Doctor's Foster & Smith Catalog.

These three weeks have been the best and the worst. The best in the fact that Gertrud, Josie and I have bonded in a way that I've never imagined one can bond. We gave of our hearts unconditionally and were there for her in any way we could be. We made sure she slept and ate. We were there for her to talk, cry and just sit quietly and hold her hand if need be. Josie was incredible with doing her Pet Therapy. The nurses at the Hospice were amazed at her abilities and how sweet she is. She would watch over John every minute. Anytime a nurse came near him, she would watch what they did to him, lovingly. She would console Gert too.

And the worst because we watched this dreaded disease called Cancer slowly take her husband from us. He seemed in a way to get better, before he left us. But, then again, We've never had an experience like this before. The love between them was so incredible. Sometimes I would cry in my car on the way to the Hospice just so I wouldn't cry once I got there. I would call my brother Gary and talk to him. He would make me cry or laugh...or both. (thanks Gare, for being there, always!)

And THANK YOU to all of you, my blog friends, for your support, love and patience as I went on this journey and you all waited for me and you all posted your many words of support and love. How great it is to have all of you as my "family" to be here to me. I love all of you so much!

A special shout out to Remington for Josie's "St. Patrick's Day Card"! What a bright spot that was! Josie would have posted on your blog had we had a computer to do so. But we have much posting to do now and much postings to read and comment on in the coming weeks. It will be fun catching up on all of your antics, I'm sure!!!

The pictures above are of the card Josie and I made for Gertrud and gave to her at when John first went into Hospice Care. Josie and I have are going to go to the bakery and get some fresh baked bread to bring to her and some Pignoli Cookies (Gert's favorite!). Yesterday, I made a huge batch of homemade sauce and zitis and brought that over with fresh grated cheese so she would have some fresh food to eat. And some tulips, bright yellow, to brighten her house up.

I love the whole card, but the one quote quite sums it up:

"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die" ~ Thomas Campbell

Much Love to all of you! Woof!
Josie and her mom, MB


32 comments:

  1. You have done a marvelous thing!

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  2. We're glad you've been able to grow through this experience!

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  3. Josie,
    We have missed you sooo much. The way you have been helping is wonderful. You are one super cool dog. I am glad that you are back and keep watching over gertrud ok?

    Many smiles
    Jazzi

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  4. I am very sorry to hear that John passed, but at least he isn't suffering anymore. I would say you and Josie went way above and beyond the call of duty and are very special people. Gertrude was lucky to have such caring people there to help her through this.

    I lost my Grandpa in May and it was the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life. To watch his body shut down in front of me and watch him take his final breath was just so hard.

    Our throughts are with John's family and friends as they try to celebrate his love and life and lay him to rest. :(

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  5. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of John.

    How kind of you and Josie to provide comfort and support to John's family during this emotional time.

    Sometimes when people are sad or grieving, they simply need someone to listen. I think that is why dogs are the greatest comfort. Aren't dogs the best listeners?

    Hugs to you both.

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  6. a wonderful and sad story, thank you for sharing and blessing on you and your puppy for staying with her and taking her flowers and food. the quote is one I have not heard and i do love it.

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  7. We are so sorry to hear this news. You and Josie have helped Gert (and John) in the most important way anyone ever could. God Bless you both.

    Emma Rose and the Duchess

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  8. i'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your dear friend John. Thank you for sharing your journey with us and showing us that we can try to be strong and selfless like you are. know that John is in a better place now and he won't suffer ever again.

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  9. Thank you and Josie for doing what you do. Your selflessness and love for John and Gert is a beautiful thing to behold, and we are all blessed to be called your friends. Love, purrs and prayers to you, Josie and Gert.

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  10. Mom is all leaky after reading the post so please bear with us -

    We are sorry fur their loss and fur your loss but we are khwite happy they have some peace now -

    It is time for Mom to paw THOSE words again: things happen fur reasons -

    It sounds like woo've made the the kind of furiend that khomes along too infrekhwently anymore - and the kind that touch/change your life in so many ways!

    Thanks fur sharing them with us too!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra & Khousin Merdie

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  11. Sure it was a special experience.
    I know John and Gert appreciated you two were there for them.
    Take care
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  12. We're so sorry to hear about the passing of John and I hope Gertrude is alright now.

    It's very sweet and kind of you and Josie to provide comfort and support all the time. Our thoughts are with John's family and friends too.

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  13. Hey there Josie and Mom

    My thoughts are with you as you internalise you experience and also with all of you in your loss.
    Thirteen years ago we did the same kind of thing...camping out for two weeks. Somehow knowing that the end is inevitable gives new perspective on the beauty of life. Looking back it was one of the most enriching experiences of my life because I got to know the meaning of true love.
    You and Josie have given a great gift (and received one)...now it's time to be gentle on yourself.
    With lots of love to you, Gertrude and their family.
    MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  14. John and Gert were so lucky to have you and Josie to help them through. That's what it's all about, right?

    You and Josie should give each other hugs for a while. I think it's time for the therapy givers to "get" some therapy for themselves now.

    And pignoli cookies - mmmmm. Maybe sneak one or two for yourself as a treat... :)

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  15. Hi Josie,

    Thanks for coming to my blog. What a lovely thing you do for people. That must be so rewarding. I've learned to find people if they are missing or hidden, and I love everyone I meet but you get to visit hospitals and work so closely with people who need the very special love only we dogs can give. That's a very good thing to do and I'm very proud to share the name 'dog' with you.

    Love

    Tilly

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  16. Hi Josie

    Just stopped by to say how much I enjoy reading your blog. In fact you are such a happy dog that I've given you an award. It's a sunshine award and you can claim it and find out all about it on my blog. If you'd like to display it on your blog please come see me at http://tillyrescuedog.blogspot.com/ and have a lovely day.

    Love

    Tilly

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  17. I forgot to mention how much I like the love bug pillow. we have a red one. it is the one they gave my husband when he had open heart surgery 2 years ago, all the doctors and nurses signed it. we decided to let it reside on the guest room bed. Jake decided it is HIS. we put on the bed, he gets it off, we put it on the bed, he gets it off. he liked to walk around with it hanging from his jaws waggin his tale, saying look at me. Baby steals it and lays her head on it to sleep.

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  18. Lovely piece. Lovely to meet you. (I followed Tilly's lead.)

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  19. I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. It is good to know you and Josie were there for both he and Gertrude. Take care of yourselves and let Gert know she has folks here who are thinking of her.

    I took off for a few days and missed this when you first posted.

    Hugs,
    Judy

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  20. Hi, Josie,

    I know I visited earlier, but I wanted to let you know that I just gave you the Golden Cup award. You do such good things, and you deserve it.

    Stop by my blog to collect it!
    http://rescuek9.blogspot.com/

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  21. Hi Josie and Mom....
    We have been checking by your blog several days a week. What a blessing you two were to Gert...
    Madi and Mom

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  22. Hi Josie:

    This is me, Samuel. I am go glad Tilly gave you the Sunshine Award.

    Because I really like your blog.

    And I am very glad you are a therapy dog.

    From Sammy at www.sammystory.net

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  23. So sorry to hear this news. You really are a blessing, Josie. You and your mommy, both.

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  24. Hi Josie and Mom and welcome back we missed you.
    Yes indeed Madi has adventure in her life and is full of herself...but we love her dearly.
    Take care of each other,
    Madi and Mom

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  25. Hi Josie and Mom,

    Good to see you again, I was getting a little worried. I'm glad you stopped by and met Suzie, the work she does with birds is amazing.

    The two of you are even more amazing and you are always in my thoughts.

    Hugs,
    Judy

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  26. Hi again Josie & Mom,

    Suzie left a comment for you under your comment to her, thought you might like to read it.

    Judy

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  27. What a wonderful life path you have choosen for you and your beautfiul dog. You are both such a blessing. Mistaya's M.O.M.Gail

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  28. Monday April 5
    Hi Josie we hope you and mom had a good Easter and were able to rest some.
    Madi and Mom

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  29. Hi Josie and mom,
    Mom and I were just thinking about you the other day, wondering how you were doing. We're so sorry to hear about John. You and your mom are so very special... We're glad John and Gert had you two to share this experience with them. You are both angels!

    Sending you lots of love,
    Cloud and his mom

    PS. Mom is glad her post made your mom laugh! :-)

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  30. What wonderful work you do, Josie. You and your momma are angels among us.

    John - RIP.

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  31. Just as Honeygo and others above have said, you and Josie are angels on earth. All of us are privileged and blessed to know you through this blog and see a side of life that can be very difficult.

    My sincerest condolences to Gertrud.

    Hugs to you and Josie

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