Josie Makes Wolf Face!!!

So this is what happens to a Therapy Dog when you get them a little brother and their big sister genes kick in. WOW! We call it "Wolf Face!" It's just way too funny to watch. I am going to try to get more pictures and post more. But this shot just captured the moment perfectly. Just look at it!! It's just too funny to imagine that she is the most docile creature in the world and does Pet Therapy when I see this picture. But what she is doing is disciplining Blues because he is just pushing her to the edge with his constant attention, so her doggie instincts kick in and she goes to town. She never hurts him, but they play and it's amazing to watch. Like my own little National Geographic Channel in my own house. I guess I should video it sometime. Get out the popcorn and wine and I have my own entertainment. LOL.

On another note, Josie and I visited the hospital last night (4/15/10) and went to the Diabetic/Metabolic Floor to visit the patients. We hadn't been there since John's passing. It felt good to be back. Well, it was a beautiful visit. The patients really appreciated our being there. Even to the point that one patient emailed us and this morning this is what I received:

Dear Marybeth and Josie (or Josie and Marybeth, don't know who gets top billing),

Just wanted to say thanks again for stopping by to visit my Helen yesterday. That was the most at ease she had been all day, and it was because of you guys. Your Josie is someone special! Bless you both.

Unbelievable....it just feels so good to cheer people up. I'm so glad the visit went well, and Josie was such a pro. Feels so good to be back up on that horse.

The hospital video which we were in (in December), was finally finished and debuted yesterday too. We didn't get to see it, but everyone who worked in the hospital did, so as we walked through the hospital, everyone who saw us said, "Oh my, your both famous! So cute in the video!"

And also, Josie and I were on the front page of the local Newspaper while we were in Hospice Care with John and Gert. I forgot to mention that. A huge photo on the Front Page!!!! How embarrassing!!

And they also took our picture yesterday to put in a hospital brochure. So yes, Josie is getting famous. Remember, it's all about the dog!!! Not, me.

Today we go visit the kids in Pediatrics!!!

A special thank you to Cloud and Khyra for cheering me on when I need it the most.
And my little Eva. ;-)

Much Love to you all!!
Have a great weekend!
Woof!!!
Josie and Mr. Blues, Jr.

Introducing Our New Puppy Mr. Blues Jr.

Well, Spring time brings lots of things, baby birds, flowers, sunshine, green grass...and for us, we rescued a new puppy. We named him Mr. Blues, Jr. He was going to be killed in a gas kill shelter in Ohio. We call him Blues for short. He is half German Shepherd/Half Husky and has the bluest eyes you've ever seen. He is 16 weeks old and is so funny. I don't know why, but I always seem to get dogs with funny ears!! I don't know if his ears are going to stay that way, but looks like he might end up with one ear up and one ear down like Josie.

Enjoy!!!
Much love to you all.
Josie and her mom


A bit of kibble from a Phycolliegist:
Sometimes you just have to give up on chewing the same old bone. 
Know when to start on a new one.

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