Grandma Gets First 'Kiss'

It was a usual visit to the local hospital, as usual as a pet visit in a hospital can be... Sammy spent the first twenty minutes or so visiting in the waiting room in the pediatric unit with the only child well enough to come out to visit. (Dogs are not allowed in rooms in this hospital). The little boy was not feeling well at all so the visit was quite short. Sammy played his piano, did his usual dance routine tricks. That wowed the parents and staff, but the little guy just was not in any mood to be entertained at all. Not what you'd call a memorable visit.

But the next forty minutes of our hour long visit, we in the waiting room on the third floor, where patients could come out of their rooms and visit with us. One gentleman patient, his daughter and four women patients ventured down the hallway to come see the furry friend. Again, the tricks, the pets, the stories of their dogs, their kids dogs brightened the afternoon. Each thanked us for coming, but as Sammy was working his way around to say his good-byes, one lady in particular expressed her thanks. She leaned forward to hug him good-bye and he gave her one small kiss on her cheek. She stated she truly enjoyed the visit and she's not even a dog person. She told me that she's a cat person and that THIS WAS THE CLOSEST SHE'D EVER BEEN TO A DOG! She had been bitten as a child and has never touched another dog. (except her son's three pound Yorkie mix). I was amazed. I'd never have guess. She was so good with Sammy and truly seemed to enjoy Sammy's presence as much as the others!

Just let it be known, this was Valentine's Day and Sammy gave this sweet little lady her first doggie kiss! My boy! ! !

He may be gone, but he's not forgotten

The other day, my friend told me to check out her blog to view her Tribute to Podley .


Then a day or two later, my Sammy, Max and Podley's breeder, Janet sent me an email from someone who had Pod's sister. She is in Vancouver Canada and was an assistance dog. But her disabled person could no longer care for her so she was placed with Lisa. Lisa did some research and found Janet and found the  Tarameg Goldens website and contacted Janet. Janet in turn forwarded the email on to me. In the email were pictures of Rowan, Pod's litter mate and Lisa's website.


After reading her email, viewing the pics and studying her website, I had to wait a couple days to contact her. The resemblance to Pod and descriptions of Rowan's disposition were too haunting for me to address immediately. When I finally had time to sob as I typed, I emailed Lisa explaining who I was, etc.


The email I got in return was just as touching as the first. She had been all over Tarameg's website and read about Pod. She was totally amazed that I had then contacted her and she then realized that Rowan was indeed Podley's litter mate. Lisa and I have a lot in common. Rowan is a therapy dog with Lisa. Lisa's quote at the end of her emails is the very same quote I had added to our KPETS t-shirts several years ago.
"Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole" - Roger Cargas.


It truly is a small world and isn't it amazing how these furry friends we care for and love can connect to others, even when they are watching us from heaven above!

In Memory of Sammy's friend John

Several years ago a co-worker's husband was eventually diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer after months of testing. Kathy told me at work one day that her husband, John's doctor had mentioned the fact that if John would like a dog, it could help him through this terrible journey they was about to face.

Kathy originally asked me to look for a dog for John that was similar to my golden, Cinda. John fell in love with Cinda when he met her when he came to our office to have lunch with Kathy several months earlier. Cinda was an assistance dog in training and went to work with me quite often. I started to pursue some options but as things go close to the possibly of my finding a pooch for her, she was having second thoughts. She didn't have to say much. I knew Kathy and dogs were not her thing. And the thought of having a puppy or a dog after John was gone was just too much for her to comprehend. I understood completely, as did John. John and Kathy were a beautiful admirable couple - wonderful examples of what a marriage should be.

Realizing a dog in John's life would be beneficial even if not living in his home with him, I offered him visits with  my other young golden, Sammy. I told him, he could come over and visit Sammy  at our home until Sammy got to know him or I could bring him to their home (if ok with Kathy). They bonded very quickly. I eventually offered them that if they would like to take Sammy home for an afternoon, I would be ok with that.

Well, that was the beginning of very beautiful relationship. Many weekend afternoons, I'd say good-bye to Sammy as John and Kathy would take him to their home. Sammy was there for various picnics with friends and family. They would give me pictures of my boy with John in his garden or just playing in the living room.

As months went by the inevitable became more obvious. Instead of taking Sammy themselves, they would just invite me to bring him over for shorter and shorter visits. John wanted so badly to get on the floor with Sammy, but that was no longer a possibility. Then on one visit, they gave me all the toys that  Sammy had accumulated  while spending time in his second home.  As I left that day, they thanked us. I knew that wold be our last visit with John.

Sadly, John did pass away. Kathy called me and asked that Sammy please be in receiving line with the family for the Visitation. I wasn't comfortable doing that but I would definitely bring him along.

When I arrived at the funeral home, the line of people waiting to pay their respects was as lined up outside and along the front of the parking lot. I put on Sammy's therapy dog vest and his black scarf and proceeded to the end of the line. As we waited in the parking lot line, folks would walk by and recognize Sammy. They would say "Oh, this must be Sammy. We've heard so much about him" or "Sammy was at the picnic we attended with John and Kathy". I was amazed at how many knew him or of him.

But the biggest surprise was yet to come. As Sammy and I approached the family, I could tell they saw us in advance. When it was our turn, Kathy and her two daughters shed a few tears as they hugged Sammy gently before moving on to the next visitor. We proceeded through the line to the table holding John's urn. First we passed the family photo of John, Kathy and his family.  Then was the urn containing John's remains. As we took our next step, I stopped and the tears just flowed and flowed. There on the table right next to John was a beautifully framed picture of John's buddy, Sammy.

I  thank the Lord, my God for my precious boy and that he was able to help one man travel through his final and most difficult journey.

Miracle Max

It never ceases to amaze me how these therapy dogs affect peoples' therapy sessions. Today Max and I went to the Rehab Hospital to work with the physical therapists and their patients. Max and I worked with a gentleman who need to work on balance while seated and using his left arm/hand. We'll call him "Bob".

The therapist, (we'll call Jill) had Max jump up on the mat table so Bob could brush him from his wheelchair. Max gladly obliged and hopped right up. As Max sat close to the edge of the table, his friend leaned forward to brush Max with a little help from Jill and his wife, who was there watching and giving him moral support. Bob brushed Max using his right hand but working on his balance while doing so. After a few minutes, it was time to lean back and take a break.

After a brief rest, the next thing we were to help with was having Bob pet Max with his left hand. He was instructed of this next exercise, so he leaned front - without any help! ! Eyes widened and "good jobs" were heard from everyone! He worked hard to lift his arm up enough to pet Max on his back, then stroking him back and forth from shoulders to tail. There were no complaints from Max. He loved every minute of it.

Rest time - and as if to say "thank you", Max was licking his hands. He's not usually a licker! I apologized but Bob and his wife both said it was fine, as their dog at home was quite the kisser. Now you must know, Max was very thorough when he was kissing his hands; they were 'schlecked' on the back and on the palms.  I did pull out a wet wipe from my bag and offered it to Bob to clean up. Jill took it and helped unfold the wipe and then handed it to him. He used is left hand to wipe his right - top and bottom. Then he used his right hand to wipe his left. He did the top and Jill asked, "Can you get your palm". He turned his arm/wrist so his palm was almost face-up. Jill stated with eyes wide, "I didn't know you could do that!". His wife said the same! Bob commented, "Me, either. You should name him 'Miracle Max'".

Not a bad idea! My kids. I'm so proud of each and  every one of them!

In Memory of Podley

Well, it's official. Podley has been gone for one year today. Probably about now I was in his crate at the Pet Emergency in York, holding his non-repsonsive little body next to me as I tried to take in every detail about him. It's so hard to hear his breath and then he stopped. How horrible. If only they could have saved him. We miss his so - every day.

But as I sit hear typing, Dad and Max are bonding. Bill seated on the couch with Max lying next to him, tail wagging.  Not touching each other at all. But as Bill turns to look at him, Max's tail starts to thump a little faster. Then as Bill looks away, the tail slows, but never stops. Then as Bill raises his hand to pet, that little tail goes SO fast. How precious. I must be thankful for what we do have. Cinda, Sammy, Max and even for Zeke too. 

None will ever be as gentle a soul as Podley and Podley will always be one of those once-in-a-life-time dogs. As my heart breaks thinking of last year at this time, I still have to believe that my loving God will allow us to meet again in Heaven.

3rd Saturday in Dec

Oh, it's so hard to believe it's been a whole year since little Pod passed away so suddenly at only 5.5 years old. The third Saturday in December of '09 (December 19).  As I go about our day getting ready for Christams this year, I can't help be recall throughout the day, where we were last year on the same Saturday.

As I mucked the stalls, I kept thinking, last year, there was a sweet 3-legged boy sleeping in the house awaiting our romp in the woods.

As we finished breakfast with my family and glanced at my watch at 10:20, I recalled that by this time we were already in crisis mode. He had already collapsed and the end was beginning.

As I walked each dog in the afternoon on our new path around the property and up the neighbors field, I couldn't help but think, Pod never got to take this route. As we walked through the dried leaves and sticks through the woods, I remembered his running with his brother Sammy that final day in the deep snow where we now trod.

Taking three walks in order to get all four pups their special time, I can't help but miss Podley greatly. He was such a special gift from God above. When I do miss the his terribly I try not to dwell, but turn to God and give him thanks for what we do have.

Sammy made an impression

While working away in the office today, a lady stopped by to request a visit for two special needs adult ladies that she supervises in their group home. Her name was Gayle. I knew she looked familiar from somewhere but could not place her. She knew me from way back a few years ago when she attempted to get her dog registered with KPETS. But her dog was dog agressive so we could not register them.

Gayle then mentioned that she met us at the Pet Expo the other weekend with one of her special ladies. It was coming back to me. She mentioned that, since meeting Sammy, her friend could not stop taking about my boy! She had met another dog that day as well, but she was really hooked on Sammy.

Gayle stated that as her friend leaned forward in her wheelchair to reach for Sammy, that was further than she ever does for her - even to put her coat on.
She stated that her friend talked more to me than she had ever talked to any stranger, that she has ever seen.

She continued to talk about Sammy for days, about how she fed him treats. Gayle said that her friend's speech was so much more understandable when she spoke to us.

My boy! I'm so proud of him. Just like Podley did, he's making lasting impressions!