Today we accompanied the Petite Princess on her rounds at the Hospital.
Shelby led us through our usual stops, admissions, the information desk, intensive and critical care waiting area’s, so we would be warmed up for a couple of people she would lead us to meet.
We knocked on this gentleman’s door and asked if he would like a visit with a dog? He certainly would he says, so we roll in and Shelby turns on the charm. As we chatted, he said he was 94 years old and moved to Sonoma County to be near his son and his family. As he was talking with us, Cindi asked where he was from, he mentioned a country in Europe and said he immigrated to the US in 1947. We said, Wow, that was right after World War 2. He told us he was a Holocaust Survivor.
As the power of that statement sank in, he said he attended college in his new home, America, and went on to have a successful career. With a smile on his face he told us how great America is and how there no other place in the world like it. He told us he doesn’t want to remember his time before he came to America.
We talked about dogs and family and how much he enjoyed Golden Retrievers. If I live to be 94 I hope I have half of his vitality and spunk. We said our goodbye’s and Shelby gave him one of her autographed photo’s and we were on our way.
We met an older lady who told us the story about a dog and her father. Daisy was the dogs name and she would go with her father to his workshop everyday and take her place next to his work bench. He created a space on the shelf so Daisy could watch over everything he did during the day. She said her dad would talk to Daisy as he worked and Daisy gave his every word the attention it deserved.
When her father died, Daisy followed him 3 weeks later. With tears in her eye’s, she told me how they wrapped Daisy in her fathers work apron and buried her next to her father. She told me how much her dad loved that dog and she knows Daisy died of a broken heart.
With everything that’s on the news about how our great country is stumbling, taking wrong turns, and she is not what she once was, I needed to be reminded of what a wonderful place we live in and how there really is no other place on earth that’s like it. I also treasure the ability that Shelby has that lets people remember wonderful times in their lives and how very special the relationship between a man and his dog can be.
Shelby, thanks again for taking the time to teach me life lessons
By: Layla, Brenda & Rich too ! on June 26, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Thanks Shelby for all that you do to communicate to those in need. You are very special to me and our Family.
You go Girlfriend,
With Love,
Layla
By: Ginger on June 26, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this touching story. You are so right that it is easy to forget the good things in life. Our tripawds are so inspirational and we can all learn a lot from their never give up attitude.
By: etgayle on June 26, 2011 at 7:17 pm
thanks for reminding us of what’s important. we are truly blessed.
charon & gayle
By: chilidawg on June 26, 2011 at 7:25 pm
that was an awesome visit for you guys! thanks for sharing that! your Shelby is a special girl (and beautiful too).
By: Codie Rae on June 26, 2011 at 8:42 pm
O.M.D. Shelby and Jack, you made my mama cry! Thanks for sharing your therapy stories, they are heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once! What great work you are doing. Rock on girlfriend!
xoxoxo,
Codie Rae
By: Robin and Sharon on June 26, 2011 at 8:50 pm
ahh, once again, you’ve reminded us what really is important and the gift our therapy dogs share with us! xoxoxo
By: mom2gracie on June 27, 2011 at 11:14 am
Gracie has been a therapy dog & you’re so right how the visits can open up memories & sharing stories. Not sure if we’ll get back into Therapy visits but glad I found your post!
By: carolyn hamilton on June 27, 2011 at 9:57 pm
I am sitting at my Dad’s reading this and as I look at him sleeping, I think of Shelby’s blog and how the older generation and a sweet dog can teach us so much…we are so fortunate to have them included in the quilt of our life…thank you so much for sharing…
By: tombi on June 28, 2011 at 6:33 am
so cool . . . some day I might have a dog that’s calm enough for hospital visits. After my grandmothers stroke she just lit up when the dogs visited. It was truly the highlight of her week while she was stuck in the hospital. THanks so much for taking the time and sharing your sweet dogs with everyone.
By: credocanis on September 22, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Shelby, you are the perfect pretty, petite, princess with the best humans a dog could ask for.
I’m humbled at all you all do. It’s amazing and wonderful and so beautiful.
I think Lincoln would love you a lot!
Rhonda and Lincoln