The Hot Seat

So the adage tells us we have to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes to really know how they feel.

But I think that saying should be revised.

I think it should say that you have to sit on someone else’s seat.

Last week I visited the dialysis unit to see a friend who goes there on a regular basis.

The word dialysis didn’t mean much to me, as I only vaguely understood that it meant that people needed to have their blood cleaned.

As I step foot in the dialysis unit for the first time I froze.

All the people lined up with tubes and blood circulating throughout the room was overwhelming.

Each patient was set up in a big cold-looking chair and most of them would spend the day at the unit receiving treatment.

This wasn’t one of those hospital visits where a patient is admitted and receives flowers, cards and visitors.

Rather, the hospital was a regular part of these people’s lives.

As I regained my composure and walked into the unit, the patients all gasped with disbelief.

“Oh, a dog,” many of them exclaimed.

At first I wasn’t sure if this was a good or bad thing.

The arms that seemed to have been weighted down with tubes of blood began to rise and so too did the smiles on their faces.

The smiles began to flow around the room like a chain reaction and as I like to believe, the energy warmed the patients’ hearts and soon they were all sitting in the hot seat rather than the cold hospital chair.

The Little Engine

Remember the story of the little engine that could?

Boy that was one tough little train!

At agility class the other night, I played out my own version of this story.

During one of the exercise sessions, we had to practice jumps in pairs with another dog.

The dog I was paired with, Rex, was a little shorter so our jump was set at 8 inches (I’ll have to jump 10 to 12 inches in competition).

While it was Rex’s turn, I watched the dogs next to us impressively jump over 20 inches.

Suddenly the big dogs left their 20 inch jump for a potty break.

I though to myself I bet I can get over that jump and certainly no one would expect it.

So I closed my eyes, mustered up all the strength I could find and flung myself over the 20 inch jump.

Just like the little train I kept thinking I think I can I think I can.

And apparently I could! To my own amazement I cleared the jump!

The instructor stopped the class next to us and shouted, “That is one awesome little dog.”

While I was flattered to be called awesome, the best feeling was accomplishing something that at first appear to be way out of my reach.

I'll just have to remember I think I can I know I can when times get rough.

A Surprise Ending

On Thursday I went on one of my regular visits to a retirement community.

Predictably one of my favorite residents, Estelle, told me a story of when she lived down in Georgia.

If nothing else Estelle is consistent as she tells the story exactly the same each and every time.

Habitually, the story centers on a friend who tried to give Estelle a dog, but due to uncontrollable circumstances Estelle was not able to accept the dog.

As Estelle tells the story, you can hear the cavernous regret in her voice.

At the point in the story when Estelle acknowledges that she was not able to accept the dog, she takes a long deep sigh and strokes my back.

For whatever reason this time, however, the story took a different turn.

According to Estelle, an elderly woman who was lonely was able to take in the dog. As Estelle narrated her new tale she lit up inside.

I couldn’t help but think that Estelle was talking about herself. Maybe in her heart she has always had a place for that dog and in some way I fulfill that need for her.

I am glad that our time together has brought a happy ending to Estelle’s story. I will be sure to visit her every week to make sure that ending stays “happily ever after.”

LIVEDOG

Cancer.

You see the word or hear the word cancer and suddenly it feels as if the world around you comes to a screeching halt.

But not for a group of people I came across the other weekend.

My family and I participated in the Lance Armstrong Livestrong Challenge bike ride to benefit cancer research and support programs, but most of all to provide hope to all those battling cancer.

The turnout for the day was amazing! Over 5,000 people came together as if they were an army to stand up and fight first-hand against cancer.

There was a lot of hugging, smiling and crying going on throughout the day.

Although you couldn’t see it, there was a remarkable connection or spirit floating in the air that brought us all together.

By the end of the day I had made many new friends, some who affectionately named me the “LIVEDOG.”

If nothing else, I promise to hold onto the hope and inspiration from the day and share it with my patients whom I visit during my pet therapy rounds.

For those of you who continue to battle cancer, keep up the good work and know if you need a furry friend to stand by you, I am here to walk by your side.

The Real Stars

If your television was on this past Saturday and you like animal shows, you would have seen me on the series Wild About Animals with Mariette Hartley!

Don’t worry if you missed the show, you still have time to tune in.

This episode of Wild About Animals will air again on Fox on Saturday, November 22nd in the morning.

In the meantime, I am practicing my paw-ographs at home for my fan club.

Although I have to admit I am enjoying my new-found stardom, I believe the real stars of the show are the patients who so bravely battle cancer each day.