Monday, December 12, 2011

Memories! Memories! Memories!

Remember, I told you about Willard, this gentle man who has climbed into our hearts? Our last visit with Willard was on Friday,  we took him a small stuffed golden retriever as a gift. We have visited Willard about 4-5 times over the past few months. Each time we visit, Chester climbs up into bed with Willard, and nestles in.  Both love it. 

 After our last visit, Dori, my neighbor who works on the floor where Willard lives, wrote me this email. I just had to share it with you!

Hi Diane, I just had to tell you about my visit with Willard today. I went into his room before lunch to say hi to him and chat a little bit...he is always sitting up in bed right before meal times! Anyway...he was very excited to see me and started pointing right away to his dresser. I saw the bookmark of Chester on the dresser and thought he was pointing to that, so I brought it over to him. He shook his head and kept pointing to the dresser. Well...sitting right next to the bookmark of Chester was an old B&W photograph of a large dog in the snow that looks dated from the 50s. He told me that was his dog! He then pointed with his finger to a large  building in the photograph behind the dog. He told me that was his greenhouse! Did I tell you he used to be an avid gardener and had a greenhouse!

I asked him where he got the picture and he pointed to a box on a stand next to his dresser. This box has mementos. He must have been going through his photos looking for that picture so he could put it next to the picture of Chester! Your visits have opened up other memories for him! What a wonderful thing! Wanna hear something else neat. Willard then pointed to the top of the TV set that is in his room. When he pointed he laughed...know why? Because on the top of the TV set looking over at him is the Chester stuffed toy on one side and a mini frog on the other! Did I tell you he also loves frogs! In fact...frogs, gardening, birds and of course dogs...are his favorite things! Thought you'd love to hear the story! Dori


Memories! Memories! Memories! the best gift ever *~*

Chester's 1st Shower

A few pictures might pop into your mind when you read the title....
but here's the picture. 


Victoria, Chris, and their buddy Chester
(I told you they were cute!)



Last week Chester was invited to his very first Shower, an Engagement Shower for Chris and Victoria!! How cool is that?  He was so proud (and a wee bit nervous) to be invited as one of the very honored guests.  If you don't know much about this cute couple, take a peek back to 2/22 and 6/27.  The story of our friendship began just about a year ago.  It is a God-friendship to say the very least.  He orchestrated  our meeting one Sunday morning in February, and none of our lives will ever be the same because of it.

As I said, it was Chester's very first Shower.  He was the ONLY 4 legged furry one invited. He did pretty dog-on well for being the only pup in a home crowded with people and gifts and food at nose-height. He only whooshed one almost-empty glass onto the floor with his tail. And,  the gorgeously decorated Christmas tree in the corner ....well his furry behind sent just two lovely ornaments sailing through the air. They weren't the breakable kind, and that was good news for sure.

Chris and Victoria were delighted to tell the story of their meeting Chester, and how Chester opened Chris's eyes & heart to how a "dog", just the right dog, could help him tremendously.   Because of our meeting, Chris pursued applying for a service dog, and  is now on a waiting list for his very own assistance pup with United Disability Services of PA. WOOF WOOF!  The wait can be as long as two years, or shorter if the right match is available and ready sooner.  We are praying sooner!

Wedding bells will ring for this cute couple in February. They've chosen to modify their honeymoon quite a bit, using what has been saved, towards their service-dog, rather than their after-wedding-get-away. The price of a service-dog is great, and priceless to them.  Thus the sacrifice.

Chester is invited to the wedding and he is getting his bow tie ready ~ and we are going to try to steer clear of the punch table and wedding cake.

PS ~~ If this story touches you, and you'd like to donate to Chris's service dog fund, YOU MAY!  If you'd like, check out the UDS website http://www.udservices.org/  Click on green tab UDS SERVICES, then Service Dogs.  Be sure to watch the video clip :-).  (have tissue handy!)

Chester will deliver your gift to Chris in person with wags and woofs.
Just send it to:
                      Chris's Service Pup
                      c/o Diane Rima
                      1969 Sterling Place
                      Lancaster, PA 17601
Chester snoozin' after his first Shower  ~  such a party animal :-)