Chris and Victoria, continued.....

On this particular Monday evening, Chester and I were cruising down the highway headed to training.Unexpectedly somone unzipped heaven and it began POURING. Even with the "wippers" on high, it was hard to see.  Our kids always called them wippers, not wipers. Thus to me, they are wippers.  I almost turned around, but chose to forge ahead. I'm glad I did.

Chester and I, soggy and soaked, stood in the training room waiting for class to begin.  All I could smell was wet dog(s).  I was thinking, this is not fun.  Then I felt thump thump thump,  and the splattering of a soggy tail against my legs ~~ Looking where Chester was looking, I saw the reason, Victoria, Chester's friend was heading towards us.

Victoria, the petite redhead with the sparkly eyes.  Victoria, of Chris and Victoria. Remember Chris who needed a bit of a God and Dog Miracle Moment to pursue getting an assistance dog?  (read Chris and Victoria)   My jaw was like dropped open in disbelief...and my arms opened wide to greet her.  Chester went from sit/stay to wiggly-bouncy-bonkers. After wet hugs all around, ( and Victoria explaining that Chris could not be here, but she decided to come alone just to watch) well, she went on to explain that shortly after our God-appointed meeting months ago, Chris filled out the application  for an Assistance Dog, interviewed, and long story short ~~ Chris is on the waiting list for a canine companion of his very own. HOW COOL IS THAT?  Victoria, EXCITEDLY relayed the whole story... while Chester  listened and smiled (yes smiled), obviously understanding every word.   My jaw was still dropped open....lovely.

Fast forward 3 weeks. Chester and I joined Chris and Victoria for a wheel chair training day for doggies and handlers. I can't even begin to tell you the joy I felt watching Chris with an assistance dog -- even though this handsome black Labrador wasn't  his dog, even though it was just a practice training time, it was this glorious picture of  what was to come. I deeeelighted in watching these 3 work together, the trainer constantly encouraging and instructing both Chris and the Black Lab how to move and work as a team.

There is this scene that is freeze-framed in my mind and heart.  Chris and his 4 legged black buddy stood waiting at the door to go outside.  This look came over Chris's face that said, How do I do this, get me and the dog out the door?

 "Chris, tell him to open the door." the trainer gently instructed.

Are you kidding?

Chris gave the command.  The lab, gently rose-up to the door handle, and with his mouth, opened the door for Chris.  And out they ventured...into a whole new world.

My jaw is still dropped open... 

Stay tuned........ more God and Dog stories to come.  I know it!

Parking Lot Conversations

After an hour of visiting and playing with a few little boys at the Domestic Violence Shelter, Chester and I were escorted out the heavily secured doors and into the parking lot.  A group of moms stood visiting, pausing on their way to go inside and pick up their children.  As Chester and I passed them, one mom stopped us.


"May I pet your dog?"


"Yes, of course."


"Will he bite?"


"No, Chester won't bite."


"Never met a dog that didn't bite."


"He might lick you, but he won't bite."  I smiled


She relaxed slightly, and reached toward Chester.
"He's a nice dog."   
Hesitantly, she patted him on top of his head. 
" Do you ever hit him?"


"No, I've never hit him.  All he's known is love."  I rubbed his ears.


"Never met a dog that hasn't been beat."
Chester stood still and quiet, a cautious, gentle hand resting atop his head.
 "He's a good dog. Don't you ever hit him."


"I won't. ....I promise"


She turned to walk toward the door, looked back once and said, "Thanks."


"You are very welcome."


One brief conversation, in one tiny parking lot.  My eyes were opened wider.  I am thankful she is here, a place where the hurting and battered and broken can find a voice and a pathway to healing.

 

 Papa, please, will you bless and protect
this courageous woman and her children.
Amen.

Just a thought about Squirrel Chasing

Speaking of Chester and Squirrels...
I was having a ruff few days. Kinda felt like I slammed into the side of a car, an unexpected wham on an ordinary day.   So where do I run when I hit the wall? Back towards the squirrel, or to my Master?

Squirrel Chaser

Today was almost a disaster with a capital D.  And though all is well, my heart still has that sick feeling inside, that feeling that comes when you know what could have been. 

Chester and I had just returned from a romp in the woods -- a mini romp due to rain & mud.  I parked the car in our driveway, scanned the horizon for squirrels, dogs, and walkers ~~ doggie temptations. All clear I thought.  I opened the car door, gave him the OK.  To me, OK meant trot into the house.  To Chester, OK meant chase the squirrel that was in Greg's yard across the street.  In a nano-second, he sprang out the door, bolting toward the squirrel I had not seen.  At the same moment a maroon mini van rounded the corner,  on a direct collision course with Chester. 



I saw, I yelled his name just as I heard the thud ~~ feeling helpless & horrified,  and so stupid & responsible for giving the OK to go when it was unsafe for him.   Fortunately, the mini van was traveling slowly, and thankfully Chester did not go under, and thankfully what ever part of him thudded against the car was somehow protected from injury. After THUD, he bolted back to me as quickly as he ran for that squirrel.  (Scared the crap out of him, and me too.)  



After countless hugs, a call and visit to our amazing vet,  & a chiropractic adjustment (yes, you read that correctly!) from our friend and chiropractor, I am very relieved to write that Chester is doing well and napping by my side, occasionally rising up to nudge my wrist for some attention and a scratch behind the ears, as I type ~ being his good old Chester self.

I am hoping that somehow he thinks the minivan was a  Humongous T-Rex Evil Squirrel ---- and he will never chase again.  However, the leash law is now in effect from car to house.  

A huge teachable moment for me....and I am way-glad I can tell you about this squirrel chasing teachable moment, while my faithful 4 legged buddy is resting with his head on my foot....looking up at me with big brown eyes, safe 'n sound.



Thank you for angels watching over us today Dear Lord.  Amen.





Chillen' with Dad, who seems to be snoozing through the Phillies Game

 

The Two Wheeler Story

Today Chester visited his buddy Andy (name change) for their half hour of occupational therapy.   One of the things Andy had on his chart was to ride the two-wheeler around the indoor hallway loop. 

Andy is learning to ride a bicycle, it's a slow, challenging process, figuring out how to balance on two skinny tires when balancing is already difficult. So far Andy's been able to sit on the seat, putting one foot on a pedal, one foot on the floor. Push, glide, push, glide. Balance.

Today, Rebecca, his therapist chose the blue two-wheeler.  Andy wanted the red tricycle, it was easier, safer.  He got angry, "NO! NO!" He stomped away, turning in circles.

I draped Chester's red leash over the silver handlebar. Chester sat and waited. 

"Look, Chester's waiting for you." Rebecca said, pointing to the patient pup.

Andy continued to look away, shaking his head, "NO, NO!"

As Andy walked further, Rebecca calmly asked, "Would you like me to tell Chester to go home today since you don't want to ride the bike with him?"

"NO." Andy ran back from across the room, climbed up on the bike, resting his hand atop Chester's red leash.  Andy balanced, he pushed and glided, pushed and glided, while Chester trotted and smiled, trotted and smiled, close by his side.

It was a good day ~ on a bicycle built for two :-).

Yoga With Chester, a P.S.

I forgot a VERY important part in Yoga with Chester. oops

So here is the P.S.
Very important P.S.
In fact, it really shouldn't be a P.S. at all.  It should have been in the main part.
(I sometimes worry about my brain)  ;-)


After Chester and Melissa finished YOGA time, Melissa lay exhausted on the red mat.  Chester lay exhausted as well, they were nose to toe, stretched out flat on the mat.  Picture: Chester's big black nose nuzzling Melissa's cute toes.  Peggy, (mom),  and Therapist, were gathering Melissa's shoes and socks to get her ready for part 2 of therapy time.   Chester sniffed Melissa's ten little sockless toes.  He sniffed again.  He gave a little lick, tickling her toes. Melissa giggled. Chester proceeded to wash Melissa's feet in a slobbery sort of way. Peggy saw the foot washing session and literally fell to the floor laughing hysterically. Finally, she managed to say, "I didn't know Chester gave pedicures with pet-therapy Yoga sessions!  Wait, no, that would be a Pup-i-Cure!"  A new wave of hysteria erupted.  

Melissa could not stop the giggles.  Ohmyghosh,  Peggy gave new meaning to ROFL (rolling on floor laughing) complete with tears streaming down her cheeks, Therapist was shaking her head unable to hold back the laughter OR bring any sense of order to this crew, and everyone, I mean everyone in the Physical Therapy room was looking on wondering why WE were having all the fun while they were working so darn hard.  Chester, oblivious to everything except Melissa's tasty Jr High toes, continued to slurp, lick, and very thoroughly wash, I might add,  the feet of his friend ~~~ giving a Deluxe Pup-i-cure for sure. 

Pup-i-Cures are the best. 

Chester has a few openings next week, if you'd like to make an appointment.

Good for the toes and good for the soul. ;-)

Moments with Muffin...

I awoke this morning thinking about Muffin**...not a muffin, but Muffin~ our golden girl before Chester.  (We adopted her into our hearts and home when she was 8 yrs old, from a loving family who could no longer keep her.)  Maybe I was thinkin' of her because it was a Friday morning, and Friday was her favorite day of the week ~ the day she came to school with me.  Her tail wagged extra big on Fridays. If my 3rd graders had tails, theirs would have wagged just as big as Muff's!

Anyways, for some reason, I was thinking about Muffin and this one particular Friday... Muff was teamed up with George (name changed) for math buddies. George was having a bad day and he was grumpy, and he took out his grump-ness on Muffin. Meaning, he did not pet her very nicely, and pushed her a bit too hard when her paw touched his math book, (She obviously was trying to point something out to him!). George being "ruff" with our class-pup did not go over too well with me, or the rest of the students. In an even voice I said to George,  "You may choose to be kind to your math buddy, or I will choose a new math buddy for you."  George, through his unchanged behaviour, chose for me to pick a new buddy.  His new buddy was ME, the teacher, and Muffin moved on to other buddies.


Friday was pizza day at school.  Kids sat at their desks savoring yummy, greasy, cheesy, pizza, begging and tempting Muffin with bites, to sit by them. It was a huge honor to have the Muffster sit by your desk, ohmy!  Muff wandered through the isles of nose-high desks sniffing the delightful lunchtime smells that floated through the air.  Then, to our surprise, she settled by George.  GEORGE?


I did  not have teacher of the year thoughts at that moment.  Honestly, I was still a bit miffed with George. And, the class was not happy Muffin chose George for her lunchtime friend either. Watching this scene unfold, I began to hear 3rd grade whisper comments, those comments that teachers aren't supposed to hear, but always do~
...why's she sitting by him?
...he was mean.
...he doesn't deserve....
...sit by me Muffin, not him..


I cleared my throat, gave the teacher look, and the comments ceased. Truth be told, when I gave the look,  I was thinking exactly what they were saying.  My kids shushed, went back to munching pizza and chatting quietly about 3rd grade stuff.  I kept my eyes on George and The Muffster.


She sat by his desk, gently looking at him, then layed her head on his lap. George rested his little hand on her head.  His brown eyes got teary, and then he leaned over, sort of resting his head on hers, and whispered something in her ear.  She sat quietly, he sat quietly.  And then my eyes got full, and my heart got tender. After a bit, George sat up, tore a piece of pizza (the greasiest bite, I think), and gave it to Muff. All was well in the world.


Lunch was over, the pizza was gone, the desks were cleared, and Muffin had once again cleaned out the crusts from the trash can---a Friday ritual.   I sat perched on my stool, Muff lay snoozing under my desk, and the students eagerly awaited read-aloud-time.  I kept the book closed on my lap, and looked out at my dazzling 3rd graders, and gently said,  "I almost missed a God moment today. Anyone have an idea how God used Muffin to teach me about His love?"

Quiet filled the room.  Little heads looked down, tiny fingers traced designs on wooden desks.  And then....
A few hands went up.
"I think when Muffin sat by George for pizza." one brave student said.
They saw it too ~~ and the discussion began to flow.
I love moments like these. 
Moments you could never plan, but God brings.  Teachable moments, I like to call them.  Teachable Moments can be life changing ~ when we have ears to hear and eyes to see.

This Moment with Muffin, and George,  it reminds of a familiar story. A son had royally messed up everything, I mean everything, but decided to return home to Dad, the one he had hurt the most. Before the son could even lift his head or eek out an apology, Dad ran to him, scooping him up into the biggest bear hug ever recorded in history.  He just poured the love on his boy, forever healing the son's broken and shame-filled heart.

By the way,  George had a much better afternoon.  He was kinder.  Softer.  Well, we all were.

  

Muffin with a few of her favorite kids.
 (George, though one of Muff's favorites,  is not in this pic, in case you were wondering!)

PS  **For those of you interested in name origins.  Well, Muffin comes from the original word Muffin, meaning warm and savory treat.  Apparently when she was a wee pup, she ate a whole batch of them, fresh from the oven.  Thus her name.  Muffin.