In Loving Memory

I learned last week of the passing of our dear friend, Willard.  As I read the email , tears flowed....

Dory, Chester, and Willard

Dear Willard,

We are so blessed to call you friend and to have known you for the short time we did. Though our time together was short in the world's eyes -- it felt more like dog years :), and we were thankful for every moment. Priceless memories. I remember our first visit to your room. Our friend, Dory,  who worked on your floor, asked if we would visit you. "Willard rarely leaves his room, he doesn't get many visitors, and he really likes dogs," she said.  "Of  course," we said.

We were just going to visit one time.  After all, retirement communities, memory-care floors, were not really MY comfort zone. Walking into your room for the first time is forever etched in my memory....I can still feel my uneasiness, and still see Chester climbing right up into your bed! I was mortified (he was NOT invited), you were thrilled, and Chester was a happy camper as he settled right in. You two knew far more than I did.  And that was that. Our one time visit turned to once a month, twice a month, once-a-week. Thursdays with Willard. 

During our visits  you and Chester snuggled and spooned. I sat quietly in the chair. No words necessary. Just quiet. Full of meaning and love. There were a few jaw-dropping-surprise moments sprinkled in; when your memory returned for a bit, when you showed us the picture of your dog, Katey (from 1952). When we talked about the lightning storm from the night before.  When we went for a stroll in the garden -- your first time outside in many years. You would only go because you could walk Chester and hold his leash.

Mostly, though, ....I remember sitting in the chair by your bedside enjoying you and Chester together. I remember the pictures in your room ~~ the watercolor painting of the little Baptist Church, the  worn Bible on the shelf, the black and white photo of your Pennsylvania farm, the certificate of honor that hung over your bed from World War II. Bronze Star. Algerian Conflict.   While you and Chester had your time, I would watch you two,  and scan the room -- putting the pieces together of 'you', the man we had grown to love.

A few years ago, when our family moved, and  journeyed from Pennsylvania to California, saying g'bye to you was ohsohard. I knew it was our earthly good-bye.  (sigh)   After moving, Chester and I   mailed postcards and pictures to your bedside regularly. The last card arrived in your mailbox just 2 weeks ago, for your 97th birthday.  From sea to shining sea, you were never forgotten, always remembered with love in our hearts.

Our lives are all the richer because of knowing you. Thank you for welcoming us into your heart, and Chester onto your soft and cozy red blanket. 

  

The Hawaiians say it best "A hui hou" dear friend, until we meet again....

We love you,   Chester and Diane

PS  Dear readers....if you are new to Chester Tails, check  past posts for stories and pictures of our dear friend, Willard. 

Writing s.l.u.m.p.s. and b.u.m.p.s. & Chicken Soup

Back in January....I stumbled upon an ad for Chicken Soup for the Soul, looking for inspiring stories from volunteers.  Immediately a Chester-story came to mind. Without thinking about it too long ... I did some re-writing and editing ---  pressed SEND. Told no-one. (I did tell Keith about two weeks after the fact, mumbling, while doing the dishes or something....)

And then I forgot about it.  A month ago, I received an email. THEY liked the Chester Tail.  Really? Today I received an email saying congratulations! No way I said.  Yes way they said.  We are dog-gone excited!!!!  Our Therapy Dog Tail will be published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Volunteering & Giving Back, available in bookstores August 18, 2015!

I must say....we are dog-gone excited. (I think I already said that)  We are!

As I type this....I realize (oye), I've not written a Chester Tail in over a year. That's a long time. Sometimes writing s.l.u.m.p.s. and  b.u.m.p.s. can be long and ....well, long.  The longer the slump, the bumpier the bumps. Though my writing has been s.t.u.c.k. ~~ our stories have continued, and Chester continues to be Chester, touching lives and warming hearts.  Chicken Soup has been good for my soul to help  me get  unslumped.

Reminding me the importance of telling our stories~
If  I don't want to forget the stories and the people, who have touched my heart so deeply ...well, I had best pick up my keyboard and write.  Just write -- not worry so much about dotting my i's and crossing my t's -- or if you will think it is a great tail or not ---  just get back to the beginning and the basics of enjoying our pet-therapy journey and talking story with friends.

So....here we go....

Reading and Writing with My Kids

On Wednesdays, Chester gets to snuggle up and read with the Kinder-Class at Almond Acres Charter Academy.  This is a favorite weekly appointment, not only because they are the best Kinders ever, but a-lot because we are greeted with open arms and hugs from the best granddaughter in the whole wide world!   Kaile'a has told me more than once that Wednesday is her favorite day at school...  because Chester and her Gigi visit her class.  Doesn't get much better than that.

Wednesday is also visit-the-3rd-grade-class day. Miss Chase LOVES Chester, ( of course Mrs. Rima is especially fond of 3rd graders), and we have a standing invitation to visit her classroom each week. Currently, the students are writing mystery stories about their favorite dog in the universe, Chester. Miss Chase recently whispered to me, All my kids want to do is write, write, write their stories.  Every teacher's dream come true :-)  This past Wednesday we were taking pictures ---each student had one-on-one photo time with Chester ~~ and while the camera and Chester were working overtime, some students wrote notes to their buddy.....

Here's a sampling ~~

C-chomping on puperonies

H- happy always

E- eager to love on you

S-sweet

T-trained by Mrs. Rima, the best

E-eating peanut butter

R- running after squirrels

       By Ava

Dear Chester,

    I love you.  You are so pretty.  I love your deep bark.  You are so cute.

                           Love, Emily

C -Chester

H - honest

E - excellent

S - silly

T - terrific

E - even more excellent

R - restless cutie

          Love, Chandly

CHESTER, COOL, AWESOME, Nice, Kind, awesome dog.  From Mallory

   (Mallory drew a picture of a pupperoni bag for her buddy)

Tommy made Chester a paper airplane shaped like a slice of pizza....topped with pupperoni treats.

Chester is loving his school days at Almond Acres ~~ he is becoming most popular pup on campus. As he and I walk onto campus,  I hear the little voices "Chester's here!!!" and he is swamped with hugs and kisses. He's like a kid magnet.  Our two hour long visits have become a wee bit  longer..........gotta figure in hug-and-greet time going to and fro ...for the big-dog.

Life is good.

A New Red Vest

Well here he is, handsome boy in his new red vest, an official Therapy Dog with Therapy Dogs Inc. !!

KPETS, you set the bar high for pet therapy and you taught us well, thank you!  You are in our hearts furever.

Onward in Red ~ we're spreading the smiles and joy in California.

Phillies and Yankees Fans In One Room

Last night Chester wanted to visit one of his best buddies, who after a long bout with the flu, landed in the hospital.  Chester understands that hospital stays are like dog years, even short stays can seem like furever.

~And so Chester did what friends do...made a visit to see his friend. He donned his new super red vest (Therapy Dogs Inc), and we walked, he pranced actually,  into a new-to-us hospital in San Luis Obispo.  We entered through the front double doors, rode up the elevator to the second floor, and strolled down the hallway to the pediatric wing.

We found the right room,  faces lit up and tails wagged when these two buddies saw each other.
It was good :-).

I am not sure what the real miracle is~
  That Chester's friend might get to come home today (woof woof!)

OR

that these two are furever friends.

You see,
even though we live in California,

 Chester is still a Phillies Fan through and through. 

His buddy's team is Yankees,YANKEES til the end!

    (can you imagine?)

          And yet these two are still the best of friends.

I love miracle stories.   

Get Well Soon!

Go Phillies :-)

                                            

As the ole saying goes...when life gives you lemons...

So, what do you do when Chester is playing kickball with his favorite buddy
 and accidently pops the ball?

       

A Sloppy Wet Kiss....

There is this song....about God's love... 

You might know it, there is this line,

...."heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss..."

                                                                             .. now I understand.

Sunday....we walked into our little church that meets in an elementary school gymnasium. I noticed there was a man sitting alone, bearded face in hands, resting elbows on his knees, looking down at the floor through dark sunnies (what my grandson calls very cool sunglasses).  Clearly, he wanted to be alone.

My heart went out to this man, wondering about his story.

During worship, Chester, rather than resting & nestling by my feet, kept standing & staring at this man sitting in the corner.

"You want to go see him don't you?"  I said to my furry, & oh.so.sensitive friend.

 I followed his lead, and we went to the back of the room. Chester nuzzled his head between the man's elbows and quietly, gently, kissed his beard over and over.

I waited. Watched. I could not stop my own tears.

The man leaned his head into Chester's neck and rested there. He took off his sunnies and wiped his tear-drenched eyes.

"Chester, my dog, apparently wanted to visit you.  I hope it is ok."  I said.

"Oh yes, more than ok, I love dogs." the man said.

I touched his shoulder and told him I was glad he was here. He asked me if I would like to sit next to him. He brought me a chair.Chester resumed his spot,  sitting between the man's knees, looking up to his face.

The worship music faded, and people began to visit.

The man looked at me, "I don't know if I can stay, I am overwhelmed. There is so much love here."

He stayed.

Later, I learned....This man. This dear man. His 6 year old son is battling cancer.

Everyone has a story.

And sometimes, sometimes, God just might use the sloppy wet kisses of a tender pup,  to break through the darkness, into healing love.

I do love that about Him.



PS If you are curious, that song....it's called "How He Loves"