hbmama
Well-known member
My mom (75yrs) was taken to the hospital 2 weeks ago with side pain and shortness of breath, and after a CT scan, found she had a very large pulmonary embolism, and also a large mass behind her breastbone. She was in the hospital 6 days and we moved her and my 83yr old father in with us after she was discharged so I can manage her follow ups with more scans, specialists, etc. There is a real possibility of cancer here, and either way, she will have major surgery in about 6 weeks to remove the tumor. (The reason they couldn't go ahead now is because she is on blood thinners and they are hoping to reduce the blood clot in her lung before they proceed.)
Mom has never been in the hospital before (except to give birth YEARS ago, and has been healthy. She is obviously very anxious, as we all are and we are taking this one day at a time.
Anyway, as you all know, we had been patiently waiting for our pup from a very reputable breeder, for over 13 months. Well, right in the middle of all of this, is when I got the email about 6 month old Dottie. She sounded like a dream come true and we just couldn't wait to get her regardless. On our original application, I had indicated that I wanted a calm and friendly nature that may prove to work well for therapy training.
Oh my gosh, when we got her home, she greeted mom and dad with lap cuddles and kisses and settled right in! Being that she was 6 months and had been very well socialized and well into potty training, it was a fabulous match for our family at this time. I don't think we would have been able to handle a 12 week olds needs or it would have been much more difficult.
Well, yesterday, mom was sitting on the couch doing her Bible study out loud with us. (Miss Dottie was snoring away on my dad's lap.) One of the stories she read really touched her and she started sobbing uncontrollably. Well, Dottie slowly opened her eyes and very gently left my fathers lap and carefully snuggled into mom and laid her little head on her lap. Then, she slowly climbed into her lap and placed her head on mom's chest and just looked up at her with those soulful eyes. She would not leave my mom for anything, until she regained composure.
She was so perceptive that mom needed her snuggles, gently, right at that time. (Her typical entrance is with a flying leap through the air and a face wash.) So, our little Dottie got her first experience as a Therapy dog in training. I feel she was sent by God at this time that we all really needed her!!
Mom has never been in the hospital before (except to give birth YEARS ago, and has been healthy. She is obviously very anxious, as we all are and we are taking this one day at a time.
Anyway, as you all know, we had been patiently waiting for our pup from a very reputable breeder, for over 13 months. Well, right in the middle of all of this, is when I got the email about 6 month old Dottie. She sounded like a dream come true and we just couldn't wait to get her regardless. On our original application, I had indicated that I wanted a calm and friendly nature that may prove to work well for therapy training.
Oh my gosh, when we got her home, she greeted mom and dad with lap cuddles and kisses and settled right in! Being that she was 6 months and had been very well socialized and well into potty training, it was a fabulous match for our family at this time. I don't think we would have been able to handle a 12 week olds needs or it would have been much more difficult.
Well, yesterday, mom was sitting on the couch doing her Bible study out loud with us. (Miss Dottie was snoring away on my dad's lap.) One of the stories she read really touched her and she started sobbing uncontrollably. Well, Dottie slowly opened her eyes and very gently left my fathers lap and carefully snuggled into mom and laid her little head on her lap. Then, she slowly climbed into her lap and placed her head on mom's chest and just looked up at her with those soulful eyes. She would not leave my mom for anything, until she regained composure.
She was so perceptive that mom needed her snuggles, gently, right at that time. (Her typical entrance is with a flying leap through the air and a face wash.) So, our little Dottie got her first experience as a Therapy dog in training. I feel she was sent by God at this time that we all really needed her!!