Dog Therapy and Thank You

Last week, we visited our friends at Central State Psychiatric Hospital. It was our last visit for 2009. We enjoyed visiting with the patients. Many of them wanted their pictures made with us. One of the staff members is faithful to bring a camera.

The patients love being able to have a lasting memory of our time together. They are able to post their pictures in their rooms. They get excited about having a photo shoot.

We are seeing some of the patients really begin to respond to Nanuq and I. They will pet us and talk to us. Sometimes it is easier to talk to a furry friend than a human. We do not judge them or try to tell them what to do. We simply listen and snuggle.

Toward the end of our time together, the patients and staff surprised us with Christmas presents. Nanuq and I got two new toys a piece and some treats. Mom and dad got travel coffee mugs. They need the caffeine to keep up with us. We were overwhelmed. Dog therapy is a ministry my parents love. Their reward is watching the reaction of the patients. They do not expect gifts. Nanuq and I love all the hugs and belly rubs, too.

Today, we would like to thank Central State Psychiatric Hospital for inviting us to be a part of the health and healing of their patients. We are honored to participate with them in the healing process. We also thank them for remembering us with special Christmas gifts. You guys are the best!

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Let It Snow

Last week, God answered Mom's prayers and mine, too! Mom and I "love" snow. We prayed for weeks for a blizzard. We did not get a "real" blizzard, but we received 10 inches of beautiful, fluffy snow. I love to run and jump in the snow and Mom finds great joy in watching me play.

We have remnant patches of snow around, but most of it is gone. Mom and I hope and pray we will get more. The song in our heart these days is: "Let It Snow...Let It Snow...Let It Snow."

We are praying each of you had a wonderfully blessed Christmas and will find great joy and blessings in the new year!

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Bowser's New Home

I wanted to let everyone know about Bowser's new home. Mom and Dad were overwhelmed as they placed him with his new parents. It was clear they needed him as much as he needed them. It was a "divine intervention" in the furry world. My parents returned home this evening to find an email from Bowser's new mom. The pictures and the note speak for themselves.

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

NOTE:

Andrea,

I thought I would drop you a line and let you know how Bowser is doing. He is a wonderful dog. My husband takes him out several times a day and gets down in the floor and plays with him. He is beautifully trained. It has not taken long for him to adjust at all. He is very gentle with me. It is like he knows that I am sick and need special care. He goes every where with me. My 5 year old granddaughter was here yesterday afternoon and I was a little anxious as to how he would react since he had not been here long. There was absolutely nothing for me to worry about. He was very gentle with her. This is one of the best things I could have possibly done, We both love him dearly.

God Bless.

Virginia

Forever Home For Lab

Just a little update and prayer request: Mom may have found a forever home for the Labrador Retriever I mentioned in my last post. Mom is going to meet and evaluate him to ensure he will be safe to live with the lady who has inquired about him. She is not in perfect health. We believe from all we know at this time that "Bowser" will be a perfect fit. He needs lots of attention after being abandoned by his family and the lady who wants him is home almost all the time. She needs him as a companion. Sounds like to us GOD has a perfect plan for our furry friend.

If it all works out, Mom will take him to South Carolina to meet his new mom on Thursday. It is about a 7 hour drive, one way. Please pray for Mom and our furry friend. Mom is praying he likes to ride! If not, it could be quite the adventure.

Pray for Mom, Bowswer, and all concerned!

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Forever Home Needed

My mom gets lots of calls about abandoned dogs and cats. She is usually able to find a foster home or a forever home. For over a month, she and her dog loving/training friends have been trying to find a home for a 7 year old black lab. He is very gentle. His mom and dad are going through a divorce and custody battle for their human kids. He is living alone in his home and a neighbor comes to feed him and let him go potty. My furry brothers, sister, and I are very sad. We know our mom and dad can't take him. We are quite a handful, but this furry friend needs a home. He needs someone to love him. If you are interested or know someone who is, please leave your email information for my mom. I will have her get in touch with you. In the mean time, please pray for this dog.


Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!







Woofs and Wags,

Sitka, Nanuq, Trouble, and Macy

My Furry Sister

Macy is an elderly, deaf, Cocker Spaniel. She will be 16 years old January 7th, 2010. Macy has been a part of mom's life since she was 2 years old. Mom purchased her from a breeder who had used her for breeding. Mom deemed that as a rescue.

When Mom divorced her first husband, he took Macy and refused to allow her to have him. About 4 years later, Mom found out Macy was emaciated and chained to a tree with no shelter. Mom was livid. She prayed and tried to be polite, however it is hard to be polite with some people.

Upon request, their answer was no. Mom prayed. She was so upset and concerned, but needed to be sure she handled herself appropriately. Mom sent an email with the stipulations of what would happen if they did not surrender Macy or seek proper medical treatment, etc. As a last resort, Mom let the offender know she would pursue the "thousands" of dollars of past due child support if provisions were not made for Macy to receive the life she deserved. Within 3 days, Mom had her sweet baby girl back in her arms.

Upon receiving Macy back, she met many obstacles. She was severely matted, her mouth oozed with puss, and she had mammary cancer. She only weighed 13 pounds. Within a few months, Macy endured several surgeries and slowly gained weight on her new regimen of holistic dog food and special treats. She is now back to her normal cocker weight (32 pounds). Now, Mom has her on a diet. It is hard for us to put Macy on a diet, because she acts as though she is starved all the time. We all feel sorry for her, but we do not want her to be over weight, either.

I wanted to tell Macy's story, because since coming back to live with us she has also endured surgery for peripheral nerve cancer. She is beginning to stumble a little and act her age. We all know she is getting up there in age, but Macy doesn't like for us to call her old. She has been back with Mom for 3 years, now. We pray she will have many more years with us.

Macy rarely participates in Dog Therapy. Mom says she has earned the privilege of sleeping and lounging around all day. She loves everyone and would have been an awesome therapy dog. She is a real sweetheart!

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Can I buy them?

Last night, Nanuq and I visited the patients at Central State Psychiatric Hospital, Petersburg, Virginia. One of the patients asked the staff if he could buy us. She told him "no" and he became frustrated with her. No matter how many times she explained that we belonged to our parents and were not for sale, he still wanted to purchase us.

Nanuq and I thought about when we want things and mom and dad will not let us have them. Sometimes, we do not complain, but other times we pull on our leashes and try to get "the desired prize" anyway. No is a hard thing to accept sometimes whether you are a psychiatric patient or a furry dog.

Authority figures are placed in our lives for a reason. They are there to protect us. Mom and dad do their best to protect and help us understand we can not have everything we want.

Recently, I stole dad's homemade lasagna off the counter. I have been told over and over again not to take food. I am to wait until it is offered to me. Normally, I obey, but lately my parents have been fixing some really good smelling food. I have been tempted beyond belief.

After consuming half a pan of lasagna in a few fast gulps, Mom put me in a down so she could clean up the few remaining spatters. While I laid there I realized why mom and dad told me not to eat things that are not offered to me.

My tummy began to grumble. It was so good going down, but now I do not feel good. I had an upset tummy for a day or so. It really was not worth the few seconds of gratification I received while consuming dad's lasagna.

Just like the psychiatric patient, I get cranky sometimes when I do not get my way. I am trying to remember my parents know best. God put them in my life for a reason. Today, Nanuq and I are going to try and obey and not give in to any good smelling temptation that comes our way.

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka