July 2020 – Me and the Doods.com

Let’s Get Physical

This post was originally going to be called “Push-ups in the Age of Pandemics,” but something made me change my mind.

ELBEE You’re welcome.

I think I’ve done more push-ups in the past few months than the average prisoner. I’ve probably done more than I have in the rest of my life. As an athletically challenged nerd growing up in Syracuse, I don’t think I’d ever heard of one, let alone done one. I’ve definitely done more than the average grandma. Note to self: Does the Guinness Book of Records recognize most consecutive push-ups by a grandma?

As a exercise aficionado since the early 80’s, I was selfishly devastated when the gyms closed because of the pandemic. I had to do something.

ELBEE Exercise aficionado? I believe the expression she’s looking for is “gym rat.”

Push-ups are a great upper body work out. You can do them anytime and you don’t need equipment. Best of all, you can do them anywhere.

Although I’m definitely not good about working out at home, I started doing push-ups during commercials on the Hallmark Channel, my antidote to reality. Gus and Stanley found it quite entertaining.

GUS & STANLEY We’re so confused.

Then I had a better idea. I have done an occasional push-up while hiking in the Santa Monica mountains so why not add a few more. At first I tried to do them when no one was around but then, inspired by the views and the freedom, I just decided to go for it.

A lot of people enjoy exercising in the mountains so there is much less judgment. No one laughed when they happened to see me.

ELBEE At least not out loud

Last week, despite the July heat and the disapproval of the daughters, I went on my traditional challenging birthday hike. I added lots of push-up and was feeling pretty proud of myself until I got the dreaded “Good job. You can do it,” compliment from a young hiker.

In the face of COVID-19 we’re all looking for ways to cope. My mountain work outs have helped me meet the challenge of these impossible times.

I’m in one of my favorite places, exercising and enjoying the comforting embrace of nature. Doing push-ups on an outcropping of rock with incredible views lets me experience a combination of strength and peace. For a few moments it takes me away from all of the craziness, stress and sadness.

ELBEE Sorry, but doing push-ups in the middle of the mountains is its own kind of crazy.

Virtual Trial and Error

Over the past few challenging COVID-19 months, doing virtual visits with the kids in the UCLA neuropsych units has been a real learning experience. It’s been a challenging process of trial and error.

During our in person visits, as soon the dogs arrive, the excitement level goes up. The hospital setting fades away as the kids dance with Gus or give Stanley a belly rub when he sprawls on the floor. I’ll even catch kids who claim they’re not interested, sneaking a peak or smiling at a trick.

The virtual visits are kind of like those television shows that are taping remotely without audiences. Without the physical presence of the dogs, it takes a lot more to get the patients engaged and keep them involved.

One morning, with a little luck, it all came together and I saw what was possible. The dogs were relaxing after our walk so I had the younger kids yell, “Wake up Gus and Stanley.” That immediately got their attention…the dogs and the kids.

Gus, having a painful skin issue, was wearing a “cone of shame.” When the kids saw it they instantly commiserated with him. It was touching to see how they forgot their own problems while they were worrying about his.

ELBEE He was milking it for all it was worth.

When I put Stanley in a hat and glasses, it drew a lot of giggling. One boy couldn’t believe that Stanley would wear the glasses. Another suggested I dress him up like Sherlock Holmes.

In the teen unit they were very involved playing cards so I knew the dogs were going to be a tough sell. Then I noticed two of the boys playing chess. Genuinely curious and impressed, I asked where they’d learned.

One of them said that his father and his uncle had taught him when he was very young. I was fascinated when he shared that he’d earned a chess merit badge when he was in the cub scouts. Who knew?

ELBEE I was a grand master in my day. I tried to teach Gus and Stanley when I was still there, but they got stuck at checkers.

The easy conversation led him and the others to ask about the dogs. They commented on Stanley’s size so I let him stand and put his paws on my shoulders. That brought a lot of laughter.

Not for a second did I take their involvement for granted. I was so grateful to see the enjoyment in their facial expressions and body language. I was also grateful that during this pandemic, the therapists at UCLA have found a way for us to keep sharing the magic of the dogs, even virtually. There are some days when it works and others when it doesn’t but the moments of connection are priceless.

A Belated Happy Fourth

Yes, I know that the Fourth of July was last week. I checked my trusty calendar and began a post that would have been more timely.

ELBEE She still has one of those paper calendars. You know that expression about old dogs and new tricks. I’ve always found that a little offensive but in this case it fits.

Then I got distracted by Gus’s fabulous In Touch magazine appearance as the doppelgänger of Brian May from Queen.

ELBEE I knew she’d find a way to bring that up again.

In the past, I’ve written about memorable Fourth of Julys. Some were celebratory. Some were beautifully traditional. Some were emotional. None were like this year.

When the daughters were little, there were homemade picnics, fireworks, skydivers and patriotic sing-alongs at the local junior college.

ELBEE Hello! Colonel Sanders is not homemade unless the Colonel is living at your house.

Ben Affleck in Pink Tee with Gus — **Ben Affleck (in purple tee) with** **Gus**

As part of the People Animal Connection at UCLA, the Doods and I have taken part in festive parades down Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades. One year, caught up in the excitement, I didn’t even realize that Gus was walking with Ben Affleck.

For some reason 2017 was a special holiday. There was an amazing atmosphere at the parade. People seemed truly happy to be uniting in appreciation of America, celebrating our history and our freedom. There was a pervasive sense of patriotism, a sense that people wanted to reach out and connect with one another.

2018 was the most personally meaningful Fourth that I’ve ever experienced. At the time, my dear friend Roberta, who has now passed, was bravely battling a brain tumor. An inspiration in my life, she loved the dogs and found comfort in their presence. We went to her house and did a parade just for her.

As for this year I’m almost speechless.

ELBEE So am I.

How do you celebrate our nation’s birthday in the midst of a pandemic? Parks and beaches were closed. With social distancing, parades and picnics were impossible. Local firework displays were cancelled except, apparently, for the illegal ones that began weeks before. I don’t know how that became a nationwide phenomenon.

**To my daughter Nicole on the front lines, thank you.**

As we watched fireworks on tv, many set to patriotic music, I thought about what was happening. I felt a tremendous sadness for the people who were ill or who were gone. I felt concern for all of our front line workers and first responders. I felt some fear about the future.

Underneath it all, I felt gratitude for the way that so many have come together. It’s not easy to wear masks, refrain from hugging each other or curtail normal activities but we do it. In a sign of caring, we have each others’ backs.

A special note of gratitude to Gus and Stanley. They have been there for me and the husband. They have given us comfort, made us laugh and provided unconditional love. Never have we felt luckier to have our own personal, hard working therapy dogs.

I Read It in a Magazine

I was all set to write about this Fourth of July which may be one of the craziest ones in history. It even tops the time I heard Pat Boone singing heavy metal music at a local celebration. He was in a phase. It was painful. Then, this morning, I went to the market and had a total change of heart.

ELBEE That makes no sense at all.

I’ll explain. Last month, I shared about a teleconference that the Doods and I did with the UCLA history department. (It’s a Virtual World) Everyone was so enthusiastic about meeting the dogs, even virtually. What was interesting was that at least three people, upon seeing Gus for the first time, mentioned that he looked like Brian May from Queen. I had never thought about it but they were right.

Coincidentally, a few days later, reading In Touch at the check out stand, I noticed a feature called “Double Creature.”

ELBEE Why do people always say they’re reading those magazines at the check out? She bought it.

They asked, “Does your pet look like a celebrity?” It was almost too easy. All I had to do was e-mail them. I immediately found a photo of Brian May, whom I love after watching Bohemian Rhapsody six times, and sent it along with a picture of Gus.

A surprisingly short time later, I received an e-mail from a woman named Jen saying how cute it was and asking if I could tell her my name.

ELBEE That is totally shocking. She didn’t include her bio or even her name.

She also wondered if Gus shared any characteristics with Brian. I told her that although Gus couldn’t sing, he was very musical. I explained that he stands on his hind legs and dances for the kids in the hospital at UCLA Medical Center where he’s a therapy dog.

When she asked if I had a larger photo or I assume one with better resolution, I figured I was in trouble. A day later she got back to me and told me not to worry. The art director thought the one on the UCLA site would work. Art director? UCLA site? That had to be a good sign. Gus was in.

That was the last I heard. I tried to forget about it but I admit, I checked an issue or two and was disappointed not to see him. This morning I bought the latest issue of In Touch but, still not having heard anything from Jen, wasn’t expecting much. I waited until I was in my car to check.

Imagine my reaction when I was leafing through the magazine and there was Gus with his doppelgänger. It was almost surreal. They had used his adorable trading card picture and even mentioned his hospital dance. It was better than fireworks.