Month: December 2023

Last Monday morning, I put up a post revisiting the tragedy that took place near my home in Tarzana, including the white ribbons of hope that had been placed on every light post.

Later that morning, I went up into the mountains, my spiritual place. As I was walking, deep in thought, I suddenly saw a rainbow, a rarity in Southern California. It was far to the north and somewhat obscured by clouds, but it seemed like a sign.

It filled me with joy and reminded me that although we are dealing with so many problems in the world, in this holiday season we can find notes of hope, healing, love and joy.

ELBEE As long as she doesn’t sing those notes. That would be painful.

Speaking of notes, last week, during a visit with Stanley to a group of patients in an adult neuropsych unit at UCLA, we somehow got on the topic of singing. I am tone deaf and think it’s such a gift when someone can sing.

One young man quietly shared that he could play several instruments, including the piano. Moments later, with a bit of encouragement, he was at the small piano in the room playing Elton John’s Your Song. He finished to enthusiastic applause.

As we were leaving the units, a woman, sitting with some family members in a waiting area near the elevators, came running over to see Stanley. As she dropped to the floor hugging him, laughing and crying, she said he was just what she needed.

The presence of the dogs is so important at this time of year. Holidays can normally be stressful but being ill or having loved ones in the hospital magnifies that stress. Gus, Stanley and Henry are receiving as much love as they’re giving.

On a bright note, it was time for the Doods Christmas photo shoot. This year was even more fun because my dear friend Mary was helping out. There was only one small glitch. Henry has known Mary since he was a puppy but hasn’t seen her in months because she was back East. When she came in through the garage with me, the watchful Pyrenees part of Henry decided she was an intruder. He became very standoffish.

When he suddenly realized who she was, he couldn’t have been sweeter. He was licking her face and leaning on her, almost as if he was apologizing for his memory lapse. I immediately appointed her prop master and wardrobe consultant.

 

 

 

 

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from me and the Doods. Let’s all reach out to each other with kindness. Let’s look for signs of hope in the universe.

 

Lately, it seems that my posts have been focused on Gus and Henry. This week, it’s Stanley’s turn. He’s been part of some very special moments.

When we walked into Tarzana Hospital recently, Stanley ready for Christmas, a security guard called out, “Hey, it’s Stan the Man.” The comment caught me off guard. That’s what people often called my late adored brother Stanley who, coincidentally, lost his battle with cancer at that same hospital many years ago. Stanley, perhaps sensing my emotion, leaned on me.

Stanley has been doing a lot of street therapy too. He’s a very calming presence. The other morning, a woman called from a distance, asking me to wait. As she and her little girl approached, she shared that she remembered what Stanley did and seriously needed some dog therapy. I could literally see her relax as he cuddled next to her while she petted him.

Walking with him by my side in a particular area of our neighborhood, I’d started noticing white bows tied to the lampposts. Initially I assumed they were for the holidays but knowing there had been an alleged triple murder in the area, I wondered if there might be more to it. I was drawn to them.

It’s no secret that Stanley loves mail carriers. He stops in his tracks and almost cries until I take him over to visit. Yesterday, one carrier, whom we know well, pulled over to chat. While Stanley was trying to climb into his truck, I asked if he knew anything about the while bows. Sadly, it was what I suspected.

Sorry to go down this dark path but it really touched me. The family who passed was on his regular route. He said that that the three victims, the wife of the accused and her parents were always warm and friendly, waving to him. The three little boys would run up and ask for the mail. The man who is accused never spoke to him.

A neighbor, who was only an acquaintance, really wanted to do something positive. She shared with the mail carrier that she began putting up the white bows as a sign of hope. Every night she lights a candle for the victims.

Her response to the tragedy moved me so deeply. How important, even in the darkest times, to reach out with a message of hope, healing and remembrance. Once again, Stanley, sensing my emotions, leaned on me to offer comfort.

As we were leaving the area, I noticed this bow next to what appeared to be a tiny dollhouse. I looked inside and saw a candle.

 

 

Thanks to the Doods, I’ve had a very busy social life lately.

ELBEE On her own, she’d be kind of a wallflower.

Recently, Resnick, the neuropsych institute at UCLA, held its annual wellness festival. It’s a very upbeat event with lunch, sometimes karaoke, games and an award ceremony, with surprisingly short, touching acceptance speeches. The dogs were invited as featured guests, so I got to go along.

Stanley and Gus have attended before but this year I brought Henry.  I’m not sure why, but Henry hasn’t done much in the way of hospital room visits yet. He’s more of a special events kind of guy. Gus is his wingman.

Before heading up to the party, we stopped in the People Animal Connection office to pick up Jen the director. To put it mildly, the office is on the small side.ELBEE We affectionately refer to it as the closet.

As soon as Gus and Henry stepped into the party, it was as if the sun came out.

ELBEE Well, it was outside.

I love how the mood brightened when people saw the dogs. They started smiling and nudging each other. Doctors, nurses, therapists, greeters, it seemed like everyone came over for some dog therapy.

I’ve been going to Resnick for years, so a lot of the staff have known the Doods, some as far back as Charley. This was their first meeting with Henry which made it even more special.

Speaking of special, Noel, who works in the NPI, and I have become good buddies and have developed our own special ritual. Somehow Noel found out about my bodybuilding past.

ELBEE Is there anyone who hasn’t heard about it?

As someone who works out, it inspired him,   especially since I’m a senior. He jokingly began calling me Ms.Venice Beach. I told him it was “Grandma” Venice Beach. Then one day, not sure how it happened, we challenged each other to do pushups, agreeing on twenty.

There we were in a hospital corridor doing pushups. And yes, there we were at the wellness festival doing pushups. Strangely, no one seems to react and this is about our fifth time. Well, my daughters did say it was “horrifying” when I told them about it. I say, long live the tradition.

 ELBEE Oy! She can’t help herself.

Seriously, I owe a debt of gratitude to Noel and all of the others we’ve worked with at Resnick. Everyone has always been so kind and helpful. Thanks to the staff, the dogs and I have had such positive interactions with patients of all ages. It was a pleasure to celebrate wellness with them.

 

Last week I received an anniversary card in the mail. I was a little surprised since Doug and I got married in January, but when I opened it, I found it was from UCLA, celebrating my seventeen years of volunteering with the dogs. There was a lovely personal note from Carey, the head of the department.

When I walked into the hospital in November of 2006 with gentle giant Charley, my first therapy dog, I was so nervous, just trying to get through one visit at a time. Little did I know where the journey was going to take me or how profoundly it would change my life.

Charley’s half-brother Elbee, a true character, joined us a few years later. His voice still haunts my posts.

ELBEE I prefer, “enhances.”

 

Nine years ago we were fortunate enough to welcome Gus when someone had to rehome him. The family simply asked that we “give him a good life.” So far he’s had a great life. He’s the senior member of my current very copacetic pack with Stanley and Henry.

In all of this time  and with all of the dogs, virtually every visit and every event has been special. Some have been sad, some touching and some just fun. I am so glad I have this written record to help me remember.

We have visited schools, hospitals and day camps, including one for special needs kids. The dogs taught an anti-bullying group from Compton about love and kindness. At UCLA they were special guests at the opening of the new hospital and at the ten year anniversary. They have met Dodgers and Lakers. During COVID, they did Zoom calls to cheer people up.

There are certain poignant memories that stand out. At Tarzana Hospital we were asked to see a man who was dying. The only thing keeping him alive was waiting for his adult children to come say good bye. His wife seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as Charley walked into the room. The patient managed a faint smile as he fed Charley a treat.

Almost since the beginning I have taken the dogs into Resnick neuropsych at UCLA, working with patients of all ages. One day as I was about to have Stanley “say his prayers,” where he puts his paws on a chair and bows his head, a young man asked if he could say his prayers with Stanley. When I told him, “of course,” he knelt down next to him and said, “God, thank you for bringing Stanley the dog here today.”

A teenage girl in Resnick had tears in her eyes but was smiling as she held Gus. She whispered to me, “this is the first thing that’s made me want to live in a long time.

Thank you to all of my wonderful Doods, past and present. You have touched my heart with your unconditional love and kindness. You have shown me miracles.