Since Gus crossed the rainbow bridge in November, I haven’t posted about the 
Doods. It was if a bright light had gone out and I couldn’t find my way to create. However, Stanley and Henry had birthdays in May and I wanted to recognize their special days. They have been grieving, just like I have, but these were their moments to celebrate.
Coincidentally, I saw a video on line that said that dogs celebrate more than any other animal…when they get a treat, when you come home after twenty minutes, when you praise them. All you have to do is look at their wagging tails.
As Stanley turned eight and Henry turned five, I thought of getting presents for them, but all I could come up with was how many special gifts they’d given to me. I immediately pictured a moment with Stanley in an adult unit in Resnick at UCLA Medical Center. The Doods have learned to say their prayers. I’m not sure of their religion, but they will kneel with their paws on a chair and bow their heads.
One morning as Stanley was about to say his prayers, a patient asked if he could say his prayers with Stanley, When I answered “of course” he knelt down next to him, then said, “Thank you God for bringing Stanley the dog here today.”
Henry was visiting with a group of teen neuropsych patients who were sitting 
in a circle around him on the floor. He was relaxing for petting in the middle. Suddenly, one of the girls began sobbing and yelling for her anti-anxiety meds. Henry crawled over to her and very gently put his head in her lap. She immediately calmed down and stopped crying.
During another visit to Resnick, a therapist asked if I’d bring Henry to see a woman who refused to come out from under the covers. She peeked out when Henry put his big shaggy head next to hers. It took a few minutes, but the patient came out from the covers, gave Henry a hug and even spoke to the therapist. I later learned it was the first time since she’d been there that she’d spoken to the therapist. Later, also for the first time, she ate her entire meal and agreed to go to group therapy.
The dogs bring comfort outside of the hospital too. Tragically there was a triple homicide in our neighborhood. I was walking Stanley near the street where it had occurred and it was filled with police and news vehicles.
The window of an ABC van rolled down and the man at the wheel asked if he could see my dog. As he came over, Stanley began leaning against him. I told him that’s what Stanley does when he senses that someone is stressed. He looked me in the eye and with a slight smile said, “he got that right.”
For their birthdays, I’m giving them my love and gratitude. There is not a big enough chew bone or toy to express how blessed I feel to have them in my life.
