Ellen Morrow – Page 8 – Me and the Doods.com

Who Would Have Thought?

After months of being back to in-person visits with the dogs, I thought that Zoom was safely in our past. That changed last Wednesday when we did a call with the Mattel Youth Ambassadors, a group of high schoolers who give back to others while learning about the medical field.

I was a little nervous when I found out we were going to be Zooming again. My first thought was “uh oh, technical issues,” like the disastrous visit where my audio wouldn’t go on. I immediately contacted my personal Geek Squad in the Silicone Valley for support.

My next concern was hair and makeup.

ELBEE Of course it was.

On the bright side, Henry could join Gus and Stanley on the call.

Once we logged into the meeting, by some miracle, they sat quietly next to me while I introduced them and shared stories about their amazing work. Henry learned very quickly about getting screen time.

ELBEE Two questions. Where is Gus and why is she wearing sunglasses?

When it came to doing a few tricks, it got a little chaotic but was probably more entertaining than watching them do a perfect sit. It was difficult not being able to see the kids, like not having an audience, but as a friend so aptly put it, “it’s like a live reality show.”

Speaking of reality shows, the same day I heard about the zoom call, I also heard that America’s Got Talent was auditioning for next season. Coincidence? I don’t think so.

A few years ago, a “senior” bodybuilder was on the show, looking good but basically doing a non-act. She kept flexing her biceps and yelling “pow.” To the horror of my oldest daughter, who still has vivid and disturbing memories of my bodybuilding days, I kidded, sort of, that I should try out.

Another old lady bodybuilding act wasn’t going to cut it, so I considered adding the dogs. I practiced bench pressing Gus and Stanley for a possible dog/danger act. Then I thought what if I told a joke while I had the dogs in the air.

ELBEE Great idea if she was funny.

Jen, the director of PAC at UCLA, fueled my AGT obsession. During the pandemic, Jen and I did lots of Zoom calls. Before logging in, we’d discuss how we could make the calls more interesting, so interesting that we could audition for the show.

On a challenge from a friend, we did headstands. We tried singing but we’re both tone deaf. Magicians seem to be crowd pleasing but Jen only has one potential trick and I’ve got none.

Last week as we chatted before the Mattel call, I shared a great idea with Jen. From all of my obsessive watching, I’d noticed that ventriloquists have become very popular.

Being a good sport she was willing to give it a shot. For the next few minutes we tried talking to each other without moving our lips. If we can make it look like the dogs are talking, AGT here we come!

I’m wearing sunglasses because I’m so embarrassed for them.

The Doods Love a Picnic

UCLA had a staff picnic last week. Maybe because COVID has prevented such large gatherings, the mood was especially festive. Gus and Stanley, plus their canine co-workers Beau and Pitzel, were in their glory with all of the attention.

Gus was with his special partner “Aunt” Carol.

From the catering staff, to groups from seemingly every department, even to the EMT’s, people were delighted just to see the dogs. Petting and hugging them was a bonus.

When we had the dogs do tricks or model an accessory or two, it was like the icing on the cake.

ELBEE Seriously? Icing on the cake.

As always, even in the midst of so much activity, there were special moments. A man quietly asked me the dogs’ names. When I introduced Stanley, the most soulful look came over the man’s face. He told me that he’d had a very special chihuahua mix named Stanley that he’d rescued when it was older.

He still missed him every day and had never met another dog with that name. I shared that Stanley was named after my wonderful brother who had been gone for years but whom I still missed. We were two strangers comforting each other.

A woman and her teenage daughter came over to take photos of Gus and Stanley in their fancy glasses. Suddenly, the girl began telling me how much therapy dog visits mean to her.

She has a chronic illness that requires frequent infusions that take up to two hours. She said that as soon as they bring in a dog and put it in her lap her whole mood changes. She feels more comfortable and relaxed and has an easier time with the procedure.

A few minutes later, a smiling young man called out, “Nice to see you again.” As I was scrambling to remember who he was, he reminded me that we’d met at another UCLA event a few years ago. Actually, I’m a little directionally challenged and he’d helped me find the event.

ELBEE A little? She used to get us lost in the hospital. It was embarrassing.

I was leaving the parking garage, trying to find the plaza where we were supposed to be meeting. Totally lost, I saw the young man and asked him for directions. Realizing that I was clueless, he took the time to walk us over. He was so sweet about it.

We laughed as we reminisced. Then he told me that he was planning a birthday party for his dog. Seventeen of the dog’s friends were invited. I realized that not only is he genuinely nice, he was also helping out a fellow dog lover!

ELBEE In case you’re wondering how she found the picnic, she stopped at the hospital to pick up Jen, the director of the People Animal Connection, to show her how to get there. She and Carol had to call someone named Siri to get back to the hospital on their own.

A Short Sweet Encounter

Anyone who walks with a dog can tell you that canines will lead to more human interactions than you’ll have when you’re walking alone. Not only do they attract people, but somehow lead to more open conversation. I was out with Stanley and Gus when a man started laughing and asked if I knew that our hair looked alike.

ELBEE Do you think she could possibly resist telling him about “I Love You Man,” her one claim to fame? FYI they made fun of her for looking like Charley.

Another, who sort of recognized me from the neighborhood, stopped to tell me that a few years ago his wife had been in the hospital at UCLA for 59 days. She’d had several dog visits and they’d meant so much that he still had their trading cards.

I especially want to share one really sweet encounter I had when I was walking with Henry. It was a little moment but with the news being so depressing, anxiety provoking and sad, aren’t those positive little moments exactly what we need right now?

ELBEE She better pick things up. I’m getting stressed just reading this.

We passed two men who were detailing a car on the street. They waved as we went by. Then as I walked a bit further past their big, black truck a boy of about twelve jumped out of the passenger seat. With a huge grin on his face he said “I love dogs! I’ve always wanted a dog!”

He was just drawn to Henry. As he petted him, he kept telling me how much he wanted a dog. It was a warm day so I took out Henry’s water. I noticed the boy watching closely and smiling as Henry drank out of his bottle so I asked if he’d like to hold it for him. I got an enthusiastic “yes!”

He told me that his name was Vladimir. He also proudly shared that he had an app on his phone that let him order food for all of them. I was so impressed by his sweetness and his kind demeanor. Henry, who’s a cautious judge of character, was completely taken with him.

We stood in the shade and chatted for around ten minutes. When Henry and I had to leave he was disappointed but totally understood. As I started up the hill, he called out “Have a blessed day.”

It’s Time for Dodger Baseball

When Vin Scully’s passing was announced during Tuesday’s Dodger game, along with millions of others, I felt as if I ‘d lost a family member. Touching tributes have been pouring in from around the world. I just wanted to add my own small note.

Anyone who’s a Dodger fan is a Vin Scully fan. He was the face and the voice of the team. The legendary broadcaster was one of my idols. Hearing him say, “It’s time for Dodger baseball,” always made me smile.

Many years ago, my late brother Stan, a television director in San Francisco, had the joy and privilege of working with Vin at a Giant’s game. What struck Stan was his ease at broadcasting.

Vin Scully was known for his storytelling. My brother said what amazed him was that Vin would be chatting with him during a break, turn around to announce the game, then turn back and pick up right where he’d left off without missing a beat.

I’d always been excited to catch glimpses of him in the announcers’ booth when I paraded around the warning track during the annual pups in the park event at Dodger Stadium. Then, thanks to Charley and Elbee, I had the chance to meet him in person.

**Pups in the Park with Charley & Elbee**

I was walking with the dogs at an upscale mall in Calabasas, when, to my delight, Vin came walking out of a store. As soon as he spotted them, I heard that familiar voice say, “Will you look at that!” For a groupie like me, it was a surreal moment.

ELBEE It’s probably totally inappropriate to comment here, but she really owes me for that one.

While he waited for his family to come out of the store, we talked dogs and Dodgers. He was even nicer than I’d hoped he’d be.

This week, during all of the accolades, I heard so many people refer to his incredible sixty seven years in the broadcast booth, beginning with the Brooklyn Dodgers. They shared fond memories of listening to him on the radio in his early days.

It brought me back to when I was a little girl in Syracuse, New York and my dad had baseball games on in the car. We didn’t have our own team, so he could easily have been listening to the Brooklyn Dodgers.

At the time, I was not really a fan so it seemed like background noise with a lot of static. Now to think that I may have heard that familiar voice all of those years ago takes my breath away.

Vin, you touched so many lives without taking credit for it. Your grace, your kindness and your humility are an inspiration. This Dodger fan thanks you.

Grandmas Just Wanna Have Fun

Being a grandma is a great gig. You get all of the rewards without all of the work. As a mom, you have so many responsibilities and need some skills. As a grandma you can just have fun. Throw dogs into the mix and it’s a party.

Danielle, the youngest daughter, her husband Jay and their kids Bella and Ryder were here from San Jose this week. It was an especially wonderful reunion because COVID has made visiting so difficult over the past two years.

There was only one small snag. Our house is very “dog centric,” and six year old Ryder, to put it mildly, is not a fan of dogs, especially large ones. Danielle and Jay were hoping that spending time with the Doods again might be a turning point.

He’d met Gus and Stanley before and almost likes Gus because he’s little and cute. His only encounters with Henry were on Facebook.

Initially there was a lot of yelling and screaming.

ELBEE That was her.

Little by little Ryder made progress. He came out of the bedroom and played where the dogs could see him but couldn’t get to him. He posed for photos. He even petted Henry once or twice.

Eight year old Bella, on the other hand, loves the dogs and they love her. Not only was she petting and hugging them, she wanted to play dress up.

Despite the fact that it was Bella’s idea, Danielle blamed it on me, just because I have drawers full of accessories and never hesitate to use them. I mean who doesn’t love a dog in a tiara and sunglasses?

ELBEE Her daughters want to report her to PETA but I’m on team dress up.

Then we decided it would be fun to dress them up for different holidays. I got so carried away that even the kids were a bit concerned.

ELBEE I heard Danielle telling them “Grandma isn’t weird. She’s just eccentric.”

This photo says it all. What more could I ask for! I actually think it was good for Ryder. He got so into the spirit of what we were doing that he almost forgot about the dogs, although he did stay very close to Gus.

ELBEE Personally I think he had FOMO. For you old people, that’s “fear of missing out.”

When I asked Danielle to send me a few of her photos, I realized just how “dog centric” the visit had been. Except for one, they were literally all of the grandkids with the dogs. I don’t know how Doug managed to sneak into this one.

Negativity & Positivity

Occasionally I take advantage of my blog as a place to vent.

ELBEE Occasionally?

Once it was about the unpleasant man in the gym who added insult to injury by letting his shorts hang down so low his butt crack showed. Another time it was the woman who accused me of not cleaning up after the dogs when I had one full bag and three more empties with me.

This week I have had it with spam calls! I don’t understand how the woman who claims to be from the department of energy can call from four different area codes within twenty minutes. Not to mention the “police officer,” who says in a cheesy tone, “So glad you picked up. I was about to put on my answering machine voice.” Afraid I could be in trouble for what I responded, I checked with my police officer friends who assured me they never solicit by phone.

The other morning my cell rang around 7 a.m. The caller ID said it was from the United Kingdom.

ELBEE She thought it was the queen calling to wish her a belated happy birthday.

I was very annoyed when I heard they were calling to confirm my nonexistent purchase. And yes, I was disappointed that it wasn’t the queen.

Some events are a mix of positive and negative. I was walking in the neighborhood with Gus and Stanley when a car pulled over next to us. I was a little nervous until an older woman, wearing a fabulous baseball hat that read “Bad Hair Day,” got out and walked over.

ELBEE As if?

She politely asked if it was okay to give the dogs some homemade organic treats. Gus seemed to enjoy his but Stanley immediately spit his on the sidewalk.

STANLEY I am not a fan of organic.

Yesterday, I was driving up a busy street in the Valley with Henry in the back seat. As I stopped for a red light, I noticed a very sad looking, seemingly homeless man sitting in the shade of a strip mall with a cart full of his belongings. I was pleasantly surprised when he glanced up, saw Henry’s big head sticking out of the window, and started laughing.

This week my husband Doug had one of those days. You know when everything seems to go wrong.

ELBEE Like when they make old people use new computer programs.

When he walked in the door that evening, Stanley, Henry and even Gus glued themselves to him. It was much more than their normal “welcome home, why did you leave us greeting.” It was an offer of pure comfort.

Doug realized that with one thing happening after another all day, he hadn’t had a moment to relax and unwind. He was still feeling the stress. The dogs were using their pure positivity to fight the negativity. And isn’t that what they. do best!

I Made It!

The title of this post was prematurely optimistic. I wrote it the night before I set off on my annual birthday trek to the beach. To be honest, the day didn’t start off all that well.

First, hoping for a pep talk to get me going, I asked my husband Doug how I was going to do it. His response was, “I don’t know.” Then I accidentally sprayed 70 sunblock in my mouth.

ELBEE She doesn’t realize that at her age, the sun-damage ship has sailed.

Walking from my car up to the trail, it was already so warm that I asked myself, as I always do, if it would be possible to change my birthday to January.

ELBEE Or maybe start a normal tradition like going out to dinner.

At the beginning of the Temescal Ridge Trail, I shared with a random stranger that I was about to start my birthday hike and asked him if he’d mind taking my picture.

ELBEE Aren’t all strangers random?

Coincidentally, a few months ago when I was up in the mountains, a man running by called out, “Aren’t you the lady I saw walking to the beach on her birthday last summer?” He had been one of my photographers! I don’t know if I should have been flattered or concerned that he remembered me.

I have to rely on the kindness of strangers because I am not the queen of the selfie. The best one I took on Saturday, unfortunately, proves my point.

Despite the heat, I was comforted by being in the mountains. The views are picturesque. There is a sense of peace and tranquility. Most of the people I ran into seemed to feel the same way. There was a true sense of camaraderie.

The Hub Junction is kind of a landmark in the Santa Monica Mountains. It’s a little wooden pavilion that provides shade and a place to rest. Of course when I got there I had to ask another stranger for a photo but I also took one of my own, three bikers with dogs in their baskets.

GUS, STANLEY & HENRY Why doesn’t she take us?

ELBEE Hello? Aside from the obvious, she can’t even ride a bike.

The last half hour of the hike is a welcome downhill into the Palisades. The only problem is that it’s narrow and a little rocky so requires a bit of concentration. By the time I navigated my way into Temescal Gateway Park I was delighted to see Doug waiting for me by the car. What made it even better was big sweet Henry with his head out the window ready to offer some comfort and love.

Tell Me Something Good

When I’m driving to UCLA on Wednesday mornings, I listen to KIIS FM on the radio. I like the music and it’s a welcome diversion from the news.

ELBEE She doesn’t know who half the singers are.

Ryan Seacrest does a segment called “Tell Me Something Good” which encourages people to call in and share something positive. Although I have never called in, I know without a doubt that as soon as I walk into the hospital with the dogs, something good is going to happen.

Actually at UCLA it’s often as soon as I drive up to the busy valet stand in front. Everyone is very welcoming, but there is one young woman who really stands out. She greets me by name and then peeks into the car as she asks “Did you bring Gus or Stanley today?” She’s an absolute delight.

Visiting kids in the neuropsych units, I never cease to be amazed at how the dogs can bring so much joy to young people with major problems.. Wednesday, several of the teenage girls were sitting on the floor with Gus smiling and chatting as they put French braids in his hair.

ELBEE They also told her she looked like Dolly Parton but quickly added that it was a good thing.

On a recent Friday, two more good things stood out when I took Stanley to Tarzana Hospital. We went in to visit a little boy who was around 5 or 6. His face lit up when he saw Stanley in the doorway of his room. As soon as Stanley walked over to the bed, the adorable patient started laughing, a great big belly laugh that only got louder as he petted Stanley and clapped for a few of his tricks.

Then I noticed his special dinosaur blanket on the bed, and coincidentally happened to have a pair of dinosaur sunglasses with me.

ELBEE Of course she did.

When I put them on Stanley, the boy burst into a such a huge laugh, he had everyone else in the room, including his parents, laughing.

When we were leaving the hospital, it was very hot outside and I was worried about walking Stanley on the concrete, even the short distance to the garage. A security guard, realizing my concern, said that he’d be happy to watch him while I got my car. A few minutes later, I pulled up to the shaded area where they were both waiting and thanked him as he helped Stanley into the back seat.

These may all sound like simple moments but I barely had to think about it before I could tell you something good.

Grandma Doesn’t Know Best

My thirteen year old granddaughter Samantha has her act more together than I ever will. Aside from being mature, sociable and talented, she really knows how to dress. I can only aspire to the way she puts herself together.

ELBEE Sad but true.

Despite my bodybuilding past and the fact that her mom Jennifer refers to me as”crazy for Cocoa Puffs,” especially when it comes to the dogs, Samantha will sometimes ask my advice. She’s considering going to sleep-away camp for the first time and wanted to know what I thought.

Unfortunately, my one and only time at sleep-away camp ranks right up there in the top ten terrible experiences of my life. To begin with, the whole family used to spend idyllic summers at my grandparents’ resort in the Catskill Mountains, a lot like Dirty Dancing, so I’m not sure what possessed me to leave for camp in the first place.

I was a shy twelve year old nerd with glasses, braces and orthopedic shoes who’d never been away from home on her own. To make matters worse, Sharon Clark, the friend who was supposed to go with me, broke her arm in a horseback riding accident and had to cancel at the last minute.

ELBEE She can remember all that but not what she had for lunch yesterday?

After my dad dropped me off, things went from bad to even worse, when they led me to meet my tentmates… three blondes who were best friends! They had been hoping for another blonde to show up. At the time my hair color could best be described as mousy brown. It was before it miraculously turned blonde.

ELBEE One of the mysteries of the universe.

As I was sharing the saga , which didn’t get any better unless you consider swimming in an ice cold lake to be better, Samantha, who is very empathetic, was feeling sorry for me. Probably hoping to find a positive note, she asked, “Well, did you make any friends?”

In the spirit of total honesty, I had to admit that my only friend was a turtle. It had dug a nest in the dirt outside of the tent. I never saw the babies hatch but I did see the little white eggs.

Trying very hard to be kind, Samantha asked if I’d given it a name. If memory serves correctly, it was Sally.

STANLEY, GUS & HENRY That was one of the most pathetic stories we’ve ever heard.

ELBEE And she wonders why she’s not a grandma “influencer.”

On a brighter note, happy Fourth of July!

A Moment in the Park

I was going to write something much lighter this week but then I had an experience with Henry that almost moved me to tears. We were at a neighborhood park for his obedience class but what he did goes far beyond your basic sit and stay.

After beginning class in a small area of the park, we were working on loose leash walking around the playground and the basketball court. Suddenly, Henry started to pull toward a tall, slim casually dressed young man who had an impressive head of curly, shoulder-length dark hair.

The man, who was standing in the shade by the bleachers with a few other people, smiled when he saw Henry coming toward him. On a constant mission to socialize Henry and totally breaking class protocol, I asked if Henry could say hello to him. He answered “of course” and began petting him. We chatted for a bit, I even complimented his plaid tennis shoes, and then I went to catch up with the class.

About five minutes later, I was surprised to see the man standing right next to us. As I turned to him, he quietly said that he wanted to tell me how much the interaction with Henry had meant to him. He was so earnest and sincere, I forgot that I was at an obedience class in the middle of a park.

Without elaborating, he told me that he was at a low point in his life and really struggling. When Henry came over it was as if a weight had been lifted off of him for a few moments. I could tell how desperately he wanted me to understand. Before he headed back to his spot by the bleachers, he shared that nothing like that had ever happened to him with a dog.

At the end of class, I walked over to say goodbye and to let him pet Henry again. He thanked me profusely. He felt as if the universe had reached out to him. I was so deeply touched by his expression of gratitude. Because of the presence of a dog, this man had opened up to a stranger and felt comforted.

This morning, by coincidence, I picked up a packet of Truvia sweetener that read, “Be the reason that someone smiles today.” Henry you were that reason. Thank you!