Thanksgiving – Me and the Doods.com

Happy New Year…I Hope

In my Thanksgiving post, I shared how grateful I was that Gus and Stanley had been allowed to resume in person hospital visits. I was overwhelmed with joy at all they were doing in the month of December.

Still, there was a part of me that worried every time I heard how quickly the variants of COVID-19 were spreading. Then last week it happened. The other shoe dropped.

ELBEE Is that the appropriate expression?

I received an email from UCLA that the dogs wouldn’t be allowed into the hospital until at least the middle of January when everything would be reassessed. I wasn’t surprised at all, it was inevitable, but I was truly sad. In a way, it was a fitting end to a crazy year.

To continue on the crazy theme, we had more rain than I can remember in what seems like forever. It was welcome considering the drought we’ve been having, but created a few problems as it went on for hours. I received a text from my next door neighbor that a large tree had fallen and was blocking our street. If they hadn’t been out to dinner it would have landed on their car.

And do you know what it’s like to have three dogs who want to stay outside in a steady rain?

ELBEE Excuse me. Then why is she sitting there with them?

When Doodles get wet, they get soaked. It takes a lot of towels to dry them! We had already decided on a quiet New Year’s Eve at home. I just hadn’t planned on doing laundry.

ELBEE Interesting. She did laundry last New Year’s Eve too. Someone needs to get a life.

My husband Doug gets dual credit for this New Year’s picture. He’s already the in-house photographer. Now he’s the stylist. When I suggested the Dollar Store for props, he did so well that I may hire him again next year.

It can be a real challenge getting all three involved but it also brings some much needed laughter. In the chaos of tiaras and boas, they take us away from everything happening in the world. They add so much joy and comfort to our lives.

My hope for 2022 is that they will be back at work, doing what they do best.

Happy New Year!

I Can Still Bench Press the Dogs & Other Things I’m Grateful For

In this uncertain world where watching the news can give you stomach pains, I thought it would be a good idea to focus on the positive.

ELBEE That is way too much information.

First, thank you to my husband Doug, my daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. My life would have so many empty spaces without you. A shout out to Jennifer for doing Thanksgiving. I am grateful that we could be together and that all I had to bring were my fabulous stuffing and sweet potatoes.

ELBEE Seriously?

Thank you to Doug for his steady support during the pandemic and for coming to terms with the fact that Henry is getting larger by the day

I truly appreciate the friends in my life. COVID-19 made it difficult for us to see each other but I always knew you were there. When you shared that my writing was bringing you joy, you brought me joy.

I am also grateful for the memories of family and friends who are gone but whose loving presence guides me. I will always hear the laughter of my brother Stan and my dear friend Eileen.

The mountains are still my spiritual space, my sanctuary. Standing on an overlook with the ocean in the distance gives me peace. Thank you to my mountain friends. We may not know each others’ names but I treasure our camaraderie.

I want to acknowledge the older couple who have made it their mission to clean up trash on the trails. I frequently see them coming down with bags full which is inspiring but sad at the same time.

Thank you to the bike riders who have finally gotten bells and actually say “thank you” when you move over to let them pass instead of trying to run you down.

ELBEE She can’t get past her issues with the bikers and that last statement is a bit sarcastic for a gratitude list.

I am deeply grateful that I have been able resume in-person visits with Gus and Stanley. A year and a half of Zoom calls was better than nothing but seeing them interact with patients, family and staff is heartwarming. I have been so touched by the incredible welcome back that we have received at UCLA and at Tarzana Hospital.

I feel so fortunate to be able to continue on this therapy dog journey that began fifteen years ago with Charley and then Elbee. The Doods have taught me about kindness, healing and unconditional love. They have filled me with gratitude.

ELBEE Finally it’s about us.

And I can still bench press them!

HENRY I didn’t sign up for this.

ELBEE I feel your pain.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Thanksgiving morning I woke up bright and early and did one of my favorite things.

ELBEE It wasn’t making a turkey.

GUS & STANLEY “Bright and early?” We were up first and we like to sleep in.

Much as I hate to admit it, Elbee is right. I am not a big fan of preparing turkeys. I was thrilled a few years ago when I found out you could purchase them precooked.

Instead, I went for a hike. Due to COVID-19, no family or friends were coming to dinner. We were going to be celebrating with the dogs. There was no big table to set, no turkey and sides to prepare, so I had plenty of time.

As I made my way up a steep trail, I felt the sadness of it all. Like so many other people I would miss having everyone together, talking and laughing. I would even miss the noise and chaos of the dogs competing for attention from the grandkids.

As I so often do, I felt the mountains lift my spirits. I enjoyed the views, watched hawks soaring overhead, did a few pushups.

ELBEE She had to throw that in.

Being out in nature, helped to put things in perspective. It comforted me. This one yellow bush sunflower in the midst of the browned out vegetation seemed to be a sign.

When I came back down to reality, I prepared a few things for me and the husband. I made my famous stuffing and decadent sweet potatoes. There was only one snag in the menu, Pollo Loco was closed and we had to pick up Kentucky Fried Chicken.

ELBEE The truth comes out.

Before we sat down to eat, when I would normally would have been a stress case trying to get all of the food on the table, I took Gus and Stanley for a walk. As we made our way through the neighborhood, it was strangely quiet for a holiday. It reminded me of the silent school yards in the beginning of the pandemic.

There were few cars parked on the street, few extra lights on. There was little laughter coming from the houses. I saw one family celebrating in their garage, all in masks. I smelled a few barbecues.

Just as the sadness of it was hitting me again, two women walked by on the other side of the street. One was elderly, using a walker. The other seemed to be her helper. They both waved and commented on how cute the dogs were.

As we chatted from a distance, the older woman wanted to know all about them. Naturally, I had Gus dance and Stanley do his silly peek-a-boo. She was completely taken with them. When we said goodbye and began to move away, she called out, “Thank you so much. You have really cheered me up.” Once again, the dogs brought the power of gratitude into focus.

Chaos in the Conversation Pit

This year we had our usual non-Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving. Instead of lingering around a beautifully set table, here we are hanging out in the conversation pit with hundreds of Lego pieces and who knows what else on the floor.

There is a common thread that runs through all of our Thanksgivings. The usual holiday chaos is amped way up with the mix of grandkids and dogs. Sadly Riley and Elbee left us this year but Gus and Stanley more than did their part. They are Doodles and Doodles do not like to be ignored.

Ten year old Samantha actually has no problem with them. Her fifteen year old brother Ryan has a teen attitude so whatever. Six year old Bella has made incredible progress. She and her little brother Ryder came to terms with Gus some time ago because he’s small and cute. Stanley, being extra large, at first sent them both running. Then, I’m not sure how it happened (neither is she) but Bella almost started to like him.

Ryder, not so much. I think his perspective is like the perspective in this photo where Stanley’s head looks immense. Stanley, sensing Ryder’s energy and attitude, went on a totally unsuccessful campaign of jumping and high pitched barking to win him over.

We finally put him in the yard for awhile so we could all have a break.

ELBEE That is just sad.

STANLEY May I remind you, I’m still a kid. I was so hurt I tried to get Robert the mailman to take me with him.

To show you how little progress was made, when they were leaving, Ryder announced that he had nicknames for the dogs. Gus was “Cloud” and Stanley was “Pain in the Butt.”

CHARLEY Sorry to say, she does not make this stuff up.

One other thing happened that was kind of the icing on the Thanksgiving cake or the gravy on the turkey.

ELBEE Please tell me she didn’t just say that.

Freshly bathed, Gus and Stanley were, of course, hanging around the kitchen when the husband was carving the turkey. For some reason the knife made a hole in the pan and juice started pouring off of the cutting board, showering the dogs.

ELBEE Maybe it was because she was using one of those cheap disposable pans.

Despite trying to wash them off, they still smell awful and I’m becoming a vegan.

Pre-cooked Turkey and Other Things I’m Grateful For

This year we celebrated casual Thanksgiving with just the immediate family and the dogs. I am appreciative of so much but I want to overshare some of the things that made this particular holiday special for me. Feel free to judge.

Shout out to Gelson’s for their pre-cooked turkey. It was delicious and also saved me from having to deal with a raw turkey and all of those terrifying things you have to pull out before cooking.
My stuffing and praline sweet potatoes and my granddaughter Samantha’s cheese bread were so good that no one thought about the pre-cooked turkey. Did you ever realize how little credit you get for cooking a turkey?

ELBEE Pack Leader really has issues with that turkey. Wonder if it’s a childhood thing.

Four year old Bella, the one who calls me “Grandma with the dogs,” was much braver with Elbee, going so far as to pet and even brush him. Gus is small and cute so has never been a problem. Riley our Golden is fourteen and too old to be scary but she used to view Elbee like Cujo. The jury is still out for her younger brother.

Let’s hear it for paper plates. I know it is totally tacky but no one had to do dishes.
My thirteen year old grandson Ryan informed me I should be glad that at his age he still likes to talk to me. We even fist bumped.
Ryan and Samantha’s adorable Havanese JoJo blended in with our pack. I spent the first hour with Elbee leashed to me but then all was good.

ELBEE That was humiliating!

I love this photo of my son-in-law Dan and the dogs watching football. I am also happy that I got to share it here. Jennifer, the lawyer daughter, threatened to sue, but Dan, also a lawyer, gave me permission to use it.

Speaking of photos, the UCLA People Animal Connection is doing a calendar. Guess who’s November? And yes, I am still a stage mother.

GUS I know I’m a good sport but I didn’t realize those were turkey legs on my head. I may need to go back into therapy.

ELBEE OMG I just saw this other picture. Gus looks like Yoda.

On a more serious note, I am grateful for a visit to a sixteen year old patient at Providence Tarzana on the day after Thanksgiving. As soon as the Doods walked into her room she jumped up from her bed and dropped onto the floor next to them. The mom, almost in tears, said, “I can’t believe she got up. We haven’t been able to get her to move.” Then the mom confessed that she was standing on the far side of the room because she was terrified of dogs. When I asked if she wanted us to leave, she replied, “Absolutely not. My daughter is up and smiling.”
Above all, having lost my parents and brother long ago, I am so deeply grateful for all of the chaos, love and caring that is my family.

Thanksgiving is NOT for Sissies!

In the spirit of the season, I was planning to share my appreciation of the Doods and all of their hard work. Then Thanksgiving happened and gave new meaning to the word chaos.

Do you see this photo? That is definitely not me. I don’t know what Norman Rockwell was thinking but obviously he didn’t have Doodles.

But check out this photo of my family enjoying a lovely Thanksgiving dinner. Yeah right! Who are these people and what meds are they on?

THE DOODS We don’t like the direction that this is taking!

It started the day before Thanksgiving when my three year old granddaughter, the one who calls me “Grandma with the dogs,” arrived. She immediately decided she liked Charley and Elbee much better in photos than in real life. Apparently, in person they looked like huge, scary beasts. Gus, being small, made a more favorable impression.

CHAREY & ELBEE Isn’t that body-shaming not to like us because we’re large?

The Doods did nothing to help. They don’t like being ignored and take it personally if you don’t love them. They will make every effort to win you over.

On the day of Thanksgiving they seemed to be everywhere and hairier than usual. They enthusiastically greeted each person who arrived. They started doing tricks on their own. They sat and stared at people until they petted them. When we put them outside to keep them out of the way, they sat at the door and looked pathetic. Elbee did so much barking I’m surprised he didn’t lose his voice.

THE DOODS Hello?! We’re used to being the center of attention. That’s our job. And we resent the hair remark. We looked fabulous.

When my husband was carving the turkey, some juice ran over the cutting board and onto the floor. The Doods were all over it. Gus, short as he is, figured out how to get into a tall trash bag.

CHARLEY & ELBEE Way to go little guy. We’ve taught you well.

I admit that some of it, okay a lot of it, was my fault. They’ve had tons of training but I let it slide that day. With food and family and company, things got out of control.

THE DOODS At least she’s taking responsibility!

After everyone left, the Doods were worn out. They didn’t move for the rest of the evening. Just look at this photo of Gus and Charley.By the way, Elbee isn’t in it because he had to go to the ENT to check his throat after all the barking.

ELBEE Not funny, nor is this old picture!