Wow! I am so thrilled for Rolling Dog Ranch and this wonderful award they received. They are so deserving for all the love they give to animals with disabilities.
You can read the press release, as well as visit Steve and Alyane Smith on their awesome website! Congratulations, Steve & Alayne!! We are so very proud of you!!
I just read this morning that Baxter passed away on Friday, October 16th. I am deeply saddened for the loss of such a beautiful soul. Though I truly believe he has moved onto another realm and continues his therapy dog work. No dobut he has reunited with all the souls he touched on this earth, that have tranitioned. Baxter is also no doubt in the arms of the angels, as the song in his video says.
His Mom, Melissa Joseph wrote a beautiful tribute and posted it on Facebook today, so I wanted to share with you, my readers... In memory of Baxter.
The picture I am sharing is taken from Baxieboo's Blog.
March 23, 1990-October 16, 2009
Baxter, the world's best, most devoted, and oldest therapy dog, 19 years and 6 months, eased peacefully from his life on Friday afternoon, October 16th.
Baxter began volunteering 7 years ago at Sand Diego Hospice. In a place created for making goodbyes gentler, Baxter comforted everyone who crossed his path. He licked tears from grieving faces, gave hugs to those at a loss for words, and warmed the hearts and souls of those who were making their transition. He would take his body and curl himself next to a patient for hours, making this intense eye contact that penetrated the human spirit in everyone, proving his undeniable loyalty, love, and sensitivity. Everyone loved Baxter!
I took in Baxter after he was rescued from a life threatening circumstance. He was 2 years old, and it took me 6 weeks to make him mine. It was not much longer and he became my heart. As I socialize him more and more, I realized Baxter was not like other dogs. He had a gift and everyone who met him witnessed it. Though perhaps difficult to believe, to meet Baxter was an experience. And, you never forgot that experience. He touched everyone he met.
When my husband, Dennis and I went through the volunteer orientation at San Diego Hospice to become volunteers, Baxter accompanied us because he went everywhere with us. During those many hours, he spread his magic spirit throughout the room. And, in the end, the knowing staff exhorted: "You must get Baxter certified. He's magical, and he would make the perfect therapy dog!"
What they recognized was Baxter's special ability to bring light to darkness, smiles to down turned lips, respite to tear swollen faces, and comfort to pained hearts. His mere presence brought joy to rooms that were filled with tragedy and imminent loss.
He was the perfect love affair. His love never ended, he was true to the bone, and his companionship was invaluable. Baxter taught me many of life's lessons. And when I forgot one, he reminded me in the subtlest of ways. He was consistent, reliable, and predictable. He was always in a good mood, prepared to volunteer and full of love, kisses and devotion.
There has never been a dog like Baxter in my life. And there will never be another Baxter. He truly was the world's best therapy dog.
Though Baxter is gone, his legacy lives on through his book. MOMENTS WITH BAXTER, a series of 36 true stories and photos that demonstrate the magical connection Baxter made with individuals at the end of their life.
Visit Baxter at his website.
ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS BOOK WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITY IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF BAXTER.
~Melissa Joseph, Baxter's mom and author of MOMENTS WITH BAXTER
Photo: Geoff Robinson Photography
What a great story about Henry, the adorable doxie who took part in a study and is starting to walk again. Woo hoo!
It is so hard for me to hear from someone who tells me their vet has told them the only option is to put their dog to sleep if it can't walk.... but they did research on their own and discovered they can indeed help their pet. When they find me and my story, I am so thrilled to share with them that there is HOPE, just like Henry's story.
While not everyone can take part in such a wonderful study, I do want to let others know that there is always hope for their dogs even if they can't be a part of the study. If fitted for a dog wheelchair it is amazing what can happen with that as well. Frankie is proof.
Though she still needs her wheelchair for longer walks, and to best support her spine, her wheels have kept the muscle tone in her back legs very strong. When she walks in her wheels you will sometimes see her back legs move. This is called spinal walk. This means her brain is not making the connection to the spine, but because of her front legs moving, her back legs will mimic following along. This has given her the ability to stand for moments at a time when not in her wheelchair, as well as hop like a bunny at times. I believe her therapy wheelchair is a big reason why she is able to have some mobility now.
What I really want to encourage in others is if you can't afford or even have in your area a dog rehabilitation center where you can go for physical therapy for your dog, there are still so many options. I had a vet who specializes in spinal injuries in Dachshunds show me some physical therapy I could do on my own for Frankie. I also did swim therapy in our bathtub with Frankie. So where there is a will, there is a way... and there is ALWAYS HOPE.
GIVE CHILDREN THE GIFT OF POSSIBILITY
Official Mascot for National Disabled Pets Day & Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame Companion, Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog will leave an everlasting and loving paw print on their heart
Frankie and I are asking for your help. It really is quite easy to do… and for helping us we have a free gift for you (keep reading for details).
We are now offering Virtual Visits with Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog! We are now able to do our Frankie presentations that we currently offer to our local schools in person (and rolling dog!) via the free software of Skype and a web cam, but these are done… well, virtually!! Here is a video clip explaining.
Would you be willing to forward this message to any elementary teachers or librarians you know? We would certainly appreciate your efforts. Just email us that you forwarded it and we will send you a link to download Frankie’s Activity E-book for free!
Please be sure to share with any teachers or librarians that you do forward this to that the first one to contact us will receive their Virtual Visit for FREE!
Check out this resource on how to set up a Virtual Visit...
Thank you so much for your help and for helping us spread Frankie’s message of hope and inspiration!
One of my all time favorite books is Moments with Baxter. The 36-stories collected in this book are about Baxter, the World's Best and Oldest Therpy Dog who volunteers at San Diego Hospice.
This book touched me deeply. Finding the words to describe what it is like to be a therapy dog team with Frankie at our local hospice, is not always easy. It is just something you have to experience... my soul soars each time I visit hospice with Frankie. It reminds me each and every time that everyone in this world is beautiful. It reminds me that all we have is the moment we are in. It reminds me to love with all my heart. It reminds me that no matter where you are in your life, you are still living... until you take your last breath, and you move on to the other side. And I believe as this saying by Chief Seattle says, "There is no death, only a change of worlds."
So with that said, I share this amazing video of Baxter at work at San Diego Hospice... he is now 19 1/2 years old and still giving so much love and joy... he is a testament to unconditional love.
I recently came across the following article about a hospice program that has put into place caring for patients' pets. And honestly, it brought big tears to my eyes. What a wonderful program!! Animals are such a big part of our lives, and I for one, know my animals keep me going some days. I can only imagine what they do for hospice patients. Taking care of all the needs of a hospice patient is vast and wide, including the well being of their families, and for this program to include the well being of their pets as well, no doubt provides them with peace of mind. What a beautiful gift.
Here is the article as it appeared in Ledger-Inquirer:
Columbus Hospice serves more than 300 patients and for many of them, Terri Roberts says, “their pet is all the family they have.”
That’s why Roberts, the organization’s director of volunteer services, is excited about the new program that Columbus Hospice will begin in January.
It’s called Pet Peace of Mind and is being financed by a $5,000 grant from Banfield Charitable Trust, a public charity that focuses on pets.
The idea for the program came from Delana Taylor McNac, who began a similar program at the Green Country Hospice in Tulsa, Okla., where she is the chaplain. McNac is a former veterinarian.
“I know one of our patients has a cat, and it’s everything to him,” Roberts said. “With this program we can make sure the pets are cleaned, groomed, get their shots, are well fed and any medical problems can be taken care of.”
She added that many patients are physically or economically unable to take proper care of the animals.
Roberts said that PAWS Humane will be assisting, as will local veterinarian Susanne Seward, who is discounting fees. Pet groomer Klazi Kritter Kutz also is donating services.
Volunteers will transport pets to a veterinarian or groomer and deliver pet food and cat litter to homes.
She said the program will give patients the assurance that someone understands the role of their pets in contributing to their well-being.
Dawn Kairns: MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life: A Story of Love
Melissa Joseph: Moments With Baxter: Comfort and Love from the World's Best Therapy Dog
Mary A. Shafer: Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them
Joyce Darrell: Extraordinary Dogs: Inspirational Stories of Dogs with Disabilities
Jon Katz: Izzy & Lenore: Two Dogs, an Unexpected Journey, and Me
Jon Katz: A Good Dog: The Story of Orson, Who Changed My Life
Caroline Knapp: Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs
Jon Katz: The New Work of Dogs: Tending to Life, Love, and Family
Jon Katz: Katz on Dogs: A Commonsense Guide to Training and Living with Dogs
