Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Amy......

Normally, I wouldn't post photos of my Dad in the hospital... it's a very private matter and I'm only going to say that he hasn't and isn't well.... it's been an emotional fall for the whole family... my Mom and Dad in particular. But, this is really a post about Amy, their little Jack Russell, whom I call the "caretaker"

Amy came to them not too long after they lost their Toy Fox, Adam. My Mom and Dad have always had dogs ... so I came "blame" them for the love of dogs that I grew up with. They have had all breeds from Huskies, Shepherds,, St. Bernards to Rhodesian Ridgebacks... but as we kids grew and left home, they seem to down size their breeds.... and Amy is now their number one gal. 

She comes by the "caretaker' name honestly, because all threw my Dad's illness she has been at this side. When he is home and not feeling well, Amy can mostly be found in his lap. When he is away for some reason or another, you can find her in my Mom's lap. The only other places she is, is either pro trolling the yard... or at the door warding off any strangers that might show up. This includes the ambulance folks who have had to come... Mom really has to watch that she is not nipping at their heels while they are trying to help Dad. I find this one photo quite interesting now that I look at it... when the nurse came in to talk with Dad, look where Amy moved to...from Dad's lap to this position ... can it be any more obviously that she wanted the nurse to know that she is there... this is her person, and she's going to be watching over him.... whoever thinks that dogs don't know or care.... they don't understand...

When Dad has to be in the hospital, I am so happy that they allow dogs to come and see their humans... this is the sort of thing "dog folks" have always known, but with therapy dogs now getting some real recognition ... dogs (aka pets) make huge differences in the lives of their people and it's now being understand  As sick as my Dad is, his face lights up with his little dog comes bounding into his room and hops up on the bed and checks everything out. 

It's been... it is ... a long hard couple of years for my Dad and my Mom... we all support and love them as much as possible.... they have a good support system in the family, the medical field and friends.... but Amy certainly needs to be a name on their list....

Good girl, Amy!!!!!