Wednesday, August 18, 2010

A special mention

I don't know whether to wag or droop. I was mentioned in the paper yesterday. Now, ordinarily, I love being in the press (witness this blog).

This time, though, it was in an obituary for one of my patients, Miss Belle:

Belle was a wonderful cook known for her chicken and dumplings and her delicious Christmas dinners. She loved all animals, particularly dogs, and always had a faithful canine or feline companion...

The family would like to thank the staff of both Morganton Long Term Care and Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Center for their care, and Bea, the Hospice dog, who gave comfort and companionship during Belle's last days.

You can read all of Miss Belle's obituary on Morganton.com.

I was proud to be there for Miss Belle. Caring for people, comforting their pups and grandpups, lending a warm furry coat and a cold nose whenever it's needed, being there right til the end... Snuggling through the sorrows, wagging through the joys: that's what it means to be the Hospice Dog.

But I might need a special belly rub today.

*     *     *

The staff at Burke Hospice & Palliative Care would like to thank the family of Mary Belle Hudson for kindly mentioning our beloved Bea in Mrs. Hudson's obituary.



Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Dog Days of Summer: A Play in Five Pictures





DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

A Play in Five Pictures


STARRING BEA THE THERAPY DOG

ACT I.


"Outside?! Did somebody say Outside?! Let's go!"


ACT II.


"Whoa. This heat is too much to stand!"


ACT III.


"Fetch? Are you kidding? It's 95 degrees out here!"


ACT IV.


"I guess I  can bear the heat for a quick belly rub..."


ACT V.


"Let's not go outside again til winter, OK?"

THE END