Jeanine and Pogo
Please Note: The dog in the accompanying photograph is the subject of the story, but the child or teenager pictured is probably not the patient in the story.Several months ago on a Wednesday, when I was still a fairly new volunteer with Love On 4 Paws, I was walking through the main entry lobby at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. I was with a group of handlers and dogs, when suddenly, I heard a voice say, “Oh, look, Mom, there’s Pogo!” Coming toward us with a smile on her face was a pretty young girl, between 11 and 13 years old, accompanied by a tired, but pleasant-looking woman.
The girl came right up to us and bent down on one knee, so she could more easily pet Pogo. Although I didn’t remember their faces, they obviously recognized him. (Well, he is awfully cute…) The mother said her other daughter had become very fond of Pogo, who had visited her several times. When I expressed surprise that the Mom remembered him, she replied, “Oh, yes, he was one of Jeanine’s favorite visitors, and ours as well.” The moment she mentioned the girl’s name, the image popped into my mind of the pretty, dark-haired teenager who was so happy, in her subdued manner, to see us come to her room. I turned to the woman and her younger daughter, whose names I didn’t know, and said smilingly, “Well, hello, Sister and Mother of Jeanine.”
And Pogo loved Jeanine, too. Even before I had finished wiping her hands and spreading the sheet on Jeanine’s bed and lap, Pogo had his front paws on the edge of the bed, already trying to jump up on it. He sat and waited like a good dog, though, his pom-pom of a tail vibrating in joyful anticipation, until I was ready to help his rear follow his front upward. Pogo would instinctively find the perfect position (without wriggling or doing the “doggie-turn-around-three-times-before-plopping-down” thing), snuggle up, and lay still. So a good cuddle was had by all, since any visitors present would take turns petting my sweet little poodle guy.
Then Jeanine’s sister said, still looking at and petting Pogo, “I’m the only daughter now.” The mother continued, “Yes, Jeanine didn’t make it and she’s an angel now. But she loved visiting with Pogo, and he gave her some comfort and peace.” I was stunned, and I remember thinking how kind and giving these two people were. They went out of their way, in the midst of their own grief, to recount something so sweet to me, even though I was basically a total stranger to them. They wanted me to know: “You helped us. Thank you.”
This lovely mother and daughter touched my heart with their gratitude, graciousness and generosity of spirit.
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