Gidget
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.Gidget, our ten-pound Chihuahua/terrier mix was a rescue dog. At the rescue agency, one of the volunteers took her out of her cage and placed her in my husband’s lap. Gidget looked up at us with her beautiful brown eyes with a look that said, “Please spring me from this joint, and I’ll make it worth your time.” I have to admit, I thought she was kind of funny looking and not what I had in mind, but we took a chance and adopted her.
After a lot of training, Gidget passed the test to become a therapy dog. On one of our visits to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, we visited with Kelly (not her real name). Kelly was propped up in a chair and was covered with a cartoon character blanket, and next to her was a life-sized doll. I placed Gidget in Kelly’s lap, and Gidget immediately made herself comfortable while Kelly began to pet her. Kelly’s family was there and everyone was in a good mood. Kelly told me she had a Chihuahua at home that she had not seen for a number of weeks, due to her extended hospital stay. Kelly was very animated and continually made jokes. Her family took turns petting Gidget, and numerous pictures were taken.
A few weeks later I happened to visit with Kelly again, but this time it was a completely different picture. Kelly was in bed and had no energy to move. The room was dark and quiet, and the curtains were drawn. Kelly’s mother asked her if she wanted to visit with Gidget. Kelly shook her head yes. I placed Gidget on Kelly’s bed. Gidget lay quietly next to Kelly and did not move the entire visit. Kelly’s mother told me that Kelly had been missing her dog and had really enjoyed her previous visit with Gidget. She explained that Kelly had just finished a chemotherapy treatment and was not feeling well. Kelly was my last patient of the day, so I stayed a little longer. During that time Kelly did not talk or move, but she never stopped petting Gidget. Her mother and I talked for a while, and then we just sat quietly while Kelly continued to pet Gidget. I don’t know what kind of pain Kelly was experiencing or what she was thinking that day, but I know that what little energy she had, she spent petting Gidget. As I sat there watching Gidget lie patiently next to Kelly, I realized Gidget had kept her promise. She had truly made it worth our time to spring her from that joint.
about LO4P | events | featured story | photos | volunteer | donate | FAQs | testimonials | contact
© 2004-2007 Love On 4 Paws, Inc. All Rights Reserved. terms of use • home
Site by ReaLife WebDesigns.