Sitka, Therapy Dog

I am recovering and doing quite well, however I am not allowed to visit my friends in the hospitals and nursing homes yet. Last night, Mom and Dad took me for a little outing. It was great to get out of the house and see the world again. We visited our favorite coffee shop (Crossroads Coffee and Ice Cream, Richmond, Virginia). They have outside tables and a special water bowl for their furry visitors.

Mom and Dad ate their organic sandwiches and visited with another Therapy Dog Mom while I laid under the table. Several humans found me and I received lots of furry hugs and belly rubs. I enjoyed my time at the coffee shop, but I am getting anxious to go back to my real job, Dog Therapy.

Tonight, I will be sending Nanuq to Central State Psychiatric Hospital, Petersburg, Virginia. The patients miss us when we are unable to visit. We are the only therapy dogs who visit their facility other than one owned by a staff member.

In a few weeks, I will have an X ray to make sure my knee is healing properly. Hopefully, I will allowed to return to therapy at that time. I miss my sick friends. I am eager to return with the unconditional love and acceptance I can give them.

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Sitka Salute's The Troops!

Today, I wish to send a furry hello to Jerry Brown and all other's serving our country. Jerry is an Army Reservist serving in Iraq. My furry brothers, sister, and I enjoy the happiness and blessings found in America. My parents are blessed to worship the GOD of their choice and Mom and I enjoy freedom of speech through writing.

Our family realizes the sacrifice made by those today, as well as those who served before. I never knew my human Grandfather, James Bolling Perdue; he died in WWII when my Dad was about fourteen months old. He was serving in Germany at the time of his death, November 11Th, 1944. My human brother, Seth David Thompson is a Marine reservist, but remains stateside at this time.

We send our utmost respect and prayers to each of you. May GOD bless you as you seek to keep our country safe. We appreciate your sacrifice more than you will ever know.

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Dog's Smell Cancer & Other Disease's

"Dogs can smell cancer and low blood sugar. The Pine Street Foundation, a cancer-education and research center in San Anselmo, Calif., published a study showing it was possible to train dogs to identify, based on breath samples, which patients had lung and breast cancer. Now the organization is recruiting ovarian cancer patients and dogs for a new study. In diabetics, the presence of ketones—substances made by the body during the metabolic process—can be smelled in urine and on the breath when blood sugars are high. Dogs can pick up on other smells that humans can’t when glucose levels drop." Health.com

We canines are amazing creatures. I alert my Mom before she has an asthma attack. Mom then takes her medication. For over two years, I have been able to prevent Mom from having asthmatic episodes. Mom gives me lots of extra furry hugs and belly rubs. She is very appreciative of my abilities and I am thankful to be able to be an active participant in keeping Mom healthy.

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Therapy Dog At Work

Today, Mom and I were reminiscing about my therapy visits in at The Laurel's of Willow Creek. The Laurels is a home to many seniors, but occasionally we see rehabilitation patients and younger patients with debilitating diseases.

Once while I visited, I met a young woman. She was a beautiful woman who could no longer walk or care for herself. With her drawn hands she reached for me. As I snuggled close, she began talking to my Mom with a broken voice. This young woman was plagued with Multiple Sclerosis. Mom and I were amazed by her countenance. She glowed with excitement as we visited.

While visiting we were told she had German Shepherds at home. She loves our visits and I, too enjoy seeing her great big smile. We snuggle and cuddle and Mom often allows her to give me special treats. I am always gentle taking them from her. When I take them she becomes excited and giggles loudly.

Just another precious day in the life of a therapy dog.

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Tuesday's Therapy Visit

For several weeks we have not been able to go to our regularly scheduled visits at Central State Psychiatric Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia due to my surgery and my Mom's grandmother's death. There is a great need in psychiatric facilities and many trained therapy dogs do not go, because their parents are not comfortable in the facility. Thankfully, my parents have a tender heart and allow my furry brothers and I to visit psychiatric patients.

On Tuesday, I sent my brother Nanuq in my absence. I really wanted to go, but the doggie doctor has not released me yet. Nanuq came back with lots to share with me. Nanuq said, "Ms. P told Mom one of the patients had been asking the nurse practitioner daily why we had not been there? The nurse practitioner told Ms. P she needed to know what to tell the patient." Ms. P explained to the nurse practitioner about my surgery and told her we would come back as soon as the doctor would allow me.

Asking about us may seem insignificant, but it is not. This patient has been very withdrawn in the past and quickly made friends with my Mom and Dad on one of the first few visits. She is a very intelligent lady who loves to read and has an intense passion for music. She rarely pets me, but she always come by to see us when we are there. Sometimes she speaks a few words and other times my parents will have a lengthy conversation with her.

Tuesday, while Nanuq was there with my parents the patient who asked about us came by to see them. She talked for a little while and then went to the library to read. Nanuq said, "her face was full of bright smiles."

Dog therapy can be hard to explain. We meet people in a way other humans can not. We love and accept each patient for who they are and we do not expect anything in return. There are times when all the patient needs is for us to be visible and other times they need to cuddle.

I am thankful Nanuq eagerly accepted the job of going to Central State alone. We enjoy going to Dog Therapy together. Nanuq and I have very different personalities and GOD chooses to use us in different ways.

Thank you, Nanuq!

Woofs and wags,

Sitka

Therapy Visit

Lately, I have been thinking about my previous therapy visits and longing to share about them with you. Today, I will share about a visit at Central State Psychiatric Hospital, Petersburg, Virginia.

Each visit is different and very rewarding. We arrive at 6pm on the designated night and I take a quick potty break in a special spot the director has provided. After I take care of business, I march straight up to the double locked doors, throw my head back and out comes a "big" Malamute howl. Someone then comes to unlock the doors and let us in. My parents are then given their badges and we travel through several other locked doors to get to our destination.

When we go for night visits, it is a special treat for the patients. They know we are coming and they must be on their best behavior during the day in order to be allowed to visit with us. We are their reward!

The staff at CSH is very good to us. They provide a big mat for me to lay on so I do not become sore from laying on the hard floor. They also provide a special water bowl in the event I get thirsty. The patients and the staff are always eager to see me, as I am them.

Often, the patients enjoy having their picture made with me while snuggling on the floor. On this particular evening as I snuggled closely with my new friend, I began to intensely sniff her cheeks. My Mom knows when I focus in on something or someone there is a reason. I continued visiting with my new friend. She was an older lady with shoulder length gray hair and no front teeth. She had a very gentle spirit and would smile and hug me when I snuggled close.

The time came for my friend to leave and I heard Mom whispering with the staff. Mom asked, "Is there a problem with the patients face?"

The staff member replied, "Yes, but how did you know?" Mom explained how she recognized the difference in my actions. From that day forward the staff began to learn to watch me and they too can see with fresh eyes.

I miss my dear friends at CSH, however, I have been sending my brother Nanuq and I hear he is doing a great job in my absence. Thank you to each of you for your continued prayers during this time. I look forward to going back to CSH with Nanuq in a month or so.

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Fan The Flame

A few weeks ago, my dear friend, RCUBES at Off The Beaten Trek gave both Mom and I an award called Fan The Flame. Mom will be posting 3 people at Arise 2 Write to pass this award along to and I will be posting 2.

I am honored to be chosen by a human as one of her favorite blogs to visit and I take this time to thank each of you who visit and read my blogs. Some might think God's furry creatures may not have something valuable to contribute, but I hope you will find love, encouragement, and enlightenment when you visit my furry blog.

Please check out the blogs I have chosen to pass "Fan The Flame" to:

1) Kat at Heart 2 Heart. Kat has a beautiful blog with practical insight and biblical applications for everyday life.

2)Laurie at Supernatural. Living. Join Laurie as she gives encouragement in a stressed and chaotic world.

Woofs and Wags,

Andrea

Recovering Well

I am recovering well. Mom and Dad are trying to give me just the right amount of exercise (physical therapy), so as not to re-injure my leg. It has been 4 weeks and 2 days since my surgery. I no longer need my pain medications and I am enjoying short walks. The last few days I have enjoyed time outside while Dad worked in the front flower beds.

Spring is a beautiful time of year. I asked Mom if I could share Dad's tulips with my readers and of course, she agreed. Dad loves his tulips; he has had them for over 20 years and they are more beautiful than ever.

Dad's gorgeous red tulips remind us of the blood Jesus shed on the cross for each of us. God's timing for revealing the beauty of His creation is perfect. My family and I love and cherish our Lord and Savior, as well as the creation He has so graciously shared with us.

As with Dad's tulips, today is a new day. Receive God's gracious gift and begin anew. Spring forth with God's strength and soar on the wings of eagles with Him.

Thankful for my creator.....
Woofs and wags,

Sitka

Happy Birthday Sitka!

Today is my 4Th birthday. April is a busy birthday month in our family. My human sister, Lauren's birthday is April 5Th, my human brother, Seth's birthday is April 16Th, and my future brother-in-law, Joe's birthday is April 4Th.

My parents met all my human family at a local BBQ restaurant this evening for dinner. My human sister and brother (Lauren and Seth) chose the location. Dad fixed me a bed in the back of the SUV so I could ride along.

Upon arrival I was shocked and hurt; my family left me in the SUV. I have a therapy vest and I am found to have better behavior than most children, but I was abandoned in the car to watch as people came and went. Thankfully, it was a cool evening.

Upon arriving home, my parents showered me with furry hugs and love. Earlier today, Dad took me for a special walk and sat on the front porch for a while with me. I am thankful for my family, but sometimes I am a bit jealous and wish to have all of my Mom and Dad's attention. I am growing in GOD's grace and still very much a work in progress.

Woofs and wags,

Sitka

His Light Shines

Thank you, Laurie at Supernatural Living for passing along this blog award. Again, I am overjoyed. It is my desire, as well as my Mom's for God's light to shine through all we say and do.

Below are other sites who exemplify this quality:

1)RCUBES at Off The Beaten Trek.
Follow RCUBES as she takes you on a journey of faith and fellowship in her own personal life.

2)Kathleen at Heart 2 Heart.
Kathleen's light shines as she seeks HIS will daily.

3)Mary at Piles of Smiles. Mary reveals a heart of compassion from behind the "salesladies" desk!

May GOD bless each of you as you continue to follow GOD's will on your journey, letting HIS light continue to shine in and through your lives.

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

God's Perfect Plan

This past week has been long and difficult for my family. My Mom's grandmother died after many years of estrangement and family issues. My parents traveled to S.C. leaving us behind. We were sad and missed them very much while they were away.

My Mom seems much more peaceful after her Carolina visit. She was very happy to see my furry sister, brothers, and I, but we can tell something is different. Isn't it amazing how GOD brings good out of bad if only we will listen and obey. My Mom longs to "listen and obey" and she loves her Heavenly Father.

Mom shares a few of the strong family traits that help spin a family out of control. Mom is stubborn, outspoken, and opinionated! She prays continually, as she seeks to use these strong traits in a positive way.

Me, Furry Ole Sitka....well, I am glad my Mom is stubborn; that is why she has me. She simply had to have me. She did not temperament test or do any of the other things she would advise others to do. She fell in love with me and would never have left without me.

One of Mom's favorite verses applies to today's blog:

"We know that GOD causes everything to work together for the good of those who love GOD and are called according to HIS purpose for them." Romans 8:28

God uses my Mom's strong personality for HIS good and HE works all things out. Thank GOD for HIS good and perfect plan in our lives and the lives of others.

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka