What a great story, Murray.  Today, there was a segment on Oprah Winfrey
about the fireman who rescued a dog in fast flowing waters.  When I saw
that scene, I cried.  Pets are such wonderful companions, and I think
everyone who has PD would do well to have a trained dog like this one -
if they can care for it.  Best to you.  Jo Ann
>
>   A Best Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed
>   Scott Craven
>   The Arizona Republic
>   Oct. 30, 2004 12:00 AM
>
>   The favorite part of Judith Johnson's day begins before the sun, or
>   her husband, is up. She slips into comfortable clothes and heads to
>   the back door to meet her friend, the one who's always willing to
>   listen.
>
>   As the pair stroll to the park during their daily 45-minute walk,
>   Johnson sorts out the thoughts and feelings that, she believes,
> would
>   only burden those close to her. But Oliver ambles along silently,
>   looking up every now and then at his human companion.
>
>   "I tell him what's going on in my head," Johnson says. "We share a
>   lot of very poignant moments together."
>
>   Johnson can't imagine her life without the 5-year-old English
>   springer spaniel. Oliver was appreciated when he was just a pet,
> but
>   when Johnson was diagnosed in 2000 with Parkinson's disease, the
> dog
>   took on a new role.
>
>   Oliver now is Johnson's service dog, trained to pick up items she
> has
>   dropped, and to help prop her up when she falls. And should Johnson
>   "freeze" (a symptom of Parkinson's), Oliver steps on her toes, and
>   that pressure, Johnson says, helps to re-engage her mind to the
> task
>   at hand.
>
>   But Oliver's true value is as an understanding friend, there to
>   listen when Johnson needs to rail against life's unfairness or to
>   share when Johnson appreciates life's beauty.
>
>   "Some people may think I'm crazy for talking to a dog," Johnson
> says.
>   "But having him there helps me so much. He's made such a difference
>   in my life."
>
>   Questionnaire:
>
>   What is your pet's name and breed?
>
>   Oliver, an English springer spaniel.
>
>   How did you choose your pet's name?
>
>   I just took one look at him and knew Oliver was the perfect name
> for
>   him.
>
>   Where did you get your pet?
>
>   My husband had a springer named Fudge that he had gotten from a
>   breeder in Nebraska. We got in touch with Danny (the breeder), and
> he
>   had pups from the same line as Fudge. Danny kept Oliver until he
> was
>   9 weeks old and then put him on a plane. He was a $75 dog that cost
>   us $400 to get.
>
>   What's the best thing about your pet?
>
>   The best thing about Oliver is that he is my best friend and my
>   service dog. We got Ollie in 1998, and I got Parkinson's disease in
>   2000. He is so smart that I was able to train him to help me get
>   through the day. He is also a Delta Society dog. We go to hospitals
>   and nursing homes to visit children and the elderly. Let me tell
> you
>   that Oliver is very special.
>
>   What is your pet's worst habit?
>
>   The worst habit Oliver has is surfing the counters for food.
>
>   Has your pet ever embarrassed you?
>
>   I was at a PD (Parkinson's disease) meeting. Oliver was with me and
>   went right under the table as a good service dog should do. I did
> not
>   know that one of the ladies at the meeting had brought blueberry
>   muffins and when she went to get them for us to have with coffee,
>   they were gone. Oliver the wonder dog had eaten every muffin and
> the
>   bag, and he was so quiet about it. He did not make any sounds and
> he
>   was fast asleep. He also had blueberry stains all over his face. He
>   was busted. We all had a good laugh about it, and thank God he did
>   not get sick.
>
>   How do you celebrate a pet's birthday?
>
>   Oliver's birthday is Dec. 31. We celebrate the new year with him.
>
>   What is the best thing about your pet?
>
>   The best thing about Oliver is Oliver. He is the most loving and
>   loyal friend I have ever had. It feels good just writing about him.
>   He brings me joy every single day of my life.
>
>   SOURCE: Arizona Republic, AZ
>   http://tinyurl.com/49kct<http://tinyurl.com/49kct>
>
>   * * *
>
>   .Murray Charters
> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
>   Please place this address in your address book
>   Please purge all others
>
>   Web site: Parkinsons Resources on the WWWeb
>
>
http://www.geocities.com/murraycharters<http://www.geocities.com/murraych
arters>
>
>
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