 |
 |
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> > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask] > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn