Written by MY Vickie
I am not sure Bert has any idea what a Heart Dog he has become so I thought I would share this experience with you, as for him, it was a "Just Who I Am" moment.
Last week we visited a hospital on our therapy day. After lending a soft head to cuddle to anyone who wanted it who was waiting in the lobby for thier time to go into registration, Bert and I headed to the surgical unit.
We visited a few people and of course the nurses, who look forward to our visits more than anyone.
As we were preparing to leave a physical therapist came up and asked us if we would take the time to visit a little girl who was paralyzed. They had been trying all day to get her to just move her little fingers.
Bert was thrilled to go to visit the little girl. When we entered the room we saw that she was actually around 20 years old, curled on her side and only able to move her head.
Oh how her eyes lit up when she saw Bert and he immediatly went to her bedside and layed his head on the bed by her hand.
I asked her if she would like Bert to lay on the bed with her, her eyes widened and a grin came to her face as she nodded a big approval of the idea.
Bert put his front feet on the bed and I lifted his hind legs turning him so that he was in a lying position at her side.
We lifted the girls arm and placed her hand on top of Berts big foot. She grinned and Bert rested his head on her stomach looking into her eyes.
We were all so busy looking at Bert and making sure he wasn't on any tubes that it took a minute or two before one of the therapist noticed the young lady was moving her fingers gingerly over Berts foot.
Then in amazement we watched as she lifted her arm and patted him on the face. Yep, there were tears.
At this time the mother and little brother came in. WE all stood around in silence just watching the big golden dog and the innocent girl communicating in some form that we will never understand.
At the end of our visit, She signed "I Love You" to Bert.
Ah Bert, my heart dog.....thank you for being you.
My Vickie
42 comments:
Oh what a lovely story. Your Bert is very special.
Bert, God Bless you and you human, you have a wonderful gift, please continue to use it. Goldens are some of God's healers on earth.
Sheila & Bob
Hamish & Sophie
What a beautiful story. Animals reach people at so many levels. I will never forget my therapy dog who visited nursing homes with me. There was one resident in particular who apparently was totally uncommunicative. Not with Pi! Her hand reached out and she told Pi "good dog, good dog." Broke my heart when Pi and I were no longer able to do our visits.
Mango Momma
Hey Bert!
Wow, you are such an amazing spirit for a ton of reasons. Peeps are so lucky to have us in our lives and it's great to read about how pawesome that love can be!! Great job.
Grr and Woof,
Sarge, COP
From Frankie Furter... using Sarge's computer... STILL. SIGH
Bravo Bert!!! THAT is just wonderful. Amazing what WE can do fur THEM.. isn't it???
One can never under estimate the power of a dog. A most pawsome story.
Essex & Sherman
Oh wow, this story just made our weekend totally complete. Bert - we love you - you are just awesome.
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning and Mom too
Such a bright beginning to Bert's new vocation -- a vocation that is clearly his destiny. Dogs make so many little miracles pawsible -- way to go, my friend.
Murphy
Bert is a special boy! What an inspiration! Thanks for sharing.
Puppy Kisses,
Tanner
Wish I could have been there, Vickie.
Oh Bert that is beautiful. You ARE amazing and clearly are called to be comforter and healer of all kinds of hurts. Blessing to you and your Vickie for your selfless service.
Goose
Wonderful story... Licks and Tail Wags to you :)
Olive
count me in for bubble day. My MOM is going to work at the shelter tomorrow. I am so excited!!
Goose
I'm crying reading this... what a blessing to share such a moment!!
Wiping tears away - what a wonderful story, and wonderful gift your Bert has. :)
You were born to be a heart dog. keep up the good work.
Vicki, you have a most amazing dog in Bert. We guess (or know) its because of your wonderful care and love for him. Have a great week. No worries, and love, Carol (and Stella and Rory)
What a beautiful story....
I've read some truly amazing stories about therapy dogs, there is just something incredibly beautiful about it.
xo
Luna
This is such a wonderful and inspiring post. Well done, Bert!
The Mama's eyes are leaking over what a wonderful and special story you shared. People don't always realize what an amazing difference therapy dog's can make. It's heartwarming. Thank you so much for sharing this with us,
Wow. Tears are in mine and Mom's eyes too. Way to go Bert! :)
Waggin at ya,
Roo
We have tears in our eyes as we are reading this too! How heart warming that must have been for everybody!! Bless you both.
xoxo Chloe, LadyBug, and the mama
You have us wiping away tears here. You are just awesome, Bert!
Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch
Such a wonderful story!
Bert... What can we say... You're all heart!
My eyes are filled with tears. Bert is such a very very special dog who can cause miracles. Thank you Bert, and thank you Vickie.
Oh Bert that brings tears to my eyes. I love how dogs are so in tune to us and most of the time we don't even know it. Dogs are truly a gift from God. XOXO
Vickie,
Such a beautiful story, Bert is such a special boy!
It's these stories that make us so hope I will get to be a Therapy Dog and be able to bring joy to people -
Great job my pal,
Snoopy :)
Beautiful story...(sniff, sniff)
Sending big hugs to you and Bert,
~K
Oh, what a glorious visit! Warms our hearts.
Sweet hugs,
Sierra Rose
Oh, Bert! That is just so beautiful!!! Please ask your Vickie to give you a HUGE hug for me!
KZK = Zim and Dave's mom
Bert is a special dog! Me knows that!
Kisses
Nellie
Oh that just blesses us to no end!! Love to Bert and Vickie for living God's purpose for your lives!!
AROOOOOF!
Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack
Well, Bert. Tell Your Vickie that the story she wrote abut you today made our mom cry. You're quite the spirit, dude.
-Gizmo, Bart and Ruby
I am a school nurse now and would love to bring Ryker to work with me. Unfortunately the School District does not recognize Therapy Dogs and just see them as a legal liability issue to be avoided. (They do have to recognize Service Dogs.) So sad.
We are very proud of the great work you do Bert.
There are tears in my eyes... Such an amazing story!! Keep up the excellent work :)
How very special. Give Bert an extra hug tonight.
So sweet and wonderful--Bert is a true healer!
What a wonderful gift our animals are to this world. And Vickie, how blessed you are to see these miracles happen. Love ya, and Bert.
Every time I see a new photo of Bert, my heart melts. Reading this story makes me love him a million times more. Bless you both for giving love to people who are hurting and need it so much.
Woof! Woof! Oh BERT!!! This is just makes me smile n cry. Golden Tough is truly powerful. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
That is such a touching story. Way to go Bert. And when people say all these bad things about dogs...they need to remember times like these.
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