The Joy of a Friend

This week was a little hard for my momma.  She lost people she cared deeply about.  In my momma's profession, losing people happens with a a bit more frequency than one would imagine.  She, say's "that only serves to reminder her to love more honestly."

One of the people that passed was also my friend.  He was my momma's co-worker; Kevin, a gentle, kind and compassionate man.  I first met Kevin when momma would take me to say "hi" to her co-workers.  Kevin enjoyed spending time with me, and he thought that I was a good candidate for becoming a therapy dog, so a therapy dog I became!  Throughout the years, my momma would bring me to her place of work, a large hospital, where Kevin would often "baby sit" me.  He would take me to see patients and he would read to them while I sat by his side.  Kevin would also take me to the staff break rooms in the various units of the hospital.  I'd visit some of momma's co-workers, getting petted and fawned over while I nibbled on their apple slices.  When, at the end of the day, Kevin would return me to momma I'd have an "I've been good today" happy face sticker stuck on my therapy badge.  Momma peels off these stickers and places them in a date book along with a little handwritten note where she records what I did that day.

When momma took me to Kevin's office, he elected to share me with patients and his and momma's co-workers.  He understood and responded to the ebb and flow of humans needing doggy cuddles and doggies needing human cuddles.  Kevin helped to teach my momma balance... that by sharing the things you most love with the world, the world will give you more love in return. 

Each day I will thank the universe for sharing Kevin with me, and I will strive to be more generous in showing my love to others as a way to honor my friend.