Day 559

Lilly is our empath! She is the Therapy Dog that found the police officer's wife in a huge group of people holding vigil at Mercy Hospital. She went from person to person until, finding the one who needed her most, pushed forward until the young woman crouched down and cried into her fur. I was humbled beyond words.

Last night, before dawn up at the cottage, I could sense Miss Lilly on the move. Sitting up, I watched as she slowly walked over to Mac's side of the bed and sat down by his head. As she watched intently for a few moments, my husband suddenly had one of his Vietnam "dreams." Our own personal Therapy Dog was right there to comfort him. Once again, I was humbled beyond words.

How does she know? I have witnessed this angel find the most needy person during a visit and work her magic to heal. Once a nurse knelt down and started crying, asking, "How did she know I needed her?" Another time, a patient in PHP was having a hard time and our Lilly walked right over and laid her head in the young lady's lap. As the tears started to flow, Lilly just looked up at the person who needed her and shared her own special brand of love.

It would not surprise me if people had this empathetic ability...some more than others. If so, why don't more people feel someone's need or angst and move in to help soothe a sad heart? Perhaps we are all too busy or there are too many auxiliary events drawing our attention away. The other possibility might just be that, when we feel that pull to help another, it frightens us just a little. What if we are wrong? What if the person wants to be left alone? What if...

Years ago, someone I love very much needed me. I was out in the yard when something within insisted I call her. I ran for the nearest phone and, when her husband answered, I knew something had happened. Her parents were in a car accident and the couple had found out just before I called. "How did you know?" asked her husband. Like Lilly, I simply knew.

Since that day, so many years ago, I listen more closely to the people and things that tug at my heart. My motto has become, "Always ere on the side of kindness." I can almost guarantee that is Lilly's mantra in her Golden life!