Day 61

7/12/22

Ranger, star of stage and screen, was the focus of a documentary for QCTV today! Once again, the cameras were rolling and our entourage followed us through the halls of Mercy Hospital. We were surrounded by wonderful people, including the team from QCTV, hospital personnel and patients.

Before leaving for the hospital, our day started with a quick visit to our neighborhood retirement community. We always make a special trip to see our friend, Dave, who has dialysis treatments on our regular visiting day. This delightful man has so much to offer and we enjoy every moment of the visit. Today was different. When we met in a 3rd floor lounge, our friend had a different look about him. I started the conversation with, "OK...what's going on?"

He answered by telling us that HE was doing OK, but his bride was in the hospital after suffering a small heart attack. I asked him what his plan was for the day and he responded by saying he couldn't miss his time with Ranger, so after we were done, he would call a cab to go to the hospital and sit with his wife.

I responded with a firm, "No, we will take you to the hospital now." I presented a plan for getting him to the car and even added that not everyone gets their own Therapy Dog as a driving companion. With a quick trip home to change into my volunteer uniform and a bit of maneuvering (there were parcels, a suitcase and his walker), we loaded him in the car and off we flew.

After making sure he was safely up to his wife's room and a secret stop at the front desk to alert the charge nurse that he had skipped his dialysis appointment the day before, Ranger and I headed back down to meet the film crew and hospital staff. We discussed our plan for the morning and off we went.

We were lucky enough to visit one of our favorite men from Walker, or anywhere else for that matter. This WWII Veteran is SO important to SO many people...including me. The joy he brought to the people in that hospital room when he played his harmonica can't be described. There were more than a few damp eyes.

We then headed up to the heart floor where there were a number of people who wanted to meet and greet Ranger. We stopped to connect with people in the waiting area, staff and a couple patients out for a slow walk around the hall.

There were two patients in their respective rooms who told the staff that, if they happened to be asleep when the Therapy Dog arrived, WAKE THEM UP! We did just that!

The first gentleman was warm, welcoming and simply charming. He spoke of his own dogs in the past tense and couldn't take his eyes or hand off of Ranger. They bonded so easily. When the reporter asked if it seemed to help, the patient responded with, "The moment he entered the room, I just felt better."

The second patient was a very sweet lady. We visited for quite a while and Ranger seemed to understand that she couldn't quite reach his big head. A nurse was right there to lower the side rail and make ample room for our boy to move right in. He didn't disappoint. She was so happy to see him and kept saying, "Just look at those eyes! They are so beautiful!"

As we wrapped up the filming session, I once again realized that we were leaving with such a full heart. Many of the people on our journey this morning were hurting, sick and probably a bit scared. However, they reached out their hands and made our lives richer from the brief encounter.

People tell me that we are making a difference, but I know the difference takes place within us as well.
I LOVE what I do! Ranger and Lilly LOVE what they do!
Now Gus...well that is a story in the making. He will be a great Therapy Dog as well someday. It might just take some time!