I think this picture says it all!! Dr. Federica Maggio, DVM, a Veterinary Ophthalmologist, administered the exam and was so happy to be able to give the good news! She examined Alli last year and was so very compassionate that I never even considered going to another doctor.The entire Tufts VETS(Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialties) staff is so warm and caring. The exam is so comprehensive....very similar to what a "human" ophthalmologist might do. Perhaps even a bit more so! Dr. Maggio truly loves these animals, I think she was just as happy to give the good news, as I was to receive it! My friend Cindy was with me, as she was when we took Alli, and she was a great support.....EXCEPT.....I saw Dr. Maggio give a slight smile, and thought I heard her say, "That looks good" while giving the exam. I looked over at Cindy and she had a very serious look on her face and her lip was quivering. For a moment I thought that maybe I had heard the doctor wrong. Nevertheless, the end result was great, and both Tippy and I are blessed to be able to be a team for years to come! Dr. Maggio loved how happy we were, and of course Tippy had won everyone over, so she asked if she could take a couple pictures. Of course I said yes. She sent me the 3 pics, and I absolutely love this one. Tippy and I do "hugs" often and I believe he knows that it's comforting to me......I wonder what emotion it stirs in him......
When we left Tufts in Walpole, MA, we headed over to NEADS to share the good news! I had made a large bread pudding to celebrate the results of the test with the staff there. I'm not sure what I would have called it had the news not been good. Sherrie Forest and Kathy Foreman were there when we arrived and I reported immediately the positive outcome. They both said that Tippy looks great. I think so too, but it's always good to hear it from those who are "in the know" about such things. I am very diligent when it comes to meals, treats, training and exercise with him so there really shouldn't be a problem. Everyone also said that he looks bigger than when we left. It's entirely possible since he is now 19 months though he should be nearly done growing. His weight remains about the same, 82.2 lbs. While we were at NEADS, we learned that there was one new puppy in the Early Learning Center(aka the "Puppy House"). Cindy and I wanted very much to visit, but Tippy isn't allowed. Partly because the pups have not had all of their "shots" and could "catch" something from the older dogs, and partly for the reverse....... Sherrie said that Tip could stay in John Moon's office since he was on vacation. I put Tippy in a "Down/Stay", Sherrie put up the gate across the door, and I told Tippy to stay one more time. I mentioned that I fully expected him to be in the same place when I returned, then we went up to see the puppy. The Puppy House is at the top of the driveway, in a house next door. We met radar, said hello to those who work and volunteer there, chatted a bit and returned to the main building about 20-25 minutes later. Sherrie was standing near John's office speaking with Paula and for a moment I thought that Tippy had been moving around. But, true to his nature, Tippy was in the exact same spot, with his head on his front paws looking at the door! Sherrie said I could exercise Tippy up in the training room, as I was waiting to possibly speak with Brian concerning Tippy's timid response to playing with other dogs. Brian had taken a puppy to it's prison destination, but when he returned he was in a bit of a hurry to leave and I didn't want to delay him. I'm quite sure he didn't know, at the time, that I was there. I left quietly before him and Cindy and I headed off for lunch. Lunch was at a "99" restaurant, was quite good, and quite relaxing. Tippy was awesome, as always!
On Wednesday Tippy, Cindy, and I are headed to New Jersey to speak to the New Jersey Society of Interventional Pain Physicians about "Step Therapy/Fail First" legislation and the importance of their support of their patients as we work toward eliminating the practice. *(Sorry for the run-on sentence!) I surprise myself in that I'm truly looking forward to doing this, and more of it.....Service Dogs have not only allowed me to regain some of my lost independence, I feel that they have afforded me a new avenue to follow in life, pretty cool, huh? I am hoping to connect with Eddie, and his service dog, Houdini, while in New Jersey. Eddie was in my NEADS class in November of 2009. Paul suggested that I check with Eddie about possibly being involved with US Pain issues. I'm so looking forward to seeing him again. I think it's been since the Fall of 2010.....too long!
Finally.....Please send healing prayers to my good friend and fellow classmate, Karin(she received "Lucky" when I received Alli). She is having serious medical complications and is in the ICU. She has had to deal with so much and, while she is an extremely strong and courageous woman, she has had enough for the time being.....please hold her in your prayers........
Wendy and Tippy
Once again, Tippy was the "Cute Puppy" of the day on the NEADS site. He must have been pretty new at NEADS since the picture is dated 12/10 and his birthday is early October, 2010. I love these pictures! That's the only part of receiving the dogs that I miss! When you choose your pet as a puppy or kitten, whether from a shelter(as we always did) or a breeder, you have the thrill of seeing them as adorable babies. I have the "puppy" album I received from Alli's inmate trainer and still love to look at it from time to time. Now, I have these "Cute Puppy" pics of Tippy! So far, there are just the two, but I cherish them nonetheless. This one looks so like him even now. His eye contact is amazing. When he looks at you, it's like he's looking into you. I know it's a bit corny, but it's like he's looking into your soul, and seems to always find comfort there as well as instilling the same.
This past weekend we attended the Trans Siberian Orchestra performance of Beethoven at Mohegan Sun. Tippy has been wonderful at the URI Theatre performances, and has been downright amazing accompanying me to the CT, and RI capitols. I wasn't sure, however, how he'd do at a concert performance. He is always so calm, when not playing, that I wondered how he would react to the crowds, loud music, strobe lights, and rapid movement on the stage. He, himself, performed exquisitely! I used to love watching Alli as she watched the first half of any performance from under the seat in front before falling asleep for the 2nd half. Tippy somehow managed to sleep through the first half, wake shortly looking for a reward, then fell fast asleep for the remainder of the show. He was also game when we got Ben and Jerry's afterward, savoring the banana I purchased for him, and happily walked with us to order a small pizza to go before heading back to our room. My friend and I chuckled as Tip went back and forth from my bed to hers with his toy waiting to see who would opt for the chance to play. He loved the carrot slices he received while practicing high 5, catch me low(low 5), prayers, time for bed, etc. Tippy never seemed to take notice of the late, or early, hour until I settled down and out he went...down for the count!
On Saturday....I guess I'm working backward....Tippy and I went with my good friend Debbie and her granddaughter Olivia to Bishop's Orchard for the Donkey and Mule Festival. I think Tippy found it all quite curious. We started with a small pen with a few llamas. A larger enclosure had both llamas and a few goats. I'm not sure who was more interested, Tippy as he studied these beasts behind the wire fence, or the "beasts"....llamas and goats....who approached the fence looking at Tippy as though he was an alien! In fact, to them I guess he was an alien. It was so obvious that he interested them. Their stare caught him as he neared the fence, and they moved closer, cautiously sizing him up. We watched the donkeys as their riders made their way through an obstacle course....soooooo much more slowly than with a horse. Tippy really wasn't interested, and when Debbie and Liv returned from the "Moon Bounce",(Olivia calls them "Boom Bounces"!) he was only too happy to retreat to other areas. Unfortunately for him, the next area was no better. We went on a tractor ride through the orchard. With each bump and creak, Tippy looked like he wanted to shout, "Stop the ride, I want to get off"!!!!
Thursday is a big day for Tippy, and I guess for me. He has an appointment at Tufts VETS(Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialties) for his free Service Dog eye exam. His appointment is with Dr. Federica Maggio, DVM. She is a Veterinary Ophthalmologist. I took Alli to see her last May and received the news of her impending blindness. These exams are so vitally important. Sight should never be underestimated. Without this appointment, we would have continued to believe that Al's difficulties were related to behavior issues and would not have realized it was her sight for probably some time. Animal have an amazing ability to adapt well to a lost sense. Dr. Maggio told us that if Alli was a pet, and not a service dog who was constantly out and away from home, it's possible that we would not have known until she was completely blind. Whether a service animal or not, an annual eye exam is so important for the animal's health.
Next Wednesday we are heading to New Jersey to speak to the "New Jersey Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. I was asked by Paul 2 weeks ago if I would travel to New Jersey to speak to a group about "Step Therapy"/Fail First legislation. "Step Therapy" is the practice of insurance companies to require a patient to first fail at one or more alternative medications before filling the initial prescription the doctor wrote. Having addressed the issue in CT,(where we were successful), MA, and RI, I am more than interested in continuing the "push". After finding out last week that the group was a physician's organization I immediately felt intimidated. While my first instinct was to decline, I told Paul that I was still willing and interested to go. He was glad and said that they, "are people like us and need to get involved to help patients". The bottom line is that I believe very strongly in this legislation and feel that I can convey that belief and it's importance through the facts and how they relate to all individuals. I am now looking forward to the event and consider it as more experience in an area that I am finding purposeful and thrilling. You don't always get a second chance at a direction for your life....and one that has the ability to promote positive change for others.
Finally, I ask for your prayers for several friends of mine. Karin, who graduated with Alli and me with her Service Dog Lucky, has had a recurrence of a past cancer. After receiving radiation treatment it was shown that it had no effect and would need to undergo surgery to remove any growths they were able to. Please send your healing prayers her way for her May 15th surgery. She says that Lucky has been her strength, her rock. Let's hope that they can remain partners for years to come.
Lastly to the family of my good friend Cindy. On April 30th, she lost her husband of more than 40 years to cancer. Bob was a strong role model for his wife, son, and grandchildren. He was always ready, willing and able to help with the needs of the church accomplishing a great deal on both Outreach and House and Grounds committees. Bob's infectious, positive attitude and personality will surely be greatly missed. While the Marshalls have a great yellow Lab, Hunter, Bob loved seeing Alli and she was able to visit him in the hospital last year....which put a smile on his face. Tippy had the great opportunity to visit with him at their home several times and I know it brought him great pleasure to watch Hunter get "hyped" while "toying" with him! Bob had always wanted a party before his death to say "Thank You", and "Goodbye" to his friends and family but was not up to it this past year. Instead, the family is having a picnic for all to share their stories and memories of Bob now that he's passed. "CHEERS to you Bob!" Your prayers will do so much in the healing process for Bob's family.
Thank You
