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| << November13, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - I had to say goodbye |
November20, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - You Can't Make Them Love You >> |
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Hello, my Family. I call you my family, because you are. It's a big responsibility, having a family this large. Today, I have 830 family members - brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers. Each of you represent one of them. My stories touched you in some way. I can only believe it was because God brought us together. Please pass my stories along and include my contact information. I would love to have 1000 members by the end of the year. It's my goal. I was posting this last night at midnight and fell asleep. Please forgive me for being late for being late for my midweek post. I posted a message from a new friend last weekend. His name is Chet and he faught in WW2. His plane was shot down over Austria. Chat is in his 80's now and could not respond to everyone. he asked me to send a "Thank You" to all who emailed him. You made his day. Thank you for taking the time to let him know he is respected and thought of. I thank you too. I am not posting comments tonight. This is a sad night. Last spring, I posted a story about a dog I remembered from my childhood. A gentleman responded and told me about his little dog - Chris-T-Fur. He's a blind dog with amazing character. I'm reposting that story tonight. Chris' dad (Tom) and I spoke through email and then over the phone. The story you will read, is what I put together. Please read the story and then the only response I will post tonight. Tom is going through what I went through a few years ago. Please take a moment to email Tom. He needs your kinds words. He needs to know many people are thinking about him. I read Tom's email to Ginny last night. We sat, held each other, and cried. Please send Tom a message. Let him know he has a family of friends around the world who are there for him. Mike Here is the story for tonight. Read Tom's email to me after that. Chris-T-Fur The litter of puppies snuggled close to their protective mother. With her nourishment, they grew quickly. In a few weeks, they were waddling around, exploring their new home. They were healthy and happy, but one little guy was different. He was smaller and was developing at a much slower rate. We called him Chris-T-Fur. Chris-T-Fur tried to keep up with his brothers and sisters, but always fell behind the pack. He'd run in their direction, but would slam into the walls and furniture. We grew concerned and had him examined. The vet said, "I'm sorry, Tom. Chris-T-Fur is blind. His left eye is totally defective, and he has a juvenile cataract in his right. He may have a little vision in his right eye, but it isn't much. You need to make a decision." My wife and I both work with people who have disabilities. She is a physical education teacher for severely disabled children. I work with adults with hearing loss. Our little Chris-T-Fur deserved as much of a chance as anyone. "Doc, we'll take him home and love him as much as our other dogs." Chris quickly worked his way into our hearts - a special kinship was formed. Later, Chris-T-Fur developed a seizure disorder. After a seizure, he has to walk it off. He walks all over the house, bumping into everything. Chris-T-Fur soon learned the sound of my car. He hears me coming and runs down the driveway - headfirst into the metal gate. It's a wonder he still has a nose. "Go back to the house, Chris." I'll tell him. He turns and runs back up the driveway, bouncing off the brick wall, using it as his guide. On outings, he runs with the other dogs, barking at things he cannot see. He runs into fences, bushes, trees, and even over banks. Does it slow him down? No! Chris-T-Fur gets up - a little dazed - shakes it off, and continues the pursuit. He wants to be part of the pack. The other dogs have become intolerant of him lately, especially when they are settled down with a bone or treat. When he walks by, they growl or snap at him. They don't understand, he can't see their bone. He has his own treat and is looking for it. At night, I sit to work at my computer. Within a few minutes, I hear Chris-T-Fur enter the room. He sniffs the air, detects where I am, and soon I'll hear the familiar thud, as he bumps into my chair. I turn, scratch him behind his ears; give him a couple of pats on his head, and show him all the love I feel for him. He then wanders off to another part of the house. At dinner, I purposely drop a few "Kibblesİ" on the floor. Chris-T-Fur is quick to hear the sound. With a few sniffs of his over sensitive nose, he can locate his treat. In spite of all his disabilities, Chris-T-Fur is a happy dog. He is friendly and always ready to be my companion. He's my hero. He doesn't have a pedigree, but he's top dog in my books. One day, I know I'll have a void in my life, where Chris-T-Fur used to be. Until then, I have a daily reminder that the struggles I face are insignificant compared to what others deal with. Chris-T-Fur knows, if you get knocked down, pick yourself up, and brush yourself off. He's taught me how important it is to keep a positive attitude. Michael T. Smith Here is a message from Tom. Michael, dear friend I fear I have some tragic news to relay. I lost my beloved wife Carolyn Jo this week. Back in Sept. she was involved in a terrible explosion in our RV while at camp. She and our five dogs were inside when a propane gas leak caused a horrible explosion. Carolyn Jo was burned over 40% of her body and the dogs were badly singed with only a couple sustaining minor burns. Chris-T-Fur was frightened and ran away as did our deaf dog. The two we try to give extra care to because of their disabilities. Fortunately they were both found later that night. All the dogs were traumatized but have recovered. My wife fought valiantly for over a month and a half to recover from her wounds and other complications acquired at the hospital. My four daughters and I made the daily trip into the hospital (50+ miles one way) everyday to be with her and encourage her but finally her body could not support her blood pressure any longer and we had to make sure that she was kept comfortable and pain free as long as was possible until she made her transition. I was blessed with 33 years with the most wonderful wife, friend and mother any man could ever ask for. Not only have I had the wrenching duty to tell my children that their mother was about to die but after she was gone and we came home I had to tell our five dogs that mom wasn't coming home again. Some understood and sensed it ahead of time but my pal Chris-T-Fur still waits by the gate at 4:00 everyday for mom to come home. It just tears me up to see him sit there unable to see but to listen for her car and her scent to come home. Its not only hard for us to say good bye but its hard for our beloved pets to say good bye too. We are having a memorial service this coming Saturday and as part of it we are having a slide show in celebration of her life. Of course a large segment will include pictures of her with her doggies. Those who knew my loving wife know how much she loved her dogs. During the service the minister is going to do a reading of "Rainbow Bridge." I know that my wonderful wife is now perfect, whole and complete again and is being greeted by all her dogs that have gone before her in her higher expression of life. Thank you Michael for sharing so many doggy stories with your readers I've shared them with Carolyn Jo, almost the only e-mail that she'd read! I'm going to still enjoy your writing and I know she will too telepathicly....God Bless you friend....Tom With his permission, I end this with Tom's email address. He would love your words of comfort and support. Mail Tom and Chirs-T-Fur at soaringeagle6@yahoo.com I have tears just reading this again. If you have a tear wipe it away and please send an email to Tom. I was on the phone with him tonight. Ginny and I both lost a spouse. We are here for him. Please show him he is not alone. Mike |
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| << November13, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - I had to say goodbye |
November20, 2006 - Hearts and Humor - You Can't Make Them Love You >> |
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