When my illness forced me to stop working the first time, in 1999, I felt lost and useless. Not having somewhere to go every day was really depressing. I had to find something to distract me from self-pity, but my weak body and fragile mind limited my choices. I explored volunteer options and discovered a class offered by…Read more Volunteer Work: the Best Medicine
depression
The Blossoming of My Tiny Emotional Support Animals
When Bobbie White hatched on June 25, and Berry followed on June 26, I was delighted. Watching each of them briefly stumble around, then get on their little feet and start pecking demonstrated an undeniable will to live. Within an hour of hatching, Bobbie started chirping at the top of her(?) lungs, and I prayed…Read more The Blossoming of My Tiny Emotional Support Animals
Dixie Dog
Dixie Dog Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton, Old times there are not forgotten. Look away, look away, look away Dixie Dog! I wish I was with Dixie, Hooray! Hooray! With Dixie Dog I'll take my stand, to live and die with Dixie. Away, away, away back home with Dixie!…Read more Dixie Dog
A Chick Named Bob
As I lay awake early this morning, thinking worrying about Henry’s appointment with the surgeon, I heard a little “chirp.” My radar is on high these days, listening for strange noises that Steve the Norway rat might make, but this little chirp didn’t sound like a rat. Steve is more likely to squeak, I…Read more A Chick Named Bob
I’ll be Henry’s Service Person
Early this morning I took Henry in for his ultrasound. I had the privilege to be in the room the entire time. I even got to hold Henry in place as the doctor did the test. I’ll call him Dr. Kindheart, since he was very welcoming and communicative. He explained everything as he explored…Read more I’ll be Henry’s Service Person
My heart is aching. For the past several weeks, Henry, my service dog, has been waking up between 3 and 5am, jumping off the bed and vomiting. He goes straight to my side of the bed, rounds his back and starts heaving. Some mornings he lets out a little whimper, like he’s trying to tell…Read more
An Unwelcome Visitor
My eyes are always scanning the floors of our little home, mostly because we have three dogs who make all kinds of messes. A couple of days ago, in the early morning light, I noticed a spot near the front door that looked like a puddle of something. When I looked closer, I found it was…Read more An Unwelcome Visitor
Dixie Dog
Hey everybody! Henry here. Here’s something Martha wrote about my sister Dixie, who is very sick. Please keep in mind that I’m keeping an eye on both of them. Dixie In December of 2005, I was introduced to three-month old puppy named Dixie. A friend who was working at a veterinary hospital witnessed…Read more Dixie Dog
Hope is the thing with feathers…
In my healthier days, when I was happily working at the zoo, I wrote a weekly newsletter for the docents and volunteers. My service dog Henry was always eager to contribute bits of wisdom to my weekly tome, so when he heard I was writing a blog, he asked if he could add a few words. Of course, I said yes. So today…Read more Hope is the thing with feathers…
Cockeyed Optimist?
I'm considering hatching some Mexican Speckled Quail eggs in July, if they're available. There's a place in Wisconsin, (my home state!), that sells them. Maybe I'll have better luck with a different species. Maybe I'm just a cockeyed optimist! Aren't they beautiful?
Dogged Hope 