Special Gifts From Special Friends

Editor's Note: This is a story from a few years back, but it is still as prevalent today as the day it happened. The story's backdrop is at The School for Children, which is a school for special needs children. This school is absolutely amazing and prepares families and their children for the modern world. The school is for all types of children who do not learn or function in the "normal" stream of society. This environment allows for the students to learn at an individual pace and to also learn how to use new equipment that will allow them to communicate, maneuver, and work along side the rest of the world. It is truly an honor to be able to be a part of this school's therapy program and to witness the amazing progress these children make each day. please enjoy another amazing tale of Tilly.

Tilly resting before school!

Well my adventure today started on the hectic side. I woke up this morning and was rushed through my morning routine...what a way to start your day...humpf!!! Alison was running late which in turn means I was running late. Today we had to get to school to see all of my special friends! Well we got there on time and without a problem, which is fantastic. Now this is how you start a day!!! We went to our class and everyone was in a phenomenal mood. All smiles and gentle touches! What a great treat today. I did not get pinched, squeezed, bit, pushed, or pulled by any of my little friends. We had a full classroom this morning and everyone was sitting nicely in a circle. I got to go around the circle like I was Old Mother Hubbard playing duck, duck, goose. The children all sat in their spots and waited so patiently for me to get to them. I got kisses from Mike, kisses from Alanna, nice pets from Carla, kisses and pets from Sharon, kisses and hugs from Emilia, pets from Noel, pets and kisses from Trina, and pets from Mona and Marie. I know that it does not sound like a big deal that I got all of these hugs, pets, and kisses, but some of these children are in some heavy duty equipment, for instance wheelchairs, walkers, or apparatus that helps to make you stand up—so any form of stretching, extending, or leaning can be considered a monstrous achievement. And these children all pushed their little bodies to their absolute limits. They reached as far as they could, they lifted their heads up high, they even opened up their hands to pet me from my head to my tail.  What a day, all the love that these children shower over me is something I could never describe. It makes me glow...so now you all can call me Tilly the glow worm. One of the greatest things about my day today was that Carla and Marie usually do not initiate any touching with me, but today was special and they reached out to pet me not once or twice but a ton—it made me feel all warm and gooey inside. It was like I had finally gotten through their shell and they were accepted me! These special visits to the school are so wonderful that I am always excited about the next visit.

This day could never be outdone—or could it....you will just have to stay tuned and find out.

Me and my Uncle Duncan (aka Unkie Dunkie)

 Me and Uncle Duncan...we look like twins!

My Uncle Duncan!!!

Editor's Note: This story is from an annual event, Belmar Beach Bulldog Bash, that supports a local Bulldog rescue group, MidAtlantic Bulldog Rescue. The event is at one of the local beaches and it is an event for all of the local bullies and the loony people, that absolutely adore and cherish the breed, to come together. A chance to let their bullies go hog-wild, while raising awareness of the breeds very 'quirky' needs, maintenance requirements, restrictions, and health concerns. Oh yeah and to raise a few dollars too. Please enjoy another fabulous tail...oops...tale from Tilly's perspective.

The sun was shining and there was a cool breeze rolling over my fur as I laid on the couch on our front porch. I wonder what we are going to do today? I wonder if Alison is taking me on an adventure? As I sat and wondered about what fun we could have today I let the sun bask over my fur and take me to my dream world. In my 'happy place' everything is edible and I can run around without a leash on! Oh what a wonderful place that would be. Just as I was about to sink my teeth into a beef jerky fire hydrant I heard a rustling in the kitchen....TREATS!!!! I woke up immediately, jumped down off the couch and ran into the kitchen.

TREATS!  TREATS! TREATS! Please can I get me some TREATS! TREATS! TREATS!

I stood patiently at Alison's feet waiting for her to notice me. I may have accidentally nudged her, but only on accident...BOL (Bark Out Loud)!!! Why doesn't she see me, I am standing right here...humpf! Just as I was about to nudge Alison again, she looked down and said, "Tilly no treats now, but we are going on a very special adventure, so get yourself ready!" An adventure...WAHOOO!!! I ran into the living room, and then back again. I ran outside then inside. An adventure, how wonderful. I wonder where we were going...hmmmm!  I ran to and fro, inside and outside. I was so excited I could not contain my enthusiasm! I sat down at Alison's feet again and watched as she filled up my treat bag, put water in my water bottle, and packed my day bag with all of the necessities us bullies need to be safe and comfortable. Just as the last supply was placed into the bag Alison said, "Let's go Tilly! Uppies in the car!!" I ran to car and I jumped into the back seat where I have a 'doggie duffel' to lay in when driving around. The 'doggie duffel' keeps my Mom's car clean and scratch-free while keeping me super safe. How cool is that! And just like that we were off on our adventure, but I still did not know where we were going, or what we were doing...humpf! I tried to ask Alison where we were heading, but she doesn't understand me sometimes. So I just laid down in my duffel and took a short snooze. I have the best trick, though I am not sure how it works exactly, but anytime we are going somewhere and it is taking a long time to get there I lay down and fall asleep. When I wake up we are always there. It works every time, I promise!!! And sure enough it work this time too. When I woke up Alison was parking the car and getting all of my stuff together. We were heading for our adventure! As Alison opened the car door I smelled the beach, but not the beach that I always go to, somewhere else. Then as we walked to the boardwalk I started to notice other dogs that looked just like me. There were tons of them all around! Every where I looked, every time I turned there was another bulldog. It was so exciting. We walked onto the beach and Alison was cooing and gooing over all of the little bulldogs. Picking them up and sniffing them, then hugging the poor littl 'uns til I thought their eyes would pop out! I am glad that she is not trying to do that to me, yuck!!! Alison took off my leash and let me run around with my new friends. I ran to and fro, teaching them to run in the water and barking...FOLLOW ME!!! I was having so much fun. Then my friend Gullie showed up and we wrestled and rolled! Some of the other bullies even joined in our fun!

As time went by, I started to get tired from all of the wrestling, so we walked back toward the boardwalk area. Just then I caught a familiar scent. Humpf....what is that smell? I know that smell, but what is it? It was just at that moment that Alison must have smelled it too, because she was leading me over to where the smell was coming from. Then we got to a bulldog who was so familiar to me, but I did not now why. I heard Alison asking his owners a ton of questions. "Where did you get your bulldog? What litter is he from? Do you know 'Momma'?" She just kept asking question after question until she let out a squealed! Alison then got on the sand between me and the other bulldog. She took my face in her hands and squeezed my jowls and said, "Tilly this is your Uncle Duncan! He is your Momma's brother and litter-mate!"

Momma....oh Momma!

I knew that the smell was familiar and so wonderful! It is my Unkie Dunkie! I gave him a big lick on his nose and both our families started to giggle. We sat together on a blanket in the sand and snuggled for the rest of the afternoon. The best part is now I never get too lonely or sad without my family because I get to see Uncle Duncan all of the time. Another wonderful adventure filled with fun, wrestling, new friends, and FAMILY!!!!


I wonder what Tilly's next adventure will be? Will she get into some trouble with her friends? Will she meet a new friend in the hospital? You never now what could happen next to a silly Bulldog named Tilly, so stay tuned for her next tale!

Tilly Best Friend Ronald McDonald

Tilly and Ronald McDonald at a BBQ together!

Hanging with my friends!

Editor's Note: Every year Tilly and I are invited to the Ronald McDonald House for a BBQ. This is always an amazing day filled with fun, friends, and food! The Ronald McDonald House of Long Branch provides a home away from home to the families of seriously ill children receiving medical treatment at area hospitals in the two house locations - Long Branch and New Brunswick - They also operate Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms and a Hospitality Suite in the pediatric units of three Monmouth County hospitals. This charity is not only phenomenal because of what they do, but the houses themselves are unbelievable. Our local business men and women have all come together to make the interior and exterior of the house state-of-the-art. This is truly a miraculous charity, so next time you stop into the "Golden Arches" for Chicken McNuggets and fries or to buy your daily USA Today paper throw your spare change into the donation boxes because all of the proceeds go directly to the local houses! A great way to think and act locally!!! Enjoy Tilly's adventure at the bbq!!!

Hey everyone, it is me Tilly, here to tell you another fabulous tale. It has been raining, and raining, and raining for days now. If I wasn't a smart Bully I would think that at any moment Dr. Suess's Cat in the Hat is going to appear at the front door and unleash Thing 1 and Thing 2 on me and Alison. I am especially upset about the rain because tomorrow we are heading over to the Ronald McDonald House for their annual Friends and Family BBQ. It is such a fun  day with all of my little friends, including face painting, pumpkin painting, prizes, awards, balloon animals, and FOOD...my favorite! Tonight I will fall asleep and dream about sunshine, birds, and warm weather. Paws crossed it will work.

Well I fell asleep without a worry in the world. I knew that there was no way that there could be rain tomorrow. I mean how could it rain and ruin all the fun. When I woke up , I opened one eye first and peeked threw my winkles. Then I hopped up and started to prance around the house. It's sunny, it's sunny...YIPPPEEEE and YAHOOO!!! Today is going to be great. Alison was getting everything ready and while I waited for her, which seemed like forever, I sat outside and basked in the beautiful sunshine. It was beautiful out, a perfect 10, I could not wait to get over to see my friends! We loaded everything into the car, including ourselves and headed over to the Ronald McDonald House! We got to the house and headed up the front walk and guess who was there waiting for me... come on and try to guess! Why it was Ronald himself and he couldn't wait to say hello. He was so excited because it had been over a year since the last time we saw each other. Well I wiggled and wiggled and he was hooting and hollering and we were jumping around in a circle with such glee. Then some of our other friends saw all of the fun and commotion and they came over to join in too. Round and round we all went. Skipping, and wiggling, and hootin' and hollerin'! It was already turning out to be a wonderful day!

We all went into the front yard and that is when all of the real fun began. There was a woman sitting at a table and she was painting all of my little friend's faces. She was painting some of them like cats and some looked like dogs....this is my kind of party! Then another woman was making these huge balloon animals. It was really fantastic. She made a parrot and it sat on one girls shoulder, a humongous spider that sat on another boy's head (that one scared me a little bit), and even a giraffe; all out of balloons. Isn't that remarkable. In another part of the yard a table filled with pumpkins and was set up for everyone to paint. My little friends had fun with that too. Everyone was running everywhere. Up the stairs and down the slide, into the playhouse, then out again. This is just about as much fun as this little bully could take when Alison walked us over to this enormous truck. It was big and red and had tons of lights and whistles. Alison said it was a fire truck. Can you believe that? It was wondrous. Just when I thought things couldn't be any better Alison picked me up and put me inside the fire truck! I couldn't believe it!

 

Me in the fire truck with real firefighters

We got to touch everything, and I mean everything. Alison opened every door and hatch in the truck. I would have but I don't have thumbs...humpf! Then I got to press on some buttons and the lights started to swirl and the sirens started to sound. It was so much fun that I started to do a bulldog wiggle! Then it was time for the award ceremony to start so we got out of the truck and watched as all of our friends received their awards. I was so proud of them all for all of their hard work and dedication to making others lives a bit easier. 

As the last award was handed out it we knew it was time for us to head home. So that is just what we did! 

 Ronald giving out awards

 I wonder what will happen tomorrow? I wonder if I will get to meet up with anymore of my famous friends? You will have to stay tuned-in to The Adventures of Tilly the Wonder-mutt and find out!!!

Tilly's big break!

Editor's Note: This was a story from the summer when Tilly and her best buddy Munch were hired to be in the latest Microsoft 7 commercials. As soon as they walked on set everyone came out to meet them! It seemed as though the cast and crew were waiting excitedly for the stars to arrive. It was a very exciting day, extremely long, but truly an experience like no other. I hope you enjoy this adventure of Tilly and Munch.

Tilly with her biggest fan!

Tilly waiting patiently on set

Tilly trying to get back to the food tent!

Tilly watching Munch during his scene

Tilly and Munch hanging out after their big scenes

Tilly and Munch eying up the food...mmmm mmmm delicious!!!

Hello everyone, it's just me Tilly again, here to tell you about my latest adventure. Alison got a call from my agent, Cat! Yes I have an agent. Yes I know what your thinking and no she is not a feline cat her name is Cathryn and we all call her Cat...humpf! Cat called and asked if we were available for an upcoming commercial. Alison assured her we were and the next thing I knew we were scheduled to ride up to New York State for a Microsoft commercial. We did not know any other specifics, because Microsoft was launching a new product...soooo sssshhhhhhh!!!! I am a bit blurry on the details of this particular morning because all I remember is Alison waking up and it was still dark outside. I am not sure if you know this about bulldogs, but we really like to sleep in, so if it is still dark out, then we are still snoring...BOL (Bark Out Loud)!!! Then I recall her picking me up and carrying me to the car and putting me in my "doggie duffle." I immediately fell back into a very deep sleep and when I felt the car stop and I lifted my head we were in a very strange place. I sat right up and looked all around, but I did not see anything or anyone that I recognized. Alison got out of the car and opened up the back door for me. She leashed me up and off we went. I was so excited I could not contain myself. Now you may be thinking that I was excited for the big commercial shoot, but I did not even know that I was doing that yet. I was just excited because there were so many new sites, smells, and people around that I just could not calm down. Alison and I walked and walked and walked.

Where are we going? What are we doing? Where are we? Who are all of these people?

There were so many trucks and cars around to carry equipment, lights, sets, and wires...tons and tons of wires. Alison's phone rang and it was Cat. She was calling to let us know that she would be on set in just a few minutes and to keep an eye out for the lead actor, Munch! Just as Alison and Cat hung up the phone a van pulled around the corner and there he was hanging out looking so dignified. It was Munch in all of his handsome glory! Alison and I waited for Munch and his family to get parked and grab all of their equipment to go on set with. Who knew that us dogs could have so much luggage. Alison was carrying a few bags and a cooler filled with all of my essentials, and Munch's owners, Deirdre and Adam, were carrying bags and bags filled with all of his stuff too. We needed assistants to assist our assistants...BOL!!! After walking a bit we finally got to the set and man was it beautiful. It was a gorgeous older home that was used in the filming of "Unfaithful" with Richard Gere and Diane Lane. The yard looked like a park, with grass from here to eternity. There was a pool and a lake too. It was like doggie heaven. Then to make this place even better there was a tent set up and under the tent they had gourmet food all day long. The chefs were asking Alison and Deirdre if me and Munch wanted anything, but Alison said that we were fine...humpf! How does she know, maybe I wanted a pork chop, or at least some fruit. I mean we are the stars shouldn't we be taking advantage of the perks...BOL!!!

After some time had passed Munch was called to set. That was when I saw the magic really begin. Deirdre took out a special bag filled with doggie make-up and wipes, a special spray for Munch's unmentionables, and even a misting fan to keep him cool! WOW, now he is a STAR!!! I sat and watched as Munch was preparing for his debut. Then we all moseyed over to the farthest part of the house, near the lake. Munch was brought to his mark and the filming began. It was very painstakingly long. They must have taken a billion takes and kept changing the script. Thank goodness Munch is a fast study...phew! He was amazing sitting up there, doing his bulldog moves. He barked on cue and stayed on his mark. He snuggled up to girl in the shot with him and even jumped off the lounge on cue too. He is my hero! I want to be as good as Munch when it is my turn, I thought! Munch was finishing up with his scene when the director came over to me and Alison. He said we needed to get ready for our scene. Well just like that Alison started swirling around me and then Deirdre and Cat followed. They were like Tasmanian Devils in a fevered dervish!!! Deirdre started wiping stuff on my face and then some stuff on my nose. I was trying to move away, but man were those ladies fast! Before I could resist their advances those ladies had whitened my fur, shined my coat, and even made my nose look blacker! Now I was ready for my scene. I was brought over to one of the first people I had met when we got to the set. She was really pretty and super nice to me. Alison was given instructions as to what I was supposed to do and we were given a few moments to run through our scene together. Alison and Cat set me up and off I went. I had two trial runs and then it was SHOW TIME!!! My job in this scene was to jog along side the pretty lady. I know what you all are thinking. You think that bulldogs can't run! Well this bully can run, and I can run pretty fast too. I got through my scene in only a few takes. Alison was so proud of me! Even Munch came over to congratulate me on a job well done. Munch and I sat together for a few more pictures and  then it was over. The day had finally ended and we started to pack up and head home. As we all walked back to the car Munch and I pranced and wiggled our bums to and fro, and our owners rehashed the day. It was truly a dream come true. When I got to the car I jumped in to my 'doggie duffle' and nestled in for the ride home. As soon as Alison started the car I felt my eyes get very heavy. I tried to stay awake and relive my moments in front of the camera but I was sooo sleepy. Within a few minutes I had fallen fast asleep and by the time Alison had woken me up we were back home again.

What a day! What an amazing adventure! I wonder if Tilly will ever be in another commercial? Come back next time to read more Adventures of Tilly.

P.S. Alison woke me up this morning to break the sad news that I was cut out of the commercial. But don't feel bad because it was still one of the greatest days of my life. I got to meet tons of new people, have an amazing adventure, and meet my newest and bestest friend Munch!!! So in my eyes (even the wonkie one) this was definitely not sad news.

The Day I got my name...Van Etten's Waltzing Matlida: affectionately know as Wonkie Eye!

Editor's Note: This is the story of how I found Tilly and the day she came home to live at the Jersey Shore! This tale is really about seeing the beauty within and looking beyond what some may consider a "defect!" Enjoy!

showing off my beautiful "wonkie" eye

Playing hide and go seek at my new house!

thanking Alison for looking past my "defective wonkie" eye!

Hello everyone it is me Tilly and today is a very special day for me, I am meeting my new family, or at least the people I hope will be my new family. I had heard some chatting in the other room earlier about two people coming to check us puppies out! YIPPEE! YAHOO! Is today the day I get to go on my first adventure? Oh,  I hope so!! The thing is, I think this couple is coming to meet my brother. Don't be nervous, I know that once they get a look at my mug they will scoop me up and take me right home with them. My brother is so goofy and dumb they will never choose him over me...humpf!

It is around noon on a very hot and humid day in August. My sister, brother, and me just turned 4 months old and we are relaxing in our crate together, waiting and waiting for our visitors to come. Just when I was about to nod off I heard the doorbell ring...

DING DONG. Oh my goodness, they're here, they're here!!!

Everyone get up, THEY'RE HERE!!! BARK...BARK...BARK!!!

We all sat up and were wiggling and prancing around in our crate. Even our Mom, Grandmother, and Dad were up and excited to see who was coming in the house. Then the door opened and this couple came in. There they were looking at us with big smiles on their faces.

"Hey over here! Look at me, look at me!!"

This couple was spending way too much time on my Mom and Dad. What are they looking at them for they are not going anywhere...humpf! My Dad was standing on his hind legs waving his front paws up int he air. This had the new people laughing and smiling. Then my Mom sat right down on the new lady's foot and she started to pet and love on my Mom.

What about Me? Look over here at Me!!!!

Just when I thought my chance was gone and that it was hopeless, we were let out of our crate and set free. Oh, now is my chance to shine!!! I ran around in circles at top speed! I knew this would impress them, definitely. Then I jumped on my brother and sister and started to gnaw on their rumps, and wrestle with them! We were rolling and rolling and growling and rolling some more and then someone opened the door, and we were free! WAHOO!!! Let's go! We all ran outside and I ran, and ran, and then ran some more. My brother and sister were trying to keep up with me but they are sooooo slow! I was running back and forth, to and fro. I ran in the baby pool and cooled down, and then I ran around the backyard some more. I was running and romping, and having such a good time that I almost forgot what I was supposed to be doing...ENAMORING MY NEW FAMILY!!! At that very moment I looked up and I saw those two people looking at my brother. They were holding him, and squeezing him and loving him to pieces. They were checking out his mouth and looking at him from head to toe. I stood at their feet and started to wiggle, but that didn't work...humpf. I even started to talk to them..."Hey down here...Look at me!!!" Bu tthat didn't work either. Then I stood up on my back legs and waved my front paws in the air, just like my Dad, and guess what that got their attention away from my stupid brother. They put him down and started to check me out. The touch me all over, and it tickled. They looked in my mouth and I heard that lady say, "Her jowls are much tighter than his!" Then she started asking about my eye. She said, "Why are you letting her go, now? I thought she was show-quality? Is her eye, ok? Can she see? Will there be any future issues with her eye?" WHAT THE HECK IS THIS LADY TALKING ABOUT!? Why is she so interested in my stinking eye? Well everyone, I am not sure if you realized this but my one eye is still blue, it never turned brown. That is not the "breed standard" and is not looked upon well. Some people even think it is ugly. Can you believe that? I mean look at me. How could anything about me be UGLY!!!! At the very tippy top, of my eye, it is brown, but the rest is the color of ice! My other eye is a deep brown but not my right one it is so light it is almost transparent! I don't know what all of the fuss is about...so what, who cares, it is just a different color, that is all...humpf. Then I heard the breeder tell these people that they were hoping to keep me to show and to have puppies, but because of that defective eye they can not. What the heck is that supposed to mean. I am still fun, and cute, snuggly, and squishy! Who cares if my eye is blue? Well I guess a lot of people care, because so many people have overlooked me because I am different.

I walked away from everyone with my head a bit lower and my gate a bit slower. But then I heard that nice lady say, "WE'LL TAKE HER!!!!"

They want me! Oh my goodness, they want me!!! YIPPEE...YIPPEE!!! They want me!

And do you know why they wanted me because of my "wonkie" blue eye! I guess they are the perfect family for me, because they see my difference as something beautiful, not a defect at all. I am so happy that they fell in love with me and I know that I will have so many fun adventures ahead of me. And with a wave to my fur-family, and a squeeze from the breeder I was off to the Jersey Shore and my new home. YIPPPEEEEE!!!!

Momma always said, "If you have nothing nice to say..."

Editor's note: I am always so flabbergasted when a grown, mature (well maybe not mature) adult says things that are mean and hurtful to others. I am even more amazed when they say it without any remorse and feel that their statement is shared by everyone else in the world. This story takes the old and insightful adage, "If you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all!" and shows when you do not heed these words you may hurt those around you. I hope you enjoy this tale of Tilly!

 

photo by www.kimlevin.com

Good morning everyone!! It is just me, Tilly, here to tell you another tale of my life as a bulldog and therapy dog extraordinaire! I woke up this morning to a crisp Autumn day. This is my favorite time of year. The air is cool on my fur, and the wind whips those tasty leaves all around for me to chase and gobble up!! Mmmmmm-mmmmm delicious! Ooooh what fun I am having, chasing and eating, eating and chasing! I could do this all day long, but Alison said, "Uppies in the car, we have to go see the kids!" So I jumped into that car, toot-sweet, because I did not want to keep my little friends waiting. We got to the hospital in no time and we got up to the Valerie Fund in seconds flat. Alison was shocked that I was moving so quickly, but I knew what I was doing. I could smell something in the air, and no it was not a snack...BOL (bark out loud!!!) When we got to the Valerie Center I walked in and my whole body was wiggling and my head was bobbing up and down. Alison was laughing because she did not see what I was getting all excited about, but then she saw him. It was a friend who we have not seen in a while, Christian. He was sitting there with a huge smile that stretched across his face, ear to ear! He had made his appointment so that he could see me! I got so excited I could not contain myself...I am about to tell you something, but it has to be our secret, ok! I was so excited that I stood up on my back legs and waved my paws up in the air. (Alison calls this the 'Wally dance'. She calls it the Wally dance because when Alison and Andy came to get me from the breeder my real fur-dad [Sluuger, but they called him Wally because he looks like a walrus] stood up on his back legs and waved his two front paws up in the air! I guess the apple does not fall far from the tree..BOL!) Christian grabbed my two paws and we danced around in a circle! Everyone was laughing at this sight! A bully and a boy dancing together..."only in the day-in-the-life of Tilly" they kept saying! What a wonderful surprise! Today is the best day ever!!!

Just when I thought this would be a day that could never be topped...I may have spoken too soon. Right at this moment a woman walked in with her teenage son. I had never meet them, so of course I wiggled right over to them to say hello and get some pets from my new friend. As I was sniffing and checking out these new friends, the Mother asked Alison, "Why is there a dog in the hospital?" Alison replied, "This is Tilly she is a certified therapy dog, and she comes in to give emotional support to the kids and their family while waiting for their appointment or receiving chemotherapy or a transfusion." The woman just sat there staring at Tilly. Then a ton more of my friends came into the office and all of us were running around and having the greatest time, when it happened! That woman said out loud for everyone to hear, "Well they sure did pick the ugliest dog to be a therapy dog!" Well I was shocked and my heart sank a bit! I never thought I was ugly, everyone always says how cute I am! My head hung low, and if I had a tail it would have been dragging on the floor. How could anyone say anything so mean? Alison said that my wiggle turned into a slump and asked Christian if he wanted to walk with us over to the other side of the hospital. Alison ignored that mean lady and told me not to worry, that I am the prettiest bully in the whole world. Christian gave me a hug and we walked away. Although my heart was broken, I know that not everyone is going to love me, but I also know that you should never say anything that may intentionally hurt someone else. I guess that woman was out sick the day they taught that lesson at school! Oh well, I know I am beautiful inside and out, and that is all that matters! Be well my friends, sending you all bully wiggles and smoochies!

Will Tilly's heart ever mend? Will she have the will to go back to doing her therapy work? You never know what tomorrow will bring, so check back and see!!!

Tilly Gets Accessed

Editor's Note: This is a story that is an amazing testament to the disposition and unbelievable good-nature of my therapy dog. Please do not attempt this with your own animal as they may not be as mellow and trusting as Tilly. I am always trying to come up with new and innovative ways to incorporate Tilly into the daily regime of The Valerie Fund. Sometimes these techniques work and other times they fall flat. This technique not only had the child intrigued about the  procedure, but it also seems to alleviate some of the fear that goes along with the process. The idea behind it was basically, "If Tilly can handle getting accessed then so can I!" It is extremely endearing to see these children become so brave when their best fur-friend Tilly undergoes the same procedures as they do!  I hope you enjoy this amazing Tale of Tilly.

 this is what a port looks like, and it placed under the skin on the 

left or right side of your chest when you are receiving chemotherapy.

  Tilly getting ready to be accessed!

Good afternoon everyone it is me Tilly here to tell you about another day at the hospital with some of my bestest non-fur friends. Today was a special day for me, it was going to be the first time that Alison was going to try out a new experiment to help one of my friends get through his treatments. First let me explain to you what was going to happen, I was going to get accessed, pretend of course. Accessing is a process in which all of the children at the Valerie Center who are undergoing treatment for cancer undergo. Each child, once diagnosed, is given a totally implantable vascular access device which is designed to provide repeated access to the vascular system for the delivery of medications, fluids, blood products and imaging solutions.  The system consists of two primary components: an injection port with a self-sealing silicone septum and a radiopaque silicone rubber beaded catheter. All materials are biocompatible and can be used with virtually all injectable solutions. Port access is performed by percutaneous needle insertion using non-coring needles. I know, I know that was a mouthful, but without understanding what it means to be accessed you can not imagine what it is like for some of my friends who have become fearful of the process. Although, the doctors and nurses have pre-warned Alison and myself that the action of accessing a child does not actually cause too much pain, it can be very, very scary for some of the kids here, and so Alison and I have tried many different techniques to make this part of their visit a little bit less scary.

We all went into the examination room and me, Alison, and my friend John were playing games together while we were waiting for the nurses to proceed with the procedure. Alison helped us build a fort to hide in, away from the nurses, doctors, and especially those needles. She gathered paper to make the walls and then used bandaids to tape up the walls so that we were invisible to the outside world. It was so much fun. John and I were having a marvelous time together. But to all good things there must be an end, that is when the nurse came in. She called out for me and John, but we were quiet as mice. Not a peep came out from behind those paper barriers, but Alison told us it was time for our procedure—so we reluctantly came out. First me and then John. John was nervous, but Alison told him don’t worry Tilly will go first, and so I did. Mom made a bandage of gauze and tape and placed it on my chest—in the same place as John’s port is on his chest. Then she asked me to lay down on the ground, and roll over. Well I felt silly, but John thought this was very funny, and he laughed at me. I did not mind because at least he was laughing. There I was laying on the ground with all four paws sticking straight up in the air, and then the nurse proceeded to access my pretend port with the needle—just like the one they use for John. Once the nurse was done with my port access it was John’s turn, and guess what he said, “Now it’s my turn, right!” and Alison said, “You are right, John.” And guess what the nurse placed the needle into his port without him getting too upset, or anxious, or sick. It was the first time that John had not run out of the room in a panic. It was such a triumphant day for us all. Now that John’s port was accessed the only thing let to do was watch a movie while his chemo dripped into him. So that is just what John and I did, we went into the cinema room and watched a movie together. I think I may have fallen asleep, but don't tell anyone that I fell asleep on the job, ok...it will be our little secret! Be well my friends, big bully smoochies to you all!

I wonder what procedure Tilly will undergo tomorrow? Will Tilly let the nurses access her pretend port again, or was it a once in a lifetime opportunity? You will have to stay tuned to find out!

Bully's Hit the 2008 AKC Top 10 list!

Editor's Note: This is a fun story of Tilly's Grandmother being posted on every website, newspaper, media venue available. Regina, Tilly's Grandmother was used as the poster-dog for the AKC's 2008 Top 10 most popular breeds. All of the bully hull-a-ba-loo was because the breed had finally gotten back onto the top 10 list. It was quite a wonderful surprise to see this photo, as Tilly is a spitting image of her Grandmother in many ways! 

Here is the write up:

"The AKC unveiled the reigning Top 10 most popular dog breeds in America based on its 2007 registration figures on Wednesday, January 16th at American Kennel Club headquarters in New York City.

The newest member of the Top 10 list is the Bulldog—widely recognized as a popular sports team mascot— was fitted with a #10 jersey to mark the occasion.  

In addition, dogs and puppies representing the top five most popular breeds in America (the Labrador Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Beagle) frolicked amongst a backdrop of Bulldog memorabilia and historic canine art work."

Good afternoon everyone, it is me Tilly to tell you the most wonderful story! It is about my Grandmother, who I love dearly and miss tremendously. Today I got the most exciting surprise ever!!! I did not know that today was going to be special, though in my life every day is a special day filled with adventures and surprises. I woke up slowly, as us bulldogs normally do. I opened one eye, my blue one first, then my brown one. I stretched "so big" and went about my normal routine. Alison and I headed off to school to have a therapy visit, which in and of itself was wonderful. An adventure filled with so much love I could have exploded! Though, it was not until we got home that the excitement started. Once at home, Alison started working, but of course she would take breaks to go online to check out what was happening in the world. Well this day was unlike any day we have ever encountered, because on this very special day—January 17, 2008 I saw something on the screen that made this bully wiggle like I have never wiggled before. On this day my real life, honest-to-goodness Grandmother was donning the front page of the Dog Channel, NBC.com, The Asbury Park Press, and the New York Times. She was with my breeder giving bully smooches and looking beautiful. The AKC had come to her (Regina—my fur-GRANDMOM) and the breeder (Tammy Van Etten) to see if Regina could be the spokes-dog for the new AKC list of the most popular breeds of 2007. The reason they were coming to my beautiful Grandmother is because us Bully's made the top 10 list—the first time since 1935. Well of course Regina and Tammy said yes to the invitation and the AKC designed and custom tailored a special football jersey for Regina to wear! It said American Kennel Club Bulldog with the number ten—she looked fabulous. It was so exciting, because not only did I have my very own special moments with the children at school, but I came home to a picture of my Grandmother up on every website and in every paper!! Today I am especially proud to be an English Bulldog. Be well today and everyday my friends.  Big bully smoochies, Tilly.

 This day could never be outdone—or could it....you will just have to stay tuned and find out.