Goobers Galore!

Editor's Note:This story is from about two years ago when Tilly and I had just started our Therapy work at Monmouth Medical's Children's Hospital. When we first started I was always nervous that we would do something wrong, or that Tilly would not perform on cue, or not obey commands. So when you read this story and it gets to the good part, keep in the back of your head that I was always trying to be perfect. I know, I know unreasonable, unattainable, incomprehensible! Especially when half of the team is an animal! ENJOY!

Ok, so it started off like this—what a glorious day—the sun is shining and the wind was a mere breath on my fur! What a great day. Time to get up and get ready for the hospital. Alison and I headed in to the hospital for our rounds with the children. Oh, what a sight all of the little kids just waiting for me to arrive—it is like I am famous or even better royalty. My first stop was....well not exactly the Valerie Fund....no I got side-tracked. I popped in to say hi to my friend who works in the offices on the 2nd floor. I saw her door open and I pulled Mommy right in there—oooooh you must be curious what was in there—well let me think—TREATS!! My friend keeps allergy free treats in her office just for my visit—how cool is that!!!! I know, I know how could a dog have allergies? Well, just like some children I get itchy and hives if I eat foods that I am allergic too. Oh, which foods am I allergic too, well anything with wheat, corn, or soy in it! No worries about me though because Alison takes good care of me and makes sure I never eat anything that is bad for, or at least she tries. Anyway, on with the story, I was kinda being a pig about taking all of those delicious treats from my friend and Alison got upset with me and made me leave the office and start my rounds. So that is just what I did. I saw some of my old friends in the Valerie Fund getting check ups and blood work—I hung out with them so they would not be scared—and I think it worked. They were all laughing and giggling and playing video games. The good news was all of my friends were just getting check-ups—no chemotherapy today—YEAH!! We then headed over to the In-Ward, this is where children stay in the hospital overnight, where my first stop is always at the nurses station. Oh yes—you have to say hi to the girls—I come prancing in and I am wiggling and bobbing and shake my tushy for everyone to see. I got rubbin's and pets from everyone—so today I decided that I wanted to give my friends a present too. So I stood in place and held my ground and shook from the tip of my nose to the end of my cinnabon tail—and guess what I shot luggies all over the place.....what is the problem—!!!! Alison was mortified—she always seems to be wiping my face with "THE JOWL TOWEL" but not this time, no this time I got to throw my mung all over the place—it was hysterical. I then made my rounds and man oh man was it hopping. Sickie children everywhere, it was filled to the gills. I went in to each and every room putting my paws up on the bed and saying hi to my new friends. Sometimes one of the kids would even let me get into bed with them—WAHOO!!! Nothing can be finer than to get into bed with these little munchkins! I went into each and every single one of those rooms determined to put a smile on all of their faces and guess what I did. Nothing could be grander than these moments that I share with those kids.....well actually, if they all got better and there were no more cancers or disorders or reasons for me to be there then that would be the greatest day ever. But until that day comes, I will continue to visit my friends and put smiles back onto their faces! And as long as I have stories to tell my friends, then you all will have stories to read. Be well, Tilly.

Will the nurses ever forgive Tilly for getting slobber all over them? Will all of the children get better and leave Tilly alone in the hospital? Stay tuned for the next story and find out!