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!!!