I could not find the picture.

So today I was looking for a picture and I kept on looking...then I found it or them... Hershey
I don't normally blog about the down times in this cape makers life...but I wanted to properly say good by to my loving friend and super pet,  so after 2 weeks I can finally post my thoughts.

After 15 loving years my faithful Doberman Hershey came to the end of his life. He was an amazing dog. He serviced not only his family but the outside world. Hershey served as a therapy dog for nursing homes for 5 years visiting those people who did not have visitors or love ones to be with them as they passed into the next life. Hershey was their people. I think of Mr. Max who saved crackers for the Hershey every week which he took from the cafeteria. Or the women who had a stroke and did not respond to any other stimuli but Hershey would make her cry. I was told that many of the people Hershey visit did not participate in any activities and Hershey was it. He stood high enough for the patients to reach nudging their hands with his nose to be pet. He never laid down and never tired it was a job he was born to do. Hershey was crazy and lively outside but when he worked he was all about compassion and knowing able bodied from the weak. Hershey was as used to raise funds for the Humane Society of Broward County Florida he participated in fashion shows or sitting with me as I wrap gifts to raise money for other homeless animals.  He was always a draw for people to come and see what an adopted dog can be.

When it comes to the Hershey that lived with my family. I think of the times he flew over the back couch when we got him. He was into jump over things in the early years that couch never stood a chance. Oh he was a runner he loved to visit the neighborhood. He would take off and only by car you could catch him,  hopeful someone would stop and pet him. Then his training began 2 years of dog school for me and my too smart for class dog. He training me. He was a model student learning stays and heals and even hand signals… all in the hopes he would serve others. He use to sneak into bed with us every night and squeeze us out so he could but his head on a pillow. When he was 5 we adopted a playmate for him Mona, he treated her like just one of the gang it was like clash of the titans when they played 2 large Doberman on there hind legs. When she died he mourned for her loss. When I was pregnant Hershey was there for me, once I slept on him for 2 hours in the middle of the day and he never moved. Once the kids were born he was gentle and kind (also seeing them as a food source). Being the forever runner(hence the reason he was at the pound to begin with) At the age of 10 Hershey was hit by as car, I was a sound I will never forget. He limped back to me dragging his leg, then licking my hand as I drove him to the vet emergency care. Hershey sat for 9 months in a cast, being as amazing as he went through 3 surgeries wagging his tail all the way. He ran with a cast on his leg just like there was never anything wrong. He laid for every still for every time the bandage was changed and x-rays were taken. He spent the next 5 years being there for my family. Always happy face  to see me when I was home alone working. The thud on the couch as I walked in the door…”Hersel” I would say and he would there was the familiar sound of his collar and groan. Making the trip every day up to the school to pick up my son, joyfully wanting all the children to pet him. I have had many people over the years non-dog people tell me they don’t like dogs, but they like Hershey, Doberman and all. On his finally day he made the last trip up to the school, take a break every few steps, just to see the kids. I think he has had a truly blessed life and touched everyone he met. So remember him even if you don’t know him and be thankful he walked the earth.

Spoiled Rotten Dog!

So I wanted to discuss lazy dog…or the spoiled dog. I look over this morning and see this on my new couch head propped up on a pillow. My dog is a Male Red (brown) Doberman completely unclipped (meaning he has a tail, and ears have not been docked) and the first animal I felling love with. Hershey is his name. When he first arrived at our home he was about a year and ½ old and wild. He was a pound dog we adopted. He was born to run…(away that is) he is a very social dog and loves people. He would off like a bullet, the only way to catch him is by car and pray someone is outside to pet him so he stops. He thinks running is a game of keep away and he is always it. I think his previous owner just got sick of chasing him.

One day 10 years ago shortly after I took Hershey out to a craft show. He was "not so" good on lead pulling me down the street all 80 lb. of muscle, but at the show he stopped to let everyone pet him. Hershey fate was decided that day he was here to serve others. "We" Hershey and I signed up for training classes. 5 classes over 2 years and I thought Hersey was ready. He became a pet therapy dog for Broward County Human Society. Yes a Doberman not mean and scary but goofy and playful. He was born to visit people. He never laid down in any hospital rooms he was there for the people, to bring joy to others. We would visit 2 nursing homes every week for the next 4 ½ years. Hershey was amazing people who had strokes, many of the patients could not speak and cried when they saw him. Hershey would take there hands by putting his nose under it then push it up so they could pet his head. Many of the people had not visitors. So Hershey and I were it. Hershey knew when he was working he was all business when we went for visits Never resting till the ride home.. He is amazing.

Then I had my son and tried to continue but it was had so when 6 months after having my son and going back to work. Hershey and I had to stop volunteering .
We then moved to Philly. 3 years ago Hershey was hit by a car. His front leg was crushed. They gave me the option of removing the leg or fixing it. I chose the latter. They put in a steel bar, wire, and 7 screws. Because of his size the screws back out and he had to go back in for more surgery repeatedly. He was in a cast for 9 months and very sick. I call him my bionic million dollar dog. My advise for every pet owner 2 words - Pet Insurance.

He currently is a couch dog who smells old, though if he gets the chance he will take off and visit the neighborhood (this past week it was twice). I am thankful every time a strangers calls and says they found him. So when I said I purchased a new couch just for my dog. I really mean it. Hershey is a 14 year old Dobermans, who is spoiled, amazing, loves my kids, and deserves to be lazy!