This has been a week. I don't know what else to really say about it. So many crazy, unusual, inexplicable, sad, and happy things happened. I know I am still trying to process it all and I wonder how I will feel when it all sinks in.
Last Saturday night a series of horrible tornadoes hit several areas in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. There were several deaths and more damage than you can imagine. I didn't think too much about it at the time, except to pray for all the victims that they would recover quickly and completely.
Sunday saw my friend Annie, her mom, and me at a great seminar in Columbus, Ohio -- Dogs Will Be Dogs, presented by Ken McCort. It was a wonderful day with tons of information.
Monday night we started a new Family Dog Class Series with four very nice families. We have only met half the dogs so far, but it promises to be an exciting class with lots of learning by both humans and canines going on.
Then Tuesday we started thinking about taking our K9 Chaplains/Comfort Dogs into the area ravaged by the tornado. I can't remember what started this thought process anymore, but it became very clear, very quickly that this is what we needed to do. I made several contacts and we prepared to report to Calvary Lutheran Church on Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday, Daisy, Kendra, and I met Pastor Bob at Calvary and he introduced us to Pastor Katherine at another church. Between the two of them, we have been keeping very busy! We have walked a lot, talked to many people, passed out fliers, cried with some, prayed with some, laughed and shared many joys and memories with victims, with volunteers, and with clean-up crew members.
Thursday was a sad day at our house. Our elderly German Shepherd, Lordy, passed away. He was about 13 or 14 years old. He was Ken's working dog. He retired a few years back and was happily living out his retirement -- sleeping on the couch, barking at the neighbor's cats, and being a great family dog. He went quickly, but we were all able to say our good-byes. We miss him already and are still getting used to him being gone from our house. He will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Left: Lordy in his working days.
Right: Lordy last summer.
Ken was scheduled to go serve with his dog at the tornado relief effort on Thursday but it was not meant to be. He decided to go later in the day after taking care of Lordy. But his truck basically blew up on the way out of town! Thank goodness for wonderful friends who covered us over there at a moment's notice. We are so glad someone was able to be there.
Friday was productive and simple. Both Ken and I went over to share our dogs this morning and met another team from Michigan. We walked Main Street in Millbury, Ohio in the morning (in the rain) and hung out at the school complex in the afternoon (in the heat and humidity). The dogs did great and we talked to a lot of wonderful people.
This weekend is filled with K9 Chaplain/Comfort Dog activities. There is a prayer walk today and a church service on Sunday morning that we have been invited to attend. It's such a hard time for so many people. I hope we have been able to help a little by sharing our dogs and our time with them.
Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
A foundation with an American Flag flying -- this touched my heart.
Lake High School.
If these Lake High School boys are a representative of what's ahead -- the future is very bright! They were wonderful to talk with and I am sure they will all go far.
Karley and Gabe, two Lake students with Husker and Daisy.
Ken and Husker at Lake High School.
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