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Forum Betty and Victor
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smkie (Guest)
I just spoke to hospice to let them know why i didn't go anywhere last week because of my rib injury. They said that they just had a meeting discussing Betty. During this meeting it was discussed that she has been sneaking lunch meat up her sleeve of her sweater wrapped in a napkin. SHe said she was saving it for her dog. THey thought she meant her dog at home but after hearing about the teddy grams she gave to Victor (i told them because i wanted to make sure it was ok) they now think she is saving it for VIctor and wanted me to know so he doens't get any day old lunch meat. Guess i better get my behind up there tomorrow. I feel bad now that i didnt' go last week. SHe is just the nicest woman. I found a real nice little flag at the thrift store. I am going to see if i can get a red or white carnation to go with it and will let him carry them in for her. She really likes the flowers he brings her. Last time we visited she introduced Victor to the nurses as HER dog. SHe is the same age as my MOTher, Victor's gramma and dog sitter. He has taken to Betty so nicely that i think this has something to do with it.
Added on 27-06 at 12:09 [rating: 0/0]
Barb04 (Guest)
This is very special. It's nice to see Vic have an affect on someone like this.
Added on 27-06 at 12:09 [rating: 0/0] [your opinion]
smkie (Guest)
I guess the important thing is that Betty has something to think about besides the fact that she is trapped in a nursing home where she can't see her dog and everything is about being terminal. If she is sneaking VIctor food then we must be doing something right. I dont normally let him have food from other people but this time we will make the acception. I already have a huge place in my heart for her. THis is going to be so hard. I did not go last week and i feel horrible about it. THe first time i told her we would be back next week she said "oh please don't let it be that long". So I have been trying to go about every three days. AT least now i can get back to that.
Added on 27-06 at 12:09 [rating: 0/0] [your opinion]
bubbatd (Guest)
Therapy is so wonderful !!! A ray of sunshine . Kudos to you and Vic !
Added on 27-06 at 12:09 [rating: 0/0] [your opinion]
Gempress (Guest)
Oh, that is so sweet. I'm glad Victor seems to be doing her so much good.
Added on 27-06 at 12:09 [rating: 0/0] [your opinion]
smkie (Guest)
WE just came back from our visit. Victor carried in a red carnation attached to a small flag. He took it right in and laid it beside her on the bed just like i wanted him to. SHe was very pleased and picked it up then she smelled it..(i had checked and it did have a faint but pleasant smell). Then because i know she likes to feed him i got out a few of his bil jacs and handed them to her. He laid beside her on the bed where she was now sitting up and gave him those. SHe looked like she would like to give him some more so i opened the bag and set them beside her. I was thinking a few more. THere was about a fourth of the bag left, about a week's worth of trick training becuase he does not ever get one of those from me for free plus i also break them into half. So now his tail is beating percussion on the bed and Betty is his best friend for LIFE. SHe checks to make sure the bag is empty and hands it back. Bet you can gues what notes to self is on that one. WE will do that differently next time. But it didn't matter. Victor now thinks Betty is better then a birthday times two. He leaned his head back and gave a ear nuzzle which was just perfect.
I could tell she was very tired today. WE discussed the time (i have sent hospice an e-mail that she needs a working clock) because it is just wrong to have one that doens't work AND the time is important to her. She is as alert as you and I are. I swear i will bring a small one to put beside her bed Sunday just in case. IT annoys me to no end because those little things are really important. My Jim must have checked his watch a zillion times when he was in the hospital dying from cancer not at the end but from the time he was admitted and for about a week. I always wondered why but i didn't say anything. I told her if there was anything she needed like that to let me know and i would see what i could do.
I had given Victor a bath before we went and he was glossy and soft. I asked her if she would like me to come up Sunday when her husband is there and she said "OH yes Albert would get a kick out of him". So we will. WE talked about a few other things but i could tell VIctor was starting to get antzy. He had sat beside her on the bed for a half hour so we said our goodbyes. SHe reached out her hand to me and i held it for a couple seconds while i got a lump in my throat that stayed there all the way home. I really like Betty more then i can put into words. I will see if we can get a rose for next time. ONe that smells really good.
WE stopped and saw a few people in the halls on the way out but Victor has his way of letting me know he's done so we left.
Added on 27-06 at 12:09 [rating: 0/0] [your opinion]
bubbatd (Guest)
Glad that you are having Vic call the shots . But then I wouldn't expect anything different from you !
Added on 27-06 at 12:09 [rating: 0/0] [your opinion]
smkie (Guest)
When Victor is done he is done and there is no arguing with him. He is a great sport and more then willing to do the silly things i ask him to do but only within reason and that is only fair. Like the bucket he trick or treats with. Break every few minutes around 10) and quit at the 30 minute mark. You have to work together as a team and be able to read your animal too. IF it isn't fun for them as well then you shouldn't be doing it. NOt this kind of stuff.
When Betty leaned her head against Victor's side that just choked me up. I do that...did that..with Bronki when i was in so much pain before and during the tmj surgeries. Bronki seemed somehow to take a little bit of it away and helped me cope more. If you have ever willed your eyes not to tear up and spill over you will know how i felt when i saw her do that.
victor is bigger then the dogs i think she is accustom to. She says what a big dog he is. How Albert would never let her have such a big dog. WIsh i had a little dog to take her.
Added on 27-06 at 12:09 [rating: 0/0] [your opinion]
