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About Pet Hug Fund™ |
Lucy, Kody and Ed
On my first visit with Evelyn four years ago at Muir Senior Care, she fell in love. The object of her great affection was Lucy, my ten-year-old, 65-pound Yellow Labrador. Evelyn was in early stages of Parkinson’s and during our visits, she would sit in her chair and crochet with slightly shaky hands as we talked. She showered Lucy with pets and love, which Lucy returned with her beautiful soulful eyes, kisses and insatiably wagging tail.
 Lucy |
Over the next two years, Lucy and I visited Evelyn every month and sadly watched a slow, steady decline – from chair, to wheelchair to bed confinement -- as the Parkinson’s took more of a hold. Evelyn’s hands now shook so much that she could no longer crochet, but she was always thrilled to see Lucy. While Lucy and I usually spent less than five minutes with most of our patients, we always stayed 20 minutes or more with Evelyn.
 Ed and Kody |
Last August, Lucy passed away at age 13. Though devastated from the loss of my best friend, I felt a passionate commitment to our patients and made the decision to continue working in the VAP program. I was blessed that a good friend had a nine-year-old Yellow Labrador named Kody rated to do visits. Kody looked like the male twin of Lucy, and on our first visit with Evelyn, she assumed Kody was Lucy, since I hadn’t yet had a chance to tell her about Lucy’s passing. When I told her that Lucy had died, Evelyn’s eyes filled with tears. She took her shaking hands and held mine as we both cried. We shared a special moment and grieved our loss of our best friend Lucy. It was a total reversal of roles as I became the patient and Evelyn became the therapy giver.
Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, Walnut Creek, CA