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My Name Is "Nurse Jenny"

"DADDY GOT GARLIC ON ME!!"

As you know, we have a beautiful little Shetland Sheepdog (”Sheltie”) Her name is Jenny. She is rather persnickety about her appearance and doesn't even like to get her feet wet. She is extremely personable and works as a therapy dog.

Those of you that have been following what we write know that she is also extremely attached to my hubby. He likes to cook…and whenever he is in the kitchen, Jenny is at his heels. However, I need to tell you he is not the neatest cook

Before going to work he decided to make his own concoction of a spicy pasta sauce…but there was also some sticky rice in his planning. (Why the sticky rice…I have no clue)

I was in the other room and not paying attention to the happenings in the kitchen. Although, late in the evening I noticed a familiar scent coming from my little Jenny! I called her to me and looked at her and saw what looked like little grains on her forehead. Oh My Gosh! It was GARLIC!

Next I notice she has rice over a large portion of her back…STICKY RICE!

There is a reason it’s called “Sticky Rice”…because it is most definitely sticky. So, here it is almost midnight and I have a little dog that smells like garlic and has sticky rice all over her back.

When I called her over to me, at first she wouldn't come…but instead went under the table. I think she thought she must be in trouble…which of course she wasn't.

I had to get her grooming tools out and completely comb out her fur. Next, I got out her shampoo and had to clean the fur on top of her head. I used a blow-dryer in order not to be up all night with her.

Well…she was all clean and her scent was again very sweet! I emailed my hubby at work with the photo of the garlic. I didn't have to say a single word…he knew what I meant.

"I Learned Some New Words"

Many really nice doggies asked me to be friends. My Mommy told me, that all the notes and words of encouragement were "gracious and kind". I didn't know what those words meant. My Mom explained them to me.

When Mommy was reading the notes and words of encouragement, she started to cry...so I jumped up into her lap and was looking at her. I was thinking "What's wrong?" She must have known what I was thinking, because she said she was "overwhelmed" by the kindness. I didn't know that word either...so she explained that, too. "Overwhelmed" is a big word...and because of the kindness...it penetrates the heart in a wonderful way.

We were looking at all of your pictures. Oh my!! The girl doggies are so beautiful and the boy doggies are SO SO handsome. (I know what "handsome" means...when Mommy met my Daddy she explained it to me)

I think all of you are so very blessed to have such wonderful Mommy's & Daddy's. Lots of you have 'brothers' & 'sisters' (the kind with four legs). I don't have 'brothers' & 'sisters' like that. I have a sister with two legs, her name is Sarah. She loves the nation of Japan...and is learning the language. She eats with little sticks...Daddy said they are "chop sticks". (Mommy & Daddy eat with a knife and fork)

Your kindness means so very much to Mommy & me. I don't think I know enough words, yet, to explain how I really felt reading all your notes...but Mommy said..."They'll know exactly what you're trying to say".

Your New Friend,

Jenny Jo Jaxx

A New Beginning

My name is Jenny. I'm a Shetland Sheepdog. My "job" is a therapy dog. When I'm at work, people call me "Nurse Jenny". I wasn't always a nurse, but when my Mommy needed a nurse...I thought that would be a good job for me when I got big. Now, I'm big (14 lbs). I'm three years old :)

Mommy was married to a mean man, for hundreds of years. He braked some of her bones and cutted her with a knife. When Mommy got me, he hurted me too...but only one time. A nice lady called the police and they taked us away. I was still a "baby". Mommy was in the hosptial. The police taked me to the "big house"...Mommy said it was the "Humane Society". I stayed there until Mommy was all better and finded us a different place to live.

Mom said it takes "courage to change". We know it wasn't us that saved our lives...it was the Lord. He protected us. All that happened in March 2005.

Some really good stuff happened to me and my Mommy. It all started one day when a big man, with a little girl saw Mommy & me playing in the backyard. The little girl was so much fun. The big man talked to my Mommy. My Mommy is little like me, so she had to look up to see the big man's face. The big man's face is very nice. He has brown eyes, just like me.

Lots happened. Then one day, Mommy told me that the big man was going to be a REAL DADDY and he loved us BOTH. Oh boy! They got married and I got a sister and a Daddy on the same day. He is my bestest friend. He lets me sleep between his pillows. He makes me feel safe. He calls me "His Little Girl Dog".

Me and Daddy work together sometimes. Daddy is a health care professional. He helped me get a "job" at his hosptial, after I went through a special school. Now, I have another name, it's "Nurse Jenny".

I get to help little kids that are real sick. The same way nurses helped my Mommy when the mean man hurted her, now I get to help kids the same way. When I go see my "patients", it makes their Daddy's & Mommy's smile. I love the little kids. They are just like me. They like to "play toys".

A little boy, name Jacob drew a picture of me and him. He gave the picture to my Mommy. The following week when I went to see him, the doctor told me that Jacob went to heaven. I miss Jacob. Kevin is in the same room with Jacob...now Kevin is in there by his self.

My Mommy still has stuff wrong with her. The doctor told my Mom it's due to all the "head trauma" she went through when she was married to the mean man. Sometimes Mommy cries because she is in pain. Daddy tries to help her get better, but the doctor told my Daddy that Mommy won't get better, but with the medicine, she might not get more worser.

It's almost 5:30 Am and Mommy is helping me type this. She's awake because stuff hurts. Mommy's job is a freelance writer. Mostly she does political op/ed pieces...but the publisher asked her to do an autobiography. She has lots of chapters already done. Then the publisher asked her to work on a special project because of the upcoming election. And now that we get to be part of dogster.com...this will be an additional 'distraction' for her, and then when she gets tired, she will be able to sleep.

I hope no puppies or kitties ever have to live with mean people that hurt them.

Your Friend,

Jenny