Foster

Brittany, Bentley, and I were taking a leisurely walk last night when all of a sudden Bentley became enraged with a nearby bush. Normally, this means one of two things. One: another dog has peed in Bentley’s bush or two: the bush has done a very very bad thing and Bentley must conquer it. Needless to say I wasn’t paying much attention and I started pulling her away to defend the innocent bush. The bush was fine but I started noticing a very strange noise coming from it (The Bush). I came to realize that the bush was actually growling at Bentley. So, the bush wasn’t so innocent after all. I tried to investigate but Bentley was not having any of it so Brit went in to take a look. Lo and behold, out pops a pup. She was very sweet and loved giving Brit kisses. She even started giving Bentley some licks after a couple of hours. I ran to the store to buy puppy chow and to start figuring out how to get rid of it while Brit started in on the pup’s spa treatment. You see no dog can come into Bentley’s house without smelling nice.

I took Foster (The Pup) to the vet and she seems to have a clean bill of health. The vet mentioned that they had no pups in their adoption center and she would probably go within a week. Its funny how you can do a good thing and still actually feel like crap. That’s how I felt as I walked to my car without the newfound pup Foster.

On the brighter side, Bentley also got to go to the vet and she has lost 10 pounds. That’s right, 10 pounds. Thanks, in no small part to Brit’s Boot Camp. Now who thinks Bentley’s the fat kid in class? Not me, no sir. Also, Bentley realized something coming home from the vet; that being an only canine is a very good thing. You don’t have to compete for attention, share the bed with another dog, or get bit in the behind every time you go for a walk. When I got home from work and my restless night with Foster barking, Bentley ran up to make sure nothing little was following me. Yup, she knows she’s got the good life.

My Heart Broke Today

So for awhile now God has put the need on my heart to call Phyllis. For those of you who don't know, Phyllis is my hospice patient that I spent every Sunday with for 1 1/2 years. She was the inspiration for my medical school essay and also the women who taught me how to cook. She is suffering from COPD along with diabetes. I called her today and could barely hear her as she answered the phone. I knew something was wrong right away. She said she fell last week in the bathroom and spent 1 week in the inpatient ward of the hospice. Basically they don't take you there until you are within 7 days of your death. I know that because I volunteered there and watched those who died be replaced by new ones every week. Fortunately she is back home now. Unfortunately she is alone, on a Sunday, the day that we spent together. My heart literally dropped as she said, "I think I'm dying. I feel like its going to be that time soon." What should I say? Aren't I going to be a Dr.?? Why didn't I have anything to say except that Bentley and I missed her and wished we were there? She said, " Would you make me some bread if you were here?" I told her of course I would..I always did. At that point I had to get off the phone before I became the weak one. Before I let her know that I was worried. I told her I would call at then end of the week to check on her. She said I made her day, and that she thinks of me often. I got off the phone.

I feel so hopeless..I am the one who was there to take care of her every Sunday. Today no one was there for her. No family, no friends, no one. My heart feels heavy at the thought of losing her.