{This Moment} See Beautiful ~Involvement Makes A Difference
There was a man who lived along the ocean. One morning, at about 5:00 a.m., when he could sleep no longer, he decided to take a walk along the beach. It was a foggy morning, and the first rays of the sun were slipping above the horizon. The man enjoyed the walk, it was as if the beach was his own. He glanced down the beach and saw a figure that seemed to be dancing. He wondered why anyone would be on the beach so early, his curiosity caused him to quicken his pace. As he drew nearer, he realized that the figure was that of a young man, and he wasn’t dancing–he was throwing something into the water. As he drew very close, he realized that the young man was picking starfish off the beach and was tossing them back into the water.
“Whey are you throwing starfish into the water?”
“The tide is going out, the sun is rising, and the starfish that are left on the beach will surely die,” said the young man, continuing on his task.
“But that’s such a waste of time and energy!” There are so many starfish, and there are miles and miles of beach. What difference does it make?”
The young man thought for a moment. Reached down to pick up a starfish, and said “it makes a difference…to this one.”
Author Unknown
The beginning of December marks one year since Gambler and Glory received their Therapy Dogs Inc. certificates to begin their journey in live making a difference. January 17, 2013 they made their first therapy dog visit to a elementary school in Beaver Dam, WI, almost one year later we are still visiting the children.
Raindeer Glory.
Each visit is a {This Moment} See Beautiful moment. Never did I believe that my dogs could make a difference in someone’s life. They make a difference in my life each day but a stranger? These kids start out as strangers but grow into something much much more.
Each week I look forward to our visits. I never know how many children are going to be visiting with the dogs or how long I will be there. I always leave there knowing that to one child my dogs have made a difference. All I know about the children is that they may suffer some type of Emotional Behavior Disorder, it’s not my job to know why the children need to visit with my dogs. It is my job to make the children feel safe and have them know that they have a friend in my dogs and that they can spend their time with them reading, petting, talking to or just hugging them. I do believe and can see that my dogs take away their troubles, it may only be for ten minutes but for that child 10 minutes makes a difference and could be a lifetime to them.
Thanks to my leaders Lisa & Polly (Canine Solutions llc) for seeing the beauty in my dogs and knowing we could make a difference.
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A year has flown by JoAnn. How beautiful it is, that Glory, Gambler and you have enriched so many lives.
I’m bawling. Such a lovely post JoAnn… The part about helping the kids feel safe got me.
That is great that you and the dogs enjoy that kind of work.
Beautiful story! Making a difference does happen one engagement at a time. Bless those pups for being there for those kids!
Beautiful indeed and yes all animals have a healing ability and they have such a precious spirit that helps all they spend time with….lovely post and fab pictures 🙂 hugs Fozziemumxxx
I love this touching post, and I love you and Gambler and Glory for the beautiful difference that you are making in these children’s lives. I wish that I could reach through the computer and give all three of you a hug.
How wonderful that you and the dogs can bring comfort and joy to those children. A special thing.
that was a wonderful story, I agree with you, it makes a difference and the Talmud says, who saves a single life saves the whole world.
Many thanks to you, Gambler and Glory for visiting the children. I’m sure it means a lot for those kids to spend time with a dog.
A wonderful post especially for this time of year. People don’t seem to realize how a moment in time, that someone or in this case furkids and their mom, take to touch the lives of others will make a difference in a life for a life time. In my job, I had so many of my employees come back years later and remind ME of a special moment I had taken for them, that made a huge difference in their lives. They came back to thank me and remind me that they will always remember that special moment. Makes me very thankful too~Thanks for sharing JoAnne!
This is such a powerful post. You may never know what impact you are having, but to those children you could be the one thing they have to look forward to. This is what it’s all about – congratulations on your success with your therapy dogs!
That is such a wonderful and beautiful thing you and your dogs are doing for the children.
Oh my dog! This was the most beautiful post!!! I think is is just wonderful that you go see those kids and I can imagine how much joy it brings them. The story about the starfish has such great meaning. Amazing.
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
It is hard to believe it has been a year. Having met you can Gambler and Glory I know that you are making a difference for those kids. Good job all of you. 🙂
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