Podley

Karen and Podley

Born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his front right leg, Tripod was set aside during the litter's c-section delivery since he did not respond when delivered. As they picked up the "body" to bury him, he let out a wail, announcing he had work to do here on this earth. God meant for this boy to be here from the start. Tripod, the three-legged golden lived with the breeder for the first 1.5 years of his life.

He was perfect to do visits at an amputee clinic monthly. But the breeder soon realized this was a very special dog that had so much more offer others than she had time to give. She knew I was very active doing therapy visits with KPETS, and we were honored and privileged to share our home with him for four years, until Dec of this past year when he passed away suddenly at age five. Tripod, whose name gradually changed to Pod or Podley, spent many hours visiting in various settings. He opened the hearts of teens in a juvenile detention facility.

The boys learned clicker training and taught Pod to play his toy piano and to bow for applause! Softening their hearts and giving them a form of self confidence they never had, was obvious when they presented their accomplishments to their classmates. Visiting children at a Children's Rehab facility was a natural for Pod.

One of the last visits Podley did was to help a little girl learn to hug and touch. Living in an orphanage for the first several years of her life without the nurturing necessary for early development, she was very timid about hugging and touching, even with her mother. Pod's first session with her started with the therapist suggesting reading a story to them. As the child sat on a big puffy mat, Pod did what he did best. Moved in, leaned against her, and then slide right down over her lap. As she leaned away from him, the therapist encouraged her to tickle his neck. She did and if she stopped, Pod would promptly lean his head back and look into her eyes, pleading with her to continue. By the end of the session, when the therapist asked if she wanted to give Pod a hug and a kiss goodbye, the little girl did so - willingly! - something she would not do for anyone.

These are just two samples of the many interactions Podley had with those who flourished from his 'I can do anything' attitude combined with his "you are the only love of my life" undivided attention. After hearing of his untimely death this past Christmas season new volunteers have been motivated into action to pursue becoming therapy teams. Others have decided to pursue or increase the therapy visits with their own pets in his honor.

His many friends are missing him dearly, as are we! Four short years as a therapy dog touched many lives and warmed oh so many hearts! www.kpets.org/podley