Thursday, January 28, 2010
From the St. Petersburg Times
Columnist Ernest Hooper captures Mandy's story and our family's journey beautifully. We share the link with gratitude.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The big night
On Saturday night in Long Beach, Calif., thousands of spectators learned of a wonderful friendship between Mandy and her Poodle.
You know Electra's story by now; she was the national winner of the Award of Canine Excellence from the American Kennel Club. You know that Electra, or as we know her, Poodle, was given to Mandy by Jane and Cathy, and our hearts barely have room for the gratitude we feel for their generosity. You know that Poodle played a key role in Mandy's recovery as Mandy endured months of chemotherapy.
What you need to know is how incredibly beautiful my bride, my little girl and her dog looked on Saturday night as they took to the ring to accept the award.
Words can't describe how proud I am of all three of them.
You know Electra's story by now; she was the national winner of the Award of Canine Excellence from the American Kennel Club. You know that Electra, or as we know her, Poodle, was given to Mandy by Jane and Cathy, and our hearts barely have room for the gratitude we feel for their generosity. You know that Poodle played a key role in Mandy's recovery as Mandy endured months of chemotherapy.
What you need to know is how incredibly beautiful my bride, my little girl and her dog looked on Saturday night as they took to the ring to accept the award.
Words can't describe how proud I am of all three of them.
Friday under the lights
Some random shots from Mandy's day Friday in Long Beach:
Mandy with Ronald Rella (left) and Neil Singer of the American Kennel Club at Friday night's dinner. The AKC was incredibly generous to Mandy and our family.
Mandy and Poodle at the photo shoot Friday afternoon.
Finished with their close-ups.
Mandy opening one of many gifts she received.
Mandy with Ronald Rella (left) and Neil Singer of the American Kennel Club at Friday night's dinner. The AKC was incredibly generous to Mandy and our family. Friday, December 11, 2009
Photo shoots, meet-and-greet, dinner parties ... the life of a star
They say it's not easy being a star. They've never talked to Mandy. As the dad of a diva, I can tell you that little girl can do just fine in the spotlight.
Our blonde bombshell and her canine friend, Poodle, have taken Southern California by storm. Her smile lit up Long Beach, Calif., today as preparations were completed for their appearance in the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, which begins Saturday.
Mandy, Poodle, and Natalie joined the other winners of the AKC Humane Fund Awards of Canine Excellence for a dinner party Friday night. Poodle is among great company; these are some wonderful dogs that are being honored this week.
I realize that you're not here to read my turns of phrase; you're here for pictures. Here are some snaps Natalie sent back:
At 7 p.m. PST on Saturday, Natalie, Mandy and Poodle will walk into the ring at the AKC/Eukanaba National Championships to receive Poodle's honor. For those of us who are missing it live, the show will be broadcast several times on Animal Planet starting on Feb. 6. For all the show times, click here.
When I talked to Mandy on the phone this afternoon, I was struck by how much joy I heard in her voice. She's loving this experience, and after the last couple of years, well, it's great to hear a little girl just enjoying being a little girl. Even if she's being a little girl on a big stage.
Our blonde bombshell and her canine friend, Poodle, have taken Southern California by storm. Her smile lit up Long Beach, Calif., today as preparations were completed for their appearance in the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, which begins Saturday.
Mandy, Poodle, and Natalie joined the other winners of the AKC Humane Fund Awards of Canine Excellence for a dinner party Friday night. Poodle is among great company; these are some wonderful dogs that are being honored this week.
I realize that you're not here to read my turns of phrase; you're here for pictures. Here are some snaps Natalie sent back:
Poodle and Mandy on their way to their photo shoot
Poodle doing what she does best. Once a champion, always a champion.
Mandy playing tug-of-war with Sage, the ACE honoree for search and rescue. This border collie from New Mexico has worked jobs from New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, to Aruba, to post-Katrina, to Iraq. Quite a résumé, I'd say.
Mandy and Poodle, ready for the dinner party. (Unfortunately, Poodle wasn't invited to dinner.)
At 7 p.m. PST on Saturday, Natalie, Mandy and Poodle will walk into the ring at the AKC/Eukanaba National Championships to receive Poodle's honor. For those of us who are missing it live, the show will be broadcast several times on Animal Planet starting on Feb. 6. For all the show times, click here.
When I talked to Mandy on the phone this afternoon, I was struck by how much joy I heard in her voice. She's loving this experience, and after the last couple of years, well, it's great to hear a little girl just enjoying being a little girl. Even if she's being a little girl on a big stage.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Mandy and Poodle's California Adventure
Ronnie here, filling in again while Natalie is off on assignment. And what a fun assignment it is.
Natalie and Mandy and Hero Dog Poodle are in Long Beach, Calif., where the spotlight will shine bright (and deservedly) on Mandy and Poodle. Poodle was the winner of the American Kennel Club's Award for Canine Excellence, in the Exemplary Companion category. You can read more about the ACE award, Poodle and all the winners here.
Natalie has been sending pictures back as fast as she can take them. Here are some highlights from the day:
As for the award, I'm comfortable with saying there are few dogs more deserving of recognition. It's not a stretch to say Poodle was a key component in helping Mandy through her treatment.
This post pretty much sums up what Poodle is to Mandy. Here's the thing to know about Mandy: At heart, she is a caretaker. And it made her heart full to be able to take care of something the way she was being taken care of while she was in treatment. Poodle helped ease Mandy's mind, which without a doubt also helped her physically.
I don't throw the "hero" term around loosely, but it's certainly fair to say Jane Myers and Cathy McGinnis meet the criteria. Jane and Cathy were Poodle's owners (and know her better by her real name, Electra), and it was Jane who gave Mandy this gift. "Eternal gratitude" is insufficient to sum up our feelings for that gift.
Natalie and Mandy will have a whirlwind couple of days Friday and Saturday -- interviews, photo shoots, the award presentation. Alannah, Zachary and I are holding down the fort back in Florida. We'll pass on the sights as we receive them.
Natalie and Mandy and Hero Dog Poodle are in Long Beach, Calif., where the spotlight will shine bright (and deservedly) on Mandy and Poodle. Poodle was the winner of the American Kennel Club's Award for Canine Excellence, in the Exemplary Companion category. You can read more about the ACE award, Poodle and all the winners here.
Natalie has been sending pictures back as fast as she can take them. Here are some highlights from the day:
You'll never see bigger smiles at 4:27 a.m. Poodle, Natalie and Mandy headed to the airport.
Poodle and Mandy, on the plane. Poodle ended up with her own seat.
At the American Girl store in Los Angeles.
Hooray for Hollywood!
As for the award, I'm comfortable with saying there are few dogs more deserving of recognition. It's not a stretch to say Poodle was a key component in helping Mandy through her treatment.
This post pretty much sums up what Poodle is to Mandy. Here's the thing to know about Mandy: At heart, she is a caretaker. And it made her heart full to be able to take care of something the way she was being taken care of while she was in treatment. Poodle helped ease Mandy's mind, which without a doubt also helped her physically.
I don't throw the "hero" term around loosely, but it's certainly fair to say Jane Myers and Cathy McGinnis meet the criteria. Jane and Cathy were Poodle's owners (and know her better by her real name, Electra), and it was Jane who gave Mandy this gift. "Eternal gratitude" is insufficient to sum up our feelings for that gift.
Natalie and Mandy will have a whirlwind couple of days Friday and Saturday -- interviews, photo shoots, the award presentation. Alannah, Zachary and I are holding down the fort back in Florida. We'll pass on the sights as we receive them.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Hope for Anissa
As you give thanks this week, Natalie and I ask that you keep a very special family in mind.
Our good friend Anissa, who has been a source of hope, inspiration, love and soda-coming-back-out-the-nose laughs for Natalie, our kids and me over these last couple of years, suffered a massive stroke on Nov. 17. Anissa has been a shining light for us as we traveled the pediatric cancer road together; her youngest daughter, 5, finished leukemia treatment a year ago.
Anissa, 35, is relatively stable now, but it was very touch-and-go in the first few days. She has not regained consciousness, and a very close eye is being kept on her blood pressure. We’re seeing some very good signs, however; even as I write this, Natalie called to tell me that Anissa made some very deliberate hand movements. Every bit of progress is good progress.
Natalie has been at her side since about seven hours after she got the news; Anissa and her family moved to the Atlanta area in May, and Natalie got there to help as fast as the Georgia State Police would allow.
The kids joined Anissa’s family this weekend, and they’re providing important support for Anissa’s kids (an 11-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter, in addition to the aforementioned 5-year-old). Mandy has already organized several tea parties for the large contingent of American Girl dolls who now fill the family’s house; Zachary and Anissa’s son are keeping gigabytes worth of home entertainment very busy; and Alannah is providing her always calm, steady helping hand wherever she is needed.
After our friend Mary Ann and I dropped off the kids Saturday, I had to leave Sunday to follow work obligations in Canada. (They tell me I missed Thanksgiving; up here, it was in October north of the border.) It’s never easy for me to do that, but I know that the folks in Georgia are in very good hands (Natalie’s hands are the best, not only to look at and hold but to handle tough situations.)
Support is pouring in from near and far; Thanksgiving dinner is taken care of, Anissa’s wide social network has pulled together in prayer, and Anissa herself, besides being full of love, is even fuller of fight. She has her husband at her side, and lots of hope around her — all the necessities are in place to help her navigate the road ahead.
Our good friend Anissa, who has been a source of hope, inspiration, love and soda-coming-back-out-the-nose laughs for Natalie, our kids and me over these last couple of years, suffered a massive stroke on Nov. 17. Anissa has been a shining light for us as we traveled the pediatric cancer road together; her youngest daughter, 5, finished leukemia treatment a year ago.
Anissa, 35, is relatively stable now, but it was very touch-and-go in the first few days. She has not regained consciousness, and a very close eye is being kept on her blood pressure. We’re seeing some very good signs, however; even as I write this, Natalie called to tell me that Anissa made some very deliberate hand movements. Every bit of progress is good progress.
Natalie has been at her side since about seven hours after she got the news; Anissa and her family moved to the Atlanta area in May, and Natalie got there to help as fast as the Georgia State Police would allow.
The kids joined Anissa’s family this weekend, and they’re providing important support for Anissa’s kids (an 11-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter, in addition to the aforementioned 5-year-old). Mandy has already organized several tea parties for the large contingent of American Girl dolls who now fill the family’s house; Zachary and Anissa’s son are keeping gigabytes worth of home entertainment very busy; and Alannah is providing her always calm, steady helping hand wherever she is needed.
After our friend Mary Ann and I dropped off the kids Saturday, I had to leave Sunday to follow work obligations in Canada. (They tell me I missed Thanksgiving; up here, it was in October north of the border.) It’s never easy for me to do that, but I know that the folks in Georgia are in very good hands (Natalie’s hands are the best, not only to look at and hold but to handle tough situations.)
Support is pouring in from near and far; Thanksgiving dinner is taken care of, Anissa’s wide social network has pulled together in prayer, and Anissa herself, besides being full of love, is even fuller of fight. She has her husband at her side, and lots of hope around her — all the necessities are in place to help her navigate the road ahead.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Flu-like behavior
It's Ronnie here, guest-posting as Natalie and Mandy are away from home and computer tonight, just in time for me to get home from two weeks in Canada.
Mandy and Natalie are hanging out at All Children's Hospital tonight. Mandy's showing some "flu-like symptoms," three words that have been typed by an awful lot of people over the last several weeks.
Mandy woke up Saturday morning vomiting. No big deal; kids get upset stomachs and stuff all the time, and even Mandy's allowed an upset stomach every once in a while. I got my update on that situation before I took off this morning from Vancouver.
I had a connection in Denver; she had vomited again, but was restful, and most importantly, not feverish. Still no big deal; Zofran and Ativan were doing their jobs to calm her tummy.
By the time I landed in Tampa, well, it was a big deal, because now there was a fever, going up and going up fast. When I made my "Honey, I'm home" call, Mandy and Natalie were already in St. Petersburg.
The fever has apparently peaked at 103. Rapid flu tests are showing negative, but rapid flu tests are notoriously inaccurate. Counts and such are pointing the general direction of something, well, flu-like. Tylenol has joined Zofran and Ativan to keep Mandy comfortable.
We'll find out more in the morning, when the real flu tests come back. Mandy's going to stay overnight, because it's a long ride to the hospital, and we want to make sure that fever stays down before she comes home. Whether it's flu or merely "flu-like," we want it go away.
Mandy and Natalie are hanging out at All Children's Hospital tonight. Mandy's showing some "flu-like symptoms," three words that have been typed by an awful lot of people over the last several weeks.
Mandy woke up Saturday morning vomiting. No big deal; kids get upset stomachs and stuff all the time, and even Mandy's allowed an upset stomach every once in a while. I got my update on that situation before I took off this morning from Vancouver.
I had a connection in Denver; she had vomited again, but was restful, and most importantly, not feverish. Still no big deal; Zofran and Ativan were doing their jobs to calm her tummy.
By the time I landed in Tampa, well, it was a big deal, because now there was a fever, going up and going up fast. When I made my "Honey, I'm home" call, Mandy and Natalie were already in St. Petersburg.
The fever has apparently peaked at 103. Rapid flu tests are showing negative, but rapid flu tests are notoriously inaccurate. Counts and such are pointing the general direction of something, well, flu-like. Tylenol has joined Zofran and Ativan to keep Mandy comfortable.
We'll find out more in the morning, when the real flu tests come back. Mandy's going to stay overnight, because it's a long ride to the hospital, and we want to make sure that fever stays down before she comes home. Whether it's flu or merely "flu-like," we want it go away.
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