4 May

Stairway to Heaven…

Posted by Kellie Kennedy in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , .


Stairway to Heaven...

Stairway To Heaven…

It has been a little over 2 months since I lost my beloved pet and family member Abigail. I have now received her ashes back and she proudly sits on my fireplace mantel in a cedar box.

Since her passing I have good days and bad days. I miss her everyday and think of her at least once a day. I miss the routine of getting up and taking care of her doggie needs. I miss hearing her bark when the doorbell rings. I miss having her snuggling next to me in bed and hearing her start to snore. I miss her big wet kisses. I even miss her begging for my food. When having dinner at my parent’s house I catch myself before I say to my mom “save that meat for Abigail she will love it later this week for her special dinner.”

Some days I find myself tearing up just thinking about my loyal companion. On those low days the only thing that pulls me out of the funk is to know Abigail is in heaven. I know without doubt I did the right thing by putting her down. Not allowing her to suffer 1 more minute. I know she took the “Stairway to Heaven.”

While I was working through my grief of my beloved pet, I wondered if I could do the same selfless act for a family member or friend. I know many of you may not feel a pets life is in the same category as a human life. However, I feel a life is a life. Both feel pain, love and joy.

Could I make the right decision when the time came to let a loved one go? Could I release them from their pain? Euthanasia is not legal, but if it were… would I be able to honor the wishes of a loved one? I never thought I would be able to euthanize my beloved family pet. Seeing Abigail suffer was far worse then putting her down.

 

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If euthanasia were ever to become legal, could I do the same if ever asked by a human being? It’s a haunting question and one I will probably never get the answer to in my lifetime. What I do know is keeping someone alive for selfish reasons (whether a animal or human) is not fair to those who are suffering.

I never question myself and my decision to put Abigail down. I know she is in a far better place and I will see her in the future on my Stairway to Heaven.

30 Mar

Paws and Reflect.

Posted by Kellie Kennedy in animals, death of a pet, Lhasa Apso, love of a pet, pets, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , .


Paws and Reflect.

Last week I lost a family member. I had to make the horrible and sudden decision to put my 14 year old Lhasa Apso down. Abigail was my faithful companion for the last 10 years (4 earlier years with my sister). She was my furry baby, my child, my best friend. Abigail was non-judgemental and showed me unconditional love…she loved me for me!

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Since her passing on March 26th, I’v had time to paws and reflect. As a single person with no children, we tend to replace such voids with the love of an animal(s). She became my child and I treated her with respect and with the best care possible. While it was the most devastating choice to put her down, I knew it was the right choice (contemplating the hard choice) while late into the early morning hours at the VCA Emergency Room. Her sudden seizures had debilitated her so badly; her quality of life was poor at best. Since putting her down, I have had even more time to silently paws and reflect.

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Those who are not animal lovers (dogs in particular) are truly missing out in my opinion. The kindness and selflessness an animal brings out in an owner is truly a remarkable thing. Just like a child; animals are a huge responsibility. Dogs (unlike cats) depend on you for everything. Being a cat owner as well, I can tell you cats are very self-sufficient. I always tell non-dog owners the attention and time needed for a dog is crazy…but well worth the return on time and investment of the animal.

Merry Christmas...woof...meow!

Abigail was a retired Animal Therapy dog with two local agencies. She spread her love at senior homes, hospitals, hospice, schools and kids reading programs. She wagged her tail proudly while she was wearing her animal therapy dog vest. She loved walks, polo games, coffee shops, hot dogs, belly rubs and loved sitting in the sun on cool spring mornings and sitting by the warm fire on chilly nights. She waited for me at the hall door and waited for me to give her the sign for bed. She gave kisses for NO reason. I know there must be a very special place in heaven for her. I am just now finding her hidden rawhide around the house. I miss her so very much… my heart actually aches. I will soon receive her ashes back. My decision of what to do with her ashes will not be taken likely by me. She gave her all to me and I will do the same for her. Mommy loves you always Miss Abigail. see you in heaven!

9 Mar

What Makes An American Patriot?

Posted by Kellie Kennedy in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .


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What Makes An American Patriot? Well I am sure many American’s have their own view on this topic. To me a Patriot is one who gives back to his country wanting nothing in return. It might be fighting for your country so others may have freedom or it maybe doing something selfless for those who do fight for our freedoms.

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Last night I had the pleasure of attending the USO show with Actor, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band at the 29 Palms Marine Base here in Southern California. I am very familiar with the Gary Sinise Foundation and the selfless amount of time Mr. Sinise puts in at his foundation. However, Mr. Sinise also spends his time entertaining our American Troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and all over the United States. He is one of the few actors, who actually walks-the-walk instead of talks-the-talk. Living here in Southern California, we are inundated (ad nauseam) with actors who yap- yap-yap and who love to hear themselves talk regarding left wing political beliefs. All the while doing nothing for our troops who actually fight for their freedom to YAP endlessly. Mr. Sinise is one of the few in the entertainment world I consider a true Patriot! If we had more people like Mr. Sinise the world would be a far better place.

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I love the fact Mr. Sinise freely admits on stage he gets paid an absurd amount to do what he does. However, his career does not compare to what the troops do, especially in time of war. I find Mr. Sinise to be sincere, genuine and very compassionate. There are just those people who are believable and sincere and those who are not…

Some of the best moments of the night are when Mr. Sinise invites all the military children on the stage with him to rock and roll. You can see in his face the joy it brings. The ending of the show is an expected song and would be greatly missed by all the military families if Lee Greenwood’s song “I Am Proud To Be An American” was not played. The pride in which the military sing this song is very emotional and something all should experience.

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I invited my sister to attend the show with me.She grew up during the Vietnam War. She admitted with (some embarrassment) she needs to remind herself about our American Troops and that they are in a time war. She told me attending something like the Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band USO show, clearly reminds her that she needs to do a better job at remembering our troops. I think we can all learn a thing or two from Mr. Sinise…a true American Patriot!

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28 Jan

Heart to Heart …Text to Text!

Posted by Kellie Kennedy in Uncategorized.


Heart to Heart ...Text to Text!

I was never a been a big fan of Valentine’s Day…I have mentioned this fact in a previous blog. However, I have some very fond memories of childhood Valentine’s Day in grade school.

These little candy hearts were the favorite of all the kids and everyone always waited with such anticipation to get their little box of colorful chalky candy hearts with fabulous “love messages” written on them. Between the candy hearts and the special tiny valentine cards from classmates; it was such a fun and special time in grade school. I recall opening my box of candy hearts along side my miniature valentine cards (given by classmates) and of course that ONE special boy in class, who was too scared to profess his young feelings of love/like for you. Oh my… how mysterious and exciting when that special boy would send the card “anonymously.”

H’m I find things really have not changed that much regarding men and scared to profess feelings. However in the year 2013 instead of candy hearts … they text! Happy Valentine’s Day!

31 Dec

2012 in review

Posted by Kellie Kennedy in Athletics, Baby Boomer, Bladder Cancer, Determination, education, Fitness Diet, Health and Wellness, history, Medical Research, Medical Technology, Mother's Day, Swimming, Uncategorized, World peace. Tagged: , , .


The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 3,100 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 5 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

 

9 Dec

Remember Our Troops This Holiday Season

Posted by Kellie Kennedy in Baby Boomer, Determination, World peace. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .



holiday-mail-Remember_our_Troops

The Holiday Season is upon us once again. Another Christmas with our American troops still deployed in the Middle East. I wonder, will the American people ever see all our  troops home? The 2012 election year was filled with so much hate, divisiveness and political bull-crap; I thought it would never end. Every time I turned on the news it was one of the Presidential Candidates campaigning about the war in the Middle East. Each candidate promising they would be the one to bring all of our troops home by a certain deadline.

Honestly, the troops really are no closer to being home for this Holiday Season or any other in the near future. While the economic situation in our country is abysmal, I am sure our troops would rather be back in their own country during the Christmas Season sharing it with their loved ones. Regardless of our economic crisis. The chance to be with their loved ones would be a dream come true.

I do what I can to say “Thank You” and show appreciation to our troops. My donation to the USO several times a year and other giving opportunities often times feel so insignificant. I wish I could do more for these brave people who serve our country and sacrifice so much for us all. 

We all get caught up in our daily lives and tend to forget we have American troops out there fighting for our freedom and the rights of others in foreign countries. These are special human beings who are willing to sacrifice above and beyond. I often catch myself complaining about small issues and my mind immediately goes to our troops in the Middle East. Gosh, am I really complaining about a small inconvenience? This is when I stop…breathe! I take a moment to realize just how really blessed and fortunate I am in life.

We all need to give thanks and remember our troops this Holiday Season.

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11 Nov

Bald Is Beautiful…

Posted by Kellie Kennedy in Baby Boomer, Bladder Cancer, cancer, Determination, Fitness Diet, Health and Wellness, Medical Research, Medical Technology, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .


This past month I had the dreaded task of taking my papa to his barber and requesting his head be shaved, due to his ongoing chemotherapy treatments. My mom asked I take him, she was not sure she would be able to keep her composure. Oh how I was dreading this, trying to put on a smile as we drove silently down the street to his local barber shop. 

Upon walking into the barber shop I quickly noticed the mood was upbeat; it was your typical old fashion barber shop where all the men hung around in over sized chairs … shooting the bull. Oscar (my dad’s barber) greeted my papa at the door. Oscar said, “What are we doing for you today Ed?”  Papa replied, “we are shaving it off.” Oscar sat him down and let papa know it was not his first time doing this procedure. He had other clients who were cancer patients. He let my papa know he was in very good hands.

I felt my eyes watering up as his barber took the first shave of hair off the back of his head. I quickly pulled myself together. I knew if my papa saw I was upset, he would be too. Suddenly the barber said “see that dog over there laying down next to the guy, that dog sings you know?’ Oscar quickly made one little howling sound and the dog started his operetta solo. We all broke out in laughter. That’s when I knew it was going to be alright.

Without missing a beat, I said to my papa, “you look like Uncle Fester from the Addams Family TV Show. All you need is a light bulb in your mouth.” Papa replied “ha-ha-ha you’re so funny.” I tried to get him to place a light bulb in his mouth and let me take a photo of him … that was a BIG NO!  I said, “you know papa there are many handsome men who were bald … actors Yule Brynner, Telly Savalas, just to name a few. Lets not forget Mike Meyers as the famous “Dr. Evil.”

You can’t help but place your pinky finger to your mouth and utter the line “One Million Dollars!”  I could have broke out into character from “The King and I” and repeated etc … etc … etc. Or a Kojak famous line “who loves ya baby?” But I held THAT back. The more famous bald men I pointed out the more I laughed. All the sudden I found the situation not as “doom and gloom” as perhaps I first anticipated. I looked at papa and said “you look pretty handsome, nice shaped melon.” The barber turned my dad’s chair around, so he could take a closer look at his new hair-do in the mirror … or lack of one! Papa replied “Oooh my God.”

I quickly pointed out to my papa he now has the chance to wear his beloved USC cap more often. I could not wait to get him home so mom could get a glance at her bald beauty. Mom saw us walking up the from the driveway. 

The door opened and mom broke out in a huge smile. Mom said “oh my you look so cute.” She immediately kissed his cheek. Mom admitted to being nervous about taking dad to have this done. But upon our arrival back home she felt relieved. My mom went to the bathroom to get some sunscreen for his head. She started smiling as she was rubbing his shiny little head with sunscreen; I knew then we were all OK. Funny, never in a million years did I ever think I would be taking my papa to have his head shaved due to chemotherapy treatment. Life is strange sometimes. I guess it is true what they say, who are “THEY” anyway?? Some of the hardest life experiences make for some of the best memories.” Remember Bald Is Beautiful!

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