Our North Star Visit ---- Amazing!

Well, we took a road trip to visit Patty and the North Star pups! It was better than I could have imagined.. Patty had a plan.. and, boy, did it play out perfectly. First, she brought out two of the girl pups.. Immediately, one of the pups went to Nikki. The pup was sitting by her. She was playful but sensed something about Nikki. Both were cute.. This pup, in particular, just hung out by her. We played for a while then Patty took the dogs back into the house. She returned with two of the boys. All the time, we could hear the other pup crying from inside the house. The boys were equally as cute. They were already in a sit/stay position. Again, we played. Patty returned them to the house and brought two others out. Without even knowing which two, one of the dogs went right to Nikki.. The original pup.. So, if anyone asks... we didn't choose a pup.. the pup chose us!

Peaks!

A very close friend and I have the analogy of peaks and valleys in our lives. There are often days when things just get too overwhelming. It could be the seizures, vomiting (from seizure meds), a new symptom and/or new doctor to chase down... We call these times valleys. Then there are the peaks!! We ended the week in a peak... It was the email from a mom with N***'s disorder. Her daughter is 32 years old... It was also another sweet note left on my blog with well wishes for us. It is amazing how many folks, friends and even strangers, share our joy of a dog! They humbly leave such sweet messages wishing us good experiences! They look forward to following our journey. Don't ever let anyone say that there are not good people in the world... Our North Star experience has proved otherwise!

I've attached a few new pictures as our dog is now one month old!! We are looking forward to our visit in April. An update on the pups can be found at: http://northstardogs.com/northstarnews.shtml

Good News!

From Patty Gross, North Star:
"I have wonderful news this morning! Rosie had eleven lovely and very healthy puppies over the weekend! All the puppies are thriving and Rosie is doing well nursing and caring for them!"

From Me, Anxious Mom:"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!"

Our "Trip"

When my daughter was diagnosed, almost 11 years ago (wow), a well meaning friend sent me “Welcome to Holland” poem from Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul. I am sure that all special needs parents have read it at some time in their child’s life. For those that aren’t familiar with it, it metaphorically compares being a special needs parent to planning a trip to fabulous Italy and ending up in Holland. It explains that, for the unexpected trip to Holland, you need to “buy new guidebooks”, “learn a new language” and “you will meet a whole new group of people you would have never met”. So, my time in “Holland” isn’t so bad. It has brought such a different perspective on life. I have a genuine appreciation of everything... even the simple things. (A day without seizures really ranks!) We are so lucky... Grant it, it’s not always easy…. I’m still looking for the perfect guidebook. But, hey it’s a trip and this “whole new group of people” I now call friends!!

So, now we are on a planned trip… The North Star Express!! I can’t explain to you the feeling that I have right now… It’s like looking forward to a Disney vacation… Disney is a lot of work especially with three kids but it is so much fun… I now have my own metaphor… and, more importantly, I have the feeling that I can’t go wrong with a Disney trip or our North Star dog!

A New Journey

Our eldest daughter, age 10, is a sweet, happy, alert little girl who loves dogs. She also has a neurological disorder that has left her without speech, non-ambulatory, and daily seizures. How do we know that she loves dogs when she hasn't been able to tell us? Well, you can see it in her eyes. She lights up with such joy.

We had been on a quest to get her dog. A loyal companion... A friend that she couldn't make on her own. Through much research, we found North Star. In speaking with Patty, North Star's founder, she really understood our needs. I was so impressed with the fundamentals of North Star... the 'big' picture. I heard compassion in her voice and hope in her words.

We knew in our hearts that North Star was the place for us. I had forwarded the information to a friend to get his opinion. We never imagined what would take place next. A group of dear, dear friends decided to sponsor the dog for our daughter. We are truly overwhelmed by their love, generosity and compassion. Honestly, I don't know what excites us more: knowing that we are getting a special friend for our daughter or that we have such dear friends rallying around us. On our darkest days, we will remember Patty's email to us confirming that we were on the list for a "Rosie puppy".

We are so excited.... Thank you North Star… Thank you dear, dear friends!!!!!