Later the same day, Gayle writes: This has been the best delivery so far. Jakki Lamb was so excited, she was waiting outside her complex for us and walked, rapidly, towards us once we got out of our car. She said, "This has been the longest week of waiting" for her. Some of her friends want to have a shower for her! Once inside, while waiting for the elevator, everyone coming off, going on and approaching the area in general were oohing and ahing and making over Loretta. Jakki was very proud to make sure everyone knew she had just arrived, but also very anxious to get to the apartment so she could love her new pet. While Jakki & I were taking care of instructions & paperwork, Bob put Loretta into Paul's lap. We could not believe it when he said, "Oh, I can't hold her until Jakki teaches me how; I have never held a dog before." WHAT? Bob placed Loretta in his lap and told him how to hold & stroke her. About five seconds later he decided, "This is really all right; I'm really going to like this little girl." You can see from the picture she made a huge impression. Shell had put together a photo album for Jakki & Paul, so as we were ready to leave, Jakki stayed put with Loretta and Paul walked us out, commenting twice, what a wonderful thing this is, what we do. Thank you so much, we really appreciate it. I do believe CRUSA and this little girl will make a huge difference in this couple's life. She will be SO loved & cared for. Friends in the complex have already come forward to babysit, help walk, hold, whatever Loretta needs. But I am thinking Jakki is going to hold onto her real tight. She was in heaven when we left. What a great day. Once again, makes all the hours so worth it. Jakki & Paul do not have a camera or internet access, so these may be the last pictures we will have of Loretta. However, Gayle is keeping up-to-date on Loretta's progress by phone. Here is her latest report, from Friday, 18 April: Living the "Life of Riley!" That is what Jakki Lamb told me this morning when I called to check in. Hence, the new name . . . REILLY. Talked to Paul first, the man who had never held a dog. I asked him if he was in love with Reilly yet; his reply: "Oh yes, who wouldn't love this little dog." Gave me goose bumps to talk to a person who was not interested in dogs and now can't imagine life without her. Jakki is so thrilled: "You've made our lives complete." Reilly is doing perfectly; no barking, no messes, doing exactly what we needed her to do in this retirement setting. Jakki is being swarmed by the residents whenever they leave their apartment and getting calls to bring Reilly around so people can visit with her. WOW!

HERE IN THIS HOUSE Here in this house . . . I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'. I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat. I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat. I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose. My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted. Here in this house . . . There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many. My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it! Here in this house . . . I will never be a substitute for anything I am not. I will never be used to improve peoplešs images of themselves. I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be. I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all. If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame. Here in this house . . . I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch . . . knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be cheered. No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be of value. I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough. My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought. I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs. Here in this house . . . I will belong. I will be home. -- Author Unknown

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