Please Note: The dog in the accompanying photograph is the subject of the story, but any persons shown are probably not those in the story.
My Tommy Trojan is only 10 pounds, and his real name is Thomas. I am humbled by him and his ability to bring comfort and joy to those in need. While visiting at Keck Hospital USC, we were reminded to visit patient John Doe. He was on the cardiac floor and he expressed that he really wanted a therapy dog visit.
So, off we went, two very new volunteers, with Love On 4 Paws. Tommy Trojan (AKA Thomas), and I went to the designated room. After our routine sanitizing protocol, I made a comment about the lovely USC heart pillow on the bed... and that is when John Doe began to share his story. While stroking and petting Thomas, he labored so sweetly to recount his health adventure from Las Vegas to Keck Hospital USC.
Evidently, the heart procedure performed in Las Vegas had led to complications that could only be addressed at Keck. So within a matter of hours he and his daughter were flown inside of a special transport tube directly to Keck Hospital USC. It was quite the ordeal. However, all of that wasn't nearly as important as his story about the Chihuahua he rescued (who lived a long happy life) and never barked for the first two weeks. But once his little Chihuahua barked, he roared like a lion. That little Chihuahua had a voice after all. We just stayed there to listen to John Doe share his "voice" of love and kindness for his Chihuahua.
Just when you think it's going to be just another day visiting, someone like John Doe drops into our lives. It makes me very proud of little Tommy Trojan. On this day, his heart was of a 125 pound Great Dane. We feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be part of Love On 4 Paws.
