ROSIE THE RADIO STAR!!! APRIL 2011

WOOF! HAPPY TAIL WAGS!


We have been busy! I would love for you to take a walk with me, today was warm and I helped Mom take Donny to the dentist. Donny, my youngest pack member is VERY afraid of the dentist. Now he has a wonderful dentist and with Mom and I there he did GREAT!  Proud of you Donny! 

Sunday, I was so excited! West Coast Assistance Teams arranged an interview for Mom and I with BCIT Broadcast Journalism students, Sarah Massah and Jessica Rivers.  The interview was for the BCIT radio station, Evolution 107.9 and will be airing this summer. Sarah and Jessica wanted to know all about how I help Mom with her disability and how her life is enriched because of wonderful me! Mom and I were very impressed with Sarah and Jessica's professional manner, organized questions and calming presence.  I think they will both become successful journalists in the future, all the best Sarah and Jessica! Thank you for your sincere interest in psychiatric assistance dogs and West Coast Assistance Teams, you are welcome at our home anytime!

My KITTY member of my pack, (yes, I adore him too!), became very ill recently and Mom thought we were going to have to say goodbye.  It just wouldn't be the same without Leeta meowing me off the bed every night!  Somehow, (I said a little prayer), he pulled through for one of his endless lives and I can chase him again through the house! Love you Leeta!

'Fortes Deus beatos efficiat'


'May God Bless the Brave Ones'

Welcome my friends and loved ones to a land my paws gently and cautiously walked upon.  Vancouver, East Side.  Seven pm on a Monday night. 

My beloved pack seemed to be aware of a movie they were watching outside of the window, all were in good spirits and yet a gnawing aura of detachment was present.  I had a feeling my Mom wanted to lock the car door, and yet she was content.  My pack chatted but became increasingly confident in the warm atmosphere INSIDE our magical moving space.  I looked up to Mom, she was intrigued looking outside, yet out of her comfort space, all my pack was.  My youngest pack member, Donny was afraid. I gave Donny a look of gratitude for his fear, and let the other pack members continue with their understandable human layers of this and that.  

Mom gave me dinner from the magical thing that moves when it stopped, and I was thirsty! I was not hungry then, I am now! Mel leaned over for a loving pat, 'Hey Mel, thanks! I love you too!' My most beloved humans, I feel you are so passionate and present at the reality outside the window.  The movie rolls on for them, strange.  I treasure their layers of this and that!

I smell scents of damp cement, human sadness, old sweat and old clothes.  I smell the ocean.

I smell very old bricks and ancient ghosts. I strain to smell grass and the sky has gotten smaller.  The door we try to enter is locked, and there is a fleeting sense of hidden panic from Mom, very strange indeed! I resign myself to the fact that there is no scent of grass to leave my..ahem..mark upon and concentrate on being lovingly by Mom's side....

Downtown, East Side..Co op Radio.  West Coast Assistance Team's live, (yes, LIVE), radio interview! WOO HOO! All the human emotions layers of this and that gave way to a little nervousness and true woofing excitement! Mom soaked in the character of this historic brick building with love and remembering, she was loving the present! Ryan and Donny were off to explore, drive and take pictures. My Mom, Sharon and Matt, (he is one in a million!) prepared for our interview.  Thank you Ryan for touring Donny around Vancouver, his photography passion was in full bloom! Mom tells me you and Sharon are family, I knew that of course..big loving woof!

(Outstanding photo's courtesy of Donny Bazinet, Professional Photographer Entrepreneur!)


I breathed in the warm flowing wave of  smells; the loft and studios, the passion of the people, the headphones, wires, countless voices, humming radio hopes and opinions, I love this place.  Mom is giddy. Mom is CONFIDENT! well....until the Mic goes live..woof! 

Content under the table of microphones and 'on air' lights, my heart glowing for Mom, I let out a sigh, (those that know me, heard it on the live broadcast!) 

Outside the lonely cry, the desperate seek relief from devastating pain, drug deals are inches away and the homeless huddle as they have for lifetimes. The mentally ill wander the streets in clothes worn forever, their hair wild and untamed.  The derelict dark alleys blanket needles, despair and are dungeons for the dammed. 

We are not as far away as if we are watching a movie.  There is a very fine line between us. The personality and ancient, familiar hold of the east side stays with you, it makes a home in your soul, we have all been there. To have the opportunity to speak about mental illness this evening was something my Mom will never forget and is one of the most important evenings of her life, I know this.  She carries a piece of the east side with her now, not in sorrow or disgust but with respect and hope. 

We left Co op Radio and opened the door outside to Donny and Ryan running towards us with pens and paper in hand. 'Can we have your autograph!' they yelled! Woof! well..of course! Woof! WOOF!

 We left the East Side in search of 'donuts', (a human treat, makes my pack AWAKE and ALERT, how charming!) We left knowing in all of our hearts that, everyone, everywhere knows..

'Who I am makes a Difference'


These puppy paws are pooped! Sweet dreams my friends..zzzzzzzz woof..zzzzzzzz..woof........zzzzzzz...Love always..zzzzzzzz
Rosie

Out of the Dark and Into the Miracle of LIFE! Bundles of Innocence and Hope

New beginnings, new life. Sweetness and innocence that reminds us of pure love and heals hearts.  These are Cherfire puppies, where my angel Rosie originally came from.  I hope these pictures make you feel as warm and fuzzy as I did. Love you little angels, thank you Cheryl for the pics and for bringing joy to my heart.

Rosie would also like to post a link to a very important article concerning puppy raising for her beloved West Coast Assistance Teams. Please read and if you have the means play a loving part in helping someone in need    contact Sharon and Ryan.  

http://www.burnabynow.com/news/Volunteers+needed+raise+pups+Burnaby+charity/4484970/story.html

click on this wonderful article to learn more about puppy raising these little angels.

Much Love, Hugs and Woofs to you all my friends,

'Who you are Makes a Difference'

in every way, you matter to me, just the way you are.

A Memorial for the100 Slaughtered Sled Dogs in Whistler BC

Footprints In The Snow

Rosie's Song of Love for Her Husky Sled Dogs at the Rainbow Bridge

I needed to post about the sled dogs that were killed in Whistler last April. Mom is heartbroken. Mom cries many tears about the innocent. I am a service dog dedicated with my very life to serve my Mom. The slaughtered sled dogs only wanted to serve, they were born to run. All they had in their hearts was to run for their mushers, to please them. That is all they wanted.
I have attached a photo of my very best friend, Kessa. She is a husky and when I play with her I feel her sorrow. We know the brutal suffering in this world, we feel it. My tail is down, as is my friends because we don't understand what these sled dogs did to deserve such a brutal, cold death.

At the rainbow bridge their tails are wagging, even for the person who has so cruelly put them to death. That is what we do, love unconditionally. 

For my friend Kessa and all animals who are tortured and made to suffer unspeakable pain please post 'howl' on April 23 on facebook or attend a vigil posted on my Mom's facebook page, Leanne Bazinet. She shares information about walks, petitions, positive steps that bring love to this world.
We were put on this world to show you love, please don't end our lives without realizing that we feel the pain. The hurt is unbearable.

With all my love especially to those who suffer, bleed and cry. Know that I am here to comfort and make changes for you, know that your cruel death is never forgotten. I cannot bring you back or look in awe as you run and serve your masters, and that makes my heart so very sad. I can post this blog and pray with my paws that you will make a difference.
Now more than ever before,
'You can make a difference'
I love you and will serve my mom till my spirit no longer allows. These dogs and so many souls full of love have had their spirit put to death in ways no living being should ever endure. I keep my tail down in honour of fellow service angels, no matter what their service may be. It is a very, very sad time in our world and hard for my Mom to have any faith in the human race. 

This post is the cold hard truth, our world is insanely cruel to those that we serve. I, like my Mom wish we could no longer be a part of this world today, this world that can skin alive dogs and cats and fry them for waiting customers. This world that rips apart live dogs in front of buyers, and no one hears them cry, no one cares. 

The images following are disturbing, they are real. These animals suffer by the hundreds every single day. It is hard to look at these pictures, it is unforgivable to not care.

Our world is a dark, evil place and as the wind blows tonight I don't want to be here anymore. Mom is not religious, being brought up Roman Catholic. She knows of the abuse of this 'religion'. With the recent earthquakes in Japan and the recent bloodthirsty, cold, heartless murders of our innocents in our world, the animals...she is not only ashamed to be Canadian but knows the suffering must end. She is angered at the happiness she felt at the Olympics as we now know, and let us not deny, it was all for money and blood was shed. Not the blood of our human race but the blood of our innocent animals.When OUR world has come to this, I don't care if it ends.
Our human race has choices, we have failed.

 Not all my posts will be joyful or bright, news of depression leaving my soul. This post is of a very dark time in my life, the suffering and pain of my beloved animals has ripped my heart apart. My depression is with me full force, I am consumed with a horror the blackens every day.
When I look into the face of my service dog and best friend Rosie, I feel this world is not worthy of her dedication and love. I will love her will all my heart, endlessly.

The paw prints in the snow are bloodied, we should be ashamed. The slaughter of the innocent continue, by the thousands, every single day. 
Rosie wags her tail and looks at me with pure trust and love, the wind blows and I shed tears of pure sorrow at what our world has become.

Paw Prints In The Snow

One night I dreamed I was running along the path of snow
with my guardian angel from the rainbow bridge
Many scenes from my life flashed across the grey cold sky
In each scene I noticed paw prints in the snow

Sometimes I noticed two sets of paw prints in the snow, sometimes only one

I howled because when I felt pain or loneliness, I could only see

one set of paw prints

At my darkest hour I asked my guardian angel

why have you deserted me when I needed you most?

My innocent soul, he replied through the falling snow

It was in your darkest hour I carried you with love

to the Rainbow Bridge

A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM GLOBAL TV AND WEST COAST ASSISTANCE TEAMS Jan. 2011

A VERY SPECIAL POST FROM ROSIE

WITH ALL HER LOVE!

Happiest Woofs my special friends and family! I have such exciting news for the new year, ( I can hardly contain my paws!) Global TV invited West Coast Assistance Teams to tape a segment for television with their service dog psychiatric teams.  I must tell you how wonderful it was to show off my Mom, Donny and our very best new friends, Sage and Sue! Thank you Mel for being you.  Your sparkling smile and never ending ability to always be there to help warms my heart.  You are my friend when I am down, up, happy, sad, you mean the world to me.

West Coast's office in Burnaby welcomes clients with a warm and caring atmosphere. You will not find any other organization that will treat you like family, and be sincerely aware of your personal needs regarding a therapy or service dog. 

Lynn Colliar from Global TV and her camera man Carl joined us at the West Coast office in Burnaby to interview  Sue Specht, her miraculous service dog, Sage and my Mom and I!!  Sharon was interviewed with 'Ellie', a West Coast puppy in training to demonstrate how the puppies begin their journey and training with West Coast Assistance Teams. We shared personal, touching stories of how our lives have been enriched with the loyal support, love and independence that our service dogs enable us to enjoy.  We now have the ability to take part in life,  whereas before we suffered the nightmare of our debilitating disease that would paralyze us inside our homes and mental terror.

 Our sincere and only wish is that someone out there,  somewhere,  who is suffering the dark despair of a mental disability may feel hope after seeing our story.

I am always here for you, your friend Rosie! See how pretty I look for the camera! Lynn and Carl from Global TV made us all so comfortable and there was laughter, fun and tender tears during our taping session.  I felt  right at home and so did all the members of my West Coast Family. 

Very special thanks and hugs to Carl for showing Donny the camera and making us all feel like we were at a warm family gathering! Donny was thrilled with the attention Carl showed him and the attentive time he took to teach  him about the television camera.  A future television camera man is in the making!

 Sage and his owner Sue traveled by bus, from Vernon,  to the lower mainland for this very special taping.  They did this to reach out to you.  This was no easy task for this very special team.  Sue was previously not able to even go out on her balcony. For this team to travel so far by bus is nothing short of a miracle! I am SO PROUD of them!  We were nervous when the interview's began, (it is television!) Lynn is the sweetest person and put us at ease in moments.  It is extremely difficult to remember traumatic moments that trigger pain. Lynn took the time to understand, she has that way about her. I will never forget her kindness and empathy towards our very sensitive and emotional interview.  Lynn wanted to help others as we did, her smile and tender soul will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Off to the Sky train we went after taping the interviews at  West Coast Assistance Team's office in Burnaby. A short stroll to the station and a very special first trip for Sue and Sage to Metrotown Station! Their first trip on the sky train~ They did wonderful!! Carl was taping with Ryan showing us the way and we had permanent smiles the whole trip!! (Stay tuned to Global TV for our sky train journey!). The whole trip took maybe twenty minutes, a small moment in time to other passengers but a miracle to people like us, or maybe you, that would be terrified to embark on such a journey.  

 A trip like this may have put Sue in a major panick attack. I know Sue was battling her disease the entire time but Sage was their to help her cope and her bravery emerged with Sage by her side. 

Sue, Sage, Mom and I returned to the West Coast Office victorious!! We all enjoyed a well deserved rest and settled for a relaxing snooze before going home.

Delhi and Shonna joined us for a visit after the taping. They are a wonderful team! How nice to enjoy a comfortable snooze with beloved friends!

Delhi is the sweetest dog I know and her owner Shonna is a wonderful person. We had a great visit with them and enjoyed the companionship of West Coast's dedicated Teams.

  

 Miracles CAN happen with these amazing service dogs. Rosie and I experience these miracles every day.  This was a very special day when we could share with the world how our very special service dogs can give independence to the mentally disabled.  No longer do I fear the dark, my Rosie awakens me with the light of her kisses and joy of her soul. The comfort and ease in her eyes makes my world calm and serene. Her ever constant presence is my fluffy pillow where I can put my mind to rest.

I have had the greatest gift of Sue and Sage who have been staying at my house.  We have shared many horrible memories but also the understanding of our disability.  I now know I am not alone and with our loving dogs by our side we are conquering every abusive memory we share. It is so incredible, and hard to describe but we may be discussing horrendous abuse at one moment and then hugging our dogs and going for a walk the next.

 We are brave souls and our dogs give us the unconditional love, calmness and peace that medicines cannot.  We still need our pills to stay stable but the stability and independence our service dogs give us is beyond any therapy, they are our life and we live through them. I will NEVER forget this healing experience. The love, support, friendship and unique understanding of Sue and Sage staying at my house. I do not have to explain anything to them, they know.  We can live our lives with our dogs, we can make it. 

We want you to know this hope and love.

A few photo's of our very special day with Lynn, Carl and Global TV.  I could not imagine a more relaxing, fun, caring and dedicated day to help people that suffer from a mental disability. The warmth and respect for those like myself that need to reach out to others and let them know they are NOT alone was evident and tenderly foremost to all involved.  

These very special photographs courtesy of Ryan Hill. His professional and heartwarming photo's are extremely appreciated by Rosie and I for her blog.  Thank you Ryan for your wonderful pictures of West Coast Assistance Teams day with Global TV. You capture the love and spirit of our happiness. You also capture the souls and unconditional love of our service dogs. 

My Mom would like to express her love for Sharon for her endless dedication, hard work and open heart towards her when she feels sad or overwhelmed. Sharon's hugs understand the pain and she dedicates her life to soften that pain for us and many other people, everywhere. Thank you Sharon, you are my mentor and the most giving person I have ever met, I love you very much.

Today Lynn and her camera man Sergio returned to my house for some final shots that will be on Global TV! We all again felt the warmth of her smile and tender ways, she is a very special person and I will admire her always. I am going to miss my new buddy Sage and Mom will miss her new friend Sue as they are returning to Vernon in a few days.  The world awaits us and I know with me by Mom's side we will be able to visit them this summer. Adventures await us, life is a highway that we now travel.  For everyone that shared love, laughter, tears and heart warming personal moments this very special week, puppy love and tail wags!

We sang 'Life is a Highway' on the way home that day, what a fitting song! Time to relax and have some fun with my friend Sue, who knows me like no one else ever will.  Sue, I love you so very much and Sage brings brings me out of the darkness with true laughter from my very soul! 

  There is a light in that dungeon of darkness, there is a key to unlock the chains of mental pain.  See us and see hope, we may never be free of our demons but their are angels that let you live life.

Much Love, life and especially from Rosie...

'Who You Are Makes a Difference'

WARMEST WISHES FOR A VERY ROSIE CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY 2011!

Hello loved friends and cherished family. I cannot believe another year is coming to an end! I've missed you all and now that Donny is on Christmas Break will have time to write over the holidays, I promise! Rosie has been my saving Angel more than ever since the summer and has been there for Donny and I through pain and joy. Rosie has gone to bed, it's after midnight and I'm so very tired. Sweet Dreams everyone, be good for Santa, I will be talking to you very soon to share Christmas adventures and much love!
Hugs and Woofs
Leanne and Rosie

It's October! Warm and Fuzzy... Oct.2, 2010

Hi everyone..biggest Woof! Rosie here with my winter coat keeping me all warm and fuzzy.  Not that I need it! It has been downright BALMY here on the West Coast! I must BRAG!! Mom is walking again! Not just to the park but to Safeway and beyond. She's coming back to life. I am so proud of her, the pain is less every day and I can feel the 'bounce' coming back in her step!
Oh, how much I love my Mom!
I know her road to recovery is not over, she will be battling Graves disease all her life, but the worst is over and I can't wait to be back with my West Coast Assistance friends!

This blog is about support and love. I need to woof you about some very special furry friends, (and human ones of course!), that have made it possible for Mom to make it through this last summer. The love of my life besides my Mom is Donny. He makes Mom laugh, cry, get frustrated and well...live her life! He is number one in my pack and I love to cuddle up with him on the couch!! Mom's reason for living, (beside's me of course!) is her son, Donny. He is a giggler! I love that he is mine!

There is one other furry little one who completes my family pack, Leeta. YES, HE'S A KITTY!..woof!
I love him all the same. When he jumps on Mom's bed, no matter how comfy I am, I pay him respect and get off the bed..jeez! I always sneak back on there later in the night! Leeta is not feeling so good lately, I know Mom is worried. I know everything about my small, loving, warm and fuzzy pack. We are very, very close.

My Mom has a twin sister! I see my Mom light up whenever she phones. This is another MOST special person that has helped Mom through this most painful summer. I get VERY excited..**WAGGING TAIL**, when Mom would pack up and say, 'Rosie, would you like to go see Kessa?'
Kessa is my very best friend! At first she scared me, (she is part wolf you know!), but soon, after my most polite manners, she became my best buddy! Tracy and Kessa were there all summer for Mom. Every day!

Kessa and I are waiting for a treat!! We spent many days at my Auntie's Tracy's this summer and she cared about Mom every second of every day. We went to the hospital with Auntie Tracy, went shopping with her, she filled every day of Mom's most ill times. What a loving pack I have!



My Auntie Tracy, Auntie Donna and my Donny, the most loving people to my Mom and Me. Mom thinks she did not do much this summer because of her illness but I know she did! She loved her family and family, (my beloved pack), loved her right back!!

There are SO many more fuzzy warm souls that made this summer one to always remember. When I was broken and at the hospital, without my Mom, there was a very special little soul who made my Mom laugh. I want to say thank you to Ellie. She is one of West Coast Assistance Teams pups in training. Ellie loved my Mom like only a puppy can and I would like to say, 'Big, wagging tail, Ellie and big kisses!'.

Bad things happened this summer, sickness, injury, and isolation due to pain. You know? This could of been the summer of total breakdown for us! I would NEVER let this happen! Neither would Sharon and Ryan, who are there for us in a second! When I was attacked and had to be in the hospital and away from my Mom, they were there. They were there all night long! Their are no words for them but angels. They brought Mom and I together, they save lives. I hope they know how much we love and respect them. I hate to think of Mom that night without me, and she doesn't like to remember being at the hospital when they took me away.
Without Sharon, Ryan and Mel, she would have surely fallen down that black hole.West Coast Assistance Teams, I love you so much!!

Mom couldn't walk much this summer. She found comfort on line with Sharon and Ryan, always there if she needed anything. Mel is always there too, and she LOVES to brush me! Thanks Mel! When Mom could not walk, we cuddled up and read those great books you brought, very quiet special times.
There is a member of West Coast Teams that I must make special mention of! This is Sue and her service dog Sage. I can't wait to meet Sage!!! Mom and Sue type away for hours to each other and have since they first met online! I hear her giggle and laugh, and there she goes again! I know these two have a very special, loving relationship and want to thank them for being there for Mom.

West Coast Teams are special indeed!  They are 'gifts' of life. They heal, comfort and make you smile. I am a very proud member of this family. Mom has never in her life had this kind of infinite support and love. Without all of your love, (and me!), she would have shriveled and died this summer. It was rough. What enabled my treasured little pack to love and laugh through this last summer? You all did, thank you from the bottom of my puppy heart! 

Love you all so much my friends! Looking forward to a fabulous fall and life with Mom!

This post is for all of you, and your endless support.

'Who I am Makes a Difference!'