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!'

Morning Dew Sparkles and Roses Sept. 21, 2010

This will be a very long day. It is coming up six am, the house is very still. My kitty is sick and begging to be let outside, he is and has always been an outside wanderer from the very first day I rescued him from his little prison at the clinic. He's my long time buddy and I know he would go crazy if not allowed outside. I will keep a worried vigil at my back door until he returns.

It's dark outside, my days have become nights adjusting to the new medicine for Graves Disease.I am out of cigarettes. I will wait for the light and take a very early morning walk to the store that I am nervous about. Rosie will be with me. She will get me to the store and I can watch her happy trot at receiving such a gift as this early walk! She is watching me from the couch, attentive to my every mood and action, my loving friendly shadow.

Coffee is ready and I am going to need it because I have not slept yet. It is going to be a very long day. I can hear the world waking up outside. The odd car goes bye and I wish the morning light would hurry up! Another cup of coffee, (caffeine is kicking in!), a quick note to my son in case he wakes up, open bedroom window for my kitty, where is he anyway? Breakfast for my angel Rosie and let's get this very strange, disorientating walk over with so I can continue to write! I have not posted in SO long, the past few months have been very hard, so very sedated. Talk to you soon, wish us luck. I have missed you all very much!

8:00 AM
We are home! What an opposite world it is now than a few hours ago! Although, I feel very surreal because of no sleep . The 6 am java has worn off to a sickly feeling in my stomach. I cannot eat for hours after my thyroid pill, I must eat after my antidepressants, hence the feeling of nausea. Leeta kitty is home! Donny is still dreaming of Star Trek adventures, Goldie the fish dozing in his dark aquarium, all is how it should be.
Our trek in the twilight was eerie, deserted and filled with the sounds of silence. Lack of sleep had my senses in high alert and the sound of someone following us was, in reality, only the sound of a rock in my running shoe.

This is the time of evening's goodbye, when I always imagine I am the only person left in the world. The traffic lights change for empty roads.

 The park and the trees scurry to capture the dawn's first light and I wonder where all the people of earth have gone. When my head begins to devour my thoughts like this I know what to do. Rosie is my 'reality anchor'. I stop to hug her and notice morning's dewdrops sparkling on her nose, she makes me laugh!

We've made it to Safeway. This feat is a victory for me! My legs only became pillars of stone about the third block of this morning's journey, only a squeaking of sharp pain in my lower back. Last week my back would have been screaming. One step forward, two steps back. Recovery from thyroid ablation is very, very slow! My world became very small and thank God Rosie was in it.

 Since May when I was 'nuked' I have learned who are my true supporters and angels in my life. I have lost relationships and am a stronger, better person to myself for losing them. I have gained closer, wiser and more loving relationships with friends and family. I relish every second of life that Rosie and I spend with these miraculous people. Sharon, Ryan, Mel, Donna and my treasured sister, Tracy, I am sincerely in awe of the love and support from you these last few months.  Rosie and I love you so very much! Like the dew sparkles on Rosie's nose, you make my life sparkle. You make me smile and are there when when we really need someone. Thank you for being there to keep me strong and more importantly, for being there when we both became weak. Sparkle on dewdrops!

I was not the only one feeling pain this summer. My angel girl Rosie also endured pain after an attack and bite from another dog. She received a puncture wound at her joint and spent the afternoon and night in the veterinary clinic.When Rosie bled, my heart bled. She was sedated, sutured and on antibiotics for ten days.
 How my soul tried to be brave when the doctor took her away from me. I lost myself and the world literally began to spin out of control. If not for Sharon, Ryan and Mel, who stayed with me the entire night, I would have surely died inside.
 We picked up Rosie at 4:30 am. She was swaying back and forth, foggy eyed and wore the cone around her neck. To see her like that was so terribly wrong. Mel stayed with me into the next day and we took care of Rosie. We have been even closer since that excruciating night, I was able to give Rosie what she gives to me every day, love to heal and a hand, (paw), to hold when life hurts.

Rosie glowed with her constant charm on our trip this morning! The security guard outside of Safeway wanted to chat about Collies, barking dogs, and just about everything when he saw us. Rosie has this effect on people, and with her by my side, I forgot how tired I was.
We carried on after buying cigarettes and Leeta kitty food to avoid that look of disgust that Leeta gives me when he only has dry food! A short stop at the gas bar for Rosie's special cookie that they always have for her and we are finally headed home!
The sky was no longer grey and alien. It was blue!

 The sun began to shine and I felt that everyone I saw in this bright light must know that I had been up all night! I felt kinda messy! No one really knew, besides, they just wanted to smile at Rosie and wish us a cheery good morning. Rosie is always more than happy to wag her tail and wish everyone a good day!

This will not be a very long day! Thank you Rosie for showing me the way out of the dark and into the sunshine. I see the sparkling morning dew playing on your nose, you make me laugh, you give me life, my gentle loving rose.

 Rosie has confiscated my pillow and settled in for a well deserved snooze!

We love that you have shared these morning hours with us, thank you with hugs and tail wags! We have missed saying hello and sharing our days. Goodnight for a few hours, Rosie and I have much to do this afternoon! Before shutting your eyes tonight, Rosie would like you to say to yourself....

'Who I am Makes A Difference'