See Beautiful Friday/A letter about Bert

 You know, sometimes I look at Bert's

face and wonder.  "What Was I thinking"

 

But those thoughts are fleeting.

They come with a smile and a knowledge

that having him in my life has

been an adventure in living every day.

I'll try to tell you all this story without breaking

any of the HIPAA rules of disclosure.

 

Bert and I arrived at A Hospital for our

weekly visits.  We were greeted by staff

who informed us that there had been a shooting

involving gang members and that

there would be police throughout the hospital

intermixed with many many gang members.

 

We were told that if we were uncomfortable

with all of this that there would be no problem

if we went home and came again on another day.

 

Well Bert had no problem with it.  So off we went.

In truth the halls of the hospital were lined

with police and extra security.  There was concern

that if the person who got shot were to

die, that there may be some trouble.

 

Bert and I along with our Pet Partner Louise started

heading down the halls.  At the end of one of the

halls was a big conference room and as we

walked by it, Bert steered us into the room.

 

At first I was a little startled and maybe a

tiny bit concerned as I found myself in

the middle of a room full of gang members

and their families.  Big men in hoodies

with sullen faces lined the walls of the room.

 

It was silent and most eyes turned to look

steadily at these intruders.  Bert was unconcerned

as he made his way over to a group of women.

 

He sidled up to one of the women and bent his

head under her hand.  Louise and I stood there

not knowing what to do or say when finally

the woman reached down and grabbed Bert

around his neck and held him to her close.

 

Crying she held tightly to Bert for a while.

Then looked up at me and said that it

was wonderful that Bert was there.

(We later found that she was the mother

of the person who had been shot)

 

Bert then said a prayer for them which they asked 

to do twice and while I was saying goodbye

Bert left my side and made his way over

to a man who had been sitting

silently across from the woman.

 

He had his elbows on his knees and

his hands clasped together and was

very clearly "the Man"  

His head was down and you could

barely see his face under the hooded sweater

that was hanging loosely from him.

 

Bert went over to this man, slipped under

his hands between his legs and sat up

forcing his hands apart slightly.  I held my breath

because I knew in my heart that this

was a man who had spent his life

as a leader and was respected and feared

by his people because he never showed

emotion or let anything penetrate his public

persona.  And Yet this dog was

reaching into his inner space and demanding

something from him.

 

Everyone was still as they waited.

I feared for Bert's safety but felt compelled

to let this play out. 

 

After a moment this big man who

lived the kind of life I will never understand

softened his grip and began to gently caress

Bert's neck, then finally reaching down

with his head he hugged Bert and held

onto him as the mother did moments before.

 

"See Beautiful" came into my mind

in a huge banner across my heart. 

Hearts can be made tender even

when anger has built up so much

that it is about to explode. 

 

Yes, I sometimes wondered

"What have I done" when I brought

Bert home, but I can tell you now

that I was blessed beyond measure

the day he came into my life.

 

And he has allowed me to be a part

of his magic ever since.

The man who was shot has died and since that day

there have been several other shootings.

There is unrest in the city near where I live

there is anger and pain that will continue.

 

But for that short time, myself, Louise, a mother,

a gang leader and 60 other members all felt

the Tender moments brought about

by the spirit of a pure being that was placed

in my care five years ago.

 

Thank You Bert for allowing me

to experience Beauty with you.

 

Your Greatest Admirer

My Vickie