Sarah and the Zs

David C. · July 15, 2007, 07:10:21 PM

Some of you long-timers on the WW board may remember the story of my niece Sarah and her first visit with Rudy five years ago. Sarah has Downs Syndrome. At the time it was complicated by infantile spasms, and she received a fairly grim assessment at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute in Baltimore earlier in the day. Rudy began to lick her face and you could literally see the light inside Sarah turn back on. It's not everyday you get to witness a miracle. It was Rudy's finest moment in his life. From that moment, Sarah began to progress. It's been a slow, hard road, but she continues to move forward.

Five years later, Rudy has gone on to the Bridge, but the Zs have picked up where he left off. It may not have had the miraculous overtones of the first visit with Rudy, but it certainly was no less joyous to Sarah. I present the following pictures.

Zeke: Is it okay for me to play with her?

Zeke: Okay, here goes...

Zeke: Okay, Zora, now it's your turn

Zora: Here I go!

Playing with little kids is hard work! Time for a well-deserved rest!

Doxherding Karen · July 15, 2007, 07:27:20 PM

Wow, looks like Sarah could use a Z of her own!

Almost Home is a good source.

Karen

doxielady5569128 · July 15, 2007, 08:10:41 PM

What great pictures! Sarah is such a beautiful young girl! I'm glad the Z's took to her.

DeeanDave · July 15, 2007, 10:15:47 PM

David, we remember the story of Sarah and Rudy ....... and the picture of the two. How wonderful that the Z's have taken "torch" that Rudy started with Sarah and continues to move forward!

Teresa · July 16, 2007, 05:09:26 AM

What great pictures. It is amazing how animals do so much healing, in so many situations. There is a group home here for abused kids that uses animal therapy. They have some amazing results.

Barb · July 16, 2007, 06:52:47 AM

You can see the joy in her face !!! One of my all time favorite pictures is your Rudy with Sarah.......

PattyInAK · July 16, 2007, 08:21:03 AM

Animals can touch kids in ways no human can. Great pictures!

David C. · July 16, 2007, 08:23:30 AM

Thanks Barb for posting the original picture. I was looking all over for it.

Unfortunately, Sarah's younger sister is afraid of dogs, so I don't see a Z of her own in the near future.

Jeri · July 16, 2007, 08:29:54 AM

She sure looks happy! I am so glad to see that Rudy's miracle continues. I hope Sarah has a dog of her own!

Ruth in MT · July 16, 2007, 08:32:41 AM

A joy shared is a joy doubled. Thanks for sharing.

Brekkesmom · July 16, 2007, 08:48:24 AM

How sweet! It is good to see the Z's following in Rudy's footsteps. I am charmed again with Sarah's interaction. The look on her face says it all.

Doxherding Karen · July 16, 2007, 09:47:25 AM

The younger sister has plenty of time to get over her fear. And maybe watching videos of Sarah with the Z's will help her see that dogies are a good thing. (Unless she decides that reciprocal tongue licking is eeewwwie!)

Dogs in nursing homes, dogs in prisons, dogs with handicapped - they more than pay their way in this world. What is that quote about judging mankind by the way it treats its animals, by Gandhi?

Karen

The Herd in full licking mode!

TerriL · July 16, 2007, 02:13:11 PM

I remember that! I do believe it was right after I found the board.
Big belly rubs to the z's! How wonderful for Sarah and for them. I'm sure that Rudy has his paw in this! :)

MyLittleBoo · July 17, 2007, 10:44:11 AM

:thumb: That is absolutely awesome.... Sarah is a beautiful girl.... Way to go Z's!!!! :thumb: