MINIATURE BULL TERRIER

Mortica loves the elderly and infirm patients, she will touch your heart just as she touches those she visits. A Mini-Bull Terrier, which in itself brings a smile, there's something else about Morticia...

MORTICIA, A THERAPY DOG'S STORY

by Denny

Some dog owners believe the spirit of their beloved animal returns as another dog. I am living proof of this.

My name is Morticia, and here's my story.

Despite my slightly scary name, people say I'm an Angel. Really! I came here to do a very important job. Its part of a promise I made.

In my first life, I was a Chocolate Labrador. My human Mom was so heartbroken when I went to Heaven, she couldn't even look at another Retriever for years. So my Creator sent me back, this time as a little black Mini-Bull Terrier!

You see, The Creator knew Mom loved Bull Terriers. She’s had a Standard Bullie for years. "Auntie Frightful," was the first to achieve the Rally Excellent obedience title and got her CD degree with a 190!

So I came back as a Miniature Bull Terrier - and there’s a reason why I’m so small and well, cuddly.

But wait, let me explain. When I was a Labrador and lay quietly dying in my human Mom's arms, she cried and stoked my soft brown ears, she told me I had been the very best dog ever and she said if I could just come back, we would hike and play and laugh together again.

I don't think she heard me, but with all my heart, I told her I loved her, and promised I'd be back again.

Ten years later, I was born to Fran Milteer of VIP Mini Bulls. I didn’t know it but The Creator had everything arranged, and all the people and circumstances were in place.

It didn’t take long for human mom to find me. At the Santa Barbara dog show she spotted me in an X-pen. Me! She didn't even notice my beautiful sisters in the X-pen with me. No, she came straight to me, picked me up and looked into my "mini-bull face" a long time.

Softly she whispered, "I know you. I've waited a long, long time for you to come back to me. And you did."

A bundle of happiness, I snuggled my nose under Mom’s chin. It was quite a moment. Fran saw all this and tearfully said "that puppy belongs to you."

I listened as Mom, who had surgery pending, told Fran she couldn’t afford to buy me just then. They talked some more. I held my breath and kept looking at Fran with pleading, puppy-dog eyes, until she finally said she would work something out. Mom held me one more time, then left.

That night my mom couldn't sleep at all. The next day she and Fran talked and Mom (who is a Clicker dog trainer) agreed to help train my dad, "Ch. Tecuya's Talking Tough" in exchange for me. It would mean several weekends of ring training, but this enabled Fran to handle my boisterous dad in the show ring and I was finally reunited with my human mom!

Now that you know my life history, (both of them) I can tell you about my new job. My Mom has worked in the Santa Maria Care Center, a skilled nursing facility, for almost 20 years. She deeply loves her job as Social Service Director.

I am her Jr. Assistant Therapy dog! I do tricks during our daily room visits and try to make everyone feel happy and cared about.

In preparation for my work here, I was given a glimpse into the heart of humankind. All people yearn to be loved. They go to great lengths to prove themselves worthy of love when really, it is all around them.

My job here is to help sad, lonely and scared humans see that. When I spot one of "my" residents, my eyes sparkle, my ears wiggle back and forth in excitement, and my little black tail whips wildly with excitement!

They can FEEL the love I'm sending them, and they give it back to me! I get laughter and hugs and neck scratches. I not only give them love, but I keep alive their ability to return love.

I can feel their sorrow lift, their tired eyes light up, as I flip over and wriggle for a belly rub -- or steal a quick kiss they didn’t expect to give.

Most of my friends in the Care Center are very old and their bodies are almost exhausted ...and, well, they're dying. But as long as they can laugh and love, they are as vital as ever, even if for only an hour.

I always want to tell them not to be afraid, that the really great LOVE is just ahead, on the Other Side, but I guess that's for them to find out when they meet the Creator!

So that is why I’m here. Bully kisses to all.

Morticia.

P.S. Mom knows what’s in my heart so she helped me write this.