Photo by Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe"
Phillip, 73 years old, and Ava, six years old, are superb athletes who make a great work team caring for others.

Phillip and Ava are as inseparable as super and glue! It is incredible that they are family because they were born on different continents: Ava in Eastern Europe and Phillip in South Korea.

When Philip’s daughter was given Ava, she was not home enough to give the dog the care she deserved.  So like many pets, the parent inherits it. It all worked out for the best because Ava and Phillip belong to the mutual appreciation club. Ava loves and is dedicated to Phillip, and so is Phillip to Ava.

“Ava is a Pit Bull/Whippet combination,” said Phillip, “making her uniquely beautiful, highly-intelligent, and an amazing runner.”

 

Phillip and Ava are exceptional athletes. You may see their team of two jogging three miles a day or tossing and chasing balls in the park. 

Both love swimming.  Phillip was raised by the ocean and is a good swimmer which evolved into his becoming a frogman for the South Korean military, a stunt diver who could dive from 10 meters into a swimming pool, and a sky diver! 

Ava loves the water too, but she prefers chasing balls or riding in one of the cars that Philip redesigned for her comfort rather than jumping from a purr-fectly good airplane.

“Ava has a rock fetish. When I throw a tennis ball or rock off one off one of the boat ramps,” said Phillip, “she always chooses the rock and dives off and swims down to retrieve it.  We begin our days at 5 A.M. with meditation, then at day break we head to both parks in town for our jogging and ball chasing exercise. When you have a highly active dog, it is important to honor it, and this way we are exercise partners who keep each other healthy.”

Phillip has altered his two vehicles to fit Ava's needs.  He took the back seat out of his Cadillac and van and put in Diva seats for Ava. Being a retired contractor, it was easy.  He placed a huge piece of plywood down, then a large foam cushion for her to sleep on. Her “car beds” are the paw-fect height so she can see out the windows and large enough to snooze on.  Phillip also included a separate area for Ava’s water and food.

“Ava is such a Princess, she paw-furs riding in our Cadillac over the van,” laughs Phillip.

I am grateful to be a U.S. citizen and I don’t like being bored,” admits Phillip. “I am 73 and  wanted a line of work that was less stressful than construction, jumping out of planes, teaching karate, etc. I wanted to give back to others, so I become a certified care giver. Only two out of ten in our class passed and I scored 92%!

Ava did not attend school with me but she helps give to the most vulnerable amongst us.  I love that I can take her to work.  Some clients have dogs who are as happy to have her company as the clients are.  Ava is gentle with the nursing patients. She was born for this work.  I have always talked a lot to her, just like you would a best friend, and she lets me know what she is thinking with her expressions of understanding. Having her help with home care adds to the healing and therapeutic work for my clients.

Ava is a very special friend who keeps my confidence and listens patiently.  She makes me happy, her companionship is a joy and like having a child she keeps me busy taking care of her.  Her “presents” never allows depression to set in because I have to get up for her, feed her, walk her and care for her.  Her happy spirit is my reward and motivation.

I am grateful every day to be an American, have my freedom, be healthy and helping others...with my dog at my side.”

“Having a dog is a responsibility,” said Phillip, “and it is cheaper to invest in their health. You must exercise them for their energy level. I check Ava’s nose to monitor how she is feeling.  I detect her body temperature from the area of her nose.  If her nose is cold then her circulation is down, a warm nose is good, but not hot.  A moist nose is healthy, and a dry one shows a dehydrated system.  

I check her poop too. It is a tell-tail sign of her digestive system and level of health.  If your dog, or you, are not digesting the result is a loss of energy and health.  What we, and they, put in our bodies is important.  All food creates our blood systems, good or bad. Invest in yourself and your pet wisely.”

“Animal studies have repeatedly shown that food-grade carrageenan causes gastrointestinal inflammation and cancer at lower doses than the average daily intake. Given the high rates of colon cancer in both dogs and cats, I highly recommend removing carrageenan from your pet’s diet.“ Michael Dym, DVM
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cancer-causing-carrageenan/

“I read the above and stopped eating yogurt that has carrageenan,” admits Angel Scribe.

Disclaimer: This article, based on personal experience, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to prescribe, treat, diagnose or cure.   Always consult your Veterinarian.

Mary Ellen's Silver Persians swam their way into readers and viewer's hearts! They have appeared in International magazines and newspapers around the world. (France, England, Canada, China, Germany, USA, etc.)

Also, several National and International TV shows featured the swimming felines teaching pet-water-safety. And their furry faces appeared on a line of shirts.