Miss Lyla visiting her BFF at a recent Bookworm Gardens Event
Miss Lyla will be three in January. She has known Frankie her whole life! Lyla’s mom Julie, is someone who came into my life because of my work with Frankie. She is an elementary teacher and one of the first teachers to book me for a Frankie presentation in her classroom. We were destined to be friends from the first day we met…
Julie saw in Frankie a therapy dog, which had been a dream of mine to have a therapy dog. She calmed my fears that just because Frankie was in a wheelchair didn’t mean she couldn’t pass the test to become certified. At the time she was a tester for Therapy Dogs Incorporated and worked with us so we could become a team, which happened in 2008. I’ll always be grateful to Julie for her belief in us.
In return Julie was able to take her mind off her disappointment of not having a baby for seven years. She had resolved herself to the fact that she may never have children, though this was hard for her. Frankie and I worked with Julie, visiting a nearby nursing home, to earn our certification, throughout the summer of 2008.
On our last visit to the nursing home, which was also our “graduation” day I noticed something different about Julie. With a glowing smile she said, “I’m pregnant.” What a gift to share in that moment with her. It only made our friendship even more special.
Julie’s beautiful daughter, Lyla was born in January of 2009. I dedicated one of the characters in Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House as Lyla, as well as Julie is featured in the book when we are going through the training process.
As Lyla has gotten older she has become good friends with Frankie. Today, Julie and I had lunch in my kitchen and Lyla got to visit with her BFF. Lyla told me that she likes it when Frankie smells her ears. 🙂
Every time Frankie makes a connection with a child it warms my heart to know she could be a part of their lives… but it is especially endearing and special because of the connection we all share together.
Miss Lyla and Miss Frankie hanging together at a recent Bookworm Gardens Event