Two nights ago, I received email from Jill. She was concerned that her mother was not able (physically) to help Kip through the early stages of rehab. Kip is a 30 pound chunk of muscle and without much use of his back legs, he is a dead weight. Sarah had an inner ear problem several years ago, so when she bends over, she gets dizzy. Jill has a full time job. She can help Kip in the morning before work and in the evening, but Sarah needed help during the day. Jim is still convalescing from his heart work at the Cleveland Clinic and is restricted to lifting 10 pounds. So, what to do?
Yesterday I put out pleas for someone who would stop by Kip’s house a couple of times during the day to help him outside. I also began looking for a particular person that I knew loved Kip dearly. I found her! Her name is Samantha. When Kip was a puppy, she was a groomer at a nearby Petco. I’d take Kip to her to wash off whatever icky stuff he’d managed to get into. Yesterday I tracked her down. She is pregnant, but is still working parttime as a groomer. She has a two-year old daughter and a husband who is a glass blower and works out of their home. They live fairly near Kip’s house.
The arrangement will work. Samantha and her husband drop their daughter off at pre-school/daycare around 9:00, they will then both go to Kip’s house and take him out. Samantha and her husband will learn from Sarah how to help Kip. Samantha gets off work between 2:00 and 2:30, her husband picks her up at work, they will go to Kip’s house to help, and then to pick up their daughter. When Samantha is not able to lift Kip, her husband will take over helping for as long as Kip’s family needs the help.
I am so relieved that Kip and his family will have some dear people to help during the early rehab stages. It will also help Samantha with a little extra income as they prepare for a new baby. Sometimes things just work out right.