Bubba 2005

Bubba had no enemies, he liked everyone and everything. Nothing bothered him, he was easy going, kind and gentle. In 1999, at age 4, he became certified as a therapy dog and began working on the Pediatric unit at Mission Hospitals. He was one of three therapy dogs at the time, all now gone. We quickly realized Bubba had a gift for this work and he earned the title of "Wonder Dog", as he could sense what a patient needed, having never met the person before. Bubba paved the way for this type of therapy work and was the founder of Paws with a Purpose. He touched the lives of hundreds by providing comfort, motivation and tutoring in hospitals and schools. The day he crossed rainbow bridge, I recalled a beautiful fall day at Kanuga. We were working a Deliver the Dream bereavement retreat and a young boy came up and asked "Does Bubba remember my brother?". His brother had died after a long stay at our local hospital earlier that year and Bubba had visited him often. "Of course he does", I said. As Bubba crossed the bridge, we told him "Bubba, you are going to know so many already there!". Tribute by Pam Hardin