Re(2): [PyrNet-L] CHAT: Update from our place

[wetheri@emmanuel.edu (Ann K. Wetherilt)]

Janice, our story of assisting your elderly neighbor is awesome, and
reminds me of something that happened in our neighborhood shortly after we
moved here. We had an elderly neighbor in an apartment across the street
whose family were concerned but not able to be physically present much.
Some of the other tenants in the building became concerned about fire
hazards when Agnes cooked etc., as well as being concerned for her
well-being--she looked increasingly unkempt and seemed to be losing weight
rapidly. One of our neighbors contacted the senior service folk to arrange
a neighborhood meeting, and together we put together a plan of visits,
meals, etc. that enabled her to stay in her home a year or more longer
than she would have managed alone. And a major factor was her love for her
dog and cat. When she finally had to go to a nursing home, she died just
10 days later....but knowing that one of her neighbors had taken in Timmy
and Buffy. It was a wonderful affirmation for us that we were in the right
neighborhood!
As for Agnes's relationship with the pyrs.....it was love at first sight,
on both sides. Shelley would bark out the window to alert us if Agnes was
out on the ice in the winter, and Agnes would go in, as long as it was
Shelley who insisted! She'd take in packages for us if we weren't home,
and never remembered *our* names, so would call out to Paddington, to let
him know he had a package! And after she left, the dogs got very upset
when other people went into "Agnes's" house! 
Ann, Peg, Paddington and Ivy Rose