Brende Waxham, our special chichuaha, was born in Claremont on February 23, 2003 at Retirement Home for Missionaries. She passed away and went to Doggie Heaven on April 21, 2017. Part I Brende had many important tasks: 1) Front door greeter with kisses 2) Taste tester while I'm cooking 3) Barking at all dogs on their sidewalk 4) Keeping the yard cat-free 5) Telling me what time to go a walk Part II Special Tricks 1) Hugs 2) Asking for tummy rubs 3) Say "Happy girl" and she wags her tail 4) Jump in her bed 5) Paw you for pets 6) Dance and spin and run through my legs 7) Bow for tricks well done 8) The best trick is "Praise the Lord" Part III Sharing the Girls 1) When I went to the bank, the girls would do tricks, and the tellers would give them treats, and the girls gave them kisses. 2) While doing dog therapy, they were well dressed: formal, casual, and rain coats Dog Therapy Stories: 1) One lady just held Brende's paw and smiled the most beautiful smile 2) One lady held and cuddled the Brende in her lap and told me stories about her dog 3) One lady had had a stroke and not talked for a year. After the girls did their tricks, she said "This is such a nice treat!" Then she sang a hymn with us! About Therapy Dogs "The truth about dogs: They don't know what they do yet they do great things. They sit in silent vigil by our side and with so little effort, bring so much joy by simply being there. They evoke all things that are truly good in life--laughter, love, and intimacy--and they do it all with a wag of tail." --John O' hurley