Seattle Trip

Off to Seattle! I am currently airborne and bound for a canine first-aid and emergency care training course on Friday at Harbor Island, off the coast of Washington.

Bob Benton, a business partner of my Dad’s, and his wife Patricia, offered me the irresistible opportunity of taking part in a canine first-aid course that will culminate with my certification as a Canine first-aid teacher.

Basically, the weekend-long course will teach me the essentials of canine first-aid and emergency care while also certifying me to bring that knowledge with me back to Tehachapi and teach the course myself locally. What an awesome opportunity! Bob and Patricia are both EMT’s (certified for humans), as well as animal lovers who have taken an interest in informing the public about crucially-important elements of canine care and treatment. I will be staying with Bob and Patricia until Monday and I couldn’t be more excited about visiting with both of them.

Bob and Patricia have played instrumental roles in the lives of both my father and me and I would go so far as to say that Bob is my Dad’s best friend and most reliable confidant. Most importantly, Bob and Patricia compassionately supported my Dad and me through the illness that nearly took my life just over one year ago.

The last time I saw Bob, my brother and I were about ten years old and Bob was flying us out to Catalina for the day. I remember that he was unusually tall for a pilot but that his height should not explain how bumpy and gut-wrenching that flight was or why I was so uneasy with him behind the wheel. I don’t believe that I have ever met Patricia in person–certainly not at an age that I am old enough to remember. Despite the lack of an intimate, face-to-face personal history, I feel very close to Bob and Patricia. Words cannot convey my gratitude for their seemingly omnipresent nature for the duration of my illness and beyond. Bob always took time to ask how I was doing as well as provide much needed comic relief during a time of great agony and toil. I can only speak for myself, but I think my Dad would echo those sentiments and more. I always bust their chops about being boyfriend/girlfriend but the reality is that they are true friends and I take
solace in knowing that my Dad has a friend like Bob.