I know it’s been a few weeks since we last spoke but I promise you I’ve been busy. I tried to explain a few months ago that periodically I’d be missing my weekly column. I have two more weeks of chemotherapy to go, along with my dialysis three times a week and frankly, I just feel weak and wiped out at times.

I did get to sneak away to Illinois for my youngest daughter’s 40^th birthday; she was told that I wouldn’t be able to make the trip anymore due to my dialysis. I left on a Friday directly after my treatment. The trip was exhausting for me but when I surprised Michelle (my little girl) at her 40^th birthday party, she ran over and wept in my arms. For that moment alone the trip was worth it.

I composed a little poem for her that I’ll share with you. I hope you like; it made her cry again.

I remember you were sassy, I remember you were naughty, all that doesn’t have to change just because you’re forty. You can still dress up pretty nice and can make a few heads whirl, but even more than all of that, you’re still daddy’s little girl.

Now I’m going to give a quick rundown of some of my other kids I’ve been helping these past few weeks.

Jax, a Chihuahua-Pom mix, was struck by a car, has two broken legs, and was turned over to me from irresponsible owners. Now Jax is at Landrum Vet recouping with pins in his hind legs. The sweet boy is brave, loving and will have a forever home deserving of him if I have a say. Cost: $4,400 and counting. Thank you, Patti Peake, for your assistance.

Saint Pat, also known as sweet Patricia, is a 9-week-old, some sort of adorable shepherd mix. She was found on the side of the road and brought to Landrum where she became one of Lennie’s kids. Full of worms but other than that, healthy, adorable and loves people.

Cooper is a 10-year-old miniature Poodle (cream colored). He has had five to six homes, the last had him for two weeks, and she rescued him from being put to sleep. I was told he bites but I saw no aggression in him whatsoever. I held him and he cuddled in my arms like he’d known me forever. He is at Landrum Vet being checked over and receiving all necessary shots. My good friend Patti Peake and all my rescue friends are on the job finding Cooper the forever home he so richly deserves.

Prince was once Baja. Prince is a Golden Retriever mix that I gave to Blair Fletcher nearly eight years ago. Blair had just lost Princess, his golden female, and when I introduced him to Baja he was smitten. Prince was 5 years old at the time.

Blair is now 85 years old and lost his wife last year. Prince is his companion but Blair cannot walk him anymore. Blair begged me to find a place for him and I enlisted my new friend, Verna Wilkins from Forever Dream Senior Dog Sanctuary. Last word I received from Verna is that 13-year-old Prince is now running around with the rest of her group and acting like a puppy.

I’m still looking for a home for Squiggles, Blair’s 10-year-old blue/grey lap cat. The boy is sweet and loves people. Please contact me if you or someone you know can give him a home.

Humphrey is a 5-year-old yellow lab, high heartworm. This beautiful boy was done for a fellow rescuer, Jeri Arledge at Rusty’s Legacy. It thrills me to know how many animals we have saved that used to die from this awful parasite. Under Jeri’s care, Humphrey will get well and live out his life in a good home.

Please keep praying for me; your prayers and my kids are all I need to fight on. I feel them, but most importantly, the Good Lord hears them.

On behalf of all my precious kids, thanks for listening.