Corporal Jorden Jones, USMC 2010-2014

Updated 12/01/2015 - Jorden has gone quite a few days without a fever.  Wonderful young woman and a caseworker from the VA in Pittsburgh, a very knowledgeable Marine Corpsman, and his family are working to get Jorden out of Allegheny General and into an Long Term Acute Care facility (LTAC)....preferably the group that is affiliated with UPMC. That type of facility specializes on getting someone like Jorden, with his lung infection off of a ventilator so that he can begin his spinal rehab.   It has been nearly seven long weeks for this young man and his family.  Being out of the ICU unit alone will give Jorden, some much needed and deserved physical comfort.  It is also a step in a positive direction for him.

If he is moved, and hopefully he will be this week, I will keep you updated on the address for sending Christmas Cards.  Regarding the Jordan Jones USMC  GoFundMe account, I am taking money from my Christmas budget, normally spend on friends and family and donating it to that fund.  I've spoken to my family and have told them not to send me gifts.  Instead, my preference, in the Christmas spirit of giving, is that they donate to Jorden's fund as well.

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Updated 11/29/2019 - Corporal Jorden Jones, USMC is making minimal progress and needs to be moved from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA to another facility. There is red tape involved concerning which next medical step will be the best one -- other opinions are being given, coupled with  which facility will and will not accept him, his insurance being covered across state lines, and with paying for his air-ambulance. 

He remains on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit at Allegheny.

Although Jorden is still smiling and fighting the good fight, as any USMC would, I am asking for you to pray for him today.  He sincerely needs them at this time.

I'll make it real simple.  Read this:

"Dear God in whatever form You are perceived by anyone reading this, please continue to permeate Your light and love inside of Jorden Jones, his family and loved ones. Please continue to bring comfort and clarity of thought to this incredible young man, his family and loved ones.  Thank You in continuing, with Your almighty power, for beginning his healing process and leading Jorden's care in the most sagacious direction of Your choice."

<3JM


A TRAGIC ACCIDENT FOLLOWING USMC DISCHARGE:


This is by far, the most important page I will ever post on my Blog. For the purposes of writing “Ghost; The Unseen Disorder of PTSD”, I’ve interviewed Military personnel, civilians, criminals, a psychiatrist, and the list goes on and on.  This man's story has touched my very soul.


His story will not be a part of Ghost, but again, I firmly believe that it is the most important issue I ever have or ever will write about. I hope it is the most important issue you will ever read. It might just help one Marine.  And helping one Marine is better than helping none.


Jorden Jones served our country in the USMC. He enlisted immediately following his high school graduation and completed his tenure with the Marines in early 2014. Like all Military personnel, he enlisted knowing full well that the chances of his life ending at an early age were very high. He signed his enlistment papers and along with that he also signed what could have been his death warrant.


Any Marine knows this and with that understanding the Brotherhood…that indestructible Brotherhood of the USMC is formed. It’s a bond like no other on earth. It’s more powerful than that of a parent and child.  It's far more powerful than that of a husband and wife. It’s forever. Alienation and divorce are not a part of and never will be a part of this Brotherhood.


After much dedication and hard work, he worked his way up to the rank of Corporal before being honorably discharged in early 2014. He has a young son and a new born baby girl.


That is what I know about Corporal Jones’ Military career. I do not know whether he saw combat, whether he did any or many tours in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I do not know if he suffers from PTSD. I do not know whether he suffered from war injuries.


I do know this: On October 17th 2015 he was on his way to work at 1-800-GOT-JUNK.com in Pittsburgh when he was involved in a horrific car accident and was ejected from the car. He suffered a major spinal injury leaving him paralyzed. He is currently on a ventilator and is using the strength his Marine training has given him to fight for his life, his physical ailments, his pain, and his emotional well-being.

 This fight includes but is not limited to: multiple spinal surgeries, a crush C-4 vertebra, complications of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia, paralysis and bed sores. Jorden was “Code Blued” three times in the past month. One those times, it took the doctors several minutes to bring him back. Within three hours, he was smiling.

Hearing this reminded me of a photo I saw of an injured Marine who was being evaced for combat injuries. As the helo was taking off, the photo showed that his face was bleeding, his wounds were horrific, and yet he held up his middle finger with his bloody hand and smiled. That sense of defiance is what is keeping Jorden alive.
 

I follow my heart with my writing and this time I knew that a blog page was in order. I do only what I can do that is within my power to help those in need. Writing is my powerhouse of a tool and I find myself once again, taking up a cause of yet another Vet, with tears streaming down my face, for a man who is a complete stranger to me----but I know he is suffering. That alone makes me sad.  My tears are for Jorden, but they are also for the gratitude I feel toward all Marines.


This man enlisted in the Marines and came home alive. He started a family, and then in a matter of seconds, his world, and that of his family could or would possibly be destroyed. Not by war, but by way of a freak accident which happened so soon after he had begun his new life back in the States.

Jorden’s father, Steve Jones, advised me that his son is still on a ventilator and with the MRSA complications, it is a waiting game for Jorden. Have no illusions. This young man is not out of the woods yet. He has two children to support and his private insurance will not pay all of his medical bills. His father is taking a sabbatical from work to be near his son. Money is needed for all involved.

I took another look at his GoFundMe page and saw that Jorden wanted a haircut. A haircut. Something as benign and simple as a haircut made him happy.

Jorden is a Marine and is one for life. That is why he can smile a few hours after being brought back to life by a resuscitative staff of doctors and nurses following a family shattering Code Blue. That is why he can smile after getting a haircut. That is why he loves to hear that people are thinking about him. He’s happy with what are the base and most simplistic things in life. Yet, he has sacrificed four years of his life to protect the freedom that we as Americans enjoy and at times, take for granted.

I want more for him. I want his family taken of while he is unable to support them. The GoFundMe account has grown substantially, but it is not where it needs to be. They have asked for $30,000 and have nearly reached $20,000.  

Based on some quick math on my part, 30K will not take them far. Utilities have to be paid. Jorden's children need child support----their mother is raising them on her own.

Christmas is right around the corner. My personal plan is to tell my family and friends that I will be making a donation on Jorden’s behalf rather than sending them gifts. I’ve done this for years for different causes and have found that my friends and family understand and appreciate that sort of true Christmas spirit. Just a suggestion.

I’m asking (begging, groveling, and crawling through mud and glass) for you to do the same for this young man. The link for donations is Jordan Jones USMC

Enough of purchasing the ugly Christmas sweaters, which will be laughed at the minute the recipient leaves your home.  How about this: Tell your children Jordan's story and ask them if they will be willing to trade a $15 CD for a donation to Jorden's fund.


If you cannot donate but would like to send him a get well or Christmas card, he is in the ICU department at:

Allegheny General Hospital
320 E North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

The MooreVirgoRocks has spoken.....with love, tears and compassion!  <3 JM

 

To My Incredible Followers In France

Incredible Parisians!!!!! 

Following the November 13th, 2015 terror attack in Paris, I spent nearly 72 hours, not writing or working on Ghost, but glued to the news.  I remember how I felt when 911 occurred (all attacks were within a two-hour driving distance from me).  All of those feelings of sorrow came flooding back to me when I saw what ISIS did to your lovely city. 

I am mad.  I rarely get mad but moreover, I'm furious.  You guys were having such a wonderful time last Friday.  Out at a concert, a football match, in a coffee shop.  And then terror came on in the flash of a few seconds.  My heart was with you for that 72-hour time frame in which,  I did nothing but watch the major American news stations.  The more I watched, the more my heart filled with grief.  As my heart filled with grief, my grief turned to ire.

I saw the carnage, the videos, the pregnant woman hanging from a window yelling for help at the concert venue, Parisians dragging their injured friends to safety, those who were running from gunshots and the mainly, the fury of French President François Hollande.

But then I also saw interviews with Anderson Cooper (CNN).  One interview in particular pulled at my heart strings and made me realize that you are a power house of people.  It was a man whose wife was killed.  They have a 17-month old son.  The father, even so close after the shock of losing his lovely wife, was determined not to let hate consume him.  He spoke of how if he showed hate, that his child would learn to live with hate.  His story touched me to the core. Parisians are clearly a much more peaceful people than those I've grown up with in America. You are simply amazingly kind and lovely, even in your grief-stricken state.

When it comes to hate, I do not hate anyone.  I do not like that word. I do not like those who use it, because I feel they are filled with emotional toxicity. But how can I not feel some sort of negativity about ISIS? I cannot use my sense my sense of humor as a way to cope.  This is not funny at all.  I do not feel sorry for those who are recruited and are brainwashed by the ISIS mentality of "we are the chosen, and all others are the infidel."  I do not feel sad when they are killed by law enforcement.

As you might know, our President Barack Obama has decided that 10,000 "refugees" will be allowed into the United States.  Yes, we do welcome nearly everyone here, but I also have a problem with the President's announcement. 

A quick lesson in American law:  The Federal Government can enact a bill, such as the one recently announced by Obama.  However, each individual State has the option of accepting or rejecting that bill.  Pennsylvania, where I live, is one of a few states whose governor will be accepting these "refugees" into our Commonwealth. Most other states have locked down their borders.

Clearly most Americans, after seeing what happened to our Parisian friends, do not want these people here. We are a people who tend to become very defensive of our friends. And we consider the French our friends.

There are too many holes in their backgrounds and we are not stupid.  Clearly they are sneaky and are using the cover of poor, innocent civilians from Syria to make their way here.  They pose as innocent Muslims, thus giving peaceful people a bad reputation.

Our churches will provide them with housing, food and cash assistance.  And then some of them will turn around and terrorize our cities. 

I have no problem with the Muslims currently established here and living a law-abiding life, side-by-side with Americans, but it's time to lock down our State borders.

I was happy to see your air strikes.  I was happy to see the proficiency of your police, and I'm happy that the US and other countries are sharing intelligence with you.

I've been confused and worried over the past week as to how I am going to emotionally deal with your situation as well as the inevitable fact that America along with Great Britain, Spain, Etc., will soon be under attack by ISIS. More attacks are coming; I'm certain of it. I do not like feeling angry and I've been looking for a way to rid myself of such negativity.

But I've decided that I'm going to take a lesson from you.  I will not let fear consume me. That is exactly what ISIS wants.  I will continue on with my life, my work and my happiness and healing.  That is what ISIS does not want.

Please know that I think of you, and little else each day since 11/13/2015.  My hope is that the West can form a great and powerful coalition to eradicate ISIS. 

Thank you so much for showing me, by example, how to be strong and deal with crisis with the dignity that Parisians have over the past week.  I hope to visit your lovely city one day.  <3JM

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the One World Trade Center spire will be lit blue, white and red in honor of dozens killed in the Paris attacks.

 

Ghost; The Unseen Disorder of PTSD Progress Page

 

Ghost; The Unseen Disorder of PTSD

Updates From the Author

 

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11/02/2015: Some interviews are being cut from Ghost; The Unseen Disorder of PTSD. I have my reasons for making this decision. Wasted time? Yes, but it's better to get it right and give the world an honest view on PTSD, then to rush and do a shitty job.

Military language is Greek to me, but I'm learning it and loving it. The chapter on the Corpsman has been without a doubt the most emotional and difficult part of Ghost for me to write. The more I work on this project, the fonder my heart grows for our Military and others who suffer from PTSD.

Please know that that there are many, many alternatives to suicide. We all have different "triggers" and demons. Those around us sometimes do not understand why we act the way we do when those buttons are pushed. How can they? They have never stepped into our shoes.

Learn to recognize your triggers and exactly what can send you into an emotional tail spin. Staying ahead of the game is key. Find gratitude in the basics....the very basics of life. For me, it might be that I can breath or that I have a roof over my head. Many do not. What are you grateful for today?

I have yet to meet a weak person who has been handed a heavy lot to handle in life. Use your strength to survive. Surround yourself with those who love and care for you. Personally, I tend to keep a safe distance from those who judge and or ridicule. It makes no difference whether they are blood relatives or just acquaintances. I'm way past worrying about whether I might hurt someone by eliminating them from my life. The love and positive energy I have to give is far better spent on those who truly are my loved ones.

Finally, take the time to glance at our world. There is beauty, comfort and healing in nature...fallen leaves, freshly cut grass, a flower, the incredible perfection of a tree, the ocean, rivers, wildlife....the list goes on. Find your comfort zone and cherish it!

Peace! <3JM

10/14/2015: I took trip to witness and observe with my own eyes, PTSD in New York City. What I witnessed was violence, gang activity, well known landmarks, and my presence was (overall) welcomed by the seemingly open-minded people of New York.

It was an amazing experience. I was accompanied by a driver, who is a friend of mine. We met with our terrific tour guides/friends of friends/body guards in Union Square. I was introduced to them and my smile and "hello" was met with a warm New York hug. William was older and more comedic. Arc was younger and the quieter and more guarded of the pair. Both of them were hard core Brooklyn street-wise dudes. I like people with "edge," or those who stand out, are different and have a more colorful persona. I like those with a great sense of humor and a high level of intelligence. I liked William and Ace instantly.

As a PTSD sufferer, my antennae go up quickly these days if I sense danger, but I did not feel threatened for a second while I was in their company. By contrast, I felt relaxed, crazy-fun, and well protected and grateful for their presence. I was completely respectful of them and they returned the sentiment.

We listened to Hip-Hop music and cruised through New York. William had me laughing with his quick-witted remarks and animated accents of other languages. Seeing Manhattan and Time Square was fun. My head was spinning because every other second, one or the other of them was yelling, "Hey Jo, there's Radio City Hall!" Or, "Whoa, you just missed the 911 site." "Look! You are missing all the good stuff...that was the Wax Museum."

I was working. This trip was a deliberate attempt to study PTSD in a culture about which I was uneducated. I was observing and asking them questions. But I was also laughing nearly the entire time.

When my (female) driver or I needed to stop for coffee or to use a restroom, one of these men was sure to accompany whoever went into the store. The other two stayed in the car. No words or directions such as "you wait here, I'm going into the store with her" were given. It was unspoken and automatic. They were shielding us.

We ended up in Brooklyn at around 1 a.m. Yes, most of Brooklyn is a down and dirty area of New York. But it's rough because it is poverty and crime-ridden. These people didn't exactly sign up for their lives in this environment. It was dealt to them as children. There are some decent areas of Brooklyn, but for the most part the not-so-happy-go-lucky areas of that Borough encompass a relatively high and crowded population of our nation's largest city.

Arc was reserved and watchful while in Manhattan, but once we crossed into Brooklyn he seemed to become quieter and tenser. I sensed that he was now in more hyper-vigilant state of mind, but in a completely different way than anything that has been described thus far in "Ghost".

These guys were raised from infancy to be on guard and watchful at all times. Those two qualities are intrinsic in those who live in this culture on a daily basis. Those who grew up in the "Projects" in Brooklyn have never had a single break in their lives. Not one. Their level of survival or better yet, their definition of survival completely differs from anything I have yet to describe in Ghost.

I believe that the base of humanity is good. I have faith in that belief because it's a fact that we are born into a state of innocence. PTSD sufferers are human first and everything else about them is environmental. I didn't need to take the time to ask these guys if they had PTSD. These guys are way past feeling the effects of PTSD. They do not cry and they do not act out. They have rock hard souls and any symptoms of PTSD had to be put aside or buried for them at a very young age. Don't think for a minute that the human side of them did not still exist. It was there. I felt warmth and hospitality. The guys had just met me and considered me family. Love exists in the hearts of William and Ace, but the other base emotion, fear, exists as well. Their lives operate on fear. It makes them cautious and careful, as they should be.

We made several stops and I was invited into the homes of their family members. I did not hesitate. The women I met were lovely and smiled widely at me. The children I met were so cute, I just wanted to hug them, and the other family members were equally warm to me.

We stopped into some sort of club in the basement of a row home. I did not feel as welcomed in that place. I smiled at everyone and out of about 20 young African American women, only one said hello and smiled back at me. I understood. They had no idea who I was and they did not trust me. As reserved as they were, I still felt no hostility.

I do not appreciate being judged, especially by those who know nothing about me. Yet our society is quick to criticize, stigmatize and run in fear of these people who have the worst stories on earth about things they have witnessed in their lives. Murder, death of children, knife and firefights in the street...over territory or respect......every possible frightening and unimaginable situation to the average American is a part of their every waking moment.

Those in our society, who come from the streets, commit crimes and spend time in jails and prison for years, feel the same pain as anyone with PTSD. Somewhat like our Military, this culture of people is simply programmed not to wear their emotions on their sleeve....THAT is how they survive.

I am psyched to write this chapter. It's very powerful. Again, my goal in finishing this project is to touch on as many unique situations concerning PTSD as possible, so that more of the good people who suffer from PTSD might find help, refuge or identify/become educated from at least one of the chapters written in "Ghost".

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09/27/2015:  A very powerful message I received from the wife of a Marine Grunt:


I just wanted to let you know that I think you are doing the right thing in pushing back the date. PTSD is a very complicated issue. ..I deal with it every day  and talk about it very little, because most people just don't get it.  The kids' dad and I have lived with it for over 10 years now since his return from Iraq. It has taken him since 2003 to even begin to face some of the demons that haunt him. He has been hospitalized months at a time to fight suicidal and homocidal ideations.

They medicate him more and more to mask the stmpoms and control the behaviors, but never do they deal with the root of the problem. Never has he been asked to talk about his experiences....to deal with the pain. It took years before he was even able to tell me some of the things that he saw. He lives in his own little world and comes out when he is able. His kids missed having a dad and are now only beginning to really understand some of it.

The VA is flawed in so many ways, mostly due to being understaffed, but many if those who suffer from PTSD also may continue to go to the VA out of fear because they are comfortable there..if they are like my husband they do not like change..change scares him, so even though he has opportunities to seek help elsewhere he refuses. It's a hard road..I love him with all my heart. I would be lying if I said I never thought of giving up on him and starting over myself (I'm more of a care taker than a wife), but those thoughts are short lived.

So thank you for taking the time to not only write the book, but for being so thorough in your research. Every attempt to get people to understand  is a step in the right direction.

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Thank you for your input! It's extremely important and perhaps one person can and will identify with your story!  <3JM <3 <3 <3 

 

09/22/2015

Let me start by saying that I’m not at all happy that the release date of this book had to be pushed back.  I waffled on it but in the end, made my decision.  Delaying this project is necessary for a number of reasons.  I weighed these reasons carefully and discussed them with a number of people who are helping/advising me on this project. 

Releasing Ghost will help those who are interested in reading it.  I’m sure of that.  That is my intention and I am achieving that goal in what has been written thus far.  However, it seems as if the more I write, look, listen and learn, these unique PTSD scenarios and ways to help contain it seem to continually be brought to my attention. I want to explore them all.

 My goal is not only to help the public gain an understanding of this disorder and its residual conditions, but obviously to help those who suffer from PTSD.  In order to help those who are afflicted with this disorder or have a loved one who is afflicted, I need to include as many possible varieties of the pain level suffered by a larger variety of traumas which cause PTSD, different symptoms that are exhibited and most importantly, different ways to put up a slammer-gloves-off fight against those demons that haunt us.

Everyone’s story is different.  I would be devastated if I missed an opportunity to include a story with which even one person could have identified.  I want people to say, “Hey, I’m not alone….”  I want those who read Ghost to feel understood, rather than mis-judged.  I want to spread hope for people. I want to educate those who do not suffer from this disorder, and I want those who do suffer from PTSD to have the opportunity to choose any of a variety of paths to recovery taken successfully by others.

I have some additional interviews to do.  They are very powerful and are well spread across socioeconomic statuses and race and religious boundaries.  My two final PTSD patient interviews will be conducted and written in the next month.  I also want to do a chapter on some issues surrounding the VA which I feel will be pertinent to the reader.  I have yet another idea up my sleeve as well and it’s big.  I see three huge issues surrounding PTSD and the military that I want to offer up for betterment.  That too is an additional chapter for Ghost.  I’m not sure whether I can make a difference in our society, but I’m going to try.  After all, it’s better to try and fail than not to try at all.

As many of you know, I too am a PTSD sufferer.  But I consider myself a survivor.  Every day above ground is a good day for me. I should have been dead a long time ago.  But while working on this project, I’ve personally had to do some emotional re-adjusting as well.  I’m taking on the pain of others.

There is a test on the website of Best-Selling Author, Tara Meyer-Robson concerning whether you are an Empath.  In a nutshell, being an Empath means that others are able to drain energy from you.... energy which is can be put to better use by using it in your own healing process.  I believe this has a direct correlation with PTSD.  I took the test and failed every question!  J Well, I’m sure Ms. Meyer-Robson, a very positive and enlightening person, would not consider it failing, but you get my meaning. I’m in the 100 percentile of being an Empath. (BTW, her website is really cool!) You can take her test and learn more about being an Empath by clicking here:  Tara Meyer Robson .  Her work has helped my PTSD recovery process in many ways.

As a PTSD patient, I have learned to recognize my triggers and to anticipate when I’m getting overwhelmed which, for me leads to enormous stress and depression.  I’ve learned to stop that process before I “go” there and being an Empath has everything to do with that. 

 

I had to force myself to slow down and give myself some breathing room from this project…..that’s admittedly one other reason I’ve had to push that release date back.    I needed to take some time to pick up that second grade photo of myself, look into the pain in that little girl’s eyes and tell her she’s okay…I will protect her.  She needs my reassurance every now and then.

All is now cool and well. I’m moving along according to what my heart is telling me to do with this project.  I honestly believe moving back the release date and adding more to this piece, as well as taking a week or two of “JoJo” time was the right decision.  The book will be all the more helpful for you in the long run and that is what I intend to and will accomplish.   Peace. <3JM

PS/If you are leaving comments on my Blog, I have no way of knowing that.  I have been told that people are commenting, but I’m unable to see them.  In fact, I wonder how many negative comments are showing.  ( J ) I’m in the middle of a very frustrating battle with Google over this right now.  In any case, if you have something to say or ask, please use my Google email at joanne08301961@gmail.com for now. I will respond to as many messages as possible.  I love people and have no problem letting you know who I am on a personal level.  Hugs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rocking With The "Rock"

ROCK THE INCREDIBLE PITTIE NEEDS REHABILITION/DOG-ON-DOG AGGRESSION

 

 

UPDATED: 07/12/2015: Rock found a home for about one month, however the owner's brother was very allergic to him.  He was back with me and happy as always for a few days.  I found a wonderful group of young, responsible people (two guys and a young women who are roommates), who adopted him today. The woman, Candace, was incredible.  She is all too familiar with the breed and took control immediately.  She is planning to work with Rock-Rock with a very calm dog, at a distance, to free him of his dog-on-dog aggression.  In the interim, he is having the time of his life with the two guys and Candace.  He is getting a ton of love and shared a chicken dinner with them tonight.  I absolutely loved them all....wonderful young people.  I know in my heart that Rock is happier than a butterfly that is free to fly, play and land wherever he wants.  All donations to the dog trainer listed below have been returned.  I have faith that Candance will rid him of this disorder.  He's the perfect dog and everyone who meets him falls in love with him.  Always happy, fully body wiggle and tail going a mile a minute.  <3 JM

 

Updated 06/27/2015.  With my pulse at 479 this morning, I was out of options and needed to send Rock back to his owner.  He was going to surrender Rock to a shelter in Allentown.  I knew that being in a shelter, with wildly barking dogs and sleeping on a concrete slab and having to poop where he sleeps would have not only confused the shit out of Rock, but it would have probably destroyed his soul.  His owner knew it as well. Shelters are like the human version of a prison to dogs.

I spent this morning crying and was having terrible pains in my stomach.  I did not sleep last night as I was only thinking of how Rock would handle this today. 

 

My friend was at the front desk at the shelter and asked to surrender the dog.  He was turned down.  "We are full," the receptionist said.

 

"Well, what am I supposed to do with this dog?  Dump him off somewhere?" My friend countered.

 

There was a young couple, 30ish, filling out an application to adopt a dog.  They were there, that very day, at that very time and were fully prepared to pay an adoption fee and take a dog home with them. They overheard my friend and inquired about the situation and about Rock.

 

The conversation was taken aside from the front desk and my friend told them Rock's story.  They asked to see him.  Rock was in the van and they were absolutely thrilled to meet this fully body wiggle, tail wagging little guy. 

 

My friend, a very intuitive man and a great judge of character (after spending 30 years in corporate human resources), told them he a bit wary of them taking Rock without really knowing them.  They happily offered to take him to their home. 

 

He followed them. Their home was fine, they have a fenced in back yard.  Rock immediately peed on their rug (he did that with me too, but never did it again). as if to say, "My place!"  My friend watched their reaction carefully.  They didn't blink.  Very cool. They just cleaned it up. 

 

Phone numbers and emails were exchanged.  They offered to have my friend and his grandson come back whenever they wanted to visit Rock.  They too fell in love.

 

I spent two months with Rock.  I'm not so sure why this happened so soon after losing Layla.  But Rock brought me so much laugher and much needed love.  He totally interrupted my work on "Ghost," but it's difficult to type when a dog is putting his nose under your arm and pushing it off of the keyboard as if to say..."Dude...pet me."  Maybe I needed a break from "Ghost." Maybe I needed a cool roommate for a while.  In any case, I'm glad he and I crossed paths in life.  Always nice to meet a soul mate.

 

My heart is warm.  I have a really good feeling about this.  Thanks to all of you who donated toward the training fund I set up.  If you want your donations back, I think Lehigh Valley Dog Training can accommodate you.  I personally donated but am leaving mine in place.  Perhaps that $100 can at least go toward the fee of someone else who is in need. 
 

 

I can be reached at joanne08301961@gmail.com <3 <3 JM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After losing Layla (see blog, “Layla You Got Me on My Knees”), my house felt empty.  While working on “Ghost; The Unseen Disorder of PTSD,” Layla would often give me the incentive to take a much needed break and hang out with her near the Delaware River, which is my back yard. The day after she passed away, I could not stand the quiet in my home.  I ran away from home....just like a little girl. I spent the day with a friend and was finally able to come home and face my demons.

 

Many of my friends urged me to get another dog but I waited and wanted destiny to take its course in my life.  Well destiny came in the form of a Pit Bull named Rock-o, whom I call Rock.

I have a friend whose daughter got Rock as a puppy in 2013.  He was only a few months old when she asked her father to take him. Rock thrived for a year in her father’s home. He was living with two Labrador Retrievers and doing well with interaction with them

A year later, in 2014, his daughter wanted Rock back.  My friend reluctantly consented.  During the year this woman had him, leading up to May 2015, Rock was not socialized.  He was mainly in his crate.  Socialization of any dog needs to take place consistently for the first two or three years of a dog’s life.

In May 2015, she could no longer care for him and once again took Rock to her father’s home.  Things had changed in that very formative year for this dog.  He was no longer dog friendly.  In fact, he showed extreme aggression (through a fence) toward the two Labradors with which he once lived. My friend simply could not keep him. 

He knew how heartbroken I was over losing Layla and called me.  He asked me if I could take Rock until we could find a home for him.  I absolutely wanted to help and Rock was immediately brought to my home with his food and his crate.  He has been in my care for over a month.  He has dog-on-dog aggression, which can only be eliminated by a professional.  I’m okay with basic training, but I know my limits.  Rock really needs a pro to help him overcome this side of him.

I’ve been fostering him for over a month, while we look for a home for him, and have gotten to know him well.  He IS a rock. He just an awesome dog!  He’s eager to please and is an extremely personable dog.  He’s all love.  But if he sees or is near another dog, he becomes Satan.  It’s a completely different side of him that comes out of him, but I believe it’s a very small side of him.   

99% of the time he is funny, warm and affectionate.   I can stick my hand in his mouth comfortably. He understands and obeys come, sit, paw and, while retrieving a ball, leave it….as in drop it.  He is fully leash trained, housebroken and crate trained.  

He is an extremely easy pet to train as he responds exceptionally well to positive reinforcement. He’s affectionate and loves to have his neck scratched.  If he’s not playing in the yard, he’s a total sofa potato. He loves to have his own special toys (Kong).  He loves rawhides and puppy treats.  Upon greeting someone he does a full body wiggle with his tail in full wagging motion.

Rock is rarely crated under my care, but there have been times when I’ve been gone a full day (7am – 5pm) and he was fine.  He snuck a tissue off of the table (his favorite…YUK) and his guilt was evident in giving me the “Denver the Guilty Dog” show of upper teeth.  I did not let him see me laugh after I chastised him verbally for that one.  In fact, I had to leave the room because I was laughing so hard.

Last week my landlord, a wonderful man, came to see me and brought his Pittie, Mudflap with him.  Mudflap is thirteen years old.  That meet and greet was as terrible as the attempt to reunite Rock with his former Lab buddies.

Clearly my landlord was upset.  He loves Mudflap and is very protective of him. 

The sad fact is that he gave me my choices; either I leave or Rock leaves.  He is my landlord and I have to respect his wishes, no matter how vehemently I disagree with him in his assessment of Rock.   

While I've been fostering him and working with him, my friend and I contacted every local possible rescue, foster and Pit advocate we could find.  We were completely shut out by each and every one.  Our local shelters are “Kill” shelters and we knew they would euthanize Rock if he were to be surrendered.  The shelters in Eastern Pennsylvania actually make one sign a form giving them permission to perform euthanasia if they feel it’s necessary.  They certainly are not professionals and they euthanize Pit Bulls like crazy around here.   Then we started with national rescues.   We were ready to drive him to New Orleans to surrender him to Villalobos.  He and I were both adamant that Rock is an awesome dog and that he deserves a good life.  Villalobos also turned us down. 

I’m completely miffed.  Exactly what do these hundreds of 501 (c) 3 organizations do if they do not take in rescue dogs?

We are out of options, except for one, which is rehabilitation.  Lehigh Valley Dog Training is an incredible outfit that offers a comprehensive program to eliminate dog-on-dog aggression.  The fee is $800.  I do not have $800 and I know of no person who will give me $800 to spend on a dog.   I think Rock’s life is worth $800. 

As my last resort, I set up a Gofundme page for Rock.  I’m asking for $2400 in donations, which will be sent directly to Lehigh Valley Dog Training….not to me. The remainder of the $1600 would cover the cost to save two more dogs.  I’m sure there are others in my position.  They might need to relinquish a dog….they trust the shelter won’t kill the dog....and the shelter does.

Funding the training of two other Pitties with dog-on-dog aggression would save two other lives.  I have spoken to the owner of this organization who is an amazingly awesome, intelligent and well versed woman.  She will screen the financial situation of someone who applies for the two other grants we are trying to raise.

I hate asking for help.  I always have.  I’m a giver, not a taker.  But in this situation, I’m reaching out for help to my blog readers and their friends.  Pitties get a bad rap.  If I cannot raise this money for Rock, very simply, he will be euthanized.  A wonderful, loving soul will be snuffed out. 

Please share this blog and please donate.  Every penny helps.  This is the link for donations: Please help Rock  You can read more about his story on that site.  If you are unable to donate, please put out the word that he can also be placed in a well screened and loving home where he can be the one and only.  He really is an amazing companion.

As always, peace and love to my readers.  God bless our Military and those with PTSD and Depression.  “Ghost” will be an incredible book that will hopefully be of some help to everyone!!!