Ellie Gets Released

 Bell, our dog was missing Ellie too. She did not come downstairs (where are bedrooms are) once that week.  It was the saddest thing I have seen from Bell. She sat, waiting, by our big windows for her Ellie to return.  

Thursday morning meant court.  I would have to face him again.  I had to catch a flight at 12:30 to go to Spokane for work.  That meant missing lunch and dinner with Ellie.  My mom would pitch hit.  I was rushed, but if court meant missing my flight, so be it.

We had Ellie's therapist and me ready to testify. I still was weepy, but ready to be stoic when I needed.  

We rose, as JR came in.  

He, without hearing a word from anyone, said that he was giving me/us 6 months of not seeing DP.  At that time, we would come back and resume.  He apologized again about what had happened and said that he had made a mistake.  The first time I felt things were not one-sided AND not in my favor.  

I didn't have time to chit-chat with my lawyer, nor did I particularly want to - and I knew if I hurried to the airport, I could stop on the way and see Ellie.  I asked her therapist if it was okay (I would be breaking the rules of visiting) and she said, absolutely, it is what Ellie needed.  

I raced to the hospital, got to the locked door and was let in to see Ellie. She came down the hall (not knowing about court) and asked why I was there.  I told her I had some good news.  We went to her room and I told her about that morning.  As soon as the last word left my mouth, Ellie said, the words I had been aching to hear, "I want to come home.  When can I?" 

ahhhhh... music to my ears.  My girl wants to come home.  I was so happy.  

I didn't know if she was ready, though. 

I told her that I would find out and let her know.  I explained I had to run and I would not see her later, but I would call.  

On the way out, I called Dr J, her therapist and asked if she could come home.  She would get back to me. 

*******

Friday morning about 10, a call from the hospital.  "Do you want to come and get Ellie?" 

The drive to the hospital had never been so long.  I was going to get Ellie.  What I thought originally would be 2 nights had turned into 7.  And, what I feared was that she would never be the same.  I worried that the spark was gone forever.  I worried that this whole experience had changed her.  I was terrified, but so excited to have her well enough to come home.  

She was packed and ready to go when I arrived.   We shared the biggest hug possible when we met.  (we always say, I'm going to hug you until you pop... I definitely popped!).  

I had Bell waiting in the car.  It was as if Christmas had arrived for both of them.  So much love in the car! 

*******

As I look back on the time in the hospital, I cannot say how good it was for Ellie.  It saved her.  It also made her a better person.  I was worried that she would not snap back, but she did. And she knows so many more coping skills.  

The doctors and nurses there were amazing.  The art therapy and music therapy she did matured her enough to handle this situation.  She learned something she still uses today: Keep your hands and feet to yourself, Listen to the person who is talking, Be respectful.  Those 3 things were the 3 mantras of the hospital.  Simple enough for every patient to understand and yet so powerful that she has uses those even years later.  I am thankful to my core for those who helped save Ellie.