Monday, July 14, 2008

A Bronze!

This is our sissy reporting:


So Jim and I got to the Carnegie Mellon University about 11 this morning. Dad was a bundle of anxious nerves. His first event was the 50 meter breast stroke. He looked strong and had nice form .


His second event was the 50 meter freestyle. Unfortunately I didn’t realize it was so soon after his first event. We had stepped away to eat some lunch and missed all the excitement! Apparently after his 50 meter freestyle (which he said he felt really good doing) he made friends with a woman named Kimberly from team Illinois. She had a heart transplant 14 months ago and was bound and determined to compete in this year’s games. After her transplant she suffered a stroke which affected her vision and she was a little unsteady. Dad talked quickly made friends with her and when it came time for her event she asked if he would help her. He helped her to her lane (oddly enough lane 6. Still the number 6 keeps popping up!) and she handed him her glasses. I guess after she took her glasses off she really couldn’t see and kindly asked where the water was. Dad got her in position and when she began to have doubts about her event he encouraged her by saying that her donor was here watching. That gave her all the encouragement she needed to dive right in. She made it all the way down to one end of the pool, she made the turn and about ½ way back she kind of stopped. She had run out of breath and she was beginning to sink. Now the pool area is congested and loud. There are hundreds of people watching and cheering. At that moment Dad said it was surreal. All he could do focus on was her. Without even a thought he dove in and swam like heck to her. He helped her back to the surface. Apparently she caught her breath and said I’m fine but would you stay with me? He swam next to her all the way to the finish line encouraging her that she could do it. And she made it! He said that moment made the whole day and was one of the best experiences he has had since he’s been transplanted.

The third event was the 200m swim relay. Geo, Sandy, Pete and Matt made up the Team CT swim relay team. All four swam their hearts out and it paid off. They won a bronze!


We are sooooooooooooooo very, very proud of our dad! Today is track and field day and day and dad will throw the shot put and the discus! Paws are crossed, dad! Toss that baby right out of the field! whooooooooohoooooooooooo!

So until next time................

Love ya lots,

Maggie and Mitch

45 comments:

  1. Yeah... Congrates to your dad for doing so pawsome well. I think you doggies need to treat him ice cream. :)

    ~ Girl girl

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  2. Congratulations for your Dad !!!! Kisses, Faya

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  3. MAggie! Maggie!

    This is SO COOL! We are so happy and proud of your Dad!

    Love,

    Putter and Mom ...

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  4. Hey, M & M! Your dad should be very proud and so should that lady that he helped! It is soooooo cool that he can participate and we are sending Aire-zen for him to do very well in the shotput and discus throw. Woohoo!

    Aire-hugs,
    Poppy, Penny & Patches

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  5. We hope your Dad does really well today in his events, we are cheering him on from across "the pond"
    Molly and Taffy

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  6. Awww that is just the best story. You should be very proud of your Dad, 'cause I know I am! :-)

    Cheers

    Charlie

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  7. WOW. How does it feel to have a Hero Dad?
    Bolo

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  8. Yeah! Job well done!
    Tell him we said congrats on the bronze!

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  9. Oh how absolutely magical! (BTW, you know our friend Miss Carolyn who has the brain cancer? her husband Greg is one of the "puzzle people" with his kidney transplant. Thy live right near where your dad is now!)
    We'll be rooting for your dad and can't wait to hear.

    wags from the whippets

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  10. Your Dad is a real bonafide genuine hero. But then, you guys know that already, right. Give him wirey kisses from me and some JRT juice from Teka

    gussie

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  11. Oh Maggie...that story made my Mom's eyes all leaky! W00t! to your Dad...actually I think that deserves a double W00t!

    Lots of Licks, Ruby

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  12. Hi guys!
    Oh this post brought tears to our eyes. Your dad is such a hero! What a wonderful person he is!! And congrats on the bronze!
    Yaaaaaaaaay for your Dad!!!!! :)
    Love Clover xo

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  13. Woof, Maggie and Mitch

    Tell your dad that we're proud of him and we hope he kicks butt. Tell your mom and dad to take lots of pictures. And we've added you to our fave blogs.

    Woof,woof
    Desert Pups.

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  14. Congratulations to your Dad's bronze. I know you are so proud of your Dad.

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  15. What a great story! You dad is a sweetie pie and I bet it was the best moment that swimmer woman has had since her transplant too. No wonder you guys like him so much. I sure hope he does well in his next events.

    Congrats on the bronze. I think you both deserve a cookie for that win.

    xo
    SB

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  16. Maggsie & Mitch!

    Your dad is a HERO!! Stella & I would give him all the goober smooches he could stand if we saw him right now. No wonder you guys are such amazing pups! Not only do you have an angel for a mama, but a super hero for a dad! (I mean, we knew they were great, but c'mon!)

    Congratulations Team CT! Can't wait to hear about track & field results!

    Goober love,
    STanley

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  17. we are proud of your dad too. we didn't know he was such an athlete! this is pawsome. what a hero he is.

    woofs.

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  18. OMG I have tears in my eyes... your dad is such a HERO! I can't think of a better, more deserving person to be the recipient of a transplant.

    Congrats on Bronze!

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  19. Your dad is a super-hero! Have you checked around your territory for a hidden cape or perhaps a phone booth that he uses to change in?

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  20. What a great story!! We're so proud of your dad -- and his helping that lady make it to the finish gave us goose bumps!!!


    Wirey love, pals,

    Jake and Just Harry

    (See you at the All Star Game -- but we may be on different sides!!)

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  21. Wow!! Your dad is really an amazing person! Winning a bronze is great, but the story about him helping that lady really made a true hero.

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  22. Wow, congrats. Not only on having a total hero dad, but a medal winning one as well! You should be so proud.
    Laurie & Winnie Woo

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  23. We just love your dad!!! Go Team Dad!!!!
    We are happy to hear Missy is a great reporter! We will be here daily for the updates.

    smooches,
    Willow

    pee ess....go check out my wheelie

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  24. That is so pawesome I had no idea your dad was such a great swimmer! No water for me hehe, but congrats to him!

    puppy breath,
    -Gaia

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  25. Sweet Caroline, M&M. Your DAD is a true Super Hero!

    It is just the best and happiest feeling to be so proud of your human. I am shivering with excitement over that medal. Your Dad is definitely a Conquerer...we bow to him!

    Licks,
    Fenway

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  26. That is so awesome! We're all very proud of your Dad.

    Sherman, Penny & Lola

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  27. What a story! I knew your dad was a winner, and now he's a hero, too!

    He is awesome!

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  28. That was one of the most inspiring stories we have ever, ever read. Thank you soo so so soooo much for sharing!!!!

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  29. w00f's Maggie and Mitch...wow, ur daddy iz a hero...helping that lady..congrats to him and all of them on the bronze...and gl to him on the diskus and shot put...

    b safe,
    ~rocky~

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  30. Way to GO, Maggie and Mitch's dad! You totally rock!
    Tail wags,
    Storms

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  31. Goooooooooooooooooooooooooo DAD!!!

    Love,
    Bogart

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  32. Maggie and Mitch your dad is just awesome! He is so kind to help that lady and guide her. So nice! Thanks for sharing!
    Kisses,
    Sami

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  33. Hi Maggie and Mitch,
    That's a really wonderful thing that your dad did!! In all our hearts, he already won the GOLD medal..

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  34. Hi, Maggie and Mitch!
    I was thinking the same as Huskee. He deserves the gold medal!
    When he comes home, give him lots of kisses and hugs from us! Yes, HERO!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  35. Your Dad is a hero!! that is soo pawesome!! We loved this story and we love your Dad, he rules!

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  36. Maggie and Mitch
    I loved youw Dad as soon as I met him..what a wondewful hooman he is..and a big hewo!!!
    Congwatulations to him and all his team mates, and good luck fow the west of the events..this is wondewful!
    smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  37. Congrats to your dad! LS & I are proud of him too! Bless his kind heart for looking out for the lady! Paws crossed for his shot put and discus events!

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  38. Wooo hooo! Your Dad is PAWSOME! Not only does he have a wonderfully caring heart, but a strong one to swim to a bronze! I've got my paws crosed for his track and field events. Go Dad!!

    Your pal,
    Kirby

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  39. All Daddys are heros...especially your Daddy! I'm glad you got to witness such greatness!

    Hugs,
    CoCo

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  40. Congratulations to your dad. He is so kind in encouraging that lady and swam with her to the finishing line. BRAVO!!

    Luv
    Snowball

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  41. Hi, I checked your blog out after seeing u mentioned on Clover's page- What a wonderful story- you should be so so proud ofyour dad- he sounds a great man..
    Puppy luv Franklin Puggle

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  42. PL2's eyes are too leaky right now so we will write...GOOOOOOO DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Love and kisses A+A

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  43. Momi and me are sobbing at your story. What a truly wonderful person your Dad is. A real inspiration and a true hero.You must be all bursting with pride.
    Fantastic that they won the bronze medal too.

    Wagging in awe. Eric x

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  44. Hi Maggie and Mitch!
    Congrats to your dad on the bronze!!!!! And kudos to him for looking out for and helping that lucky lady!!!

    Smooches,
    Winnie :-)

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