You've Got a Friend in Me

Here's to amazing friends whose love keeps the world spinning.

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” ― Anais Nin,

Today I’d like to pass along some songs that celebrate friendship. Not just friendship between people, but between species as well. The picture above, for example, shows Leo (one-half of the Vet Crew veterinarian team working in Ukraine) with Tosya, a monkey he and his wife rescued from a petting zoo. Tosya was very sick, and in a great deal of pain, but he trusted Leo and his wife Valentina to care for him. Today he is a beloved and thriving member of their family.

In return, Tosya has become a devoted nurse to Leo, who suffered sudden and totally unexpected heart failure about a week ago. Since Leo returned from the hospital Tosya has been glued to his side.

Click Here or on the image above to hear the song that goes with this photo.

My own friends - furry and human - have been unwavering in their love and support (you know who you are), and below are some stories and accompanying songs that have touched my heart to say thank you.

Lucy
Rescued by the founder of Asher House, Lucy was an overbred puppy mill survivor who had almost given up on life. Please play Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” while watching. If ever a dog needed a friend to see and love her for who she really was it was Lucy. Thank you Asher for all you do.

Plyve Kacha
This moving Ukrainian folk song was sent to me by a Ukrainian friend who still lives with almost daily attacks on her city. The lyrics are a dialogue between a mother and her son who is going off to war. The courage, tenacity, and devotion of the Ukrainian people to their country continue to inspire me. I Stand With Ukraine.

Vet Crew

A friend calls this husband and wife team “angels on earth,” and I have to agree. In the video below, you can watch how Tosya, the monkey they rescued from a petting zoo has not only healed but come to be the face of their global effort to rescue and heal as many animals as possible. I’ll post links below to their sites so you can follow and support their work.

P.S. Good news! Leo is recovering nicely from two heart surgeries, one of which resulted in a pacemaker being installed.

Click the image above or HERE to see an amazing video of Tosya who has become the face of the Vet Crew. Music included.

I’ve been in virtual worlds for more than 14 years now, so you would think I’d know how close and supportive friendships I’ve formed there can be. Nevertheless, I’ve been reduced to grateful tears more than once recently. Thank you so much for being there in all worlds for me: Click HERE to hear the song.

Finally, this post wouldn’t be complete without this classic. Enjoy, and if you have friends you’d like to thank with particular songs, drop me a line with the link to the song, and I’ll keep creating posts. Hugs!

Links
1. Asher House
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAJbFYbzaZ_gOCKHeeq24aw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAsherHouse
2. Vet Crew
Web: https://sites.google.com/view/vetcrew
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vet.crew
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet.crew/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vet.crew