1 May

In honor of Izzy, Hospice, Bookstores

by Jon Katz
Honoring Izzy, Hospice, Books

Well, spent a fruitful couple of hours signing books. People loved Izzy, and it was touching to see.  Connie Brooks called in her mother Marilyn after people starting phoning and e-mailing to order copies of “Izzy & Lenore” to remember Izzy, benefit hospice and support a wonderful independent bookstore. This blog community is making a lot of good noise, and it is a very wonderful tradition to buy books to celebrate the life of a great dog.

Connie sold out in a few hours, and this new stack came in today and sold out quickly, and more books are arriving tomorrow. “It has been a long and very busy day for Battenkill,” says the non-demonstrative bookstore owner. This was one of those things that just caught on. All of my royalties from these sales will go to benefit various hospice organizations. You can order copies of “Izzy & Lenore” and Connie will shop them anywhere in the world. They cost $15 plus shipping.

You can order them by calling the store at 518 677-2515, or emailing connie – [email protected] – or by e-mailing the store at www.battenkillbooks.com . Connie takes PayPal, which I see a lot of people are using. I will personalize the books in any reasonable way (some of the inscriptions are a bit long. This blog is not about buying things, and no one should feel any pressure to buy this book, but if you are so inclined, Battenkill is ready. Connie has really turned this bookstore around and demonstrated that individuals matter, and book lovers want there to be bookstores.

3 April

Hospice Dog: Izzy

by Jon Katz
Hospice Dog: Izzy

 

Watching Izzy in his hospice work was a transformative experience for me. He responded to attention and need, and when he locked in on a hospice patient’s eyes, there was a connection that only deepened an – and grew. When I see that look in his eyes, I know I am in need, and I remember all of the beautiful people we met at the edge of life. Izzy is a spirit dog.

23 June

Hospice Journal. Izzy, Alice

by Jon Katz

  Went on a hospice call to a nearby town yesterday with Keith Mann, the Washington County Hospice official who got Izzy and I into volunteering (along with Jean Malone, the Hospice Bereavement Counselor). Alice was lying still in bed, going in and out of consciousness, but she beamed from ear to ear when she saw Izzy. We didn’t stay long, as Alice was short of breath and tired. We had a tough time maneuvering into position in the hospital bed. I asked her if she wanted us to return, and she nodded and smiles.”Yes,yes,” she said.
  I have been nearly overwhelmed with work lately, writing children’s books, my novel, running the farm. I was happy to be out with Izzy again. We will see Alice again this weekend. She lives right in the middle of a Main Street in a small nearby town, and I am always struck at how the drama of life and death so often plays out in windows, the cards and stream of preoccupied people completely unaware. Hospice is a gift.

Bedlam Farm