In August, 2012, we (john & suzy) took in a dog to foster it. She had been picked up by a dog catcher in May, 2012, and remained in the shelter for 4 months. She was Senior in age and nobody wanted her. She was slated to be euthanized. Some friends intervened to adopt the dog. Eventually, they, who already had a dog, discovered that having 2 dogs was too much for them and planned to return "Roxy" to the shelter. We then offered to foster Roxy.

We quickly became attached to "Roxy". She's the sweetest little old lady dog, with a cute freckled nose, a wide skinny legged stance, long flowing white and blonde hair with a pretty, bushy tail. When she runs, she has a rapid frantic happy gait like a wind up toy.

We didn't care for the name Roxy. Suzy "felt" her name should be something "G" like, and pulled out of the air the name "Gemma". We believed it to be original and unique

July 27, 2010, I had over 4 hours of surgery to fuse a couple of lower lumbars. The operation was successful. Unfortunately there was some underlying nerve damage. July 2011, I started a new job in the Maintenance Dept. of a local hotel. The job turned out to be very physical. It was brutal on my new spinal parts.

As the job progressed, so too the pain in my lower back. The pain increased to the point where I couldn't walk, stand, or work anymore. It became necessary for more surgery.

My Sweetheart Suzy, feeling helpless about my pain, began doing research on the "Science of Prayer", and as she Googled around the internet, she came upon the Patron Saint of Back Pain... her name is "Gemma Galgani".