Currently, Memphis Rose is dedicating seven days a week to work with Julit, a golden retriever, after being injured in a car accident. Her main goal is to improve her comfort level with the help of Julit.
The initial encounter between 4-month-old golden retriever Juliette and 6-month-old Memphis Rose Hamm, who had recently become paralyzed, took place on July 27 at the St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. The two pups hit it off instantly and fell in love with each other.
According to her mother, Gayrene Meade, 30, Julit immediately fell in love with Memphis Rose as soon as she laid eyes on her, jumping onto her lap and showering her with affectionate licks and cuddles.
My child holds our veterans in high regard. When she met Julit, a cute pup that was to be hers, her face lit up with the biggest grin I had ever seen. It was a lovely moment for me, particularly after a string of difficult weeks.
Meade, a mom who is raising her child alone, was devastated when she received the terrible news that her daughter, Memphis Rose, had been killed on the evening of June 7. Tya Meade and Kenneth Graden were in a fatal car crash involving multiple vehicles in Wellington, a place situated in the western part of Palm Beach County.
Graden was transported to the hospital the day after the incident while sitting in the front passenger seat. Tya, the driver of the 2012 Scion car, suffered from a fractured knee. Meanwhile, Memphis Rose, who was seated behind Graden, endured a punctured lung, as well as a fractured, dislocated neck and si.
Meade shares that his daughter decided to register for genetic counseling due to the impact of her experience. When she stopped breathing for two and a half minutes and couldn’t move, a cast member performed CPR while waiting for the Trama Hawk air ambulance to transport her to St. Mary’s Medical Center. According to the neurosurgeon, her spinal injury was severe, and there was a slim chance of recovery.
During the initial two weeks of her hospitalization, Memphis Rose was administered with high doses of medication. However, as her health continued to deteriorate, the dosage was gradually reduced. She currently requires a surgical tracheostomy and is on a ventilator. Walking is not possible for Memphis Rose and her recovery process is ongoing, which could take several months or even years.
According to Meade, Memphis Rose has only cried two times. Despite being motionless, she has a strong will to move again. Although I am someone who enjoys glittery and magical things, my perseverance might come in handy during my journey.
By connecting with Lori Griffith, the founder of a community organization called Chai A Dream Foundation that helps children who suffer from life-threatening illnesses, Memphis Rose was able to meet with Julit, a golden retriever.
“I had no idea that Memphis Rose had a long-standing wish for a pet.” I reached out to my acquaintances at the Furry Friends rescue center in Jupiter and their response filled me with excitement and joy, sending shivers down my spine.” Griffith shared with PEOPLE.
When the incident occurred, Furry Friends Adoption Clinic & Ranch had just welcomed Juliet, a confident and sociable puppy from Wyoming Sky Goldens in Gillette, Wyoming. This breeder is known for training their puppies to become service dogs for veterans.
Kourtney Hix, owner of the Wyoming Sky Gardens, shares that they collaborated with famous tiger trainer Smmit Earhart, who is affiliated with Furry Friends Adoption. They entrusted their tiger named Juliet to Smmit for training since she was a veteran. And now, they are happy to be a part of Juliette’s journey as she will work for Memphis Rose.
Since their first encounter, Memphis Rose has been able to see Juliette several times, and each time feels like a scene from a heartwarming Disney movie according to Meade.
Julit traveled with Memphis Rose to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia, where they stayed for a couple of weeks to undergo physical therapy.
Having him on the team was a great boost for Memphis, Meade notes.