Cindy's Miracle

         Sunday, September 3, 2000, began early like it does at all other dog trials, but today was meant to raise the hair on your head in Georgia.  I had to judge Go-To-Ground which didn't start till 10:00 am.  Cindy, Pearl and Stacy, who were my local area running buddies, all raced their dogs and needed to be at the trial site early.  I pulled into my parking spot as the racing was going on.  Cindy walked over to our tent to greet me as she was swapping dogs for the next race.  While I was feeding my dogs, she was headed back to the track.  I wished her luck and finished what I was doing. 
        A few minutes later I heard over the intercom that someone was down and needed a doctor and ambulance.  Then a few minutes later Pearl, with a dog in her arms, was walking swiftly towards me asking that I go check on Cindy because she was flat on her back.  I shifted into high gear running as fast as I could to reach her.  As I got closer to her I saw people administering CPR.  Panic engulfed every inch of my body!  Then a TOTAL sense of helplessness saturated my mind.  I was pacing and punching my right fist into my left hand and praying at the same time.  Each time I looked her way and saw someone having to breathe breath into her body to keep her alive, I was feeling even more helpless.
        As a Christian, I knew prayer was powerful but I've always been very private about praying.  Before I could think about it, I had dropped to my knees crying and praying for GOD to intervene and give my friend another chance at life.  Within seconds another Christian joined me.  After an extensive prayer and claiming Matthew 18:20, a sense of peace drenched my complete being.  While the medics were loading Cindy into the ambulance I grabbed her foot to feel her rotate her ankle.  That was like putting icing on the cake!  I smiled and looked to heaven thanking GOD for his blessing.
        As the ambulance was driving away a precious man hugged me and asked about praying for Cindy over the intercom.  I was in total agreement.  As he prayed a circle of believers formed.  When he closed his prayer with an "Amen", I looked to find our prayer circle had grown tremendously.  Another sense of serenity engulfed my entire being.
        It wasn't until a week later that I found out Cindy had literally died 3 times at the trial site and twice in the ambulance.  As a Christian, I knew then and still know that the prayers of everyone at that trial saved her life while she was lying on that ground and our prayer circle brought her back to us in that ambulance.
       All major sports events pray prior to beginning that days activities.  All Jack Russell Terrier Trials should begin their day with a prayer too!  If you agree with me, please contact the JRTCA office, the JRTCA Chairman of the Trial Committee, and your local Trial Chairman to express your opinion.
       Cindy was diagnosed with "Sudden Death Syndrome".  Her specialist was very honest with Cindy when she told her that she was only the 2nd patient that had lived through this in his career.  Cindy sends her special Thanks to Peggy Curran, Dotti Fryer, Faith Letendre, Carol Wilson, Sue Farmer, Linda Pereboom and Dr. Chuck Swanson, as well as all the people that prayed for her which gave her a second chance at life.

Cheryl Hart
September 10, 2000