For the Love of Dog!

It was in 1999 that Kazue Bushnell was ready to make a move.... for her German Shepherd dog! Husband Robert and daughter Megumi lived with her in a Sunnyside suburban neighborhood. The family dog was "depressed" and needed "room to roam!" Robert was okay with a move as long as he had privacy and a sunny yard. Megumi just wanted to remain involved with the same church. Kazue found the "perfect spot for all" in Corbett and they have been here ever since! Born and raised in Japan and yet from a Korean heritage, Kazue first came to the U.S. in order to attend college. Kazue first attended a school in Vermont to learn the English language. After one term, she enrolled at Concordia College in Portland and graduated four years later. Just out of school, Kazue married at age 22 and had her daughter within a brief marriage a brief  to a man she met here in Portland. Not only a single parent, Kazue took on the responsibility of of home schooling Megumi. Being driven to better herself, she also went on to Portland State University to get her master's degree in social work. Kazue was at the Morrison Center for an internship her second year of school and they awarded her with a scholarship and provided excellent training. Then she went to work at Cascadia (a non-profit) as a case manager for clinically mentally ill adults, and later another branch of Cascadia, working with school aged children, who also provided her with a scholarship! In 1995 Kazue met and married Robert and they have been happily married ever since. In 1996, Kazue suffered a brain hemorrhage and had brain surgery, forcing her to retire from working. She had to relearn everything from walking to speech. Both Robert and Kazue feel strongly about helping others, and they are currently involved with the Citizen's Patrol here in Corbett as well as NERT- Neighborhood Emergency Response Team. They also both attend the Monday lunches for seniors at the grange each Monday afternoon. This past summer Kazue had a health scare with a heart attack. Currently she is focused on health and exercise, wanting to live her best life so she can best serve others. Her father passed away Thanksgiving morning this year and she is reminded more than ever to live with NO regrets. Her Christian faith has always been of great importance to her and she is most grateful for her church and family. Magumi has now moved on and married- she is a professional violin player and living in Boston. Kazue said she was thankful to have suggested lessons so many years ago!