A few weeks ago I received an invitation to attend a party celebrating the work of some local volunteers, which I was all too willing to accept. The guests of honor at yesterday’s party were very special and quite hairy.
They included a Great Pyrenees named Wotan,
a beautiful whippet named Zoe,
two long-haired dachshunds named Pippin and Max,
a very laid-back black lab named Jibar,
an Akita mix named Shilo,
two English Setters named Paloma and Spencer,
an adorable rescued terrier mix named Sam,
a Bouvier named Willow,
a greyhound named Freddie, whose mom obviously loves him,
and a Shih Tzu named Bear.
All are volunteers with the pet therapy program at one of our local hospitals and provide the most important medicine possible… love. Knock on wood that I never have to be hospitalized, but if I do, I’d like to put my request in now for each and every one of them to stop by and visit.
April 23, 2010 at 4:33 am
That is truly awesome, and must have been a fun party to attend!
Sometimes I think they need to include stories like this in the news … just a little something to brighten our day and to give thanks to these folks and their pups!
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April 23, 2010 at 7:20 am
Pat,
I found myself tearing up at times while there (as I tend to do when around animals) because those dogs are just so special. I couldn’t agree with you more about including stories like this in the news! I know I always feel better when I’m with my four-legged children.
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April 23, 2010 at 6:55 am
Loved it! My dog looks a lot like the last one only bigger. Have a good weekend.
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April 23, 2010 at 7:22 am
Nancy,
What is your dog’s name? Hope your daughter is doing well.
You have a good weekend too.
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April 23, 2010 at 11:11 am
I’m glad to say both my daughter and her ‘lil preemie are doing well. My dog’s name is Bossman and he truly lives up to it. He’s supposed to be a Lhasa Apso but he’s larger than most. He weighs 23 lbs. We used to breed chow chow’s. Those were the smartest dogs we ever had.
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April 23, 2010 at 6:57 am
Fess up…how many treats did you pick up at the dog bakery to bring home to your pack?
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April 23, 2010 at 7:25 am
Carson,
Funny you should ask. I caved in and had to buy one peanut butter cookie and one carob cookie each for the dogs. 🙂
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April 23, 2010 at 7:16 am
A Golden Retriever came to visit my hubby when he broke his leg (surgery followed) in Arizona last fall.
One thing I do know about these dogs–they get a bath before coming to the hospital. Can you imagine getting that Pyr or those Setters ready for a visit?
Thanks for sharing these very special dogs. 🙂
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April 23, 2010 at 7:27 am
CeeCee,
I know, right? The Pyr had just recently been to the groomer and hugging him was totally like hugging a cloud. And those Setters were simply gorgeous.
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April 23, 2010 at 9:13 am
They deserve to be celebrated for bringing warmth, happy smiles & wet kisses to an otherwise “sterile” environment. Blessings wrapped in fur, every one.
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April 23, 2010 at 10:33 am
Thanks for sharing. It brought back great memories of me and my mini schnauzer, Sahara doing pet therapy at a nursing home with a friend and her yellow lab, Riba. It was wonderful to see the residents faces light up when the dogs arrived. Even normally unresponsive residents would want to pet them.
When my mom was hospitalized the nurses helped smuggle Sahara in to see her because the hospital didn’t have a program but the nurses knew that it would cheer my mom.
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April 23, 2010 at 11:22 am
Nancy,
I’m so happy to hear that… great news! You must be so relieved. Give Mister Bossman a big hug for us! 🙂
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April 23, 2010 at 1:57 pm
What a great program. Glad you attended. When I’m not feeling good I throw my arms around my two rotts. They offer kisses for free and always cheer me.
A wonderful program and so glad someone thought of it.
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
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April 23, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Are they adorable or what? I second that – if I ever need cheering up in a hospital, please bring me some 4-footed friends 🙂 What a fun party!
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April 23, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Those are some special dogs (and people) I’ve read of the wonders that they do for so many people. Especially the elderly. For instance, I read a posting on the Pyr list today about how a fella took his Pyr to a nursing home and one of the ladies asked if she could walk him and that the dog just went along for her as easily as possible and the staff reported that she was on cloud nine the rest of the day. That is something. One of our LGD’s a big ol’ Pyr/Akbash cross, he’s huge, but as gentle as a lamb with people, especially kids. Thanks for sharing those marvelous pics. Ken and Mary of Fancy Fibers Farm, Texas
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April 26, 2010 at 5:24 am
Therapy dogs are special little souls.
Tearing up? I would have been blubbering!
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