Day 270

2/10/23

We had such an adventure at an elementary school in Blaine this morning! We were invited to visit with about 30 K - 4th grade students in their Power Hour. The topic centered around how dogs make this world a better place! Ranger was certainly in his element!

We were planning to share our QCTV video with the students, but the technology was not cooperating. That was OK with me. After 34 years of teaching elementary and over 15 at the college level, not much frazzles me when I am up in the front of a group. We "punted." Starting with an overview of Therapy Dogs vs Service Dogs and Comfort Dogs, we went on to share my picture book {"The Child Who Changed the World") about paying it forward. After that, the students made cards for the people Ranger and Lilly visit each week.

The students were wonderful and set right down to make beautiful cards for people they would never meet. Talk about "paying it forward," ! I assured them that they would be warming many a heart. During their card-making, Ranger and I worked the crowd. The students were beyond excited to be up close to such a big guy and bestowed so much affection on that Golden. After awhile, Ranger looked at me as if to say, "Mom! Enough is enough! I can't hold this together too much longer!" We left with smiles on every face...especially mine!

Before heading out this morning, I realized I was slightly nervous. Not sure what that was all about, I pondered that emotion as I drove to the school. It suddenly hit me that working with children always matters so much to me. Their minds are so bright and accepting of new knowledge. Like sponges, they were ready to soak in anything I could offer. What made me nervous was my concern that I would be worth their precious time and worthy of the invitation. Interacting with one child or 30 reaches into my very soul and emerges as a need to make our time together engaging and worthwhile.

I believe, just like any good entertainer, we left them wanting more...I KNOW they wanted more of Ranger! A few even rallied for the big guy to move in to the school and be their very own Therapy Dog.

The "comeback line" in my picture book says, "their heart was warmed by the kindness of...". I know mine was!