Day 337

4/18/23

Some say “Silence is Golden," but today it seemed that “Patience was Golden!"

My pups are not known for being patient, but there are times when their patience humbles me. Lilly was at Walker Senior Residence today and Ranger visited Mercy Hospital. Although they are impatient for treats, their turn to go for a walk or getting our attention, they are supreme beings at being patient when the need is real.

This morning, Lilly walked through her usual throng of fans at Walker and headed up to see one of her favorites. Today we had a request to do FaceTime with a family member in Germany! Using my phone, and a limited knowledge of technology, I was able to connect across the ocean and two parents were thrilled to see a face they love! During the attempts to actually make the technology work, Lilly snuggled up to my feet as if she had all the time in the world!

Ranger walked around Mercy in his pursuit of treats. That boy knows where ALL the treats are stashed and follows his very own Pirate Map to find each and every one. Today, my Therapy Dog visited many requested rooms (where no known treats were stored) and did so with affection, attention and patience.

Both of these Goldens know the need for patience and deliver when it is needed most. When a senior needs to talk about their dogs from the past, when a patient is hurting, when a staff member needs a moment to decompress from the stress of the day, these two pups have all the patience in the world!

I could take some pointers from my Therapy Dogs!

There were many moments in my day when I needed to practice patience:

*When my two puppies decided to rough-house in the living room and teamed up on me when I requested them to “Come!" I took a breath, counted to 10 and tried a different approach. I was rewarded by two faces looking up at me from the kitchen, sitting like little gentlemen.

*When Lilly and I were stopped in the hallway by a resident who has trouble communicating. Lilly knew just what to do and I tried to follow her lead. Looking like we were not in a rush to meet for the ZOOM call, we listened, asked a few clarifying questions and then left our friend feeling validated by our attention.

*When Ranger and I were headed up to Mercy's 5th floor and, at least, a dozen people stopped us as we attempted to board the elevator. The doors would open and someone would exit right into Ranger’s wagging tail. The doors would open again and someone would call his name. We finally made it onto the elevator and I was aware that my impatience to move upward was thwarted over and over by people who needed us. That is the very reason we do this work…Ranger knew this and I finally caught on!

I could go on and on, but I concede that the most beautiful, meaningful and loving moments of the day were when patience won out. After awhile, I didn’t even have to count to ten! I would just look into the eyes of my Goldens, search the hearts of the people with whom we were interacting and realize we were right were we needed to be. Patience IS Golden…just ask Ranger or Lilly. (Please don’t ask Gus or Sam…they would not give you the same wisdom!)