Day 34

6/14/22

Today, I decided to go back in time to our first, beloved Therapy Dog. Arthur was our introduction to goldens and Therapy Dogs...what had we been missing all this time?????

Arthur's nickname was "Moose" for good reason. He weighed in at over 100 pounds and had the longest legs I have seen on a golden retriever! He was full of love and had only one vice: ALL TENNIS BALLS BELONGED TO HIM!

When he would be up at our cabin, we would throw a ball out into the lake and he would retrieve it. That's where the game ended. There was no release of the ball into our expectant outstretched hand. We would throw ball number two. He would return with both tennis balls in his mouth. The jaws of life could not have extricated them from those jowls! After the third throw with no release in sight, we would just stare and laugh at this big goofy guy who looked like he had a big, green grin across his face.

Forward to one of our visits to a senior residence. Arthur was a most predictable, patient and gentle Therapy Dog. Imagine my shock and surprise when he suddenly bolted down a hallway with me hanging on to all 100 plus pounds for dear life. Slowly walking down the hallway was an elderly man with his walker. It took me about two seconds to put it all together! There were tennis balls on the legs of the walker!

We came to a halt and I remember apologizing and explaining his fascination with tennis balls. The gentleman laughed, sat down (Smart move on his part!) and proceeded to regale us with his own dog stories from the past.

As we said good-bye and started down the hallway, he called after us, "Always look for the unexpected! It just might be the best part of your day!"

It certainly was the best part of the day for me! Arthur, on the other paw, was still glancing back at those tennis balls...