Day 435

Therapy Dogging with these two seniors is such a gift to my heart. They love what they do and brighten the world just a little bit!

Lilly headed to Walker for a visit with our dear friend who just lost his wife. On our way to the meeting spot, and also as we left, the interactions were rich.

One gentleman always sits in the skyway and our conversation goes something like this:

Gentleman: Does that dog have an apartment here? She's getting gray like the rest of us!

Me: We keep looking, but she doesn't like the view.

Gentleman: I hope she'll move in pretty soon. She'll will love the food here!

Me: We will keep looking!

Then on to other amazing incidental connections in the hallways:

"She is so beautiful! Reminds me of my dog Brownie..."

"How much does that dog weigh? I had a big puppy like that once..."

"She's so soft: I remember my little Pepper felt like this..."

The stories are endearing as the residents take their walk down "Memory Lane." Lilly and I patiently listen and realize how important it is for these wonderful seniors to have an audience.

After meeting our friend and visiting longer than planned (he simply needed us), we headed towards the front door. Again, our gentleman buddy stopped us to see how the apartment search was going. A bevy of charming ladies exited the dining room and descended upon Lilly like loving vultures. Petting, cooing, promising future treats and invitations to follow them home were plentiful!

Home and a quick change of Goldens found Ranger in the car heading to Mercy. He charmed the administration wing, helped a nervous patient head towards surgery, checked in with security and helped teach a class up in the Partial Hospitalization Program. Everywhere he set his paw was gold!

My favorite moment came when we went up to the waiting area on 4 Heart. Approaching a trio of family members, I asked if they liked dogs. They were hesitant to begin with, but rapidly fell under Ranger's charm.

Usually, the ages and relationships are easy for me to discern...not with these three! I guessed a wife with husband and brother, but eventually decided to ask the group. Mother and two sons was the response. Flabbergasted, I shook my head and told the mother that was hard to believe. She had me guess her age and I took a shot at late 70's. Wrong! She proudly told me she was 92!

Now this woman was slim, vibrant, stylish and youthful. I was in awe and asked her secret to longevity. She smiled and said,

"Many people ask me that question. I always tell them to

Think young

Act young...

And keep moving!"

This mother of seven seemed to know what she was talking about. Her sons nodded and smiled lovingly her way.

My "take away" from the entire Therapy Dog experience today was:

*Share humor.

*Listen with your heart.

*Be empathetic.

"Think young.

*Act young.

*Keep moving!

Daily jaunts with the pups offer me a real opportunity to put these lessons into practice. I can lean into the wisdom of others, learn from the heart and just keep moving by "Walking With Goldens!"