Day 543

We had a special request for a Ranger Visit at one of our favorite venues! Lilly visits this senior complex each Friday, but the residents were so curious about her elusive brother! I kept promising to bring our Big Boy, but today seemed like a good day to make good on that promise.

Ranger tentatively walked through the front doors to this beautiful establishment and was greeted by the administration within seconds! Loving hands, kind words and smiling faces surrounded our Golden and he began to feel the comfort and love.

After sniffing around for a bit, just to acclimate himself, we were met by our side-kick, Bethany (Activities Director). Again, Ranger was given all of our friend's attention as she got down on the floor and snuggled...disregarding the accumulating hair on her black slacks! He continued to feel the comfort and love.

Down to Memory Care where the group was waiting around the fireplace. A big TV above the flames was tuned into Dog TV and all eyes were glued to the set. That is until, Ranger rounded the bend. The residents knew in a heartbeat that this was not their Lilly and beautifully gnarled hands reached out to pet the big head. Ranger was wonderful and the elders were delighted. There was so much comfort and love.

Walking down the halls of the other wing, we stopped in to see David, who has been requesting Ranger's presence for weeks on end. Even though there were moments when I could sense my pup's nervousness due to some involuntary movements from our new friend, Ranger stayed and was the perfect Therapy Dog. At times like this, it is my job to move in and make sure my dogs know I am right there. Hearing my voice and feeling my calming touch brings them comfort and love.

Going a bit further down the hallway, we stopped at the door of one of our regulars. Bethany leaned in and one of the nurses shook her head and said he was sleeping. I could sense sadness and an uneasy aura as another employee walked in and exited quickly. Later, walking past the room, that same aide had tears in her eyes and told someone that she was having a hard time seeing this person decline. The entire staff seemed upset and sad...because they care so deeply. Comfort and love indeed.

Feeling "at home" in any venue is a gift given by the others within those walls. When I walk through the doors at this residence, I feel it. My dogs feel it. The residents feel it...even the staff feels it. There is an essence of welcome, acceptance, caring and warmth within these walls. Everyone involved is fortunate to belong to this "family" of residents and employees, because that feeling hovers in the air like a cozy blanket of caring. Fortunate people who breathe the air within that residence are what make it a beautiful atmosphere of comfort and love.

Finally, I decided that it does not have to be a "place," since it is the people within that "place" who bring the comfort and love. It can also be a person, or people, that makes your life beautiful. Hopefully everyone reading this has a place, a person or people who bring comfort and love to your heart...if not, try to be that person for others. In the end, you will be the one who feels the love.