Day 868

Today, Gus made his debut at Mercy Hospital. Although he had been to Walker a time or two, my expectations were all over the board with this venue. The people, the smells, the sounds, the elevators and more, can be daunting at the least. From the time he walked in the door, until the time we departed, Gus was perfect.

While we were waiting for our dear friend Barbara (when dogs are new to Mercy, they are accompanied by another Therapy Dog Team Member who observes), a woman walked up and asked if she could pet Gus. It was his very first “visit." I typically ask if they are visiting a loved one and her response brought tears to my eyes. She was there to say goodbye to her husband as it was time for him to donate his organs. She cried, I hugged and Gus leaned in as hard as he could. When she left us, she thanked us for being there as it lifted her grief for a moment. After she left, I looked at Gus and told him, “Well done, Therapy Dog”! He just looked up at me with one of his patented Gus smiles.

The rest of his tour went well. He was born to do this work.

Sometimes, I wonder what I was born to do. Loving my first and second grade teachers, I wanted to grow up to be just like them. I did just that, but was I truly BORN to teach? I am not convinced of that.

Gus and I could have taken different journeys in life, but I am certainly glad we ended up sharing a leash. Watching his kind, loving ways this morning, no matter what path he took, there would always be that beautiful spirit. Perhaps that is what we are all born to do. No matter where life takes you, if you can be kind and loving…that is what you were born to do. I’d like to think so.