Day 886

Gus was truly born to be a Therapy Dog. Today, at Norbella, he charmed everyone he met. Most marveled at his calm demeanor and kind face. On his own, he has learned to gently place his head in people's laps and simply look into their eyes. Of course, the loving scratches behind the ears are payment enough!

On this day, we ran into a staff member who said she had a clone of Gus at home! After comparing notes, we discovered that they shared the same father!!! Small world! She said her boy liked pop bottles and offered one to Gus. The genetics carried right through to that love for bottles!

When I shared the way our Gus chose us by trotting over to Mac and falling asleep on his feet, she shared a similar "TAIL" about her boy practically jumping into her husband's arms when they went to pick a pup! Perhaps, there might just be a play date in their future!

Genetics are fascinating to me. Studying them in biology classes, it intrigued me to learn about traits that are carried on through the generations. In my own life, there have been occurrences where someone asked me if I happened to be related to one of my family members without knowing anything about me!

I was honored when, at a gathering, an elderly lady came up to me and asked if I were related to my own "Nanny." Smiling, I told her she was correct and asked how she knew. Her response was that I not only resembled her, but I had her mannerisms. I was humbled.

My father was serving in WWll when a stranger approached. He said, "You must be a Farrier! You have a double who comes from Kentucky. You could pass for Granville." My dad discovered the "doppelganger" was a third cousin! Just think of the genetic path that needed to follow through the generations to create two look-alikes after three generations!

Coming from a long line of European farmers, there must have been a 'farrier' in there somewhere! Realizing my maiden name meant a "shoer of horses," was a point of pride in my life.

Heritage and genetics can suddenly show up in the least expected places. Just ask Gus!