pet connection

My dogs normally are groomed every evening. That’s just our normal routine: They get dinner, then I sit on the floor while watching TV and I check each dog for cuts, scratches, burrs, foxtails or mats.  Then each dog is thoroughly brushed. So when I bring out the brushes in the morning, the two older dogs know that means a therapy dog visit and the dog who is brushed gets to go.

So this morning, when I called Archer to me to be brushed, the two older dogs kept trying to worm their way under my hands. Certainly I had made a mistake and wanted one of them! They are too funny. I promised them they could go another time and got Archer ready for his visit.

I made sure we arrived a little early at the nursing home. I wanted Archer to have a chance to walk around, relieve himself, and greet the other dogs before going inside. I was right to do that because as the other dogs arrived, his excitement level went up and up and up. I let him greet them and work off some energy, then we walked around a little and practiced some obedience skills until he calmed down and his mind was back in gear. Then we went inside.

We were greeted by the activities director  who gave Sheri, our visit leader, a list of the people who wanted to see the dogs today. Sheri introduced the activities director to Archer and Bongo, another dog on his first visit. Then all of the therapy dogs and owners went to the multi-puprpose room to greet the people there before we went on to the individual rooms.

In the multi-purpose room, I approached a woman in a wheelchair, introduced myself and Archer, and asked her if she liked dogs, “Sure, I love dogs and have had dogs all my life,” she said. “What kind of a dog is your dog?” As she and I talked, I moved Archer within petting reach next to her chair and she began stroking his head, neck and back. He turned his head and rested it on her knee as she stroked him and I knew – right then and there – that I’d made the right decision in doing this training with him.

After visiting with her, we moved on and met the other people – residents and staff members alike – in the multi-purpose room. We then moved on to see the people in their rooms who wanted to see the dogs.

One gentleman – his first name is Donald - really seemed to enjoy Archer so I pulled up a chair so I could talk to him at eye level rather than stand above him. As he pet Archer, he talked about his previous dogs, the dogs his son owns now, and the pet his wife has at home now. He said, “We have a CAT now. The CAT is easier to care for than a dog but I feel like I’m betraying all dogs by having a CAT!”  The emphasis is his.

I laughed and said, “Well, cats are great pets, too. Archer lives with three cats.”

Donald relaxed and said, “My cat’s name is Robin. Isn’t that a silly name for a cat? But my wife named her and I’ve got to keep the wife happy, you know!”

I tried not to bust out laughing but my efforts were in vain! Donald was a kick and Archer and I stayed with him for a little while before moving on. I promised Donald we would stop by and see him on our next visit.

The next room was Arnold’s and he, too, is a long time dog owner. As he petted Archer, he talked about the generations of Collies he and his wife had shared their lives with. As he talked, he said his wife had passed away several years ago and shortly afterwards, he had lost his last dog. “I’m alone now,” he said, his hands gently stroking Archer.

There was nothing I could say so I just let Archer be there. Arnold, quiet, continued to pet the receptive dog. After a few minutes Arnold looked at me and said, “I can’t remember who said it, but someone once said if people were more like dogs the world would be a much better place.”

I agreed with him, “That’s so true.”

He stroked Archer for a few more minutes and then said, “I’m so sorry I haven’t been better company but I do so miss my wife and my dogs. But thank you for bringing your dog by. I enjoyed meeting him.”

I asked him, “Do you want us to stop by again next week? Or does visiting with a dog bring back too many old memories?”

He looked at me and said, “Memories are all I have right now. Please do stop in. You have a lovely dog and maybe next week I’ll be in a better mood.”

I reached down, gave him a hug, and said, “I promise Archer and I will see you next week.” Sighing, I left his room. I know he enjoyed Archer’s company but that visit was quite sad.

The next several people were also receptive and enjoyed petting Archer. At one point Sheri joined us as she wanted to watch Archer and I so she could catch any potential problems with our visit skills but we got a thumbs up from her.

The last person we visited was a woman who was under hospice care. Her daughter was with her and said, “Mom can no longer talk but is still aware of what’s going on. We’ve always had dogs so I thought she might like to have a dog visit with her today.”

She leaned over her mother in the bed and said, “Mom, a therapy dog is here. Would you like him to visit with you?”  The daughter then turned to me and asked, “Can he get on the bed next to her?”

I mentally crossed my fingers and said, “Of course he can!”

I took Archer to the foot of the bed, asked him to jump up and when he did, told him to lie down. I then told him, “Archer, crawl,” and guided him up alongside the woman until his head was at her arm. He rested his head on her arm and she reached over with her other arm to stroke him. After a few strokes the arm under his head came around and she hugged him.

I stayed within reach to grab him should he get too energetic but he remained calm. She got a sloppy kiss or two but smiled when he did that. I also watched for signs that she was pushing him away but never saw any. In fact, after about five minutes she fell asleep with her arms around Archer. I didn’t want to wake her by having him crawl off the bed so I lifted him off.

As we left the room, the daughter hugged Archer and then me, thanking us for spending time with her Mom.

As we left the facility  and I loaded Archer into my van, I gave my dog a hug, too. My dogs and I have participated in many dogs sports over the years, from agility and conformation dog shows to herding,  search and rescue work and even weight pulling. But nothing has been as rewarding as this.

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