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Shiloh??™s Social Call made me decide dogs should be a
mandatory requirement in nursing home facilities!
Recently I
visited a friend, Marvene, who has been in a nursing home
for several years. At one time she was my mother??™s roomy in
the home, and I still stay in touch with her. Lakepoint
Nursing Home is in a small town in
Kansas.
Although I live in
Texas,
when I??™m here seeing my Dad I always make time to visit
Marvene.
I knew the
home allowed pets to visit so last week Shiloh (my black and
silver Schnauzer) accompanied me. So as not to cause too
much commotion we entered through the backdoor which is very
close to Marvene??™s room. Well, Marvene lit up like a candle
when we arrived. She had always had pets and adores them.
Shiloh
is not a
trained therapy dog so I was pleasantly surprised that she
was very quiet and behaved like a lady. Schnauzers do tend
to be a bit yappy and can be quite rowdy. But, as for
seeing ???people??? I knew that was not about to be an issue.
Within a
few minutes Marvene??™s room was filling up! Aides were
bringing people in their wheelchairs, the residents that are
ambulatory were popping in, as well as some staff members
coming on their own.
Shiloh
certainly knew she was center stage and greeted each visitor
with delight. After sneaking in the back way I have no idea
how word spread so quickly that there was a ???critter??? in the
house. Word had spread like a Kansas tornado! The evening
turned into an all-out party for these folks! I couldn??™t
have been more pleased knowing
Shiloh had brought such joy to them, even if only for a short while.
Each one
could hardly wait to get their hands on Shiloh. They were
all smiling ear to ear and many had tears in their eyes as
they told of the pets they ???used??? to have. One lady came in
and was obviously confused with a far away look in her eye.
The minute she saw Shiloh she was transformed before my very
eyes, and spoke as lucidly as you and me.
I truly
think Shiloh knew she was helping these folks. Once the
traffic ceased, Shiloh lay in my lap with her head on the
arm of the chair and her eyes FIXED on the door. Doesn??™t
anyone else ???need??? to see me?
I do
believe she felt the love these strangers had for her, and
she knew they felt uplifted after petting and loving on her.
I have
often read about the positive results therapy dogs have on
the elderly in nursing facilities. After seeing it for
myself I would urge anyone with a ???well behaved??? pet to give
it a try. Seeing the joy Shiloh brought still has me
ecstatic. And, yes, we will be visiting again??¦??¦??¦??¦??¦.because
so little, brought so much, into so many lives.
?© 2004
Kathy Baker
--------------------------
Kathy was
born in
Augusta, Kansas which
is only a few miles outside of Wichita. Her childhood was
spent growing up in the country. After marrying a native
Texan he moved her to Dallas in 1978. ???A large city has a
lot to offer, but I miss the simple life and slower pace.???
Pets have
always played a huge part in her life and she cannot imagine
a home without them. Her hobbies are varied, but
cross-stitching is by far her favorite.
???Quite to
my surprise, I've had stories or poems featured by
Petwarmers, Storytime Tapestry, and Starfish in the past
year.???
???I have stepchildren, but none of my own. Possibly that is
why I have such an attachment to animals. I've always felt
my mission in life was giving love and a home to these dear
animals God has provided for us to enjoy.???
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May you be blessed today.
Bob Johnston
Editor / Publisher
To read archived stories, click on this link:
http://archives.zinester.com/9516/2004
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