Monday, July 26, 2010

A Nursing Home Visit

It was last Friday afternoon when Sheri informed me that we were going to take a ride in her car! Just saying those words throw me into a frenzy of excitement. I ran around the house several times, out of sheer happiness! She brushed my coat really well, she says my shedding has slowed down, but I really don't mind her brushing me, it feels sorta good and I've learned to turn over from the right side to my left side when Sheri asks me to.

Well, Sheri put my pink collar on with the pink leash and of course, I went into my extreme excited behavior and even barked once in the house...Sheri asks me to 'not bark in the house' and I am good about not barking inside the house but she seems to understand why I have to bark just once when we are going out for a visit in her car!

Sheri put a big fitted sheet on the passenger's seat for me, as she said, 'Luci, your shedding hair is a problem on my car seats!" She fixed a small cup of water in one of the drink holders for me and buckles me up before we left the house. I was pretty happy and excited but I stayed in my seat and stood up on the console to watch the cars and trucks behind us. It took us about 30 minutes to get to the nursing home to visit our sweet friend who loves me to come because she has to live here now. She misses her 5 dogs she had to leave at home. Our friend was having dinner when we arrived so Sheri took me for a walk around the nursing home. Then we visited other residents that reached out for me and wanted to pet my head. I love people, all ages, and especially those elderly folks who appear to be soooo sad, but right away, they begin to smile and become happy to see me and want to talk to me and tell me about their dogs they once had. Meeting new people is one of my favorite things in my short puppy life, it's just pure fun! I like to make people happy when they are sad...Sheri says that's one of my jobs and it doesn't even seem like work at all!!!!

After about an hour, our friend finished her dinner and came back into her room, (her home,) as Sheri tells me, and we must always knock and ask to be invited into someone's home/room at the nursing home. She says I am learning good manners and that this is very important.

Our friend was delighted to see me and began smiling and looking so happy and pleased that we had come to visit. Our friend likes for me to step up on her knees and I let her pet my head and I lick her hands because Sheri says it's okay, as our friend likes this. But Sheri warns me that I don't step up on anyone or jump up on anyone or lick them unless they tell me it's O.K.! We brought our friend some special foods and sodas that she likes and stocked up her little frig. I could tell that our friend was thankful, even though she can't speak, I can sense it through her head movements and smiles.

Our visit was fun and good therapy for our friend and as Sheri tells me, good therapy for us too! The nursing staff know me now and they comment on how well behaved I am! Guess that means I am nice!

I was ready to go home after about another hour. Our dear friend loves me very much and wants Sheri to bring me back real soon.

I slept for the 30 mile drive back home after I took a big drink of water. It was good to get back to familiar surrounding, my big back yard where I can run and chase birds and squirels and sometimes a cat! I am saving my cat story for next time. So, until then, Happy Doggy Days of summer. Love to all, Luci (Lu-Lu)-a pet name that I rather like!

1 comment:

  1. Sheri, Wow to drive 30 miles to cheer-up others...some who can't even talk. Now that is--as James says--true religion. James 1:27. "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." Blessings on you. And I love your muse--Lulu. ;)

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