Chip Dog

During the course of our visits to area senior homes, Chocolate Chip and I have had some rewarding experiences. One in particular stands out in my mind. Chip and I were visiting a home and went into the dining area where a gentleman was seated and eating cookies. The man was lost in his own daydreams until Chip brushed up against him. He came alive at that point, and as he stroked Chip's head, began telling of the dogs he'd owned in his time. Suddenly he was vital as he shared these stories with the staff and me. The staff knew nothing of the dogs in his life or of how much they meant to him. As Chip and I departed, he was still telling "dog stories."

Blue

When people we know have been ill, we have found that sending cards, gifts, food and flowers in the name of our dogs has a lot more impact than when sent by us. In one particular instance, Blue was doing these things with a close friend of ours as she was being treated for cancer. Jackie enjoyed this canine connection. In the latter stages of her fight, Jackie was bedridden and often not very responsive. Her husband, Chuck, would read the various get well cards that came to her and in one batch was a card from Blue. On this particular day, Jackie was not responding well but when Chuck said “You got another card from that dog” a smile came to her face! We were particularly moved by this as Jackie wasn’t really a “dog person.” Yet, the message from a dog touched her as the human correspondence failed to do.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day, Chocolate Chip and I visited an area nursing home. One of the residents sais something that really struck me and reinforced the value of our visits. She said "This is Christmas Day and it is a lonely day for me." This woman had no visitors on this occasion other than Chocolate Chip. We stayed with her quite a while and when as we were leaving she said Chip brought her the best gift of all...his love.

Hazel

Hazel is 106 years young and thoroughly enjoys her visits with Chocolate Chip. She takes time out from her knitting or reading to share time with him.

Breeze and Russ

Breeze and Russ

Breeze and Russ are going to be best of friends

Russ has trained Labs for the Leader Dog program so is especially appreciative of canine visits.