Scarlet and Friends

Friends come in all shapes, forms, and sizes.  Whether people, animals, a good book, or a cup of coffee - a friend is ready available to offer solace in this crazy world.

Scarlet has made a ton of human friends over the years.  Whether in a therapy visit or on a daily walk, she is happy to greet all who come her way.  Last weekend when she accompanied mom and the kids to a Fall festival, she quickly became the belle of the ball.  Few people walked by her without asking to stroke her velvety fur.  Each time someone reached to pet her there was a smile across their face and for that brief moment joy in their heart.  She just has that effect on people which is why she makes the perfect therapy dog.

The Scarlet effect - random strangers who asked to greet her.

Scarlet is the perfect dog.  She is quick to respond to any verbal command or silent hand signal.  She walks effortlessly on a leash.  She is beautiful.  Her eyes speak comfort to the soul.  However, when it is time to "go to work", Scarlet's enthusiasm cannot be contained.

Our routine for a day out to visit is always the same:  she eats, does her business, and comes in to be brushed and sprayed with her special perfume.  Once that has been accomplished - she knows what her day holds!  She begins prancing - picking her front legs up higher and higher until it is time to leave.  The command is given to "load up" and she runs to wait at the van until the door is open and she is allowed inside.  When the ride is complete and we have arrived at our destination, patience is no longer her friend.  She pulls against the lead hard dragging Mom behind her in a hurry to visit with her friends.  She longs for the attention she will be given on these days and looks forward to each visit with each individual person.

This week Scarlet started back at our local elementary school where the children read to her.  Following her school visit, she made her rounds at a nursing home that we have just started volunteering at.  It's amazing the happiness her presence offers and the difference those few minutes make.

Scarlet enjoys being read to.. especially when it's a book about her buddy, Sugar.

Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times."  Scarlet perfects that and lives it daily.  May we all aspire to do as much.

Kudzu's First Therapy Dog Visit

Just a month past his leg amputation, Kudzu made his first appearance as a "therapy dog in training" yesterday.  Some dogs are just born to be therapy dogs, and Kudzu is certainly among them. 

At the library, he laid still next to Isaac as Isaac read a "Clifford the Big Red Dog" book to him.  (Isaac was featured with his golden, Cosmo, in yesterday's post.)

Then Kudzu chilled out with big sister, Dacey, at Brookhaven Animal Rescue League while Mom took pictures of some of the newest arrivals.

Kudzu LOVES being LOVED!

BARL pup, Meeko.  Such a cutie!!

Once Mom finished up there (after taking 75 pictures!), we went to the nursing home.  Mom has taken lots of dogs to the nursing home over the past seven years.  She says that most of them behave nice enough, but few of them instinctually know why they are there.  Kudzu is one of those few.  The first resident that Kudzu visited was a lady sitting in a recliner.  He promptly put his front paw in her lap and attempted to lick her face.  Everyone he met shared the same reaction: surprised by joy!  Everyone quickly inquired as to the nature of his injury and the meaning of his name.  Our favorite moment of the afternoon came when we visited with a lady who owned a Golden Retriever before moving into the nursing home.  Since she is bed bound, Mom helped Kudzu up on to her bed and then helped the lady to put her arm over Kudzu.  She held him tightly for several minutes.  It blessed all of us to see her reaction to him.

It was a great day.  Kudzu even got some extra treats for behaving so nicely.  Once we were home though, all he wanted to do was SLEEP.  You could honetly say Kudzu was "dog tired".

  He worked hard on his first day in training.  We were all very proud of him.

          Kudzu relaxing on the "dog couch" after a long day.

                                          

AROOOOF!

Boondocks and Kudzu

(Not sure why the font is not displaying in appropriate size.  Sorry for any inconvience!)

Therapy Dog in Training

As part of my training to be a therapy dog, I have been allowed to tag along with my K9 big, sister Scarlet on some of her outings. Scarlet is a TDI therapy dog and really loves people.

Here's Scarlet and Momma at the library last summer.

The first time I got to go with her was to a nursing home.  There were lots of people in wheelchairs and scooters.  There were also lots of new and strange smells.  I wasn't too sure about all of it and for the life of me, I could not understand why all these strangers wanted to wipe their hands off on me!

A week went by after that visit and I found myself back in the same place.  After lots of encouragement from Scarlet and Momma, I became excited.  I really wanted to give love to these people who needed me.  It felt good to have a purpose and this time it felt good when they ran their hands through my fur.  I wasn't scared at all. 

Yesterday I got to go visit again, but this time to a new place filled with kids!  (I really like two-legged, short people.)  Mom explained that my job was to lie still while the children took turns reading to me.  It sounded easy enough. 

As kids walked past me they all "oohed and ahhed" at me.  It was ok cause I like the attention.  Then I got to meet Michael!  He walked me on the leash for a bit.  I took the leash from him to show him I could walk myself.  He laughed.  I threw my body against the floor and wiggled and danced while Michael continue giggling at me.  I knew this was going to work great.  Then it was time to read.  I did just as Mom had said and was still and quiet while I helped him sound the words out that he read from the page.  He did a really good job!  He read me a story about a yellow dog named Marley.  Now that's a pooch who really knows how to have fun!!

Momma says I have a very bright future in store.  She's right, of course!

I liked it when Michael showed me the pictures.

Scarlet watched over me to make sure I did everything just right.