Exact Plan

I had been dating Pam for a few weeks and during this time I had only seen the tail of her cat as it ran underneath the bed or the futon sofa that she had. He did not seem to be very friendly at all. Pam said it would take a while for him to warm up to me. Just do not expect him to let me pet him or hold him, Pam said, as he is strictly a “woman’s” cat.

Having a free day off of work one week when Pam was working, I thought that it would be a nice surprise to have dinner waiting for her when she got home. We had already exchanged house keys, so I thought this would be a special treat for her. I stopped by the grocery store and picked up some fresh veggies and steak, and even a can of food for Leo. Then I ran over to the florist shop to pick up some flowers.

Making it over to Pam’s apartment, I walked in, fully expecting to see a flash of fur flying under the sofa. Instead, there sits Leo on the sofa, reading the Wall Street Journal, with copies of Money magazine and Fortune magazines at his side! He has a cigar hanging out of his mouth, an open Coors Light on the end table (without a coaster), and he is picking at his ass.

He looks up at me as I walk in and wants to know what the hell I am doing there!

I came over to cook, I tell him, and I even show him a can of 9 Lives tuna dinner that I brought home for him.

Leo: “This is bull, where did you ever get the idea that I like 9 Lives cat food?”

George: “Hey buddy, since I am dating Pam, I thought it would be nice to treat her to a special dinner and to treat you to something too!”

Leo: “Let me tell you something Jurge, you are out of your league! First off, I only eat Science Diet Savory Cuts. Second, I do not appreciate you just walking in here without even knocking! Third, you are really an ass in my book, and since I do not know what Pam sees in you, why don’t you just stay away?”

George: “Well Leo, I am dating Pam, not you, and that is the was it is going to be unless Pam wants to break it off. Now tell me, just how long have you been drinking beer?”

Leo: “Evidently not long enough to forget about you, you moron.”

George: “Well I am sorry to hear you feel that way, but you’ll have to get used to my being around. Tell me something, what are the magazines and newspaper doing here anyway? I have not seen them here before.”

Leo: “I read them in order to keep up with my investments. Like I said, you are out of your league, Jurge. You should try reading sometime! From what I understand, you have trouble getting the jokes in the Sunday comics! Here’s one for you, have you ever seen an asshole wrapped in plastic?”

George: “No Leo, I have not”

Leo: “Then pull out your drivers license!”

And with that, Leo went into an uncontrollable fit of laughter, rolling off of the sofa in the process, knocking over the beer and burning a hole in the futon with his cigar.

“Ha, Ha Jurge, I am going to leave this mess here and Pam will think that you did it.”

At just that moment, I hear a key going into the door lock. Leo grabs his paper and magazines, throws the cigar into the toilet and heads under the bed.

If Pam was not worth it, the cat would be history! I wonder if she will believe this story?

Jurge - errr, George is in the Air National Guard, plays a lot of on line poker and is now in the process of developing Leo’s life into a published story. Leo can be found at http://www.lifewithleo.com

This has been one of the most rewarding adventures I have ever volunteered to do.
First, let me tell you just a little bit about my two dogs, a short little Bio on each. There are pictures on my dog therapy page. <www.mimfreedom.com/dogtherapy.htm>
Benny, my black lab, is about 5 years old now. (I never seem to remember exactly how old he is.) Benny is a wonderful dog (even though he likes to steal my pillows). He loves visiting our friends in the home. Clearly, this is where he loves to be.
Then there is Nikki, my 2 year golden puppy. Nikki is a typical 2 year golden. She is full of life. She keeps me hopping. And, just like Benny, she brings pure gold to our friends.

It has been an extremely busy summer so far. Unfortunately, with work demanding more and more of my time, and with home issues demanding more and more of my time, my volunteering has lapsed this summer. This has created a void in me.

The one thing I have learned about this situation is how much I love the dog therapy visiting programs.

Benny has been a visiting dog for a number of years now. We have always gone to the same home, so we have made many wonderful friends.

Well, after my “sabbatical” I went and took Benny to see our senior friends last Saturday Night. This was an unscheduled visit. I could have cried. They were so very happy to see him again (not me so much). We had a “Benny” party in the lobby.

What a wonderful time my Benny had. Of course! Everyone was petting him, and talking to him. Wow, he was being treated like royalty. A true friend come home.

It was just great to see this joy. We all talked and laughed and joked. Everyone talked about their summer, how they were doing, what was going on in their own world. I felt better then I had for a long time. My new resolve is to go back to my weekly visits. I do not want to miss out on these opportunities anymore.

So, my advice, as always is: If you have the inclination to visit with seniors, if you have a dog that loves to be petted, a dog that loves the human touch, then please go to your local Dog Therapy Group and find out how you can join this wonderful work. It is not difficult to get your dog certified.

The three most well known organizations that offer certification; Delta Society, Therapy Dog International and Therapy Dogs, Inc.
There are other therapy organizations and you may find an organization in your area via the internet under dog therapy, pet therapy or animal assisted therapy.
And, for us Canadians, there is, Therapeutic Paws of Canada (my dogs belong to this wonderful group). They offer a volunteer based therapy dog and cat visitation program for senior’s facilities such as retirement homes, nursing homes, Alzheimer day away centers, hospitals and where there is a need. The medical establishment has long recognized the significant benefits of a therapy dog and cat program. The petting and stroking of a pet helps to calm the most agitated resident and stimulates wonderful conversations about the pet they once owned. Recovery from surgery is quoted as being accelerated when there is continued contact with a pet.
As a result of the many government fiscal cutbacks, the facility’s staff is stretched to their limits. The positive impact of our programme on the day-to-day life of each senior throughout our community and beyond cannot be calculated.
There are more links on my personal dog therapy page:

About the Author

My name is Ruth Bird, and I am the owner of 3 dogs, 2 are Registered Therapy Visiting Dogs, my third dog is blind. My passions are health for people and pets and promoting a happy, healthy and wealthy lifestyle.