What kind of dog is that?   What breed is he?   How old is he?   What’s his name?   Can I pet him?

sigh…

Hi All,

I realize that my mom is not updating this blog very often with all the exciting details of my life but she claims she’s ‘busy’.  Yea, right.  Whatever.

So, I thought I would jump on while I saw the opportunity and just give a shout out.    (Please don’t tell anyone that I have opposable thumbs!  and that I know how to type.   I’m a dog of mystery, ya know.)

So, I do enjoy visiting the Old Folks home even though I rarely see that cat that lives there and Mom keeps yelling at me to “Pay Attention To the HUMANS!”      I like putting on my official orange vest and it is fun to have everyone pet me and pay attention to me.   Even if I pretend that I don’t care.

I like the old guy who sings to me.   He’s cool.

It’s snowing today and it’s fun.    I have a cool fleece coat to wear;  I’ll post the pic.    (I can’t find it, right now.)   Stay safe.   Yap at ya later…

- Oscar

Collect, organize, publish is simple to read fashion, itemized MILES and dates of our visits.
Write letters of reference/recommendations/poll/review FOR the visitee establishments.
Write thank you letters to visitees.
Create biz cards with Oscar photo to hand out when people ask “What kind of dog is that?”

part 2.

I have greatly enjoyed the visits and often, wonder if I’m not only assisting the residents with a little furry distraction but also the entire staff (the ones who love dogs) and the family members of residents.     Unfortunately, it is likely I will be unable to visit on a weekly basis come 2009 or even sooner, so I wanted to ask if I could get official recognition – for tax purposes – as well, as informal thoughts from you (activities director/administrator) as to the benefit the Oscar and I have provided.

Truthfully, I must admit that I’m not sure Oscar is all that ‘in to it’.   He is an easy going dog and quite patient, and yet also extremely olfactorily-curious that he prefers to keep moving and not linger too long in any one spot.   I know after one hair pulling incident, which he reacted as the sensitive wounded soul that he is by only shrinking and whimpering a bit, that he has resisted having his head patted.   He is also very wary of any shaking.    He does have a few ‘favorites’ that he gets in close and gives kisses, which is sweet.   I’m glad he is not a slobbering drooling dog, and that he can give little licks and non-messy nose touches that  don’t annoy!

He is always happy to put on his vest and walk into the establishment.   He is quite happy to wander the halls and check in everywhere and give everyone the inspection.    He is content to sit and have his back end scratched with no complaint, so on the whole, I do believe he is a kind and gentle visitor companion.    He just likes to be quick and on the move.    It’s like he comes to be seen not to be loved on in any excess.

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to meet you, your residents and your staff.    I know I enjoy visiting very much.

If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could you please sign this letter as an acknowledgement for our 2008 visits as a pet therapy team, and if you could also give any comments and suggestions to improve our visits, this would also be greatly helpful.

Thank you so very much,

Sincerely,

C and O

*this is my first draft…

Here’s the online article link:  http://www.kansas.com/entertainment/books/story/490959.html

But here’s a link that offers a picture:  http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/aug/16/dogs_tale_story_inner_beauty/

I immediately went to to order the book!  but it is out of stock (temporarily.)    Which is both disappointing in the short term but very exciting for the prospects of this book and for the author.

WOW!

By the way, Oscar had a very good visitation day today.   He is getting over the hair pull incident, I think.