Day 1541

Our boy, Gus, met challenge after challenge today at Mercy Hospital…

*The floor cleaning machine FOUR times!

*Clattering rolling carts!

*A tube messaging system that loudly “delivered” right beside him!

*A comfort dog that was in his territory!

…the list goes on, but Gus seemed to “shake it off” and move forward! It was so good to see him meet a challenge and then “reset” to make someone’s day easier.

One such connection happened in a waiting area. As we walked down the hall, I noticed a woman dabbing at her eyes while on the phone. She seemed to quickly end the conversation and lock eyes with me. Gently asking her, “Do you need a Therapy Dog right now?”, the tears streamed down her face as she nodded vigorously. Her mother was being moved to Hospice and her Labrador had racked up $22,000 in bills for a cancer of his own (the prognosis was hopeful). She was SPENT. Pouring her heart out to Gus, she seemed to feel better by the time we parted. How strange to have a virtual stranger hold my hand, cry, pour her heart out and “reset.” Of course, Gus was the real recipient of her sadness and he was the one who helped her face the day again. Therapy Dogs are angels.

When faced with huge life events or large floor cleaning machines, resetting is a challenge. Like Gus, our new friend seemed to take a deep breath and prepare to face the next hurdle. In a way, that’s life in a nutshell. It helps to share the burden…even if you unload to a complete stranger with a furry angel on a leash. So glad our timing was perfect.