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Last night as I was checking out at Walmart and a lady came bustling up to me and excitedly ask how Hattie was. I must have had a totally blank look on my face. I didn't recognize her and was kind of taken by surprise with her enthusiasm. I just kind of stood there and stared for a minute and then replied, "Fine. She's good. She's at home." All the time racking my brain for who the heck she was! I really didn't want to ask. I'm really bad with names but I usually remember faces. Especially those associated with Hattie. She finally said, "Oh, you don't know me, I just met her in Petsmart once and have seen you with her in other stores."

Then today, I had Hattie with me as always and ran into Office Depot for a binder and a young girl came up and said hi to Hattie. She knew her name. Really? "Hi," she says to me. "I used to work at Petsmart and I remember Hattie. She was my favorite dog! I always loved her red shoes!"

This all happens quite frequently with Hattie. I gues she has what people would call a magnetic personality. What I lack in people skills, Hattie more than makes for!

Do these followings ever happen with your Doodle?

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I was reading the replies and it made me chuckle to compare it to my Mattie's experience--we visit a dementia unit and all the residents love meeting her every week and ask about her and her age, what type of dog she is, etc...it is the SAME group of people every time, but they don't remember us, of course--sometimes a nurse will run up and say Hi Mattie! But no one else knows her--LOL!
But we are now embarking (no pun intended) on a new therapy dog adventure with college kids and that is really fun--the kids DO remember her of course and enjoy the unconditional love they get. I have noticed that many of the kids are "misfits"--in that they are not the popular kids and are often arriving alone at the student lounge where we congregate --so Mattie's big kisses and hugs are things they really appreciate. It is fun to be Mattie's mom!

Do you find the dementia patients ask the same questions each visit.  We had one lady who loved Sophie but she also wanted to know where we lived and if we knew these people that lived in the same town!  She always used to yell as we were going down the hallways "I love you Sophie". 

I volunteered for years at an Assisted Living facility. No dog, just me, but YES, I would get the same questions week after week and sometimes it would be like a broken record during one visit. One Christmas party I did the same woman asked me at least ten times where I was from, how long have I been working there, my name, etc. and then had the group sing "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow." There was never a dull moment ever!!

That is funny ... I remember when we lived in Ohio previously and my Grandmother was still living and was still in her own home (but shouldn't have been) DH would cut her grass.  She always wanted to pay him so she would write him a check for like $6.00 or something (which we never cashed), but she would tell him don't leave yet cause I have to pay you.  He would tell her she already did and ten mins later she would be trying to pay him again.  This was the same Grandmother that kept her purse in the refrigerator because she figured she would be in there several times a day so she would never loose it.  

What is it with elderly women and their purses? LOL  I used to search every time I worked for one resident's purse. One night I found it crammed up under her sofa and she was as shocked as I was when I pulled it out. My mom carries hers around like she is holding the Hope Diamond :) Your grandmother gave new meaning to the expression, "cold, hard cash".

Well Laurie, and everyone else who has talked about the dementia patients. Both my parents have dementia. I go to their home every morning for a few hours before one of their two caregivers arrives.Talk about repeated questions.... my father is the worst. He is very similar to 10 second Tom, on that Adam Sandler movie "Fifty First Dates !" Actually he is a bit better then that guy, it's more like a half an hour. Still it's repeat, repeat.

The thing is they both look forward to is Finnley. She seems very aware of their having disabilities. My mom, can't move around on her own because of Parkinson's. When Finnley goes into the house she goes over to my mother and puts her front paws on her lap and licks her face. My mother loves it ! Other times she will just walk over and lay her head in her lap.

After Finnley was spayed a couple of weeks ago, I left her at home with her tummy full of stitches. My DH was on duty. When I arrived, they were looking for Finnley. My mother said, "Where's that Fritzie, you know that black dog you always bring?" It was cute.

I know how hard having a parent with dementia can be. I'm glad you can see some humor in it.

Thanks F. If I didn't find the humor in it I'd go bonkers ! :)

Sheila, what a shame.  You have my deepest respect as you navigate through this disease with your parents. 

Thank you Brucegirl I appreciate the support. Some days are better then others, but we still manage to have some laughs now and then. Finnley really helps in that department.

Sheila, F is right. Dementia is such a tough thing for family members to see happen to those they love.  Humor got me through every minute of working with the residents.  It was also amazing sometimes to see moments of clarity shine through and a little piece of how they used to be show up. I am sorry you are going through this with both parents, but so glad you still have your sense of humor. I am sure Finnley helps out a lot in that department :)

Sheila, My heart goes out to you caring for both your parents. My sister's FIL, who has been a big part of all our lives, has Alzheimer's.  Humor is our blessing.  I'm glad it's yours too. Sounds like Finnley is too!!!!  What a gift your son gave all of you :)

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