Loki's second observation taught me a thing or two.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Hello all,

Loki had his second observation today and it went really well! There were so many nice people that we got to meet and it really made me even more excited for him to be doing work as a Therapy Dog. We went to a nursing home that was part assisted living and part Alzheimer's assisted living. We did our usually mini-walk around the grounds first, I use this time to get Loki used to walking with me and this isn't "a run or the dog walk type thing" and met the observers inside.

There were two dogs leaving (which Loki did great interacting with!), they had been the earlier observation and then there was one who was at our time spot and it was a parti-colored Standard F1 Goldendoodle who's parents were from Champion lines with amazing temperments- why on earth do I know this? Because the lady would not stop talking about it! We were only in a group for maybe 10 minutes before we each split up and went with our own observers and I can't even remember how many times I heard about "AKC papers", "champion lines",  "parents temperaments", "the best of the best"... blah blah blah! I don't even know her dogs name or gender because she could not stop bragging about her breeder and breeder's dogs! I really wanted to say "these people here don't care" but I didn't because who knows, maybe someone there really wants to hear all that.

I get it we are all proud of our dogs, and in fact we repeat the same information about our dogs because they are our babies and we want to show them off. I probably repeat that Loki is my momma's boy and Moose is my co-pilot to every person I meet with them. Trust me, I am not bashing on anyone who is proud of their dog or even their dogs genetics because I think as dog owners we all brag about our dogs in different ways.

My point? I feel that there is a time and place for everything. When you are volunteering automatically you are not the most important thing because volunteering is about doing things for others. I would guess that people you meet on these visits want to hear your dogs name, what they like, were can they be pet, and they want you to ask questions about them! You are visiting them... with all of the people we visited we asked them if they had had dogs before or they would just tell us or we let the senior lead the conversation.

I know I'm new at this but I think I learned an important lesson today, it's not about me at all, and its not even about Loki, it's about how Loki can help the people he's visiting. I suppose I already knew that but I think seeing it played out in front of me were there was someone who so clearly was doing this to show off her prized dog and not to help others (maybe she did have good intentions and they were just being presented wrong, I suppose it's wrong for me to assume that) seemed to really hit it home. Side note, they are requesting that she repeat that observation and work on "interacting more" with the residents which I thought seemed very fair because as the testers reminded a group of us on test day, we are tested as much as the dog because the handler and the dog need to function as a team, not a one man show.

 I wanted to share this for those who are interested (and may be reading this) but also to type this out while it was fresh in my brain as a reminder to myself to keep the correct attitude through out this process. Ok enough of that- on to the fun stuff!

Here's my momma's boy before we went in! We can't take pictures during the visit unless we have written permission so there aren't any pictures from that. Today we color coordinated my head band to his bandanna and without planning on it we sort of matched the flowers/landscaping.

We met several very nice people including one nice man who had saved 2 goldfish crackers from his lunch so he could give them to "the dog that was coming to visit him". Apparently he has had dogs his whole life and the care givers there had told him there would be some visiting today. Loki who has never had people food in his life sniffed it very gently and then looked at me for permission and I wanted to say "no thank you" but this man was so happy and his eyes were watering with joy so I told Loki he it was "ok". Maybe this will come back to bite me in the butt but I figured for two small plain goldfish crackers and the joy it brought this man it was ok. Had it been something dangerous to Loki or had it been taken from the table no I wouldn't have but the man had these two crackers wrapped up very carefully set on his coffee table right by his door. :) 

We met several other people that kept asking what kind of dog he was and one lady decided that Bernedoodle was a dumb name and he looks like a Snickerdoodle which is a better name. So we went with it. Someone else also said he looks like Snuffy or a Muppet and this made my day because I have always thought doodles that are shaggy look that way! Another lady decided he could have been a dog from the movies which made me smile because I think on more than one occasion I have heard some one post on here that their dog looks like a Walt Disney Dog.

 

One lady had been crying and when we walked by went to put her arms around Loki and hug him and he just sat there with a  "sure ok, I hope you feel better" look to him. I know dogs in general hate hugs but I swear this dog doesn't because as long as people move slowly and gently Loki will lean into their shoulder and he almost leans all of his body weight onto the person. He does this with me all the time and I swear it's one of the best feelings ever to be "hugged" by your best friend. I hope the people that "hugged" him today felt that way too.

There was another lady that we had met on the way in that wanted us to stop by and visit her husband. At the time I wasn't sure how the observation was to be run but I told her we would certainly mention that and try to stop by. We did, and they were both so happy when he showed up at their door.

Overall such a great time! He has one more to go and then we get to start making our own visits to a hospital! Here's another picture on our way out of the building. 

Have a great weekend guys!

Cheers- Jess, Loki, Moose 

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Thank you Jane! F, Thanks! I had without thinking about it  color coordinated our outfits and decided to go with it but the testers got a kick out of it so now I feel like I should keep it going for a while :)

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Cindy, it was so funny! She was absolutely convinced that he looked like a snickerdoodle not a bernedoodle. I have no idea was a Snickerdoodle looks like but apparently it's something like Loki :) Nancy, that lady was killing me! I'm very expressive with my facial expressions and have to really focus to keep a "poker face" long story short- I am so not cut out for the CIA because my face usually says it all! I figured that conversation would be a great time to repeatedly adjust/re-tie Loki's bandana :) Amy, Thank you! Also that's so great to hear about your little schnauzer and your mom! They are amazing like that. Andrea, thank you! He has final observation today so i will post more :) Donna, Thank you :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jessica, thanks so much for posting your experience. The people in the assisted living facilities really do appreciate visits. I am especially proud of you for understanding what it meant to that man to give Loki those goldfish crackers.  The lady who was bragging about her dog - doodles are NOT from champion lines - what  champion line poodle or retriever owner would led their dog mate with a dog from another breed. And doodles don't have AKC papers because they are not a breed.  She's nuts.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

I'm in tears reading this! Thanks for sharing your wonderful day with "Snickerdoodle," lol!

[Amy and Annabelle]

I think this is a great thing you and Loki are doing. I loved hearing the sweet stories. It take a special dog and person to be able to do that. My mom had Alzheimers.Towards the end when she didn't remember any of her family, she always seemed to know my little schnauzer I had at the time. She would just sit and pet him for hours and he would let her. It's like he sensed she was sick.

[Andrea, Belle and Honey]

Wonderful blog Jessica.  Thanks for letting us all accompany you and the lovely Loki on your therapy dog visit.  I can't wait for the next installment.  

[Donna K & Quincy]

Thank you Jessica for sharing this lovely blog with us. You and Loki are a credit to all of us. It may seem like a small thing but bringing even a little joy into someone's life is a wonderful gift.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Thanks guys! Gail, the man with the goldfish made me tear up too! He said he always gave is dogs goldfish crackers and thats what got me. Cheryl, thats exactly it! They see the "muppet" and before you know it they are talking to them and clearly having fun. Over all such a great day and I was proud that he seems to be adjusting well to the different people we met. :)

[Gail and Bailey]

What a wonderful thing you and Loki are doing! I got tears in my eyes reading about the man and the goldfish crackers! So sweet!! I hope you get to visit him again! I love that Loki hugs back and I am sure he give such comfort! Keep up the great work!!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I loved reading your blog, Jessica.  It sounds like you and Loki are going to be a fantastic team. Finn and I have been a therapy team for 2 years in a reading class for special needs children.  We are also part of a newly formed hospital program.  It's all about - I'll call it healing, comfort or maybe just magic - that a dog brings to others.  A child that learns to trust and touch, an Alzheimer's patient that begins to recall past memories and tells them to your dog, a patient who finds some relief while your dog patiently sits by their bed and they stroke his head and tell you about their dogs that they miss so much.  I love how people seem to turn into children when a muppet of a doodle grabs their gaze and begs for a hug.  Finney's kids moved into Middle School this year and it's got us both in a funk :)  Too many things have been going on but we'll be back in a new class soon, I hope.  Loki is absolutely adorable and I know you're going to bring a lot of happiness and comfort to others by sharing him.