The Hunt Continues

Although Easter is over, the hunt is still on. If you look closely, I am certain you will find some treats.

Sometimes it is in the unexpected places that the sweetest treats can be found. You might find one in the smile from a familiar face or a friend's hug.

And don’t forget, you can be a source of happiness for someone else. The world is only as bright as we help it to be.

Be sure to continue your Easter egg hunt all year long – you never know what treasures you might find.

Our Easter Anniversary

If you asked my Mom, she would say she picked me out of the litter.

I, however, have to disagree.

For those of you who know my parents, you would not be surprised to learn that they had read several articles on how to pick a happy, playful puppy. While they were busily studying, I was dreaming of a place to call home.

As soon as I laid eyes on my parents, I knew they were family I was waiting for - I pulled out all my best tricks from the incessant puppy kisses to the soft nuzzles to convey my love.

My family picked me up on Easter two years ago, and for me it was fitting Easter as is associated with rebirth and new beginnings. Some might say that Easter is our family’s anniversary.

Family comes in all different shapes, sizes and forms. In my short little life, I have come to appreciate that family is more than the people and puppies you live with; it is the feeling of warmth, love, promise and hope.

While we could argue who loved who first, either way the end result is unconditional.

The Bunny Hop

Today, with my floppy pink bunny ears, I helped a few little girls find their bunny legs.

Actually, the title of this entry should read the doggie trot down the children’s wing. Nonetheless, I made some friends today.

Luckily for me I started to attend dog school last week to work on some of my skills. My impeccable heeling came in handy this afternoon!

Two little girls, Nina and Isabella, were all curled up in their hospital beds and their nurse came to tell them that it was time to get some exercise and walk down the hallway. Nina and Isabella frowned and did not look the least bit interested.

After visiting a little while, I told Nina and Isabella I had to go and visit other patients. As I was leaving Nina asked if they could come with me. My Mom said, “sure the more the merrier!”

Both Nina and Isabella smiled and crawled out of bed ready to walk around with me. Call it a miracle, or call it the love of a dog, but these little girls seemed to hop right into the spirit of Easter.

Get Your Green On

Monday is St. Patrick’s Day so go find your green pants, shirts and party hats! Remember everybody and every dog is Irish on St. Pat’s Day!

And as you can see I am already licking my chops in anticipation of the big St. Patrick’s Day party of potatoes, corned beef and cabbage. Yum! Yum!

Have a great weekend and as the old Irish blessing goes, “May the road rise to meet you and may the wind always be at your back.”

Let Love Bloom

Every other week for a year I visited Rose. Never once did she speak or show interest in my visits.

I was told to keep trying. Rose’s caretakers felt it was important for Rose to continue to interact with dogs. When Rose was younger, she always had her loving companion, Sophie, a little black poodle, at her side.

It was evident that Rose cared deeply for Sophie as there were pictures of them together all over Rose’s room.

So today I tried again.

As usual, I sat on Rose’s lap and was prepared to just hang out for a few minutes and dream about dog treats.

Then something happened.

Rose mumbled, “I love you.”

All this time I thought I was invisible to Rose. I am not sure if it was the feeling of spring in the air or the distant memory of Sophie, but today Rose spoke the most lovely words.

If nothing else, I have learned to be patient and let love bloom on its own time.

The Lollipop

Is there anything sweeter than licking a lollipop?

There sure is!

Apparently one of my distinct attributes is my enthusiasm to greet people. When I say “hello!” I love to bounce around and lick them all over.

I have come to recognize certain people at the sites I visit regularly. There is one resident, Gertrude, who always waits at the door for my arrival.

As such, I see it fitting to give her particularly special kisses as I greet her.

The last time I saw Gertrude I wouldn’t stop licking her face. My kiss could have been in the “World’s Record Book” for the longest puppy kiss!


Gertrude giggled, “You must think I am a lollipop.”

For me, Gertrude was sweeter than a lollipop. Her kind smile drew me in and made me feel like a little treasure. The least I could do was reciprocate the feeling.

Home is Where the Dog is

I never met anyone like Harry.

As soon as I entered Harry’s room he was so excited that he started to flop around in his bed like a fish out of water.

Without delay, I jumped on Harry’s bed and crawled up his chest and stopped when I came to this blue tube protruding out of his throat. Harry had tubes coming out of every part of his body. Nonetheless, Harry was smiling and elated to see a dog.

I kept staring at the blue tube in Harry’s throat and tilting my head in wonderment. That seemed to make Harry laugh.

When Harry spoke, his voice sounded like a muffled machine box and a twangy sound came from the tube as he said, “Hey dog, I bet you never saw anything like this before.”

Harry was right, this was a first for me.

“Please take my picture with the dog,” Harry begged my Mom. Harry explained that while he was in the intensive care unit (ICU) he was taking medications that made him hallucinate. Apparently Harry kept hallucinating that the ICU was run by dogs. Harry is my kind of guy!

My Mom found an old poloroid camera in the Volunteer Office and I proudly posed with Harry for a photo. After the picture developed, Harry held it in one hand and I curled up next to him so he could pet me with the other hand. As Harry was stroking my back and admiring the picture he said, “Ah, now this feels like home.”

For some people home is a place, but for Harry it was the feeling of a warm dog curling up next to him in his hospital bed. I guess the adage should be "Home is where the dog is."