Sophie and I went to the retirement home this week for our first volunteer visit. This is something I’ve wanted to do with Sophie since she was young, but I never seemed to be able to carve out the time to do it. Now she’s a senior!
I’ve been waiting until the kids were settled back in school and Sophie and I were a couple ladies of leisure. She’s no stranger to these visits, though. Mr. Wombat’s grandmother is a resident there, and we always take the Schmoops when we go to visit her. It’s just that we’ve jumped through all the proper hoops to become card-carrying volunteers.
Okay, Sophie didn’t do any actual jumping. She did more of a heavy-pawed prance, but still. We’re now official.
I got her spiffed up in a pretty bandana, hoisted her ham hocks into the car and headed out, eager to see friends, old and new. Every time I take Sophie to the retirement home, the dog lovers are drawn to her. Any outstretched hand is an invitation for Schmoopy to park herself at their feet. Let the loving commence, her expression reads.
My favorite part is hearing about their own dogs. As I stop to let someone new get acquainted with the ball of love that is Sophie, they recount memories of their own furry friends.
Some share stories of dogs they’ve lost, and the heartbreak they endured.
Others are just happy to be sinking their hands into Sophie’s soft fur.
Some talk of dogs who are now in their children’s care.
I hope they stop by, too.
If not, I hope our visits help to fill a void in their lives. If only for a while until we meet again.
From Kim:
Uhm, you are not allowed to write such heart warming pieces that make me cry at my desk at work when I’m all “Oh, going over to Wombat Central for a good chuckle” and then I’m all “OH GOD! I JUST WANT TO BRING ALL THE DOGS TO THE RETIREMENT HOME!” *crying*
But no really, you’re amazing. I hope to have a dog that I can take to volunteer someday soon. I should probably get Chai-noodle certified, but sometimes she’s kind of timid and I worry that she’d be all wiggly and then old man Mchutcheons would come over to pet her and she’d wiggle away because she can be flighty like that. And now I’ve crushed an old man’s hopes and dreams.
Hi, today I am going to overreact.
From Amber:
How nice, I hope to visit retirement homes at some point. I love to hear stories.
From Brahm (alfred lives here):
Congrats! Good for you, what a terrific thing to do with the pooch.
I have been saying somethign similar, that I should do this, and havent found or made the time yet. Well done!
From Wombat Central:
Thanks. She’s so sweet and LIVES to be loved. It makes her day, too!
From statia:
I should totally do that with my lab. He would love it. What criteria did you have to meet?
From Wombat Central:
This place only required that we prove she’s up-to-date on all her shots via a fax directly from the vet. I had to prove immunity to a couple things–one was TB and the other was something in the MMR family. Not family, so much, but… you know.
From Keli:
What a beautiful dog and a wonderful treat for the elderly to get to spend time with both of you.
From Wombat Central:
Thanks, Keli. This dog is so stuffed with love, I feel compelled to take her somewhere like this to share it. Hmm. Maybe she’s portly because she’s so full of the love. Yeah. That’s it.
From You're Lucky I Don't Have a Gun...:
aw…. this is sad… but sweet too. i hope these residents’ family members don’t just leave them there, like they’re someone else’s problem.
i always wanted to make my pups “visitor” dogs. too bad i don’t even trust them near an unguarded trash can. a fragile senior citizen is out of the question.
You’re Lucky I Don’t Have a Gun… recently posted..Beans on Toast