Last Sunday was the annual People Animal Connection caroling event at UCLA Medical Center. Gus worked at the California Science Center on Saturday and was exhausted so against my better judgment I brought Stanley.
Not only was it another new situation for him but with about 20 teams plus other people joining us, it was a lot to take in. When he saw all of the dogs, I could swear he went “woo hoo.”
STANLEY Excuse me I do not “woo hoo” although I admit that I was very excited.
After awhile, although still excited, he settled in. To my surprise he even kept on the holiday coat and the fuzzy antlers that Charley had worn.
CHARLEY I was quite touched to see that.
As in past years, thank goodness, we were joined by two student acapella groups because our singing has really not improved. I know that I should lip synch but they sound so beautiful that sometimes I get carried away and start singing out loud.
ELBEE Poor Stanley was wondering what that weird noise was he kept hearing.
As we walked through the halls with the dogs decked out in holiday apparel, faces lit up around us. Often a patient or a nurse would wave a team into a room. Stanley and I stopped in to see an older man who was lying in his bed and had been asking for a visit.
The patient quietly shared that he was having a difficult time because he had recently lost two dogs within weeks of each other. To my surprise Stanley gently kissed him on the cheek as if he sensed the patient needed a little extra TLC.
A short time later we ran into a man and a woman in the hallway who were crying inconsolably. I didn’t want to disturb them but when the woman glanced at Stanley, I asked her if she’d like a moment with him. She said he had come at the perfect time and dropped down on the floor, petting and hugging him. The man never looked up but when we were walking away, he murmured “thank you.” Several people, including a nurse, had tears in their eyes.
It was a reminder of where we were and why we were all there. The ancient Christmas carol, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, first published in 1833, is a song about comfort and joy. Of course we were there to bring holiday joy, but every one of the PAC dogs who made someone smile that morning or helped someone with pain or sadness was truly bringing holiday comfort.
ELBEE I am really sorry to break the mood but someone has obviously been googling Christmas carols.
