Elbee, the outspoken conscience of my blog, made me realize the importance of socializing dogs at a young age, especially if they were going to be therapy dogs.
ELBEE Aw. Thank you.
When he was a puppy, I had a weird virus and was stuck at home with him for a few months. When I was finally able to take him out to meet people, he had become a little skittish.
ELBEE I did not see that one coming.
With Henry, I have once again become a woman on a mission, introducing him to all sorts of people. The problem is that Henry seems to get larger every day so it’s not that easy to carry him around stores and offices, like I did with Gus and Stanley. Instead, I’ve been doing meet and greets at the house.
ELBEE She’s obsessed.
Robert, our mail carrier, has always been a favorite of Stanley’s. If he sees Robert drive by and he doesn’t stop to say hello, Stanley lets out this very strange sort of crying bark.
STANLEY Excuse me for being happy to see him.
Robert had a sweet meeting with Henry a few days after he arrived. This week I asked him if he’d mind stopping by again.
He was happy to do it and Henry was delighted to see him. Calm, with tail wagging, he nuzzled against him. Robert has another fan.
Chuck, a neighbor, often walks by our house with his Golden Retriever, fittingly named Grace. Early the other morning, Stanley was barking at the window announcing that they were going by. Barefoot and still in my pajamas, I ran out the front door and yelled for them to come back. It led to another successful encounter for Henry.
ELBEE She has no shame.
Quinn, the teenage girl next door, has been an angel with Henry. Her family even bought him a welcome to the neighborhood gift. Recently Quinn and her friend Maddy, both dog lovers, stopped by to play with him.
To my delight, Maddy loves to take dog photos. Her phone was filled with all sorts of wonderful pictures. She took these adorable shots of Henry.
The girls’ energy was so good that when I let Gus and Stanley join in, things didn’t turn into utter chaos. Maddy even managed to get this pack portrait.
Yesterday, Quinn came over by herself to spend some time with Henry. Every photo that I took of them made me smile.
I am so grateful for all of this support in training Henry. I hope that one day in the future I can say thank you by having him walk into the hospital by my side.
Ellen, I’ve just finished reading all of your stories. So warm hearted, sweet and funny! I really do enjoy seeing the photos of your dog’s especially the ones of the “beloved and sadly departed” Charley, and Elbee of whom I so fondly remember their visits, (as an employee and a patient) at Providence Tarzana hospital. They were so loved and are missed. May they continue to “rest in paradise”. You truly do wonderful work Ellen and you spread so much joy, Thankyou, Beth R.T. (Respiratory Therapy).