As Gus and Stanley were doing holiday visits this week, it was hard to believe 
that around the same time last year, I was waiting for their Zoom call to start and seeing if I could still do a headstand.
ELBEE The pandemic made her do some very strange things.
My friend Mary had mentioned that she did one every day as part of her yoga practice so I became a little obsessed. It took a few attempts and the dresser for support but I did one and survived to go on the call with the dogs.
ELBEE It was hard to watch. Thank goodness they’re back in person.
Gus, his buddies Tommy and Finley, plus tiny adorable Abby, the newest member of the People Animal Connection, joined the UCLA marketing department for their outdoor Christmas luncheon. They were more of an opening act than featured entertainment but they still brought lots of joy to the festivities.
I had a special moment walking through the lobby to reach the garden. The seemingly reserved young man behind the reception desk saw Gus and broke into a huge smile. He thanked me so sincerely for being there and said that the dogs were such a blessing.
On Thursday, it was the big dogs’ turn. Stanley and Toby, a Bernadoodle, were the featured act at a pet visit station on the patio at UCLA, greeting people as they came in and out of the hospital. It’s only recently that the monthly visits have returned, so there was such excitement at having them back. I don’t think anyone walked by without stopping for some dog love. There were countless photos.
STANLEY I felt like a celebrity.
I admit there was another reason for so many photos… costumes. In the past, I had decked out the dogs for Christmas but Zoom really made me step up my game.
ELBEE Is she forgetting that she once dyed us red and green?
Not to mention that Jen, the manager of PAC, knows my weakness for dog accessories and has contributed to the cause. Sequin antlers, Santa hats, red sunglasses. It was Halloween in December.
With everything so uncertain, I am very grateful that, at the moment, the dogs are able to do what they do best. I am also grateful that dressing them up makes people happy. The smiles and laughter are true gifts of the season.
ELBEE I’m grateful that she doesn’t feel the need to do headstands at these events.
