Despite all of the current negativity in the world, or maybe because of it, I have been making a more concerted effort to find the positive. It’s a way to navigate through things beyond our control. It’s not to downplay darker events but rather to find the space to breathe by appreciating even the smallest moments of kindness and consideration.
Once I started, I found more and more to appreciate. For instance, in a senior moment, I had deleted the app for the gym from my phone. The young woman working at the desk was great about helping out and didn’t laugh at me once.
ELBEE She’s paid not to.
When I thanked her for being so nice, we got into a conversation about positive energy. We agreed that it truly attracts more of the same.
Dogs bring positivity without even trying. Walking Henry in the neighborhood, I passed a local taco truck. The owner, with a big smile on his face, called out, “Hola Enrique.”
On another street, a woman sweeping the sidewalk in front of her house told me that she was doing it so that our “four-legged friends” wouldn’t get all sorts of things in their paws. It was such a simple, thoughtful thing to do.
While Gus and Stanley have been busy with their hospital visits, Henry has been doing special events. Last week, along with Labs, Bubbles and Opal, he worked Stay, Sip, Snack with PAC at UCLA. It was a chance for members of the staff to take a much needed time out with the dogs.
You could hear the joy in the room and 
almost feel the relief as doctors, nurses and other hospital staff, petted and hugged the dogs. I lost count of how many times I heard, “You can’t believe how much I needed this.” No one wanted to leave.
Another positive for me was a visit with Jack Barron, my amazing mentor in all things dog therapy. He and his wife Kathy have moved to the east coast so I don’t see him often. Stanley and I stopped by to say hello on our way back from UCLA. From the time I began my journey with Charley in 2006, Jack has offered guidance, encouragement and support. I can never thank him enough.
ELBEE Now she’s going to take a left turn into crazy.
It may not fit the theme of this post but I wanted to share a photo that I took in the large entryway of the house where Jack was staying. Not sure if it’s technically a sculpture, but, I think you’ll agree, he is random and positively, creepy. See how I tied that in!
