Month: November 2023

Looking back over some of my Thanksgiving posts, chaos seemed to be the driving theme. Having the whole family together, including my grandson Ryder, who had an innate fear of dogs, could get very hectic. The fact that most Doodles crave attention made it even worse.

ELBEE He didn’t even like me. Can you imagine?

This year was different. Although not exactly Norman Rockwell material, it was spirited rather than chaotic. We even played games like celebrities claim they do.

As for the grandkids and the dogs, Ryder’s ten year old sister Bella really likes them. My teenage grandkids Samantha and Ryan, are kind of “whatever” because their mom, Jennifer, has persuaded them that grandma’s a bit crazy with her dogs.

The major change was Ryder. On his last visit a few months ago, he overcame his fear of the dogs. Hard to believe but huge Henry was the catalyst. My son-in-law Jay sensed Henry’s gentle nature and encouraged Ryder to give him a chance. It went so well that on the back of Henry’s UCLA trading card, his greatest accomplishment is listed as “helping Ellen’s grandson get over his fear of dogs.”

I won’t lie. When they first arrived on Wednesday and the three dogs excitedly ran to the door, Ryder forgot that he wasn’t afraid. But to my relief, within five minutes, he was smiling and petting all three.

I was amazed at how Ryder’s whole attitude had evolved. With lots of treats, he and Bella had the dogs doing basic commands and a few tricks. Having the two big ones weave through their legs had all of us laughing. When we went on a hike without the dogs, Ryder wanted to go home and see them.

This was a special holiday in another way. It was Ryder’s eighth birthday! Knowing all of my dog props, he was very excited about picking out accessories for a birthday photo.

My daughters have a running joke pretending (I think) that they aren’t sure which dog is which and how much I look like the dogs. They even brought up my very memorable cameo in the movie I Love You Man where I was called a “bowser” for just that reason. I mention it because when we took this family photo and Stanley unfortunately got cut out, Jennifer wanted to know if that was me or one of the dogs in the picture.

ELBEE That’s hysterical.

On a bittersweet note, having lost my parents before my kids were born, I feel such gratitude for my grandkids and for the laughter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it comes to the Doods, Gus has the cuteness factor going for him. Stanley is like a big cuddly bear. With Henry it’s something different.

ELBEE He has a certain je ne sais quoi. Yes, I speak French.

When people see a large, tall dog like Henry, they will often shy away. Then, from a distance, they’ll ask if he’s friendly. Once I assure them he is, it’s a love fest.

Henry is always ready to go out and about with me. As soon as I reach for the car keys, he heads for the door. Actually, I like to take him because it’s so good for his socialization.

ELBEE And hers too

He seems to make people open up. This week, I took him with me when I was having my car serviced. A woman who had also dropped off her car, came over to meet Henry. Hugging him, she told me how much she wanted a dog. She had recently lost two in a divorce and confided that she missed them more than she missed her ex.

ELBEE I think that’s oversharing.

A saleswoman’s face lit up when she saw Henry. She invited us to walk around the lot with her while she checked inventory.

My next stop was to buy hiking boots at a very dog friendly store in a dog friendly outdoor mall. Not only was the girl who was helping us delighted to see him, but when we were leaving, people were calling out his name.

A few days ago, a man pulled his car over while we were out walking. With a big smile he said, “You win the award for cutest dog in the neighborhood.”

ELBEE I hope Gus and Stanley don’t hear about that.

On a more serious note, Stanley had a special encounter of his own. Out for a walk, we passed a street that was lined with news vehicles. I realized it was where a man had allegedly murdered his wife and in-laws.

Suddenly, the window of a Channel 7 news van rolled down and the driver called out to ask if it was okay to come see the dog. When I assured him it was, he and a young woman got out of the truck.

As they petted Stanley, I shared that he was a therapy dog. They agreed that’s just what they needed. As if on cue, Stanley started leaning against the man. I said that’s what he does when he senses stress. Laughing, the man said, “He’s got that right.”

That evening, I was at the gym talking to a fellow dog enthusiast about how much comfort and love the dogs provide in all sorts of circumstances. He whole heartedly agreed and put it in a way that I hadn’t thought of before. He said, “they offer a safe zone.”

 

 

Lately, a few people have asked how much I get paid for bringing the dogs into the hospital. They’re pleasantly surprised when I tell them it’s all volunteer.  There is truly no amount of money that could match the emotional rewards of watching the dogs in action. And their visits run the gamut from just fun to deeply moving. Last weekend Gus showed me both extremes.

Sunday, he was a charmer at Mattel Children’s Hospital Party on the Pier in Santa Monica. In a reserved area, guests could enjoy food, rides, entertainment and celebrity appearances.

As in years past, there was a booth for the People Animal Connection so that everyone could meet the dogs and Blue Moon, the miniature horse. I don’t know who was smiling and laughing more, the kids that came by or their parents. Gus, who has worked the event several times, seems to enjoy the people as much as they enjoy him.

He helped attract guests to the area by posing on a table like the total star that he is. He looked like a natural in the Barbie booth.

 

 

 

 

 

He also had a special reunion with the Dodger Mascot whom he’s met at other events. Despite the mascot’s huge size, Gus is so relaxed when they pose for photos. By the way, Henry met him once in the lobby of the hospital and couldn’t get away fast enough.

ELBEE I hate to nitpick but the Dodgers consider him a “performance character,” not a mascot. And did she really have to embarrass Henry again?

The day before the party, Gus shared a much quieter kind of joy. At the request of a very dear friend, I took him to visit a critically ill teenager. When we walked into her room, I could see how exhausted she was, but the sight of Gus brought happy tears to her eyes.

She smiled as soon as I placed Gus on her bed. For the next hour or so he stayed cuddled up next to her whether she was talking softly or dozing off. Several family members were with her and what struck me was how much comfort Gus was bringing to all of them too. There was such a feeling of peace and love in the room.

 

 

 

 

ELBEE Isn’t that an old movie title?

It may be hard to believe that an admitted Halloween Scrooge like myself is writing a second post about the holiday. Thanks to the dogs it turned out to be a very good one. Walking Stanley, I saw a skeleton that made me rethink my issues with skeletons.

Look closely. Long blonde hair and a glass of wine!

Gus and Henry, along with several of their PAC colleagues, brought the magic of Halloween into Mattel Children’s Hospital.

ELBEE Did she actually say the “magic” of Halloween?

Meeting in the lobby is always a bit chaotic with dogs and people greeting each other. The group photo is a challenge. Gus and Henry were very patient about being dressed as pumpkins but Gus hid his face during the picture taking.

We broke into smaller groups and went floor to floor for trick or treating. The canines in costume brought so much happiness as they paraded through the hospital.

Kids smiled as we walked by their rooms. There was joy and relief on the parents’ faces as they watched their children. Countless staff members told us how it was  just what they needed. The visits were not only a gift to the people in the hospital but also to each of us holding the leashes.

That afternoon I had a moving conversation with someone making a delivery to the house. It was a thirty two year old man, who, after meeting the Doods, shared a very special story with me.

When he was seventeen, he spent three months at Children’s Hospital. Apparently, he didn’t have much family because he had few visitors and was very lonely.

He said that when the therapy dogs came in, it completely changed the way he felt. They cheered him up and, for a time, took away the loneliness. Though it was years ago, he remembered it as clearly as if it was yesterday. He still had the dogs’ trading cards.

Listening to him was such an important reminder of what therapy dogs can do. I never for a moment take their work for granted but his story filled me with so much gratitude. It was the best Halloween treat.