Seeing “volunteer” Gus at the photo shoot for the UCLA calendar made me think about the wonderful work he has done over the past several years. As always, I felt such gratitude that Gus had come into our family.
In 2014, Jack Barron, my mentor in all things dog therapy, called to ask if we had room for another dog. A family was giving up a Teddy Bear Doodle who was adorable and sweet-natured.
They had never owned a dog before and had no idea of the commitment involved. Sadly for them, but happily for us, they realized it would be best to rehome him. When the mom gave him to me, she simply said, “Just give him a good life.” So far, at 11, the little Dood with the big heart has had a great life.
Some of his hospital encounters have been heart breaking. A teenage girl in the neuropsych unit, who had scars on her arms from self-harming, was hugging Gus as she whispered to me “He’s the first thing that’s made me want to live in a long time.”
Some have been magical. A mom asked that we come in to visit her year old son who was blind. He smiled as she softly rubbed his hands over Gus. Things were going so well, she gently put his feet on Gus’s back. It was then she shared that it was the first time he had ever interacted with a dog.
Aside from the incredible joy and healing he has brought to so many, Gus seems to have a propensity for celebrity encounters.
He and his coworker Opal were volunteering as stress busters during UCLA finals when surprise, the new chancellor Julio Frenk was sitting on the library couch. I had seen him introduced on the news only a few nights before. Gus took a shine to his lovely wife Felicia Knaul.
Several years ago, Gus “made rounds” on pediatrics with Kenta Maeda, who was then a Dodger. He posed for a photo with former Laker, Brandon Ingram.
ELBEE Is it a coincidence that they each left after meeting him. Just a thought.
Dodger manager Dave Roberts, whom I told that I was a “granny groupie,” is still here! And so is Clayton Kershaw whom Gus stared at like a lovestruck fan.
He had an up close and personal meeting with Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, who played in the NBA for 19 seasons. He has become an advocate for mental health after dealing with his own issues. During the event, he asked if he could hold Gus in his lap while he filmed a short video. Gus was so relaxed, he fell asleep.
Gus also posed for a group photo with former NBA players, A.C. Greene and Robert Horry. Horry was very funny. Trying to be polite, I said, “I hope you don’t mind the dog being right here.” Horry responded, “I hate dogs,” then burst out laughing and said “I love them.”
Gus has had two or three meet and greets with Laker girls. Judging from the look on his face these may have been his all-time favorites.
Not sure if this one counts. Gus and some of the other dogs from the People Animal connection were in a Fourth of July parade. Gus kept walking at the heels of a tall man in a pink t-shirt. It was none other than Ben Affleck.
