Puppies – Page 2 – Me and the Doods.com

I Hope Something Good Happens to You Today

Walking with the dogs, I saw this sticker on a car window.

ELBEE She got the photo off of the internet so that the people wouldn’t see her skulking around their driveway taking pictures.

It really inspired me. Right now, more than ever, we need to send each other positive messages.

Coincidentally, on the neighborhood page, which at times can be not so neighborly, someone had posted a photo of sidewalk chalk art that read, “thanks for the music.” It was to show appreciation for a neighbor who had to resort to front yard rehearsals during COVID.

The sticker made me think about how fortunate I am that good things happen to me every day when I’m with the dogs. Instead of guilt by association, I get “good” by association. With Gus and Stanley back to work, I feel the same overwhelming gratitude that I have each and every time we’ve returned over the past two years.

At the adult day health center, the man who only smiles when the dogs are there, met me and Gus at the door with the sweetest grin on his face. It’s almost like our little secret. He stayed with us as we made our way through the room and never stopped smiling.

Stanley was visiting the teen neuropsych unit at UCLA when a girl who was sitting on the floor next to me very quietly shared that he reminded her of Charley, my very first therapy dog. She had been a patient several years earlier and said that she’d never forgotten him.

**Stanley & Gus in their official** **Tarzana Hospital bandanas**

At Tarzana Hospital, a nurse told she didn’t know how she’d have made it through the morning without some dog love. A woman outside a patient’s door just wanted to hug Gus. Her aunt was very ill and also had severe dementia so visiting her was extremely stressful. Gus gave her the strength to go back into the room.

Now I’m hopefully going to make something good happen to you by giving you a laugh.

ELBEE That terrible segue made me laugh.

Last week I wrote about the dogs’ quirks, including that Henry sprints across the yard after he poops.

HENRY Why is she bringing that up again?

Hearing the story, a friend told me an even better one. She had a Dachshund with a very strange habit. Every time it pooped, it would run three circles around it!

And how about this photo of Gus, who turns eight this week, playing peekaboo under Henry who is ten months today!

Does Your Dog Have Quirks?

Recently, someone asked me if my dogs had quirks. Without even having to think about it, I said, “absolutely!”

ELBEE If anyone wrote a post about her quirks, it’d go viral.

Gus, for instance, is a clothes thief. When I have the nerve to leave the house without him, he heads into the closet, grabs one of my shirts and drops it in the hallway. Generally, it’s the last one I wore.

GUS I like the smell.

ELBEE He’s over attached.

If Gus wants your attention, he’ll tap you with his paw until you pet him. It doesn’t matter if you’re awake or asleep. And speaking of sleeping, his favorite position is sprawled on his back, often with his paws up the wall.

GUS It’s very relaxing.

Stanley has a habit of grabbing his leash and jumping up and down like a kangaroo when it’s time for a walk, but it’s his fixation with area rugs that’s really unique. Often, when someone comes into the house, he’ll grab a rug from the bathroom and prance around with it. It’s as if he wants us to see him but pretends that he doesn’t.

Henry, who views Stanley as his role model, has picked up the rug behavior. It’s not unusual to see both of them carrying rugs around or playing tug. I probably should stop them but it’s so entertaining.

Stanley and Henry share another quirk. They are both fascinated by my work outs.

ELBEE Sadly, that’s why they’re so cooperative when she wants to bench press them.

They will hang around when I’m using dumbbells or doing crunches on a bench but their favorite is when I sit on the floor to use work out bands. It puts me at their level so it’s easy for them to get involved. They will stay right by my side through every rep. Sometimes Gus will even join them.

The Doods aren’t the only ones who like to be part of an exercise session. My friend Jen sent me this photo of her dog joining her for yoga.

Henry has another quirk that I’ve never seen in any of our dogs or heard of from anyone else. It’s personal and I probably shouldn’t share it, but I can’t help myself. As soon as Henry poops, he sprints across the yard to get away from it.

HENRY Someone is not familiar with the phrase “TMI.”

Sometimes It’s the Little Moments

With the world still such a mess, I thought that sharing a few positive, personal moments might be a good way to go.

Let me begin with one that could have gone terribly wrong. I was starting up a trail with Henry when a woman on an adjacent trail yelled “Hey, clean up after your dog!” Since I’m a fanatic about cleaning up after the dogs, I was a little confused and, to be honest, offended.

ELBEE Trust me. She’s like the poop police. I was almost afraid to go.

I assured her that Henry hadn’t gone and told her that one of my pet peeves was people who didn’t clean up after their dogs. Then I showed her the four bags I had with me just in case. To my surprise, she began apologizing profusely.

ELBEE Trail rage incident averted.

When I walk on busy streets with Gus and Stanley, we take up most of the sidewalk. If someone is approaching, I will often step aside and wait for them to pass. The other morning, an older man saw us coming and moved over to give us room. When I said “thank you,” he smiled, nodded and did the prayer sign. It was just so simple and sweet.

Later, we were in a crosswalk on busy Ventura Boulevard when a man and his preteen son passed us going the other way. Suddenly, the boy waved enthusiastially and called out. “Thank you so much. I taught my dog the tricks the way you told me.”

I realized we’d met them a few weeks earlier. After interacting with Gus and Stanley, they told me that they had a pretty rambunctious puppy at home. The boy, who was working hard to train it, asked me for a few tips on getting his dog to do some tricks. How nice to hear that it had worked out.

Yesterday, I was on the phone talking to someone about getting repairs done on the house. We had spoken several times before so she knew about the dogs and their schedules but we’d never really discussed them.

As we were about to say goodbye, she said “I have to tell you something.” She admitted that she’d never thought much about what therapy dogs could do until recently. She was in the hospital and they’d brought one to her room. In her words, “I was delighted and forgot my pain.”

That brings me to one more very positive note. At UCLA and Tarzana Hospital, we are all in the process of getting ready to bring the dogs back in to visit again. In these trying times, who doesn’t need a little dog comfort and love.

Henry Has Arrived at Big Boy Status

Henry is not a small puppy but I don’t really think about his size until something calls it to my attention. In this recent photo with my friend Carol, honorary aunt to all the Doods, he looks huge!

ELBEE Hello! He’s closer to the camera, of course he looks huge. It’s called perspective.

With the long Great Pyrenees legs he inherited from his mother, he’s like the tall awkward kid who will be a star basketball player once he fills out.

ELBEE Thank goodness that unfortunate puppy acne has cleared up.

Lately when we’re walking, I hear lots of comments about his size. Two people suggested I put a saddle on him. I was chatting with a Spanish speaking man, who smiled and said “es un caballo,” which means “he’s a horse.”

ELBEE Someone is showing off her limited Español.

Friday, as I was coming down a steep trail that wraps around the side of the mountain, a man and his adult son were waiting to meet Henry. They explained that from a distance they had seen something big and white walking down with me but with the sun on him, they couldn’t quite tell what it was.

Henry’s stature and his unusual coloring draw so many people to him that my mountain social life has really expanded. A shyness that I sensed in Henry has been replaced by curiosity and a bit of attention seeking. He watches everyone and expects them to say hello and pet him. I think I sense a tiny bit of his inner diva coming out.

ELBEE I’m so proud.

GUS & STANLEY So are we.

The mountain meetings are a gift as far as his socialization is concerned. If he’s ever going to follow in his big brothers’ therapy dog paw prints, he needs to be comfortable with people of all ages, shapes and sizes. We go to class for obedience and behavioral issues, but you can’t sign up for all of our trail interactions.

A few times I’ve been surprised by people remembering him after only one meeting. Kids who have briefly played with him on the trails will call out “Hi Henry” when they see him again. After one hike, a little boy rolled down the car window and yelled “Bye Henry” as we were walking down the street. I couldn’t help but smile.

Are Henry and Gus laughing at my post?

When Was the Last Time You Wore High Heels?

It’s hard to believe that we’ve been dealing with COVID for almost two years. When Punxsutawney Phil stuck his head out on Ground Hog Day, I don’t think he saw his shadow. He just saw the continuing craziness and decided to go back to sleep.

We’re all still searching for ways to cope. Early on so many people took up new hobbies. They learned to paint, to sing or even to sew. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of them. Others became gourmet chefs.

ELBEE She’s lucky if she can find the kitchen.

Some people began cleaning out their houses and reorganizing cupboards. That wasn’t me either. Then, recently, I had an epiphany.

ELBEE That’s a very strong word.

I was sitting in the closet, looking at all of the clothes I hadn’t worn in forever and decided it was time to let some of them go.

ELBEE That’s an epiphany?

It was the shoes that really struck me. There were all sorts of high heels that had been on the shelves for so long they had dust on them. I didn’t know if I could still walk in them. Tennis shoes, casual flats and cozy boots are all I’ve been wearing.

ELBEE They go with her sweats.

Out of curiosity, I texted a friend to ask her the last time she’d worn heels. She couldn’t remember.

As I started to sort through everything, the dogs came in to keep me company. They hang around me and my husband so much I’m not sure if it’s because they miss their hospital visits or think we need therapy. There’s hope that they may be allowed back in later this month.

GUS & STANLEY Let us pray.

While I was hard at work, I happened to glance at the mirror on the wall. For some reason, the lighting in that closet gives very good muscle definition when you flex.

ELBEE Is anyone wondering how she knows that?

It had been a long time since I’d done it but how could a former bodybuilder resist flexing? Was I still the buffest granny on the block?

HENRY What is she doing?

ELBEE Don’t ask.

After about an hour, I decided I needed a break and went outside. Of course the dogs followed. As I was relaxing, Stanley and Henry suddenly stood up next to me and put their paws on the wall. They both looked so tall!

Stanley is fully grown but at eight months, Henry has a ways to go. I realized that with me shrinking and him growing, we could end up the same height.

ELBEE Maybe she should hold on to those high heels!

Hobnobbing with Henry

Originally this post was titled Hiking with Henry. Then I thought about the way he interacts with everyone on the trails. It’s more like hobnobbing. It’s as if he’s at a mountain cocktail party.

ELBEE Is she his date?

He takes a moment to assess people rather than running up and jumping all over them like perhaps a Goldendoodle.

ELBEE Excuse me for being gregarious.

His hesitation, which I think might be shyness, apparently comes across as good behavior. Large and calm, he draws a lot of attention. His size makes people more aware of his demeanor. Am I going to argue when someone says it’s nice to see a big dog who’s trained.

Learning that his mom is a Great Pyrenees and his dad a Poodle, countless people have commented that his demeanor is more like the Pyrenees. He’s patient, affectionate when he chooses to be and watchful. A woman saw him from a distance and called out, “He walks like a Great Pyrenees.” By the way, I am amazed at how many people have had Pyrenees in their lives.

Henry is also a hit with the kids. We met an adorable nine year old who’d been begging her mom for a dog. She saw Henry and said “That’s what I want.” Her mom laughed when I asked her daughter if she was going to take care of it and she gave an enthusiastic “yes.”

ELBEE Then she saw the size of Henry’s poop bag.

His hair stays party ready too. Neither Gus, Stanley nor Henry sheds but so far he doesn’t seem to get matted like they do. In the mountains, he shakes his head and the twigs and burrs fall right off of him. For the other two, I’m like a blow dry bar.

ELBEE It’s obvious. Pyrenees are too busy guarding sheep to get their hair done.

Coming down from the trails after one of our hikes, Henry even found the perfect ride. What are the chances we’d run into my friend Lou who was driving a vintage 1971 Corniche! I’ve taken photos of the dogs in my car, but this is how Henry “Rolls.”

ELBEE That was my line.

Reaching Out Again

Lately, on social media, I’ve noticed lots of photos of beautiful sunsets, flowers and lovingly prepared food.

ELBEE She’d have to post a picture of a take out container.

I remember this happening early on in the pandemic when people were trying to cheer each other up with some normalcy and positivity. Now, nearly two years later, with all of the divisiveness and uncertainly, we’re reaching out to each other once again. I’ve even started seeing some of the chalk art on the sidewalk that first appeared in the early days of COVID.

When I walk the dogs, it seems as if almost everyone stops just to say hello or to talk for a few minutes. I’m sure they’ve seen me with the dogs for so many years that there’s the comfort of familiarity. One man told me that I was a landmark in the neighborhood.

ELBEE Isn’t that an old building?

We have such a need to connect and Gus, Stanley and Henry are the bridge to that connection. A woman saw Henry from across the street and called out “I heard you got a new one.” She then ran over to meet him.

A man that I only know casually from the neighborhood was petting the dogs as he shared that his wife’s cancer had recurred. A workman with a U.S Army sticker on his truck hugged Henry as he told me that he had PTSD. These encounters would probably not have been the same before the world turned upside down.

We had a Zoom call this week, that thanks to the dogs, became another moment of connection. When we do virtual visits with the kids in neuropsych at UCLA there’s a lot of activity and interaction. I was a little nervous because one on one with a very ill patient is a different experience.

I was told that the patient loved animals and had requested a visit with one of the PAC dogs. He was very disappointed when told they weren’t allowed in the hospital right now, but agreed to a virtual visit.

Not sure if all three would be too much, I included Henry. As soon as I signed on and saw the smiles on the faces of the patient and his wife, I knew it had been the right decision. They laughed when I told them they were getting “three for the price of one.”

The conversation flowed comfortably as I introduced each dog. I told them about what they do and answered their questions. And yes, I showed them a few accessories.

ELBEE She couldn’t help herself.

As the patient tired and fell asleep, his wife and I chatted for a brief time before we said goodbye. I signed off, grateful that they had reached out.

Hanging with Henry

During all of our very special hospital visits in December, it was hard to imagine that at the same time last year, we were on Zoom. It was even harder for me to believe that last Wednesday we were back on Zoom. The dogs are out of the hospital until at least mid-January so a call with the teens in the neuropsych unit at UCLA was better than nothing.

On the bright side, Henry was able to join in. At seven months, he’s way too young to be certified to go into the hospital, but on Zoom, puppy antics can be pretty entertaining. The kids would rather see a dog chase his tail than do a perfect sit.

ELBEE I wish they’d had zoom when I was a puppy. I could have gone viral if that was a thing.

Competing with his brothers, Henry has become much more patient about accessories. He’s also learned about hogging screen time. Midway through I had to escort him out of the room for a few minutes so that Gus and Stanley could perform uninterrupted.

ELBEE Personally, I thought he was more entertaining.

Last month Henry graduated from beginning obedience. I admit there were moments I had my doubts like when all he wanted to do was was watch the children in the adjacent playground. He was also distracted by an adorable little puppy named Q-Tip. We had to separate them in class.

I was actually amazed at how well he responded to commands. I would like to take the credit but so much of it was from hanging around with Gus and Stanley.

To my husband’s delight, he has also learned how to fetch. Our last dog that would fetch was Cody, a Golden who predated all of the Doods by years. Even Riley, our more recent Golden Retriever, had absolutely zero interest in retrieving.

The way Henry brings the ball and hangs out with him has helped Doug get used to Henry’s size, since he wasn’t expecting him to be quite so large. Speaking of size, at his check up this week he weighed in at 73 pounds, up from 47 in October!

I brought Gus for his check up too to give Henry some moral support but it was totally unnecessary. Once Dr. Sanders dropped down on the floor next to him, Henry loved the attention. He even gave him his goofy smile.

As we were watching a movie last night with the dogs gathered around us, I realized that in these crazy times, I am especially grateful for the way that Henry, Gus and Stanley have integrated into such a copacetic pack. My husband and I have three live-in dog therapists.

I Can Still Bench Press the Dogs & Other Things I’m Grateful For

In this uncertain world where watching the news can give you stomach pains, I thought it would be a good idea to focus on the positive.

ELBEE That is way too much information.

First, thank you to my husband Doug, my daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. My life would have so many empty spaces without you. A shout out to Jennifer for doing Thanksgiving. I am grateful that we could be together and that all I had to bring were my fabulous stuffing and sweet potatoes.

ELBEE Seriously?

Thank you to Doug for his steady support during the pandemic and for coming to terms with the fact that Henry is getting larger by the day

I truly appreciate the friends in my life. COVID-19 made it difficult for us to see each other but I always knew you were there. When you shared that my writing was bringing you joy, you brought me joy.

I am also grateful for the memories of family and friends who are gone but whose loving presence guides me. I will always hear the laughter of my brother Stan and my dear friend Eileen.

The mountains are still my spiritual space, my sanctuary. Standing on an overlook with the ocean in the distance gives me peace. Thank you to my mountain friends. We may not know each others’ names but I treasure our camaraderie.

I want to acknowledge the older couple who have made it their mission to clean up trash on the trails. I frequently see them coming down with bags full which is inspiring but sad at the same time.

Thank you to the bike riders who have finally gotten bells and actually say “thank you” when you move over to let them pass instead of trying to run you down.

ELBEE She can’t get past her issues with the bikers and that last statement is a bit sarcastic for a gratitude list.

I am deeply grateful that I have been able resume in-person visits with Gus and Stanley. A year and a half of Zoom calls was better than nothing but seeing them interact with patients, family and staff is heartwarming. I have been so touched by the incredible welcome back that we have received at UCLA and at Tarzana Hospital.

I feel so fortunate to be able to continue on this therapy dog journey that began fifteen years ago with Charley and then Elbee. The Doods have taught me about kindness, healing and unconditional love. They have filled me with gratitude.

ELBEE Finally it’s about us.

And I can still bench press them!

HENRY I didn’t sign up for this.

ELBEE I feel your pain.

Henry, Bigger by the Day

Gus did something very strange. I woke up early and saw him sleeping soundly in his favorite spot by the fireplace. Suddenly, he sat up, flew across the room and jumped into my arms. He buried his head in my neck and cuddled up as if he couldn’t get close enough.

I’ve seen the dogs “running” in their sleep. I’ve heard them bark lightly through their snores. Elbee even howled in his sleep after Charley died. What Gus did was a first for me.

ELBEE I think it’s fairly obvious. Gus saw the trailer for Clifford the Big Red Dog and was having a nightmare about Henry getting to be that size.

Speaking of Henry, he’s going through a puppy phase. One minute he’s calm and adorable. The next he’s all over the place. I think it’s more obvious because he’s so large.

Saturday morning he had his first obedience class. Let’s just say he was more interested in the other dogs and the activity in the park than he was in the training. I’d give him a C+ in leash walking. On the bright side, Michelle, who also trained Stanley at that age, commented to her assistant, “Ellen’s dogs start out goofy but they’re great later on.”

ELBEE I don’t think that’s a compliment.

I’ve started hiking with him too which is going better than class. He sort of stays by my side when he isn’t completely distracted by the sights and the smells. He greets the mountain regulars with tail wagging. Even better, unlike Stanley, and especially Gus, his hair isn’t like Velcro so he doesn’t bring home every twig and burr.

GUS What’s Velcro?

I also took him on his first official shopping trip to one of my favorite little neighborhood clothing stores. The women are dog lovers who have always welcomed the Doods.

Sabrina, who was working that day, fell in love with Henry and the feeling was mutual. In between his puppy antics and talking to the dog in the mirror, he flashed her a smile and rolled over for a belly rub. When we were leaving she said, “He’s such a cool dude.” That’s exactly what my husband calls him. Maybe there’s hope.

ELBEE Let us pray.