Day 1262

Taking a brief repose between events and venues is so good for a Therapy Dog Team. For example, Gus accompanied me to one of our senior residences where we encountered multitudes of elderly friends and also staff. He was adorable to all, but ready to return home after a couple hours. When we arrived at The Big White House, we headed to the front porch to relax. Gus promptly fell asleep, while his brothers napped in support of his busy morning.

It seems like humans need this respite as well. Being a person who has trouble slowing down, I try to make a space on my “dance card” for quiet moments. Typically, those times are replaced by an imminent need from humans or dogs, but when they occur, it is a beautiful thing.

When my own children were little, and my young ones would stir up my soul, I would put myself in “time out” for a few minutes. Instead of reacting to the scene at hand, I would take a few quiet moments to revitalize, calm myself and accept life. When I would reappear, I hoped to be a calmer more rational Mommy. It worked for me!

In today’s life, I do not have young children, but I do have dogs! I still use that technique, but they follow me! What to do…

Finding a couple of chairs to claim for my “time outs” offers me a moment to recharge. The difference being that I am shadowed by three large Goldens who want to help. That’s fine…they ARE Therapy Dogs after all!