VIP Collies, Goodwin Hospice

Life has its ups and downs. Life in a nursing home has a lot of downs. It doesn't matter that there is beautiful carpeting on the floor or none. It makes no difference what grade of furniture the rooms contain. Then, wonder of wonders, a soft furry face comes to brighten the day.

VIP Collies, Goodwin Hospice

Our dear friends have come to visit! Bonnie Parade walks down the hall. She's a beautiful and very patient collie, always haute couture in a suitable outfit according to the particular time of year. We can never decide which we like best - her Easter outfit, or a rodeo get up - because she looks good in everything and she knows it. It gives us something to talk about for the rest of the day. Bonnie also brings her friends with her. They're always very tolerant of each other and of us with our canes or wheelchairs; cranky old people do not intimidate them! Each therapy dog has a different personality and something special to offer each different resident. We love them all.

Bonnie has a way of sniffing out serious illnesses. She focuses on those people, giving them her undivided attention, her whole heart. I particularly like Bonnie's brother, Durango. He has a special hug and he never forgets people he likes to give them to. I feel very fortunate to be on his list of huggers.

There's no way to measure how much it means to be a person to be involved with a dog. For those few minutes we're not a resident in a nursing home, valueless and abandoned. We can be a kid playing with a puppy. Life is normal again.

Submitted by:

Annette C – a resident at a nursing home Bonnie, Durango, and Isabelle visit as member of Heart of Texas Therapy Dogs.