04 August, 2020 - Walking & Therapy Animals

Dear, Mom -

How are you doing today? Are you staying cool? Did you feel the sun on your face today? Did you have a cup of coffee? I hope whatever you did or are doing brings you and your friends there lots of joy!

Today I worked with Bob. We went for a nice walk in the Pier Park since it has very tall trees which in turn creates a lot of shade. I asked Bob if he would like to walk with Elsa the dog and he was very happy at the idea. We stopped by home and picked up an unsuspecting Elsa who was ‘over the moon’ to be able to be at work with Bob and I for a while.

Bob and Elsa

We walked a loop around the forested park and let Elsa run and sniff and have a nice time. Bob enjoyed being able to pet her. Bob is an animal lover and really likes it when I bring Elsa for a visit. For some people, animals are so soothing. They are indeed therapeutic in that they can calm you when you are irritated or mad, or they can console you when your are very sad. That is why I have for the most part always had an animal. They can really help you through hard times without any judgement. They are just there are give you loves.

Stella. Birgit’s therapy dog. Look at all that floof!

My neighbor Tracy has three miniature horses. They are very cute and sweet. She uses them as therapy horses and takes them to nursing homes, to see children with disabilities, and she’ll share them with whomever needs to be lifted up emotionally. Their names are Milo, Loki, and Bullseye.

Bullseye helping Traci trim Milo’s hoof.

There is an organization here in town called “Bunnies in Baskets” that will bring bunnies to see you in a care home, or assisted living, or for special events where people can see what it is like to hold and pet a rabbit. They are so soft that the texture alone is very pleasing. I know you and I both are tactile people. We like the feeling of soft things. Bunnies would be nice to be able to pet when you needing something to lift up your spirits. And those cute whiskers tickling your nose wouldn’t be so bad, either :)

Bunnies in Baskets makes a visit to a care facility.

Holly and I have wanted to get Elsa a companion for a long time. Elsa has wanted a kitten. Today we found that someone was giving away free kittens and they are adorable. I would love to get two, but I am scared at the same time that the cost of another animal or two may be too much for us right now. I think my biggest apprehension is that they will get sick. The last two cats I had both had renal failure and cancer. They lived good lives, but it still makes me sad and anxious when kitties get sick. I guess this is something I will need to come to terms with if I am to adopt more animals.

Outside of work and walking, there wasn’t much else to report for the day. It was pretty warm out, so our evening walk with Elsa was short. She can’t remove her fur coat when it is hot, so we have to usually wait for it to cool way down before walking her too far. I figure I will walk her one more time tonight before it gets too dark. Ever since the fireworks, she does not like to be outside once the sun goes down because she doesn’t trust that someone won’t set off fireworks. It seems they still do every night. At least twice a night to the north of us. I can’t blame Elsa for being night shy if it means she is going to hear noises that scare her. 

Well, I will talk to you soon, Mom. I believe we will talk today in the afternoon. That will be nice. I always look forward to nice chat with my sweet mother ;)

I love and miss you and will talk with you soon. All my love, Your Daughter, —-Sally✨