Four legged friends

My dear friend and riding buddy, Mary, and I are some of the subjects of an article that will appear in Sacramento Magazine in February (the issue hits the stands on January 20th). 


This week we had the photo shoot. Of course, Mary and I wanted to make certain that the animals were the main focus of the pictures. 


Mary convinced the photographer that the venue for the photos should be The Knicker Knob Stable in Loomis, where Mary and I ride every Monday. As you can see, it makes a very nice backdrop. 


Despite the fact that my pant leg is riding up ("Oh no!"), I think this picture is adorable. Boris, our 4-year old Samoyed rescue pup, has his big smile on. This is so sweet. Breezy is a 28-year old lesson horse at the stable. I won my very first horse show blue ribbon on Breezy. She has a special place in my heart.


DH came along as our animal handler. I'm so glad he was there because this was the first time Boris had been around horses. He (Boris, not DH) was very excited about the entire event. He was yipping and barking, letting everyone know he was there and ready for "Lights, camera, action!" He is such a good dog and is incapable of taking a bad picture (unlike me :-(


Breezy is Ms. Mellow. Having a new dog around, being photographed, being hauled on a lead didn't phase her one bit. She just went with the flow of things. Kelly, the stable manager and our riding instructor, gave Breezy a bath minutes before the pictures were taken. Breezy was soft as a bunny, as Mary said, and she was right. Don't think I've ever felt a horse's coat that soft. 


Figuring out what to wear was a big decision. I settled on the fleece horse theme jacket I recently made. It was the first piece of clothing I have made since high school Home Ec class. What an ordeal! That said, it turned out cute and I think it looks good in the picture.


Took a riding lesson yesterday afternoon in the beautiful fall weather. It was the perfect way to start the Thanksgiving weekend. DH is home for four days ("Yay!), so he'll be able to get lots of rest and relaxation. I'm in charge of making Thanksgiving dinner. This is one scary thought! We might end up at the local casino if things go south in the kitchen for me. I'm committed to proving to DH that I can cook despite my many catastrophes in the kitchen.


Onward into the cooking fray, with fear, trepidation and a good sense of humor.

Second Therapy Dog Observation

Boris and His Daddy
Therapy Dog Observation #2
11-11-11

On Friday, Veteran's Day, DH decided to go with Boris and me for our second Therapy Dogs, Inc. observation visit. I snapped this picture of them sharing a quiet moment before we entered the assisted living facility we visited.


The set-up for this observation was great and, frankly, better than in an acute care hospital. The residents were brought to a central location, so we knew if they were there, it was because they liked dogs. In the hospital, you never know if the patients like dogs, have just gotten bad news or much of anything else. It's difficult to enter a patient's room under these circumstances. 


We knew that the dozen or more residents were definitely animal lovers. They adored Boris and loved seeing all the dogs (there were a total of four, but none as spectacular as our boy!). We spent 90 minutes visiting. All the credit goes to BoBo (our nickname for Boris) who was as-good-as-gold and made a lasting impression on the people who met him. 


Boris is great with people and other dogs. Each dog was very well-behaved, but I think Boris - all pride aside - was the very best at making contact with the residents; the need for interactions with humans is an integral part of the Samoyed breed.


The most touching visit was with a 91-year old veteran of WW II. He is a highly intelligent, articulate and social person. When I asked if he was a veteran and then thanked him for his service to our country when he replied on the positive, he broke down and cried, telling me how the government keeps making the same mistakes over and over and asking how many more people will have to die before we stop this. It was difficult for me to keep my cool as I wanted to break down and cry myself. I put my arm around him, let him talk and compose himself. I asked him if we could come back and visit him. He said, "I'd really like that." Then I told my friend, Maddie, who goes to Mass at this facility every Saturday, that she needed to sit next to him at Mass because he needs some extra care right now. 


It was wonderful having DH with us. Boris was very happy his Dad came along! When I was talking with the veteran, DH came over to take Boris then started circulating and talking with the elderly people. It was very heartwarming to see him do this. I was so proud of both of my "boys" for the joy and comfort they brought to these residents. 


Once again, Boris passed with flying colors. One more observed visit next Wednesday to Mercy San Juan Hospital, then we will be an official Therapy Dogs, Inc. team! 


Onward with gratitude to every veteran and active military person for our freedom. We will never forget their sacrifices. 

Mostly Boris and Then Some

Boris in his new raincoat getting
ready for a walk with his Daddy.

Henry and me at Mercy Folsom
Hospital getting ready to visit
patients on Christmas Day 2004.
Check out his big red holiday bow.

Within seconds of meeting Boris (we mostly just call him BoBo), the 4-year old spectacular Sammie we rescued from San Francisco Samoyed Rescue in May 2011, we knew he would make an exceptional therapy dog. Having been involved in animal assisted therapy with our previous Samoyed, Henry (see picture on the right), we know the qualities necessary for a dog to provide that special kind of canine comfort to people desperately in need of it - those in the hospital, in nursing homes, in hospice, in rehabilitation centers. The most important qualities include being well-mannered, enjoying human contact and basic obedience skills. But in our opinion, there are others that increase the likelihood of a pooch being successful in this role. These include a strong people-orientation, that uncanny canine insight, calmness and trust. Boris has it all and a lot more, as did our beloved Henry, who we lost in 2005.

We gave Boris ample time to settle into our home before deciding to pursue registration with Therapy Dogs Inc. (www.therapydogs.com). While there is no formal training required, there is a process of assessment, which includes evaluation by a TDI tester and three observed facility visits.

Boris had his first assessment on November 5th at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento; as we expected, he passed with flying colors! We have two other visits scheduled by the end of November. Upon successful completion, Boris will be a registered therapy dog and able to make pet visitations to any facility that would like him to share that special Sammie joy and love with patients and/or clients.

Boris had some practice at pet therapy even before the formal assessment with TDI began. DH experienced an unexpected health crisis in August which resulted in a medical leave of absence from work. During this time, whenever DH would take a nap, Boris would climb up on the bed and watch him until he was sure his Dad was asleep. Then - and only then - would Boris go to sleep, not leaving his Dad's side until nap time was over. 

Not every Samoyed may be suited for animal assisted therapy, but our previous experience with Henry and now Boris has demonstrated that the core characteristics of this wonderful breed make them strong pet therapy candidates.

Christmas Quilt 2011

On the quilting front, here is my Thimbleberries "Holiday Stars" quilt. This top took forever to complete, but I am very pleased with the way it turned out. One question however: Why do they call a gathering of Thimbleberries quilters "a club"? Given the number of tiny pieces of fabric in one of these tops, it should be called a support group! 

Here is a picture of my completed horse-theme jacket. This is the first piece of clothing I have made since I was in Home Ec in high school. What a challenge this was! That said, after having to let out seams because it was too small (despite selecting what I thought was the right pattern size), it's a cute top that will be great for winter rides, whether in the arena or on the trail. 


Don't think making clothes is my "thing" but I'm happy with the outcome of this sewing adventure, regardless of the problems with it. Lord forbid anyone who really knows how to sew looks at the inside of this jacket. What a mess! 


Onward into the holiday season with great gratitude.