A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home by Sue Halpern
Lately things have been difficult. My 92 year old stepmother, June, had to be moved to assisted living. She'd been living alone and it became apparent that she couldn't care for herself any longer. She thought she was doing a fine job and there in lies the problem. Navigating the world of home care aides, long term care insurance and assisted living facilities is not for the faint of heart. Throw in a senior citizen who doesn't want to budge and let the headaches begin.
We found a lovely facility for her (but don't tell June it's a facility) that has therapy dog visits on its list of activities. When I found A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home I thought maybe it would give me some insight. I am open to any and all kinds of advice because like I said earlier, I had unexpectedly entered a new place with a new set of rules.
Pransky is a therapy dog with a funny name and a huge heart. She and her master, Sue set off on the journey to become a licensed therapy dog. Sue intended to spend their time at the county nursing home. What they learn about life is fascinating and what they learn about each other is amazing. The book walks through the people they meet at County, Pransky often introducing Sue to people she might have avoided if Pransky hadn't tugged to enter a certain room, a room that wasn't on her list of those requesting a visit from a dog. Each patient had a story to tell about a life that had been well lived.
Pransky only wanted a rub behind her ear from everyone she met. Sometimes she also got a biscuit or a scrap of lunch that fell to the floor. Sue came with the preconceived notions that we all as humans, have about other people. As a team, they made a difference to people facing a time in their lives that is not usually the most pleasant. While Pransky never changed, Sue learned many life lessons she never would have without the love of a good dog.
While I struggle to decide whether A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home is the story of a dog or the story of the end of life, I did find comfort in reading it. What I did learn is that none of us knows what hand we'll be dealt in life. We should relax and feel the love of a good dog any chance we get.
Lately things have been difficult. My 92 year old stepmother, June, had to be moved to assisted living. She'd been living alone and it became apparent that she couldn't care for herself any longer. She thought she was doing a fine job and there in lies the problem. Navigating the world of home care aides, long term care insurance and assisted living facilities is not for the faint of heart. Throw in a senior citizen who doesn't want to budge and let the headaches begin.
We found a lovely facility for her (but don't tell June it's a facility) that has therapy dog visits on its list of activities. When I found A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home I thought maybe it would give me some insight. I am open to any and all kinds of advice because like I said earlier, I had unexpectedly entered a new place with a new set of rules.
Pransky is a therapy dog with a funny name and a huge heart. She and her master, Sue set off on the journey to become a licensed therapy dog. Sue intended to spend their time at the county nursing home. What they learn about life is fascinating and what they learn about each other is amazing. The book walks through the people they meet at County, Pransky often introducing Sue to people she might have avoided if Pransky hadn't tugged to enter a certain room, a room that wasn't on her list of those requesting a visit from a dog. Each patient had a story to tell about a life that had been well lived.
Pransky only wanted a rub behind her ear from everyone she met. Sometimes she also got a biscuit or a scrap of lunch that fell to the floor. Sue came with the preconceived notions that we all as humans, have about other people. As a team, they made a difference to people facing a time in their lives that is not usually the most pleasant. While Pransky never changed, Sue learned many life lessons she never would have without the love of a good dog.
While I struggle to decide whether A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home is the story of a dog or the story of the end of life, I did find comfort in reading it. What I did learn is that none of us knows what hand we'll be dealt in life. We should relax and feel the love of a good dog any chance we get.
No comments:
Post a Comment