12:00 p.m.- Yesterday Bear & I worked at the Shriner's Hospital for Children for the first time. I thought seeing the sad, hurting kids would be really hard but surprisingly it wasn't. Even in pain, just seeing Bear made them so happy. I have never heard so many kids laugh as loud as I did yesterday either. Every time they gave Bear a treat and he took it, slobbering their little hands no less, they would laugh and laugh. He did a great job taking their minds off of their illnesses and made them happy if only for a bit.
On the downside, I was exhausted! The organization we're with is great but boy, does it take a lot of stamina to do. Not only do I have the largest, longest, heaviest dog in the program but ha makes every aspect of the job that much harder. Here's why:
1. Enter the room and greet the child.
2. Wipe drool.
3. Position Bear so that the child can touch him. If they can't move much then it mean making Bear get on a chair, sofa, bed, etc so they can reach.
4. Wipe drool again.
5. Let child feed Bear a treat.
6. Wipe drool and hand child a wet nap to clean their soggy palms.
7. Try to get Bear to stay in whatever uncomfortable position he is in long enough to snap a Poloroid pic. Make sure all family members are in it that want to be included. Wipe drool again. Reposition Bear.
8. Get Bear's attention. Make sure he is staying. *click*
9. Get Bear. Wipe drool. Give him a treat for doing a great job. Make him stay. Get label out of bag to put on picture. (It says "My visit with Bear" so they remember who he is.)
10. Hand picture to child. Do a trick with Bear quickly. Say bye.
11. Repeat with new child.
Whew! Reliving that was tiring.
It was really fun though and I am so happy that they encourage child/dog interaction via brushing, treats, etc. The pictures mean so much to them too.
3:30 p.m.-Then, we went home and got Michael. He had to finish up some work and so did I so we went to office in Malibu. Once there Bear slept and snored like a mack truck.
I've enclosed some pics of he & Michael from the balcony off of Michael's office so you can see the gorgeous view he has everyday.
7:00 p.m.-Afterwards, we met my dad for dinner. Bear has Chinese food then slept the entire car ride home.
10:15- got home and all went to bed. My little boy is still sleeping.
Enclosed are a few pics. One of Bear & I in our uniform for work. And yes, I had to make him wear his new bib for the kids.
They loved it. The others are of he & Michael from the balcony off of Michael's office so you can see the gorgeous view he has everyday.
