🎶 Me and my Shadow…🎶

Me and my Shadow was a popular 1927 song co-written by Al Jolson and Billy Rose and one that’s been recorded by a number of people (i.e. Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., even Liberace, among many others). It was performed by James Caan in the movie Funny Lady. Since returning from California, Me and My Shadow has been more like this.

Notice how Sam is focused on me during a recent walk rather than on the road ahead of him? More often than not when I’m working on the laptop, his head is squarely laying on my thigh or in my lap. If I’m on the sofa, he’s right there with his head on my thigh or staring at me or laying as close to my feet as he can possibly get. He follows me throughout the day rarely leaving my side. Instinctively, I start to pet him because he’s so sweet and soft but after 5-10 minutes of petting, I’ll stop and he just stays there or he’ll settle down laying right next to me or on top of my feet.

Because his leg was vastly improved (many thanks for all the well wishes), we went back to the hospital for the first time since September (you may recall we took a leave of absence from our pet therapy work while mom was in hospice and recovering from her recent health issues).

Sam seems somewhat unsure of himself at the hospital. He kept looking to me for guidance and encouragement. He has not been particularly focused on patients. He seemed to relish the time with the nurses (perhaps a light came on in his pea brain about them always having treats to offer?) but the patients and visitors it was more of a ‘meh’ kind of reaction. Take it or leave it, he could go either way…until we encountered a young man carrying his 13-month old daughter down the hallway. Sam seemed pretty eager to check them out so I led the way. His tail was wagging furiously and the fellow was very complimentary about him. He kept asking his daughter is she wanted to pet the puppy but she was kind of nonplussed (maybe Sam’s size intimidated her) but Sam was unwilling to drop it. He started pawing at the man’s knee-something he’s NEVER done before. At last the man bent down and had his little girl touch Sam. She still wasn’t all that impressed, but Sam was happy as a clam at high tide and the guy was pleased Sam was ever so gently and sweet while she pet him.

We had another encounter in a hallway with a deaf man who had an interpreter with him. Sam was only slightly interested in him and far more interested in the interpreter but in keeping with his ethos, he zeroed in on her (perhaps she needed a visit more than the fella did?). Hard to say but I do trust Sam’s ability to decide those things even when others may think he’s not that great since he doesn’t fawn over all patients at times. Sometimes its the visitors who need his kind of attention and energy more than the patients do.

It might take some time getting back into the swing of things doing what Sam does best but I’m watching him. Till then, I’ll be humming the song…Me and My Shaad-ddow.🎶

Songwriters: Dave Dreyer, Al Jolson, Billy Rose

Live, love, bark! <3