The call came in on Tuesday. Sam here. Our elite covert operations IMF unit needed to carry out a highly sensitive, feel good mission at West Pines, ASAP. The assignment was critical to carry out since one of the regular pet therapy dogs that visit West Pines recently passed away and with it being summertime and many of our volunteers on vacation, the therapy coordinator was desperate for someone to cover West Pines this month. We were just there 12 days ago but I jumped at the chance to visit my friends again. “Mom…they need us. Let’s do it!” Luckily for us our out-of-town company arrives after our mission is over. Whew! While our missions aren’t the typical ‘secret anonymous covert missions’ like the TV series or the ramped up Hollywood blockbusters, we don’t need to unmask criminals or rescue hostages but we knew it was vital to step in and help the whole team out. So the team leader asked if we could do Wednesday’s visits and we agreed. One thing is vital on one of these last-minute Impawsible Missions: the mission must be carried out and the only high-tech equipment we can use involve treats in mom’s magic pocket. So we agreed to do Wednesday’s shift. That’s what teammates do, right?
But first…I fur-got about the dreaded bath preparation before I could go to West Pines. Eek…what was I thinking when I signed up for this gig?
The only good thing (if ANYTHING good can be said about baths) to come from this water torture is it’s been so warm, mom didn’t have to use the gawd awful wind machine hair dryer on me. Man, I hate that thing! The clippers are bad enough. And for some reason this time, mom drove me cray-cray struggled with trimming up my feet. I don’t like ANYONE touching my feet anyway so it took her a whole lot longer. I was keeping my paws crossed she’d give up and let me go on the mission, Muppet style. Note to self: moms never give up. *Ugh*
We arrived early so I hung out in the main reception area waiting to spring into action. I can spread my therapy skills over peeps wherever I’m at and luckily the waiting visitors and staff cruising through periodically, obliged while we waited. have been making loads of friends with the staff and they always offer me treats. Did I mention how much I love the staff? Nom, nom.One fellow who was waiting to check in had owned a couple of Standards years ago spent a lot of time with me. He teared up at the thought his beloved dogs were gone, but was very grateful for my visit.
When Donna, the facilitator was able to fetch us, off we went. It started out a little on the slow side. Not too many of the staff were able to run their fingers through my luxuriously soft furs. Dang…you mean I endured a…a….%#*@ bloody bath and no one was around now to escort me to the patient areas? What the heck is up with that? Eventually we were able to visit the various areas where there were plenty of patients gathered and boy, did I make up for lost time. Men, women. They all came rushing over to me. The first guy was a huge hulking man and I was a bit nervous he might squash me, but he gently sat down beside me and stroked my head and ears. He was super eager to spend as much time as possible and kept telling me how much he loved dogs. Another lady who knew about us poodles decided to get her therapy fix next. When she stopped petting me, I plopped down right next her and was prepared to stay all morning since I liked her energy.
Unfortunately we needed to move on to see the rest of the patients who have a regimented schedule and she bid me a sad farewell. Many others came by too to say hi and tell me stories about their own pets. Visiting with the mental health patients has become quite an adventure. Mom is struck by the number of people who need my therapy skills and how raw their emotions can sometimes be. It’s easy for me to calm them and sooth their tears. I sit patiently and look deeply into their eyes, studying their faces where I see the pain they carry. I hope I can erase some of that discomfort, even if just for a few minutes.
Our next stop was at a group session where they were practicing yoga. They all perked up when they saw me and I showed them I can bust a downward facing dog move with the best of ’em. One girl in particular especially seemed to need my attention so I laid on her yoga mat and we exchanged zen energy. I kept wagging my tail back at her when we had to leave and she smiled broadly from ear to ear. I hope I made her day…she sure made mine.
Although we’re usually only there for an hour or so, the whole experience wears me out. Being on a IMF mission, while I don’t self-destruct like TV’s Mission Impossible, does tend to wear me out so I’ll be spending the rest of the day like this till tomorrow when this IMF team goes back to hospice and the Senior Behavioral unit. Pfft, Mr. Phelp’s got nothing over me. 💤
Live, love, bark! ❤︎
mee sorta a 1 on 1 Purr-amedic! […] Mission Impawsible by Monika and Sam at Tails from Around the Ranch – One of the things I love life meter reading about is how frankfurter’s take so much ease to the folks confined in hospitals and convalescent homes.
. mee sorta a 1 on 1 Purr-amedic!
. mee sorta a 1 on 1 Purr-amedic!
. mee sorta a 1 on 1 Purr-amedic!
Wow, Sam. You really do know how to spread the love. I have considered getting our pooch, Lady, to do some pet therapy and we’re starting off by chatting with people down the street. We’re not sure whether Lady or myself would pass muster for anything more formal.
BTW you’ve become quite the writer, Sam. Soon you and Mom will be bumping Hemingway and all his wretched cats off their pedestals.
xx Rowena
As regal poodles, both Elsa and I think Hemingway overrated the cats. Clearly he’d never been around any of us canines. 🙂
Good job sam
Wooftastic work!💜
Nose nudges,
CEO Olivia
. mee sorta a 1 on 1 Purr-amedic!
. mee sorta a 1 on 1 Purr-amedic!
Many thanks for the re-blog. We appreciate it❣️
Sam, you did a wonderful job, especially for being called in last-minute for that special assignment. We’d say you definitely earned that long nap!
Mee-you Sam yur pawtastick!! Trulee pawtastick!! mee wood luv to do what you do butt mee too sketchy around a lot of peepull…..mee sorta a 1 on 1 Purr-amedic!
Yur mee HERO!!!!
~~~head rubsss~~~ Siddhartha Henry~~~
Aww thanks, sweet Prince. One on one’s are a good thing too, you know. 😉
Fanks Sam fur thee encouragemint!
It really sounds like the bath was worth it in the end. Lots and lots of peeps really needed you, and you did so much good! I’m so impressed with you and your mom.
Sam does all the work, I just drive him. 😇But it totally warms my heart when he connects with people which happens all the time.
If there was anything worth taking a bath for, it is your missions Sam!!
xoxo
Jakey & Arty
Awe, that was so sweet to jump right in and share the love. I’ve often wished I’d made Sampson a therapy dog, there are just some dogs that are so special, and you and my Sampson are a couple of them. Thank you for doing that!
Sampson would be one pawsome therapy pup!
I just knew you could pull it off, with class and style too! Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Thanks! It’s those darn baths that are the problem. 😃
Good job jumping in at a moment’s notice, S. You are a trooper.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Thanks, Cupcake. We were happy to help the team out.
That sounds like an excellent MI mission Sam. Excellent debriefing too. Naps are mandatory for sure after such a mission. 0011 a.k.a. Benji
Wow Sam you are such a pawsome doggie! very special talent you have
hugs
Hazel & Mabel
Sam, you are one very special dog. And as Lexi used to bark, “Going to get petted and treats. It’s a great gig if you can get it.”
Many thanks, Ms. Amy. Treats and being pet IS a good gig even if it’s hard work. Luckily I’m inexpensive and shameless. BOL
Your fur-iend,
Sam🐾
Glad you accepted the mission and it sounds like you were quite successful. Even if you did have to have the dreaded bath. At least you shouldn’t have to have another one before your hospice visits tomorrow. You do a wonderful thing, helping to make human’s days. Thank you, Sam.
Thanks, a good thing I have such short term memory. 15 minutes later I was bouncing for joy and ready for fun times!
Your fur-iend,
Sam🐾
Yes, sometimes short term memory lapses are the best. 😉
Well done on another successful mission!!! I am so impressed with the work that you do! I wish I could do it but I look too scary for some people and I have too much energy I would try and jump on everybody to lick their faces.
You can jump on us anytime Mia!
OKAY!! Invitation accepted!!! BOL!
Besides, we’ve had a few Pits who everyone loved at the hospital.
Oh really?? That makes me so happy to hear that 🙂
Fergie was a pit (we posted a tribute to her recently) and beloved by everyone.
Oh yes I remember!!! 🙂
I just adored her and still miss her. Everyone on the team was just sick when she passed. Visitors at the hospital used to fawn all over her. She was a sweetie and a great ambassador to her breed.
A very successful mission Sam and you look and smell great.
Thank you! It went well today too. Woof!
I’m so glad. ❤️ {{{HUGS}}} ❤️ to your Mom and Elsa too.
Gladly passed on and received. Everyone sends thanks in return. 🙂
Max sends his most sincere sympathies about all that paw trimming stuff. He is amazed that Yosemite Sam can be productive after such a traumatic event.
Luckily he has a short memory. 😃
Awww, that’s so great. I know if I’m ever in a place like that it would totally make my day to see somepawdy like Sam come in. Wonderful! (Love that post-bath pic. Too cute!)
Sam’s mom here. He despises water so much and tries to make me feel guilty with his drama. Cracks me up every time. And for the record, I know Sam would love to visit you anyplace!
I’m sure staff and especially patients were grateful you accepted this mission Sam. Being as handsome as you are you give Peter Graves a run for his money.
My mom aways thought he was a handsome guy, hopefully there are others who are as ancient as she is. 😉
I’m surprised you posted this. Your notes on the visit self-destructed 10 minutes ago.
🤣
Loved reading about your latest mission impawssible, Sam…we know you are always up to the task!
We try to do our best and bring a moment of joy to those who especially need it whether they are a patient, visitor or a nurse.
We can see how being charming and therapeutic would wear you down…you deserve a long nap after such a successful mission
These therapy pets take on a massive amount of negative energy and need the rejuvenating time a nap provides. So do us uprights. 😇
I hope if I ever end up in a place like that, there are therapy animals. Lots of them. Better than meds.
We think so too. Even doctors are beginning to come around on the benefits of visiting pets over meds. 😀
haha moms never give up. Relentless. Obsessed with feet and hair. You’re doing good work Sam.
I think in the dictionary under mom, one definition is OCD behavior. 😇
Your fur-iend,
Sam🐾
You are such a good fellow, Sam! Kudos to you!
Thank you! Just trying to help out a few lost souls. Hope it feels as good for them as it does for me.
I’m sure it feels good for them!
Btw, I kept following another blog with a helpful dog, “Reading with Rhythm”. That dog, Rhythm, went to kindergartens (elementary) schools, to read children’s books with the children. Unfortunately I haven’t heard of Rhytm for quite a long time.
I’ll check that blog out. I’m thinking a reading program may be good for Elsa and hope to pursue that work for her. She seriously needs a job! LOL
Since I haven’t had news from there for quiite some time, I’m afraid something happened to either Rhythm or his owner.
I poked around and it looks like it’s been a few years since they’ve posted on the blog. Perhaps they got burned out since there seemed to be a lot of stuff going on throughout the website.
Sounds like a great day for all involved!
Very intense, very gratifying. ❤︎