Last week we visited hospice and hospital over Valentine’s Day and experienced some of our best visits. Ever. Sam was especially extra patient and loving on both days.
We typically make a swing through the surgical waiting area before heading up to our assigned floor to visit with family and friends waiting for their loved ones and this week was no exception. Sam seemed to sense the first group needed extra attention. They included a husband, wife and another friend of the family’s. The husband’s face lit up as we came around the corner and Sam made a beeline for him. His wife squealed when she turned around, but Sam was determined to say hello first to him. His tail was wagging like a wound up metronome as he gazed into the guy’s eyes, so deeply in fact his wife commented on it. Sam turned toward her and she melted under his hypnotic spell, then he turned his gaze back to toward the man again. We spent several minutes chatting, learned he retired from being a police officer for over 40 years. Retirement wasn’t exactly his jam so he started working part-time at Home Depot for a while and shared several photos of pups who came in with their owners and said how much he appreciated it when people brought their 4-legged ‘handyman’ in to provide TLC with employees. He was totally in Sam’s paws, so much so, that he began leaning against the guy’s leg. Sam laid down next to him knowing he needed to chat and share stories of how much he enjoyed that job with those pooch encounters.
It became clear we could have spent loads of time visiting with this couple and learning more about them and their own dog at home but saw several other groups in the waiting area so we began to wrap it up. As we prepared to leave for the next family, the man asked me to say a prayer for his 91-year-old mother-in-law. Bless her heart, she was having a serious procedure done and worried about her long-term prognosis. Now I completely understood why Sam spent so much time with him. Sam knew his visit was what the doctor ordered for this family.
We moved on to the next family whose elderly mom was the patient, Sam gave and received loads of kisses and hugs from the two sisters and aunts and uncles waiting to hear how their loved one fared in surgery. It’s always touching seeing this knucklehead spreading pure joy among people whose hearts are heavy as their family faces uncertain times. He seems to know who to visit first and for how long. Ironic considering when I try to get him to do something along our daily walks, he looks at me like I’m speaking in tongues.
Following the hospital visits, we went over to hospice where the nurses in particular needed Sam’s loving presence. Overnight, 5 patients had passed away, something that’s extremely rare for one day, and the staff needed some puppy love from a sweet loving therapy dog. While we were there, the last body was removed and as noted before they perform a Tibetan bowl ceremony while the body is removed. It’s a beautiful ceremony and Sam sat solemnly next to the line of nurses lined up watching as the body is removed from the building. Once the body was removed and everyone went back to work, he spent extra time with each one of the nurses on the floor. They needed his special attention and tail wags and they all expressed gratitude for his visit. While we’d just been visiting a couple of weeks earlier, I was particularly glad we answered the call to help them deal with the loss on what was a probably an extra difficult day at work.
This silly, goofy dog had the perfect touch for our Valentine’s Day visits and I couldn’t be prouder of this boy for doing what he does best. Making people smile and feel better, even if just for a few moments. While I know his days may be numbered as part of the pet therapy program, I know he will always give it his all.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Sam, wagnificent work🐾💜🐾
Thank you! I try hard to make peeps feel better. Happy peeps are generous with ear rubs. 🐾
That’s true 💜nose nudges💜
Your such a great guy Sam always bring smiles to peoples faces.
What a beautiful and moving post! I want Sam to gaze into my eyes 🙂
This is about as close as we can get for now. 👀
<3
Oh Sam, I just knows they will never forgets your handsome self ~ you truly brought comfort and joy to those who needed it. You are one FABulous dude, and I am so glads you and your Moms are doing the work of Angels ♥
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
We try our best to bring some comfort to patients but especially to the staff who takes care of them-they definitely can use it.
Bless you and Sam for being there on a very trying day for all. 🙂
Thank you. Everyone seemed grateful for his attention and sweetness.
Sam has such stellar bedside manner.
He really does. Good thing no one suspects he’s a shameless bed hog. 🤣
He earns it. 🙂
What a wonderful visit you two had with all of those who needed some extra attention. I can’t imagine how the nurses must have felt, having lost 5 patients in 24 hours! I’m sure Sam’s attention was a welcome relief! You guys are a great team!
I think they really needed his attentive nose and sweet brown eyes looking back at them.
I know that feeling. 😍
He is such a sensitive chap, knowing just who needs him….
Bless Sam, and bless you for helping him to bring relief to so many people needing it. I was at the hospital for 9 hours yesterday, for my sister to have surgery. The surgery itself was less than 2 hours, but the rest was just waiting and worrying. I know how much a visit from Sam or another therapy dog would have meant. All went well though, and the prognosis is good for my sister! ♥
Glad to hear your sister’s procedure went well. We would have loved spending time with you while you waited! Sending oodles of poodles healing thoughts.
How wonderful that Sam brought such comfort tho so many.
He’s a good boy. 😍
As I’m headed to a far-away Hospital to care for my mother during surgery, I wish Sam could be there for us. Or a colleague….
We’re sending digital tail wags your way (( ))
Thank you.
Sam yore mee HEE-ROW!!!!
***purrsss*** BellaDharma
{blush} Thank you!
{Blush, blush} Thanks sweet kitty. You’re too kind. 💖
You’re a darling Sam!
Aww, thank you! I love this dog and how he is so sweet to everyone he encounters.
Good job, Sam – you’re a true pro! <3
Probably more than his driver. LOL
Thank you, he definitely tries his best.
Monika, be sure to video at least one session before Sam retires. Just ask patient permission first, as you know. I cherish the video of Lexi’s final time at the children’s hospital.
Sadly the hospital forbids that, even with patient release. But it is indelibly carved in my heart. ❤️
While understandable, that’s too bad. 🙁
It really is. We’ll just have to have a good memory and better notes. 😊
Okay, okay, now I am really ugly crying. What a beautiful heart your Sam has to pick up on the needs and pain of strangers. I remember when my mother-in-law was in intensive care and if a therapy dog had shown up, I think it would have been the best thing for all of us in the waiting room.
Oh no, please don’t ugly cry. Only tears of joy are allowed here. 😍 Despite being a knucklehead, Sam has a very sensitive side when evaluating people’s emotional needs.
Animals are very soothing. Especially Sam. My brother came out of the hospital yesterday and is staying with me for a few days. He has been enjoying lots of attention from my gray cats. Someone slept with him last night and he was delighted. The youngest insists that he play. It’s distracting and peaceful for him. I hope if I ever end up in a residence situation, they bring in therapy animals.
Glad your kitties are ministering to your brother. It makes all the difference in the recovery process.
OMG yes! It does for me too.
I love how you and Sam bring comfort,love and happiness to so many. I am sure those Nurses needed it desperately, it IS unusual to have 5 people pass in one day like that.
Sometimes we forget how much therapy dogs like wonderful Sam help the staff who have to deal with death on a regular basis.
I cannot imagine having a job at hospice and marvel at the folks who take care of terminal patients. They are amazing in my estimation!
Those folks work in very stressful jobs so we try to lighten their load whenever we visit.
Dear Sam, you feel and know so much more than we humans, we all need you. If we can´t meet you, we can read about your magic skills.
Thousand hugs and kisses,
Kristiina
Many thanks for the kind words Kristiina. Sam really does act like a magician making people feel better.
If you work in a hospice, you’re part of the stiff staff.
Oh, Sam, you made my heart sing. What a sweet, thoughtful doggie you are and so sensitive too. You’re one in a million❤I come back as a doggie in my next live and then I hope to find you❤Pawkisses for a wonderful day🐾😚🐶
Thanks, Binky…you are too kind to say that. He really is a super sweet doggo.
Sam – you gave the best Valentine’s Day present to those folks. What a great thing to do!
Thank you, Susan. And thank you for swinging by our “Ranch.” We 💗visitors.
Such a beautiful thing you two do!
One can never underestimate the power of canine love.
I just drive; Sam does all the heavy lifting. 😉
You are a team.
Period.
We are at that!
👱♀️🐩 (Tell Sam I’m sorry, I had few options)…
No worries. All I have to do is look at him and he’ll wag his tail. (( )) See what I mean? 😄
😀
On my phone the poodle is pink! Here on the computer it is grey…
And it’s white/grey on my laptop. LOL 🐩
Kewl! So… sorry, not sorry, Sam 😉
Sam does wonderful things for sure. Wow on losing five patients in one night. Glad you were there when needed the most.
Thank you for all you and Sam do. ♥
It was pretty shocking, to me and the staff!
Thank you; having worked in healthcare, I know first hand how pet visits help the staff as much as the patients. 💜
Thank you for sharing such a heart warming story, Monika.
Thanks John but I just drive, Sam does all the work. 😊
😀
that was beautiful Monika. It’s true, love in Sam’s form can lift you from despair for a moment, enough to breathe and face it again. He is so tuned in, does it take a lot out of him to do this? Wish he could tell us what it’s like. There are healers who can provide for others, and not be drained, but I wasn’t one of them. I remember being exhausted after days of social work. Sam is the sweetest boy.
It’s really stunning at how well he manages to connect with those who need it most. 😍
sam that was good that you came after they lost 5 of their patients… I’m so happy that you can make a day bright after a dark night…
The timing was truly impeccable. Usually our luck is not that well gauged.