Hi there, remember us? You know, that merry band of misfits consisting of two dogs and an upright who thinks she runs things but let’s face it, we all know Norman and Elsa are the real brains around the Ranch. Sorry we’ve been AWOL. A series of life events tripped us up pretty hard and took the wind out of my sails with little to no bandwidth remaining in the tank to do any kind of job at blogging. I began to sink in mental mud rather than focus on much of anything else.
Although we were served a large crap sandwich, I realized when I ran into a nearby neighbor couple this morning that life can easily serve a bountiful meal as well. They were loading their newborn baby boy into the car (egad, I hadn’t even been aware they were expecting)! What a beautiful and reaffirming sight to see their new son peeking out over dad’s shoulder gazing at the world while the two fur beasts and I observed this blessing from a more than social distance. The realization that a new life joined the rest of us in 2020 had an impact on my psyche and that made me realize I absolutely needed to begin to post.
In the ‘more good news’ category, the hospital recently contacted the pet therapy teams to see if we were interested in participating in some form of hybrid form of pet therapy visits. While visiting patients and staff in the hospital would not be possible (and probably won’t for the foreseeable future given the recent uptick in cases in the Mile High City), they worked on creating a new way to bring smiles at least to the staff of the Emergency Department. Norman is scheduled to visit their parking lot venue for greeting doctors and nurses (today is our first day and we’re wiggling with excitement and will report back on just how it goes so wish us luck). Norman is all spiffed up having survived the water torture and is now ready to make his first appearance spreading a little joy later this morning.
Please know we’ve missed you all and hope to pick up where we left off with new adventures to share. I’ve continued to visit your blogs and left a few microscopic comments but you’ve all been in my heart. It appears the summer has been good to the fair majority of you and we hope autumn continues in that vein. Until the next time where we update you on how Norman’s inaugural entry into the world of pet therapy goes, remember…
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Soooo good to see a post from you. I kept checking and then of course when I don’t check, a post appears! 🙂
I missed your posts and almost asked you a few times on my blog but didn’t what to put you on the spot! Thanks for continuing to visit my blog even when things were upside down in your life. Sorry about life not treating you well recently! But oh yes, how can one not smile at a newborn baby!
Sounds great about Norm, hope it went great!
(((Hugs)) to you! ❤
Thank you. It’s been a rough 6+ week patch but luckily I’m ornery enough to survive. 😉
Glad you’re back Monika, Norman and Elsa, and what a special way to bring back the spirit to blog again💗 We’re so puuroud of you, Norman. It looks like you’re all ready for the job, sweetie 😸Pawkisses for a Happy Sunday to all of you🐾😽💞
Thanks, Binky! We’re working hard to stay upbeat and engaged.
Lulu: “Hello and welcome back! We are glad to hear that you’re going to be able to get back to some kind of therapy work. We’re sure everyone has missed seeing Norman’s sweet fuzzy face!”
You’re so right, everyone at the hospital has yearned for the return of the therapy dogs and Norman was a big hit on his first ever visit. We’re looking forward to the next one.
I’m late to this party. Do Therapy dogs have to wear masks? Anyway, we always welcome back our own with open claws.
Glad you are back in the saddle. I hope the referenced sandwich is fading away and That bright days will once again shine on the Ranch. Figuratively if not in actuality. Be well!
Thanks, Michael. There’s still some aftertaste from the ‘special sauce’ but hopefully with some time it will be history. Don’t EVER want to have to eat that again! Have a good weekend. Ear rubs for the girls.
Thanks, Kismet!
So glad you’ve made it back, and we can’t wait to hear how Norman’s visit went! He looks so adorable all spiffed up! He is definitely going to bring smiles to lots of faces! ♥
Thank you! He did great and we hope they host many more of these outings. 🤞🏻
I am so glad that you have found your way back. I hope that the crap sandwich has gone down the disposal.
Thank you! Still dealing with the aftertaste of the sandwich’s ‘sauce,’ but moving forward. It’s good to be back.
Glad you’re back with us. A crap sandwich is often served to us but we decline it….sometimes the sandwich is shoved in our face and we must deal with it. All I can is after the crap sandwich a tuna sandwich is heaven.
Tyebe
Thanks. I’ve never really enjoyed those crap sandwiches.
I’m glad that you are back and I’m equally excited that everything is going better!
Many thanks. We continue to be ever grateful for this amazing online community.
Awesome paw-news! Glad you’re back and that we’ll all get to enjoy snippets of your mile-high life! I’ve fallen off the planet due to more “life-quakes.” I write something but man I’m dragging! Cheers, with my cup-o-tea to a beautiful crisp autumn day.
In this day and age of COVID, even small ‘life-quakes’ can level even the strongest soul. Luckily this blogging community is helpful reaffirming our battered psyches. Hang in there and enjoy that cup-o. ☕️
Norman has big paws to fill! We know everyone will miss Sam – but we think Norman can handle it.
He’s relying on the cuteness factor. Well that and that fact that he just happens to have pretty gigantic paws! LOL
we are so happy that you are back! and we love this idea… it is a super way to bring joy but no dangers… we hope it will work!!!
Thank you! We hope the powers to be can make it work too.
Ooooooooh! It is so good to see you guys! I am so sorry you are goin’ thorough a crappy time. I hopes things are getting betters, and you are coming out the other side stronger than evers. Norman, Ma has missed your handsome face my furiend! She just wants to hug you and kiss you and….WAIT, WTD?? that doesn’t sound right! I gots to stop letting Ma write my comments! sigh.
Sendin’ lots of {{{hugs}}}} and kisses and AireZens!
Kisses,
Ruby ♥
LOL, Ruby…you crack me up. We both know your mum absolutely adores your AireZen-ness. Thanks for the kind words. They mean the world to us. 💙
Hello again! Glad you are back into the land of blogging, such as it is. Norman would be a huge hit, I am sure of that! Us health care workers need such diversions as well as the ill…I work in a nursing home, and we sorely miss our doggies…and the odd kitty. I mean visiting ones, not the therapy ones, though we really miss those too:)
Hang in there…the best is yet to come…just do not hold your breath too much), BOL!
Thank you for the kind words. YesI have always thought healthcare workers need the therapy dogs as much, if not more than, their patients. We were happy to brighten a few folks’ day.
I am sure you are going to do fantastic.
Norman did quite well, all things considered. And because he was all spiffed up and soft as silk, a big hit with everyone who petted him.
It is a challenging time for us all. Take care of yourself.
Thanks. We’re doing the best we can with the resources we’ve got.
Lookin’ good, Norman, I bet you wowed them! 🙂
Thank you. He did really well today.
Good to see you back, sort of, Monika.
You picked up on that nicely but then again I wouldn’t expect less from you. Happy to be back and grateful for all the support we’ve received.
Welcome back friend, I totally understand what you mean about life events. I shared one with you a few months ago and had another of the same just last month. I’m a Covid orphan. As I told my compatriots at FACE, keeping up with the blog helps keep me somewhat sane. p.s. Norman looks adorable!
Life is tough these days; but this community has an extra special place in my heart for which I am exceedingly grateful. Stay well friend and keep smiling. And we’re here if you need anything. 🥰
Thank you…same to you.
💙
Ah, good for Norman…looking great! I think it’s been a rough time for a lot of us this year. We have to do as much socially distanced tail wagging at each other as we possibly can.
Thanks. It was good for both of us. 💙
Lucy: Norman, you look ravishing. Did you get a manly haircut? You will be a huge hit at the hospital!
Xena: Stop flirting, Lucy.
Amy: I was thinking about you (Monika, not Norman) this morning and hoping things were going better. It made me smile to hear (read) your cheery post today. Good for you!
I’m doing my best under the circumstances. It’s all I can do, right? Freshly bathed and trimmed Norman would love to meet Lucy and sends his best bum wiggles to her.
Bum wiggles back to Norman. *hugs* to you.
💙
So sorry that you have been having a trying time lately…but it is good to hear that you are going to give us the news on Norman’s debut!
Thanks for your kindness, Helen. So grateful for everyone who has sent well wishes. Norman handled himself like a proper British sheepdog and was well received.
So all he now needs is a bowler hat, a rolled up umbrella – never to be unfurled nomatter the weather – and a copy of ‘The Times’ to complete the picture.
Now that’s an image I’d pay good money to see! 🌂
Here all along I thought your absence was related to that article in the Denver paper about disorderly conduct at the dog park. Oh wait…did I just say the quiet part out loud? Whoops. Nah, nah, nah just kidding. Good to see ya back and I have to say Norman is looking especially good right now. Definitely dressed for success. Looking forward to more posts soon.
You know perfectly well the disorderly conduct referred to me. Norman is a saint. LOL
Welcome back! No one will be able to resist your total cuteness, Norman.
Aww, you’re too kind, Molly. Thank you!
We are so sorry you have had a rough go of it. 2020 has not been the best of years for many of us. We hope you are on the road to all good things now.
Hugs and Woos – Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Many thanks. So many people have had it worse than me but I’m glad to be turning the page toward better times.
Welcome back, Monika, Norman, and Elsa.
Many thanks. It’s good to be back!
It’s always nice to see you all!! Can’t wait to see how Norman does!
Thanks. Norman did great so I’m looking forward to sharing his adventures.
Glad to see you back and hope that all your woes are handled or soon to be. Sending a hug from me and my gang.
Many thanks, Paulette. It will be a while before everything is back to normal but today was a gigantic step forward. It feels so good to be back among a wonderful community.
So glad to see you all again! And glad the upright’s mojo is returning! I’m willing to bet that Norman will be a STAR therapist!!
Our summer – and so far, fall as well – was uneventful, thankfully. We are doing the best we can to stay healthy – social distancing and mask wearing when out and about, etc. – and I’m trying to get my blogging mojo back as well. I’ve cut back A L O T on my social media time. I just don’t have the patience for it like I did in the past.
Thank you, I sure hope so. He seems ready, willing and able. 2020 has definitely been one for the record books, not in the way we’d like but wallowing was longer helpful. It’s good to be back among this community. I’ve missed you all so much. Big ear scritches for my favorite Ducky-girl.
Ducky says thank you! We’ve missed you too!!
😍
Welcome back … but never feel bad about taking a break Monika. Life can present some challenging moments, and you owe to yourself to do whatever is necessary for you at that time. We wouldn’t want it any other way. 🙂
Thanks, Colin. It’s definitely been a process-one which I wouldn’t wish on anyone but I’m very glad to be moving forward now.
Thankful for your return both to Tails Around The Ranch and yours and Norman’s debut at the hospital. I’m betting Norman is going to light up some faces at his first hospital appearance.
Best….. w
It will probably be most therapeutic for both of us.
Knock ’em dead, Norm!
Wags,
Sasha
Many thanks, Sasha! We’re {finally} excited about the prospects the future holds.
Missed you and glad you are back. Norman is so cute – he will bring lots of smiles to the doctors and nurses.
Hugs!
Many thanks. I think this boy will do fine to all he meets.
So happy to see you in my inbox! Glad to know that little bundle of joy triggered in you the need to come back to us.
Way to go Norman. We know you’re gonna do a fantabulous job! Looking forward to the update!
Norman looks more than ready to do the job! Welcome back and hope things are going better for you. Strange times.
We have been missing you, so nice to have you back. Norman will share love and joy, for sure.
Hugs to you all!
Kosmo and Kristiina
Norman would be a welcomed sight anytime in my life. He’s a handsome pup and I’m sure he’ll do fine.
Have a fabulous day, my friend. Scritches to the pups. ♥
Wishing you well as you get back on your feet. Good luck, Norman!
So glad you’re back! Had been missing you! Looking forward to read more. And good luck with Norman’s first mission.
Take care, and stay healthy,
Pit
nice to see you again…
Thank you. It’s good to be back.
We’re so glad you’re back. We were wondering where you were. Norman looks great for his first day.
Many thanks. Norman is going to be instrumental in helping others (and me). So glad to be back!
Mee-yow wow there youss’ are!! Wee DID wunder ’bout you Miss Monika an Stormin Norman an sweet Elsa…
What effur THE ‘crappy sammich’ iss wee hope yore feelin bettur now Miss Monika! Life sumtimess doess offer crappy sammichess innstead of a nice peece of Pizza or a tendurr steak…..os sum Salmon salmon….
Pleese KNOW wee do care ’bout all of youss’ an hope thingss are gettin bettur efurry day.
Guud Luck Norman! You got this Dude!! Yore stylin an hansum inn purpell an you will bee a big hit!!!
***purrss*** an <3 BellaDharma an ((huggiess)) LadyMew too
We are so touched by all the love and caring everyone has shown us. We are truly blessed from this special community. Thank you!
Yore furry wellcome Miss Monika an Norman an Elsa!! Yore GRATE!!!
**purrss** BellaDharma
Reality checks have a way of sneaking up on us. Thanks for checking in and cheers to the furry hospital work.
Thanks ever so, Frank. Feels good to be back and am ever so grateful for everyone’s caring.
Good people stick together!
👍🏻
So glad you’re back………love your posts so much! How FUN that Norman is going to be a greeter of the most important peeps we know these days – doctors and nurses! That should bring a big smile to their faces. Can’t wait to see how it goes – he looks ready for duty. Sending you hugs and hope for better days.
Love, Pam (and Teddy too)
Many thanks for the well wishes. This is a first and very important step in getting Norman into the program and me back into humanity.
Can’t wait to hear how the greeting goes! 🙂
He is definitely ready to get to work! Thanks for the kindness and caring. It means so very much to me.
Welcome back! I know how you feel and I’m sure your time at the hospital will be restoring 🙂
Thank you! Yes, restorative is the ‘pawfect’ description.
Gracie misses pet therapy visits so much, and none on the horizon at this point. We did make a short visit to my accountant’s office, where she was visiting weekly during tax season until things closed down. They loved seeing her again, and she went from person to person absorbing all the love she could get, and giving lots of joy to them. Can’t wait until we can get back to that. I hope your visit today goes wonderfully. I’m sure folks will be grateful.
Many thanks. It’s clear dogs do not understand or even begin to comprehend social distancing which is especially rough on therapy dogs. Bet sweet Gracie was a rock star at the accountant’s office.