Tag: Bubbles and Balls Rescue Benefit

A True Bond

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 38 Comments

Bonds. There are many different kinds of bonds in this world. For instance, there are the savings bonds that your grandmother probably gave you for a birthday years ago which you cashed in as soon as you could. And as I’ve mentioned in the past, I work in the legal field: Public Finance to be specific, otherwise known as municipal bonds. Does your community need a multi-family housing project built or an extra airport runway? Firms like the one I work for will be involved handling the sale of those bonds which pays for those kinds of infrastructure. But no, in this case, the kind of bond I’m referring to is the bond  you establish with a dog. That connection of the purest kind of love.

As part of a pet therapy team, it’s critical that Sam and I maintain a strong bond and that he responds to all commands. Sam relies on me to make sure he’s safe in a potential hazardous environment with patients where a wrong move with health equipment, bodily fluids, etc. could potentially leave either of us at risk. We work hard at connecting on the same level so that no mistakes result in any kind of problem for us or for the patients we see.

_MG_6285-(ZF-0799-11403-2-001)No where do I see that special bond more front and center than when I see this photo from the recent Bubbles and Balls rescue benefit where Sam is totally focused on me. I can’t get over how well Ariane from DelaFoto Pet Photography captured that bond. Sure, I joke about this doofas being dimwitted, (selectively) hearing impaired and downright stubborn at times when it suits his personal agenda, but when the chips are on the line, that face, that spirit is what we need when we go into a hospice room. I know then he’ll share it with whomever is in that bed, or with whomever is visiting the patient across from them. He’ll check in with me (after he tries to check out whatever might be in the wastebasket, of course-remember he’s still a doofas!) and then he’ll zero in on who needs him the most in that room.

We all love our pets dearly and they each hold a special place in our hearts for any number of reasons. With Sam and I, we have to expand that place for the work we do. And that is where this bond really comes into play. And it’s that kind of bond that means the world to everyone who sees or needs it, but no one more so than me. All told, I think he kind of likes me, what do you think?

Live, love, bark! <3

 

Bubbles and Balls – Update

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 23 Comments

Sam here.  Do you remember when mom and I recently participated in a rescue benefit for the  Misha May Foundation in Denver? Our friend, Ariane of DelaFoto Pet Photography donated half of her regular sitting fee to the foundation and gave everyone a photo magnet as well. We were thrilled to learn that $600 will help provide rescue and rehabilitation and find forever homes for dogs and cats at risk, regardless of age or breed, issue or amount of time needed in keeping with Misha May’s mission. Woof, woof!

It was a terrifically fun and successful event. Ariane gave me lots of ear scratches and paid lots of attention to me. All the dogs that participated on Saturday seem to be ‘senior’ dogs. A number of the dog moms mentioned they wanted to make sure they had a professional photograph of their fur-iend “in case something happened” which is a good idea. Oh, sure you guys whip out that iPhone all the time and take photos of us doing what dogs everywhere do, but a professional photo…wow, now that’s gonna be really something special because remember, like Ariane says, we’re family too. You’ll be able to look back and smile remembering how you tortured us got us a professional photograph with funny bubbles and dare I say, silly balls? You guys know I’m not into balls, right? They tried to get me to pose with one when Ariane took this photo. “What the…oh no you don’t,” I said. “I’m not touching that thing. You never know where it was last and besides, what am I supposed to do with a big blue ball anyway.”

Those bubbles weirded me out a little when they landed on me and popped. I’m not sure what is so intriguing about bubbles, can someone please explain that to me?  Mom said they make people smile but I just didn’t get it.

Have you ever had professional photos taken of your pet? What did you think? Do you have someone as talented and nice as Ariane? I’m a real handsome boy, aren’t I?

Live, love, bark! <3