Banshee goes to Harbor Chase (Dec.22)

Pet therapy day at Harbor Chase (2d visit there); Banshee is excellent spirits today. Had 6 dogs, a good turnout! Banshee had her new Christmas 'necklace' on,  Maggie had on a Santa suit and Savannah had bells on her collar .... this is a really nice assisted living facility, very friendly residents, also an Alzheimer's wing. After pet therapy we went to Pet Smart (unfortunately I forgot to buy dog food and had to go back saturday) and Super Petz (Banshee's favorite store, as they give out liver treats (Pet Smart gives milkbones).

Ginger subs for Banshee at pet therapy Dec.1

When I returned from Saluda to pick up Banshee and go to pet therapy, Banshee, Snoopy and DB got into an altercation over space issues (who's first when i get out of the car.) Because  Banshee was still wrought up, decided to take Ginger to pet therapy at Azalea Woods and Croft House.... she did very well. Very loving, licked Mr. Frank and several other residents in the face, didn't paw anyone (this is my main concern with using Ginger to visit the elderly, she still hasn't completely gotten over her habit of pawing at you to get your attention, and it is too easy to break the skin on the elderly....) Other than that, she does well. For some reason, she doesnt paw at children, just stands there and lets them love on her (and licks them and smells them:-)  so I generally take her to childen events. Afterwards, we went to Croft House ... because we were late, only 1 resident had waited outside for us. Afterwards, went to SuperPetz (where Ginger was a big hit with a yippy little yorkie (whose owner said he usually hated other dogs) and then to the chiropractor (where I had to wait awhile, so walked Ginger in the big fenced yard behind the building ... full of squirrels!) Returned home satisfied with a 'job well done'

Pet therapy at Harbor Chase Tues 24th

I took Banshee with me to CSN meeting (She stayed in car during meeting) then to new pet therapy venue at Harbor Chase (former Eden Gardens). 5 dogs today! Went very well, we had a 'guide' who took us to residents' rooms (the assisted living wings) and then to the Alzheimers Wing... watching a 'light' come on in these residents' eyes when they touch a dog is, well, awe inspiring. Banshee does so well on these outings, I am so proud of her. Afterwards we went to PetSmart to buy food, met a nice young woman and her goldendoodle pup, (Banshee kept rolling her eyes at me 'gee, mom, this pup is a BIT much' ) then did errands and finally went home. Banshee is a great 'passenger', she curls up and sleeps, wakes up when we stop but politely waits to be invited to 'disembark'.

Pet therapy day for Banshee

Today was Banshee's day for pet therapy at a nursing home. Small turnout (only 3 other dogs), she enjoyed herself as usual (particularly the nurse who gives out treats and the resident who gives awesome back scratches)... unfortunately, the senior residence we usually visit next had cancelled. And it was such a gorgeous day, maybe some of the residents who don;t normally venture outside would have come out. Oh, well. I've thought of a new answer to give folks who ask 'what kind of dog is she?' ... a racoon mix:-)

Ginger and I go to the races

 Ginger (my Irish setter) and I were invited to help out at the Aiken Junior SPCA 'paddock playground' at the Aiken Steeplechase today. (This was the18th Running of the Aiken Fall Steeplechase.) It was raining this morning, but cleared up around lunchtime. Ginger was a big hit with the hordes of children who came by the booth to have their faces painted ... she was supposed to also do some 'serious' pet therapy work by having the kids read to her, which she has done before at other events ... inside. The combination of lots of kids, other dogs, horses, and the smell of food and treats, well, Ginger wasnt particularly interested in laying down quietly. (Though the kids weren't interested in reading, either:-) But oh, she does love children, from babies to teens, and is so very gentle with them, licks babies faces, nuzzles little girls necks, play bows to little boys. We walked around the track several times, and she was a perfect lady, met several folks who told me their "Irish setter stories', everyone commented on how beautiful she is (well, she is). She could have been adopted out a dozen times (I was wearing my SPCA Tshirt) ... I explained she was mine (or I am hers, actually) and told her story (Ginger is my girl who kept escaping from prior owners and ended up down the road from me at All God's Creatures old location... where she jumped the fence and made it to my front gate, where she waited til my husband came home and jumped into his truck and rode regally into her 'chosen home'.) That was a little over a year ago, and she has been a joy and a delight, a welcome addition to my little pack. We got home around 5PM, the rest of the girls were impatiently awaiting our return, and got a nice long run before dark.

Pet therapy day

Another beautiful fall day ... went to Saluda, came back and got Banshee and went to Azalea Woods for pet therapy. Banshee really enjoys her 'job' there, the nurse with the cookies is a big hit! Usually go on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, the group is now dropping 3rd Tuesdays and adding 2 more nursing homes, Eden Gardens on 4th Tuesdays, Carriage Hills on 3rd Wednesdays. Unfortunately, these don't 'mesh' with my work schedule:-( ... but I may add Pepper Hill on 2d Tuesdays. Banshee gets such a kick out of pet therapy work, I hate to disappoint her.