Dogs in an Old Folks Home

      Today I went to an old folk's home with some dogs from the animal shelter. Of course, this wasn't to get them adopted, but just to make the people living in the home happy. I will admit, I was a little nervous to be around the elderly people; sometimes they are sick and say odd things that I don't know how to reply too. When I was there though, with these dogs, my anxieties were completely blown away. I loved hearing stories of the dogs that these people had in the past, or about the dogs that their children own. They were all so excited to see the pups and to ask about their breeds and names.
       The two dogs that we brought were pretty funny. The first was a cute six month old Lab - Mastiff mix (even though I can only see Lab so far). She is a crazy puppy that snatches treats and gulps them down without even chewing. The second was a thick-chested, chocolate/brindle Pit Bull Terrier. She would lie down on the cool tile floor every time we stopped. Some people didn't like her when they saw that she was a Pit, but she was actually a sweeter, more well behaved dog than the puppy.
       Obviously, my heart goes for animals, but seeing these old folks made me pretty sad. When we talked to them and asked how their day was going all but two people said "OK". One lady was even crying
(and not it a psycho, my brain is wigging out, kind of way). Once the upset lady saw the dogs she became a little happier and wanted to pet them.
        Are their old folk homes that allow pets? I feel that that would make people so much happier. I know that if I lived in a home, I would want at least a kitty. Truthfully, I can't live without pets; I have two kittens in an apartment that doesn't allow any animals.... not even fish. :P
  

The Dogs In My Life

     I used to hate dogs. My knowledge of them was limited to the black and tan coon hounds that my dad hunted with. He would sic them on my cat for training (who was a fabulous escapee) and they jumped all over me. I felt that cats were the good guys and that dogs were the bad guys. 
    This all changed when I met Chaun's family. They have four very unique dogs... lovingly referred to as 'the children', and 'the pack'. 

I can roll the window down completely because he couldn't jump out if he tried.

    The first is a giant English Mastiff named Samuel. He has some hip problems, thus requires people to baby him. He was adopted from some people who couldn't take care of him like he needs. Whenever I go over to Chaun's parents house, Sam says hello by head butting me, and he is so big that he just shoves me around. haha :) 
    The pack leader is an Alaskan Malamute. Nikita makes the best eye contact that I have ever seen in a dog, and she licks any body part unclothed. She likes to boss me around by jumping and licking my face. I am a very petite person, so she easily gets away with this. Not that I mind very much. :P She only does this to me, even Chaun doesn't believe that she jumps on me. I think Nikita see's me as a joke.... I swear she laughs at me. 

Please let me sit on your lap!

     


     Beau is the next in line. He is a small Black Lab. This dog was raised in an apartment setting, so he acts like a big cat. He hardly barks, and doesn't have the energy levels of most labs. He loves to cuddle, and usually doesn't come to say hello. He patiently waits until you come over to say hi to him. :)
     The last dog in the pack is a Schnauzer named Cher. She was adopted from Chaun's Aunt who was moving to a place that doesn't really allow dogs. Cher is known as the gremlin because whenever anyone picks her up, she growls crazily. Oddly enough, she loves this; It's like her way of playing. When she walks, she has to build up momentum by rocking back and forth. She's not fat, it's just that her legs are very short. HAHA :) Thinking about her walking makes me laugh. 
     There are two other dogs that try to worm their way into the pack. One is a neighborhood black and tan coon hound (uughh) named Jake that likes to come over all the time. The other is a Chocolate Lab named George owned by Chaun's sister, Ally. Chaun and I nicknamed George, 'the cousin' because he likes to come over and cause trouble, but I don't think I would tell Ally that.... haha :) 
     Hopefully I will one day have a dog with a cute nickname that can be a part of this silly dog family. :) I will post photos of all these doggies soon.  .....Except for Jake. He isn't around long enough when I am there for a photo shoot.