A Centurion, in the Flesh

Let’s see how far I’ve gotten today with my long list of things:

• Dog park
• Blog
• Study
• Pilates
• Observation visit with SPCA (more on this when I get back)
• grocery shopping (@ Whole Foods!! EEK!)
• Create a budget on Google Docs
• Dishes
• Dinner

I’m doing pretty good. I have 3 tasks left to do..well, really 5 because I still have to study & walk the dogs. Other than that the rest should be quick and easy to do.

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About a month ago my black lab I enrolled the Animal Assisted Therapy program at the SPCA. To complete the program, we had to attend 1 evaluation session, 3 classes, 1 observation visit, & 1 shadow visit.

Today I did the observation visit, so the Shadow visit is the only one left. After that Loomis and I will be able to go out on our own.

Why did we enroll in the program, you ask?

Well, from the moment my husband and I adopted Loomis from Lisa’s Passion for Pets Rescue Group, we knew we had a very special dog.

Here’s a bio I wrote for him explaining why he is so awesome:

Loomis is a 3-year old Black Lab/Border Collie Mix. His birthday is January 26^th, 2009. He is friendly and gentle. Likes to greet everyone and have his head rubbed and scratched. He is very bright. Sometimes he learns tricks just by observing. Oftentimes he’ll sit in your lap and will lean his head into your chest to tell you he likes you. On some occasions he will sit your feet to show his affection as well. Toys that work best with him are soft, round and made of fabric, as he is known to swallow tennis balls whole. When he gets excited he will pick up his soft toy and bring it to you, so you can pet and hug him. He really enjoys being hugged. When he’s not snuggling with you, he’ll play“fetch,” when you tell him to, “go get your toy.” When you say, “Bang!” he will “play dead.” Sweet as he is, he is prone to allergies; so an environment that is clean and dust free along with a grain-free diet helps him maintain a soft and shiny black coat. Every person that meets him wants to take him home, especially kids because he has such good listening skills. He has yet to make any visits, so short sessions with one to two people will help him start off on the right paw.

With that much love how can you NOT want to share him?

Shadow Visit:

After studying, I took off to Laguna Honda Hospital. While there, I met Anne, a nurse at the facility. She was our guide for the entire visit.

And I met also Shelley and her Therapy Dog, Hank. Shelley & Hank showed me the ropes to what it takes to be a Handler and a Therapy Dog. Hank is a VERY sweet dog. While at the hospital, the four of us visited the residents. Hank made many of them smile and laugh by performing tricks and being affectionate. I was extremely impressed.

We eventually reached one resident that just blew my mind away. She was sitting at a big table with a few other residents waiting to be served lunch. We brought Hank over to greet her.

She was still able to speak clearly, hear and comprehend what most of what we were saying. Even had a short conversation with Shelley.

While they were conversing Anne informed me that the resident was 105 years old! HOLY COW!

I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I’ll live that long. Then again, I also didn’t think I’d ever meet anyone who was what they call a “Centurion.” I guess you never know.

The visit was an hour long, which is very large chunk of time for a dog perform tricks on command, meet new people, get petted, be placed on chairs etc. Like I said, Hank was impressive.

When I left the facility I went to WHOLE FOODS!!! I love this place! they have all of my favorite foods.

Groceries:

• Salad bin
• Chobani Yogurt (peach & strawberry)
• 365 Honey Graham Cracker bears
• Kettle Brand Jalapeño chips
• Virgil’s Real Cola
• Bob’s Red Mill Vital Wheat Gluten
• Wright’s Liquid Smoke
• Almond & Sea Salt Dark Chocolate
• Flax muffins, Wildberry flavor
• 2 portobello mushrooms
• Organic carrots
• Zen Chocolate pudding
• Earth Balance soy milk

Lunch:

When I got home, I was STARVING & thirsty, so I twisted the cap off of Virgil’s Real Cola. REFRESHING!

I also made myself a Asiago Bagel Tofurky Sandwich. Also filled with salad greens, mayo, & “bacon.” On the side, I had the Jalapeño chips and 1 juicy and sweet orange.

Do you think you’ll live to be 105? (or past 100 years?). Do you know or have you met anyone who was a Centurion?

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