He stands about 4’ high coming up close to my waste. His blonde curly hair is to die for and he’s a giant angel. He doesn’t know how big he is and honestly when he’s in the room settled, you wouldn’t even know he’s there.
I met Alice about 5 years ago, a new client from CA and she changed my life. Young, smart, well spoken, educated, believes in people and see’s the best in them always and I knew all this in under two minutes of meeting her. I knew she was different right outta’ the gate because she confidently walked into the salon with Alfie, explaining he came to work with her everyday and was a therapy dog to her patients. He stood right by her side, with his little worker vest on (and I use the word little loosely) about as calm as any therapy dog could be, while our two salon dogs were barking their heads off at him and completely walking underneath his entire body because he was so big and they were so small. He remained stoic. It was impressive to watch the self restraint. She assured us if that vest wasn’t on he would be acting like every other dog we know; engaging, playful, sniffing, all the things. But he knew, when that vest was on, he was in work mode.
She was awesome and this dog was unbelievable.
They came in the room and he laid right on the ground by my feet quietly as I cleaned up Alice’s eyebrows. We chatted about what she did for work and why she needed him. She was a Speach Therapist for patience recovering from trauma to the brain; strokes, accidents, dementia, etc. His original owner, a former marine, struggled with PTSD and Alfie was his dog. When Alice met Alfie they bonded instantly and she started bringing him to work. If her patients were getting frustrated or upset while trying to learn how to talk again, walk again, without any indication from Alice, Alfie would get up, walk over, and rest up against them insisting to be pet or put his head directly in their laps.
It’s unreal right? Just reading that, you probably felt like I did “Awwww, stop you’re going to kill me with cuteness.”
Through the years Alfie and Alice have become a big part of my daydreams. I’ll start thinking about how cool I think she is and how they’re now part of my happy thoughts list. You know the list, the one you think about when you’re feeling off and don’t know why. The thoughts that are the “go to” thoughts that make ya’ feel good right away and by going over them, can help turn a bad moment into a better one. I can bring Alfie right into my daydreams and feel his fur and see his sweet eyes and I instantly start feeling good.
I swear though, is there any better feeling when ANY dog walks in the room?
They can bring an entire crowd around them in a matter of seconds. From young to old, most of us feel that “Omgosh can I pet your dog?” feeling.
Not everyone though.
I have met some people that don’t get those squishy inside feelings when they see dogs, or any animals. Those people have that “Omgosh I’m terrified of dogs.” Or “Dogs scare me.” Or, even crazier “I’m not really into dogs.” To which I’m sure a good therapist could figure out what’s wrong with them. But, I try not to judge. “But, seriously, ummm, what’s wrong with you?!”
All I see is an adorable, soft, live stuffed animal, happy buddy, full of energy just wanting to be played with. Like 98% of the time I literally need to stop, say hello, and pet your dog. That other 2% is probably because you’ve got them in a stroller or something to frufru for me, but even then I’ll at least glance and check it out.
I had the complete honor, for 10 years, working for the first time in my life with two dogs that always came to work with their owners everyday. I know right?!!!! Everyday I was greeted at the door by wagging tails and a hopping up and down prancing around motion. One would follow me to my room and start going through my work bags as if he had never seen them before. Every morning he would come in my room lay on his back give me some good one on one time with him before I started my day. Then the clients would start coming and I literally watched them transform. They could have been having the worst day and within a few minutes of getting their hair done or pedicure, with a dog on their lap, you could see the transformation happening before your very eyes. Sadness lifted, they appeared calmer and more content. One time one of the dogs actually took a treat out of someone’s hand (who would never normally do that) we all applauded because well, “Who knew?!” Who knew one day, she would carefully and trustingly take it.
Grown men have melted my heart watching them with their dog (or cat too). And I’ve always said,“I swear if I see a man holding his child’s hand or rocking his baby with a dog on a leash, all of a sudden I’m like a puddle on the floor.” It’s so heartwarming!
I have a friend whose dog has a whole “Good Morning Dance” they do together to start their day and now learning how to say “I love you” which I’m sure sounds soooooo close in his own voice saying “Wy wuv woo.” This four legged ball of fur and sweetness lights up the whole day within minutes of being awake!!
One of my other friends dog, she actually has to wake her dog up because it’s time to get up and go to work! Like what?! It’s possible to train your dog to your schedule? Who knew!? Or, maybe she just got lucky.
Animals in the house, just bring the house to life.
Something always sleeping near by or right on top of you or playing with something they found, jumping around in pure joy, they teach us so much. They teach us to stay present, to find the simple things funny, to remember to be silly because they are!
So, thank you to all my friends with dogs because they help fill a space inside of me that really wants one, but only when I have the time to dedicate to them. So for now I get all the benefits, without the responsibility and I thank you for all those special days and moments you’ve shared with me to snuggle, love on, play with, enjoy watching and from time to time take outside on a leash for those unexpected emergencies to “do their business” when their owners were in the middle of something.
Dogs….they truly do light up an entire room.
Special thanks to: Alice & Alfie, Sandra & Tanzy, Laura & Blue, Frodo, Teddy, Phoebe and our beloved Martha who we will never forget. To Amy, Sean & Skeeter-Bourdeaux and all the strangers I’ve stopped to say hello to you and your dog.
DevineTime 