By Debra;
I wanted to share a story about Buddy and our visit to the McCall’s hospice home on Friday. Before Buddy and I begin visiting patients, I always check with the nurses as to what patients are actively dying and therefore inappropriate for us to visit. As Buddy and I were leaving a patients room, a gentleman standing in the doorway of the room next door, commented on Buddy and invited us in for a visit. Knowing that the patient in that room was actively dying, I made the decision to accept the invitation because many family members benefit from pet therapy as well. Buddy and I greeted all that were in the room, answered questions about Buddy and expressed to them how pet therapy was a rewarding way to volunteer. The gentleman that invited us in, asked if Buddy could do any tricks. I told him that Buddy knew the standard commands of release, sit, stay, shake and down. After Buddy performed the basic routine, the man looked at me and said, “I know what my next sermon is going to be on and that is on Buddy.” I was looking confused, so he explained that the entire time I was putting Buddy through the commands to perform, he noticed that Buddy never took his eyes off his master. He said in this world today, the focus on God is failing and Buddy’s fixed attention on me gave him the inspiration to preach a sermon on how we need to refocus our attention on God, our Master. I walked out of McCall’s that afternoon with a warm feeling and realizing that just one little act, most of which we are not aware of, can make a difference.
Debra and Buddy