Day 23

We had a restful Sabbath today. I hung out in Joanie's room all afternoon. We practiced getting into the car for the trip home tomorrow. Joanie did very well. While I was there, Daniel, a 25 year old former kindergarten student called to see if he could bring Winston over. Joanie said yes. Winston is a two year old 120+ pound Great Dane. He was a hit with Joanie. We went outside to meet him and then took him through all the rooms to see patients. I would go into a room and ask if anyone wanted to have a dog come in to visit. With only one exception, every awake patient wanted to see Winston. They were a little surprised to be greeted by a dog who stands about 36 inches tall at the shoulder! Winston enjoyed his visit but was challenged by the vinyl floors in the rooms. Daniel said he may bring him back to visit the residents another time or two. This dog loves Troy (our son, a classmate of Daniel) and becomes very excited when he sees Troy once or twice a year. Troy tries to hold him in his lap, but he may not be able to do that the next time Troy sees him.

Joanie had a good night and for the first time that I remember in the past three weeks, commented that she was hungry. The staff is very good about finding her a sandwich when the entree or vegetables are not to her liking. One of her aides said she wasn't sure she wanted to let Joanie go home. Joanie is always very appreciative to the staff and they like her.

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms."
George Eliot