~:~:~:The Doggie Thread!!:~:~:~

Who Princess

Very sorry about Guinness. Those of us who've been through that know the pain of waiting and watching our buddy's last days. I know he will be surrounded by love. All of us here will be thinking about you and will help in any way we can.

Who Princess

There was a story about this on our local news a few nights ago. One of these dogs is from Ft. Worth and the story really touched me. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/17/us/in-a-shaken-orlando-comfort-dogs-arrive-with-unconditional-love.html?action=click&contentCollection=Europe&module=Trending&version=Full&region=Marginalia&pgtype=article

In a Shaken Orlando, Comfort Dogs Arrive With ‘Unconditional Love’

On the Monday following the Orlando massacre, 12 golden retrievers arrived in the Florida city.

They had come to offer comfort to some of the victims of the attack, the families of those killed and the emergency medical workers, as well as anyone else in the city in need of some canine affection after the deadliest shooting in American history.

The animals are part of the K-9 Comfort Dogs team, a program run by the Lutheran Church Charities, based in Northbrook, Ill. Founded in 2008, the team has comforted victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting.

Tim Hetzner, the president of the charity, said that the dogs in Orlando were helping to provide a feeling of safety, allowing those in distress to relax their guard and express their vulnerability during a difficult time.

“We’ve had a lot of people here that start petting the dog, and they break out crying,” he said.

The dogs and their 20 handlers have visited hospitals and churches, and attended vigils and memorial services.

On Wednesday, they visited some of the hospitalized victims and met with the staff of Pulse, the gay nightclub where the shooting occurred.

“People couldn’t get out of their bed, so we had to bring the dog up so they could pet the dog while laying down,” Mr. Hetzner said. “They start smiling, and in a couple cases, they started talking as much as they could.”

Comfort dogs, also known as emotional support dogs, have become a familiar sight in nursing homes, on college campuses and even occasionally in airports. Though many are not considered to be service animals under the terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act, they are often employed by therapists and medical doctors to help soothe patients.

While it’s not entirely clear whether comfort animals provide long-term benefits to those in pain, studies have shown that they can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression as well as the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

There are more than 120 dogs in the K-9 Comfort Dog unit, in 23 states. All of them have received extensive training similar to that of a service dog, Mr. Hetzner said, and have been taught to provide comfort without barking, jumping or getting agitated.

In Orlando, they have helped to provide a temporary calm during a traumatic week.

“With the family members, we spent time with them, and they just appreciate having something positive that’s taking place after the last few days,” Mr. Hetzner said, adding, “Dogs show unconditional love.”

hedonist

Just beautiful, Who P.

PJ_ROCKS

^^^ wow that got to me as well...

man, i love dogs!!!

Wobbie

We left Piper for a few days while we vacation in MN. The poor baby is so picked on, road tripping with our dog sitter

Wobbie

Such a sweet story, WP. Goldens will ALWAYS have a place in my heart.

Who Princess

Wobbie said:

Such a sweet story, WP. Goldens will ALWAYS have a place in my heart.

I know--I thought of you right away.

hedonist

http://www.standard.net/Police-Fire/2016/06/21/Weber-County-K-9-URL-sniffs-out-child-porn-and-other-hidden-data

Rob

PJ_ROCKS

had to put some smiles in here...

PJ_ROCKS

and this one....

PJ_ROCKS

PJ_ROCKS

taken a few days ago

hedonist

PJ_ROCKS said:

and this one....

Precious.

PJ_ROCKS

Who Princess

"I want to play, Dad!"

Enkidu

Ahhhhhh, I just saw the little Sophie pictures. Insanely cute.

Wobbie

here's Piper and her boyfriend Sasha.

norm

that's a lot of happy fur

Wobbie

norm said:

that's a lot of happy fur

oh yeah....when they wrestle, they both end up with a mouthful of fur.

in the warm weather, Pipet likes to sleep on an AC vent, curl up by the cool toilet or do this:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll56/ddgrh8r/EDB25C4E-DD63-4A84-A971-DCCE577010D3_zpskg7yxus0.jpg

Wobbie

PJ_ROCKS

Wobbie said:

content

PJ_ROCKS

Sophie says hi.

norm

Happy 4th, Doggies!!

Who Princess

Norm is chillin'!

Enkidu

After the 4th of July parade. Two tired dogs.

hedonist

Love the butt-to-butt, and toe beans!

Wobbie

Enkidu said:

After the 4th of July parade. Two tired dogs.

are those dogs on to something? should I try sleeping with the pillow under my butt instead of under my head?

goofy dogs

Who Princess

Scout sleeps like that sometimes. Must be something to it.

We didn't go to any parades, just the park. Scout was pretty tired hisself.

Who Princess

Very sad day in Texas. This morning I'm glad that I have a silly puppy dog who rolls on his back to get some tummy rubs and makes me smile, no matter how sad the news is.

hedonist

With ya, Who P (except two cats instead of a pup).

Their ignorance is my bliss.

*edited to add that the hearts and thoughts of many of us are with the people there.