Fire Fighters and First Responders ~~ My Christmas Blessing

Sometimes seasons of life seem especially full. Life can feel overwhelming. We've all been there.  I'm there.  And during the Christmas season life can feel fuller. During these times, usually the last thing I want to do is add one more thing to my schedule.

Sometimes though, that's just what I need.   During November/December California was experiencing her largest wildfire in history,   --- coming on the heals of other huge fires throughout our state.   When the last-minute request came through for pet therapy teams to visit  the fire fighters at their base camp, first responders in Santa Barbara, and evacucees at UCSB, ~~ well, the stuff of life fell away, and Chester and I said yes.

With the firefighters, what touched me the most......... was listening to the conversation that often flowed when they knelt, or reached to pet Chester. I heard stories of their own families, pets included. Stories of  'home'.  A gently wagging tail, the feel of soft warm fur, often invite warm hearted memories to surface and conversation to flow.  It's almost like for this brief moment-in-time the weight of their hard work and huge sacrifice is lifted, and it just kinda feels like home.  Therapy Dogs can do that. 

A small way for us, to say a big thank you.

Another highlight ~~ visiting men, women, and children at the evacuee site in Santa Barbara. I can't imagine being in their shoes. Waiting. Waiting to return home, or what was left of home.  Chester found two little brothers. The boys took turns walking, running, and playing with their new 4-legged friend. Giggling with abandon!

The Red Cross volunteers who had been tirelessly giving and serving for weeks,  seemed to breath a little deeper and find a bit of rest for their souls.... as they took a long moment to pause,  pet our pups, and talk story.

               Denise Fitzgerald (left) and Mr. Bingly, pet therapy teammates and dear friends  ~~
taking time to sit on the floor with someone who needed a friend.

                                   
 
  

Chester giving a smooch of encouragement to a Red Cross volunteer

One of the many things I love about the the two pictures above ~~~ is how they reflect  the heart of pet therapy, and what can happen when multiple teams visit sites together. We allow our dogs to find their nitch with people. We don't cluster together --- we disperse.  Our therapy dogs have built in radar for people who need them ~~ and we get to follow their lead and participate. Sometimes conversation flows, we listen, we encourage, we love,  right along side our dogs. Sometimes, as with this Chester moment, no words needed on my part. I just am blessed to soak in the  moment.