Chester and I were invited by the Principal to speak at a
school assembly about Pet Therapy, and what makes Chester so dog-gone-special
that he gets to visit cool places likes schools and hospitals and
airports! While Chester
worked the crowd with his smiles, wags, and doggie tricks, I told the students all
about my furry friend and tales of pet therapy. The students loved hearing our
stories, but no doubt about it, the highlight of our time together was meet and greet with Chester. And as often happens, an ordinary day became
extra-ordinary.
After the talk , Chester
and I quickly made our way to each circle of students. We strolled past every single
child who wanted a chance to pet the fluffy Golden Retriever. My buddy pranced with a silly grin, tail
wagging, ears flopping. He gave out endless love, and
received a gazillion pats, ear rubs and back scratches. He was in doggie heaven.
So were the children.
After a very full
morning, Chester and I were in our final assembly of the day, with our last
group of children. As we moved around the circle, Chester paused.
Then he stopped. I gave a little tug on his leash, urging him
to move forward. My buddy was not moving
. His big old paws were firmly planted on the shiny gymnasium floor in front of
a little girl with long brown hair and downcast eyes. Her curls partially covered her face, her
tiny hand gently rested on Chester’s head.
“Looks like Chester
doesn’t want to move,” I said, winking at
the little girl. I have learned that if Chester speaks, I should pay attention. And so I paused. While waiting
for these two brown-eyed sweet hearts to have their moment, I noticed a woman standing near. Tears filled her eyes. She looked directly at me, then silently
mouthed the words, “Her dog died yesterday. “
Sigh.
I leaned in closer to this tenderhearted teacher. She
pointed toward Chester, then whispered in my ear, “It’s
like he knows.”
Tears leaked out. “He knows, I don’t know how he knows, but
he knows.” I gently squeezed her hand.
After a bit of time,
we continued to move around the circle so the rest of the class could reach out
to my four legged buddy . “Touching
Lives and Warming Hearts.” It is
Chester’s specialty.
Because there is always time for one more hug, we strolled
around this classroom circle one more time. As we approached Chester’s friend with the
with long brown curls, again he stopped.
This time he gave her a gentle slobbery kiss right on her little cheek. She smiled.
I knelt down, “Looks
like Chester has found a friend,” I said, “Would you like to give him a hug?”
She nodded, then gently wrapped her slender arms around
Chester’s fluffy tummy, nestling her
head into the soft golden fur of his
neck.
With tears, I waited.
