My BIL who was just released from a rehab facility for a stroke was telling me about his last day at the facility. They were visited about every 3 days by the therapy dogs and it just made their day!

The last therapy dog to visit him was his favorite one. He was a lab/rot mix. When he came in the room, he went up to my BIL who was sitting on the edge of the bed, and started nudging his left hand which is the side my BIL was affected on. My BIL would reach across with his right hand to pet the dog but the dog would move away and kept going back to his left hand and arm, nudging it repeatedly until my BIL, with great effort was able to manipulate his left hand to pet the dog.:eek:

The dog then just walked away and went on to my BIL's roommate! Well, my BIL and SIL , who was there, both burst into tears. That was the most movement he'd had on his left side in over 3 weeks!:cool:

It never ceases to amaze me the depth and instincts our animals posses. Unfortunately, most of their potential is never even realized or utilized.

Isn't it amazing!! I truly think we don't give enough credit to how sensitive our pooches are. I see it with Scooby how he knows not to pull his leash when my 80+yr old MIL walks him. Knows to be quiet and gentle around babies. How he waits for old grandpa to catch up on their walks.

I tend to forget because most of the time he's a walking stomach in constant search for a treat. :p:

Isn't it amazing!! I truly think we don't give enough credit to how sensitive our pooches are. I see it with Scooby how he knows not to pull his leash when my 80+yr old MIL walks him. Knows to be quiet and gentle around babies. How he waits for old grandpa to catch up on their walks.

I tend to forget because most of the time he's a walking stomach in constant search for a treat. :p:

:funny:

I have a lot of friends who have E, to varying degrees.

I have one friend whose son has E so bad it makes mine look like a cakewalk. He's about 14, but slightly slow for his age. Beau knew as soon as he met him. Beau latched on to him, played with him, and had a wonderful time while his mom and I talked. She is now considering a dog for him sometime in the near future. :)

SOmehow, they do know!! I took Makena to a car wash (to socialize her ) when she was 4 months old. A mentally retarted young woman was there with her dad and she was very interested in Makena. Makena just sat near her and was so gentle. I was amazed. She's a wack job the rest of the time, but in that situation, she just knew...

It is amazing. I had tears in my eyes the first time Calvin laid his head on the lap of a man who had just had a stoke, and was in a wheelchair - barely able to move.

I certainly never taught him how to do this, and nor does he do it at home.