Dugan Stuart is a smart, handsome easygoing fellow. Not a care in the world except loving his adoring family and keeping the squirrels in check.
When first looking for a dog, Beth researched several breeds and decided on an Australian Shepherd or Aussie. She had wanted to get a puppy from a rescue organization, but had no luck finding the right puppy. Rescue organizations usually get older dogs to place in new homes.
Beth and her husband eventually found an Aussie breeder in Gig Harbor, Washington. The breeder had one last little puppy of a litter of nine who was available. Did they want him?
Beth had in mind what the puppy should look like – absolutely nothing like this little red-haired guy. But he quickly won their hearts with his big heart and mischievous brown eyes. He was happy and outgoing…and lovingly attached to their sides. In a word, SPECIAL. He romped into their hearts, merrily keeping the yard free of squirrels for the next three years.
Then, her husband’s grandfather became very ill and entered hospice care the last few weeks of his life. Beth and her husband cared for Grandpa in his small home, during the hot summer season. With the hospital bed and life saving machinery, Grandpa was resided in the dining room. The room was filled with lines, wires, and tubes of all sizes, leaving little room for people to move about, let alone fun-loving three-year-old Aussies.
Bev, the hospice nurse, commented, “Your dog is simply amazing with Grandpa. He’s tolerating the summer’s 100 degree heat, keeping his patience and not demanding attention in the small spaces from distraught family and friends.” Indeed, Dugan seemed to sense the sadness hovering over the little house and helped console everyone, including Grandpa.
How well-behaved and patient Dugan was with their weak and dying grandfather. Dugan was especially careful in the small spaces around Grandpa’s bed, stepping delicately and not disturbing the life support equipment and tubes. Dugan would, in quiet moments, stand dutifully at Grandpa’s bedside, resting his head on the hospital bed railing. When he was alert, Grandpa would quietly rest his hand on Dugan’s head.
Bev commented how kind and patient Dugan was with the grandfather and suggested he would be a wonderful hospital dog, visiting patients and consoling them. She thought he would make a great therapy dog. They only met with Bev a few times. Sadly, Granpda passed away after only a week.
Beth kept thinking about Bev’s comment that Dugan would make a great therapy dog. After several months, she contacted the local hospital’s visiting animal organization and enrolled them both in the program. Together, they learned about hospital, and obedience, as well as what is expected from visiting animals. After a year and a half, Dugan passed the hospital’s rigorous tests on his second try. He also passed the Delta Society’s testing and standards.
Excited for their very first visit, Beth and Dugan were walking into the hospital’s lobby. They happened to stop between the set of double sliding doors so Beth could clean Dugan’s paws before entering. As Beth was cleaning his paws, she noticed a nurse walking up. The nurse exclaimed, “I know this dog!” Beth looked up at her and thought, “I know this person, but from where?” It was Bev, the hospice nurse that had cared for Grandpa several years ago. The person who piqued Beth’s interest in visiting animals and who saw Dugan’s special gifts, was, amazingly, the first person they met on their first visit!
8 years ago
