To think that Doc was actually worried about how I would act once I went back to work on site is kind of insulting. She was so concerned, that she asked to bring me in for a practice run. You’d think that after living and working with me 24/7 for for over eight years she would know me better than that, but apparently not.

We have been getting up early the entire time we worked from home and stuck to the same schedule, so when the alarm went off at 5am, I was ready to roll. After we arrived at work and put our things away in the office, the first thing Doc had me do was get acclimated to the surroundings again. It was no big deal, same old smells, same old buildings. Then Doc said it was time to go and visit some of the staff and patients. Now I have to admit I was a little nervous, you know that feeling you get in your stomach when you’re a little anxious? As we approached the area where the patients checked in I had all sorts of worries pop into my head. What if no one remembers me? What If another therapy dog took over while I was gone and they like that dog better? Doc noticing I was a little apprehensive assured me that everything was going to be fine. “Who on earth would forget you Grover? she said, now lets get to work.”

As usual Doc was right. All day long I got hugs, belly rubs, and and smiles as people exclaimed ” Oh Grover is back!” In return I gave back puppy kisses and cuddled up next to everyone so it would be easy for them to give me treats and take selfies with me if they so desired. I really did get the celebrity treatment. I kind of felt sorry for Doc but I guess someone has to be the star of the family.

By the time we got home I have to admit I was exhausted. Its hard work taking care of everyone. After a little snack I crawled up on Doc’s bed and fell into a deep sleep for about three hours. Doc told me I was snoring I was so tired. Today we are working from home again and I have to admit I need a day of rest. I’m not the young dog I use to be and need more beauty sleep. Gradually we will work our way back to being full time at the office and just like I learned to adjust to being at home I will bounce right back when we return. I guess life is like that sometimes, unforeseen events happen, things change and we try our best to adapt and move forward.

In just one week we have some new additions to our backyard baby boom and I am not sure if I even want a few of them to stay.

Last Thursday Doc checked the eggs in the Cardinal’s nest and all three eggs had hatched. Mom and dad Cardinal have both been busy feeding the hungry new babies. Yesterday when mom left the nest we took a quick peak and all three babies were in there curled up next to each other fast asleep. They are already starting to get some feathers. It will only take about 9-11 days until they grow big enough to fly. Mom and dad literally kick their kids out of the nest and expect them to test their independence in under two weeks. Makes me glad I’m not a bird because I still depend on Doc for most things. I hope I never have to leave the nest.

The other day Doc and I were both surprised by latest baby addition in our yard. Doc and I were in the flower bed when suddenly two baby garter snakes slithered out from under the flowers and down into a hole. I jumped back worried I would get bit. Doc laughed and said, ” Don’t be scared Grover, those little things can’t hurt you.” For a few years now we have had a full size garter snake in the yard and wondered if it was male or female. I guess that mystery is solved. Even though Doc assured me that the snakes are important to our habitat, I am steering clear just the same. I sure didn’t sign up for babysitting newborn snakes.

It won’t be too much longer until all the babies will have grown big enough that they will no longer need my extra protection and I have to admit that leaves me feeling a little sad. I must have looked downtrodden as Doc came over to me, patted me on the head and said in a soothing voice, “Grover it’s only natural when you help to raise and protect a new life that you feel some sadness when they are big enough to leave and be on their own. You should feel proud of the help you provided not only for the babies but for the parents as well.” Every living thing can benefit from from feeling safe and loved.”

What Doc said brought me some comfort, but it’s still going to take more to convince me to love and cuddle up with those baby garter snakes.

Apparently the little critters that wander around on our property think that Doc and I are running a maternity ward in our back yard.

It all started a few weeks ago when Doc noticed a pair of cardinals flying back and forth between the large pine tree and the lilac bush by our back patio. Suspicious, as soon as the female cardinal flew out of the bush, Doc went to investigate. She carefully peered inside and well hidden under the leaves, was a nest with three little speckled eggs. Now I don’t want to say I told you so, but I had been trying to alert Doc that there was some type of construction going on in the bush over a week ago and she just hadn’t paid any attention to me. Since that revelation, we have been careful to give the mother space so she can nest without interruption. We also don’t want the male cardinal that stays close by to attack us.

Everything remained peaceful for a few days until one evening at dusk, Doc opened the back door to let me out and my friend Bunny was in the back yard digging furiously in the ground. ” Uh Oh!” Doc said out loud. ” What’s wrong? ” I asked. ” You’ll see. Go to the bathroom and then tomorrow morning when it is light we will investigate and see if my suspicions are correct.” Early the next day Doc went over to where Bunny had been digging the night before and bent down to the ground. She pulled back some grass and there was a large hole deep into the earth. She stuck her hand in the hole before I could yell “Don’t do that!” She was lucky nothing jumped out and bit her. ” It’s a bunny nest!” Doc said with excitement. ” She is obviously in the family way and about ready to give birth. Grover, you will have to keep an eye on the babies and keep them safe like you did a few years ago.” ” Ok I responded, I will keep that hawk away from all the nests and keep all of the babies safe the best that I can.”

Now if that wasn’t enough to keep us busy, early this morning I heard Doc yell ” Well look at that!” as she peered out the window. I ran over to see what she was looking at and I’ll be darn if there weren’t two racoons running across the back yard with three little baby racoons in tow. ” We need to call in reinforcements, we can’t take care of all these critters by ourselves.” I said. “What do you have in mind”, she asked. “We need a midwife and a nanny ASAP.” I responded. “Grover, it will be ok, nature knows what it is doing. I think it’s wonderful that they chose our yard to have their babies. They must feel safe here.” I nodded in agreement. ” I know I do.”

Photo by Angela Kirk

The past week has been a whirlwind of activity and although we are tired, Doc and I have had fun almost every step of the way.

After family left on Memorial Day and went back up north, it was only a few days before more company arrived. We were busy getting everything ready, planning activities and making calls necessary for everyone to get together, along with finding a way to get our normal work day in and complete our daily chores. I won’t lie, it was exhausting. After work on Wednesday, we went straight to the airport to pick up a friend named Marilyn that came all the way from Florida and after getting her settled in we were so tired we conked out early in bed.

The next day Doc and her friend left me at home to go to a retirement party for a very special police Sargent named Larry that has done special duty for over thirty years where we work. I have loved him since I was a puppy and although I understand that all good things must come to an end, it will be hard not seeing him at work where he kept all of us safe for many years. Doc let me put my paw print on the retirement card we gave him as I was not allowed in the restaurant. Can you believe that?

The next evening Doc thought it would be a good idea to get me out and about in preparation for me to physically come back into our work place after being at home for over a year. We went to the downtown of our suburb and it was busy. There were street musicians out playing, bicycles going by me, some unruly dogs barking at me and of course strangers asking to pet me. Doc said I passed with flying colors, but boy was I tired when we got home. I haven’t seen that many people all together in one place in over a year. I really had to focus and I think that’s what wore my doggy brain out.

The next day Doc told me I had an appointment with Dr. Ritchie at the vets office for a physical in order  to get my recertification as a therapy dog. What she neglected to tell me is that I would be getting some shots and other immunizations, not a nice surprise. The first shot was ok, I didn’t even whimper, but then they sprayed some stuff up my nose and I did not like that at all. I gave them the stink eye so they would know I was not pleased.  In the end they told me I was such a good boy that I could have as many treats and hugs as I wanted.

So here we are on Wednesday and all the guests are gone from the house, all the socialization is over and Doc and I are back to our daily schedule.  There is something to be said for predictability, but we also feel thankful for good friends and being able to celebrate all the happy times with them safely again.

There are times an opportunity arrives and you don’t have time to think about choices, you either go for it or you don’t. That is just what happened to me over Memorial Day weekend and you guessed it, I went for it!

It was a quiet Saturday morning and the visiting relatives were in the house with me while they were finishing their coffee. Doc was outside talking to the next door neighbor about tomato plants and decided to offer him some of her oregano that was growing in the back of the house. Bored, I was watching out the window when I saw Doc and the neighbor come through the back gate leaving it wide open while they walked across the back yard. Then to my delight, Doc’s niece got up and opened the back sliding door to go out and see what was going on. Doc started yelling, “Don’t let Grover out, the gate is open!” That was my chance, I bolted out the door, leapt off the back porch and headed right through the open gate. Freedom!

To say that pandemonium ensued would be an understatement. My only intention was to go next door to see my doggie friends Frankie and Norman and play in their yard for a change, not cause an uproar. The adults were yelling to the kids “Grab Grover’s collar!” Frankie and Norman were barking and jumping up and down with excitement as they watched from the screened in porch. What a fun game, I thought to myself while I ran and dodged any one that came near me. I didn’t know we were going to play tag. I have long legs so I can run fast, not even the kids could catch me. In the end, three adults and three children could not keep up with me. I knew the game was over when I saw Doc quietly walk toward me out of the corner of my eye. ” Sit Grover” she said as she handed me a treat. ” Good boy, now time to come home.” I relented and walked back home with Doc as I was dog tired and ready to take a nap in my own house.

Later Doc asked me why I had chosen to run through the gate so quickly. ” Well because Doc, you have always taught me that when an opportunity presents itself to try it and see where it will lead you. I just wanted to see if life would be more fun on the other side of our fence.” ” And was it?” she asked. “Yes, for a little while, but coming home is always the best part of any life journey. No matter where I go or what I do, there is no place I would rather be that being home with you.” I said as I fell fast asleep right next to Doc.