We were still setting up at the retirement home when the residents started arriving. At one point I said to one of the nurses, wow there are a lot of people here and she said, Oh my dear, that is only one wing, there are two more coming. The corridors were rippling with slow moving elderly people making their way to the hall. In wheelchairs, using walkers, helping each other along, led by laughing assistants.
In the end we must have had upwards of forty maybe fifty people in there. I never had time to count. This is a wonderful place. There is a caring feeling here. Minty stood watching them all come in and we were not sure what we should do first.
TonTon knew though. He had been given permission to play fetch inside and he was not going to wait around for someone to change their minds.
He took his new clean rope toy and kept shoving it into laps and against quiet hands until he got a taker. 
TonTon was not on his leash anymore. He was in fine form. I just let him manage the game. Which he did with all his usual exuberance and concentration. The volume rose. Then out came the chicks. 
Many of these women had raised poultry and were very confident. 
As the chickens did the rounds, Minty followed me around and around the room sniffing and visiting. Being petted and cooed over. But soon she got tired. And I lifted her into the laps of the residents for a rest. 
And she went from person to person. Being loved and loved. And stories were told. 
Anecdotes shared. This lady said she could just keep her .. just sneak her up to her room. 
But this shot says it all. Hands reaching. All those beautiful busy hands reaching out. Minty fell asleep soon after this shot.
TonTon played fetch with so many different people that he started catching and moving on, interchanging his play mates himself so more people got a turn. Even the smallest blindest throw was caught. We watched him try to get movement out of a man who could not move. Ton put the rope carefully into his hand, the man closed his fingers slowly around it and after some time and much concentration from both man and dog, the man was able to flick the rope every so slightly. The rope toy did not actually leave his hand. But Ton pretended it had, grabbed it as it rose up, threw it and caught it himself and returned it to the hand of the man. Who just beamed. The old man just smiled out loud.
The worst part of our day was packing the animals and birds up and taking them away again. But we made an impromptu parade as we left, The Old Codger led in his wheelchair, piled high with chicks and boxes and babies bottles, barely able to see where he was going. And we all trundled along behind him lugging animals and assorted paraphernalia. Wonderful staff helping. Laughing our way back out to the front door, with voices calling out to the animals as we went. And they want us back. Soon.
Good morning. I fly out today. The chicks are already at their babysitters, the lists are written, my bag is open on the floor and I have discovered with very little surprise, that I have NOTHING TO WEAR at all! Typical.
We have another exciting development today. Our good blog friend Misky whom many of you know, has posted an interview with me about sustainable living. Misky is a beautiful poet with a graceful pen, a talented lady who is also a great cook. She has two blogs, one for words and one for food. What more could you want. Her interview is on her pages at Misk Cooks and I would love you to pop over and visit when you have a sec.
Now I had better get out here, feed everyone and sprinkle fairy dust over the farmy so all goes smoothly until I return. John has everything in hand so I am confident.
I will see you tomorrow from California!! Take care. Have fun.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
109 responses to “Minty, TonTon and The chicks get some Retirement Home loving!”
Safe ravels. I wish I was a fly on the wall to see all of this…Wonderful, wonderful interaction! You are an angel. The residents will be talking about this endlessly! The photos are so telling of the warmth.
Jess
We had a marvellous time. Even with that tiny collection of animals it was lovely. c
What a special time you created for those people! I bet there’ll be more to show up next time. You’ve given them all something to look forward to. That’s one mighty gift!
Have a wonderful visit, Celi. Safe travels!
Thank you john, lets hope it is warmer out there!! c
Have I mentioned what an amazing writer you are. We can’t wait for your book. Have a great time.
Morning Bill, You are a Real Writer as compared to my fledgling efforts so I am very grateful to hear you say that.. I am hoping to finish a real story for you to read this week..It has been rolling and rolling about in my head, knocking at my eyes to get out! I will have time this afternoon.. I hope c
I can’t wait. 🙂
Great work Cecilia 😉
Morning Mad! c
Excellent job at the Old Folks Home! Hats off to you and your “children”!
It kind of ran itself gram, I had a plan that was very swiftly kicked out the window as Minty and TonTon took over.. c
Your retelling of the animals and the elderly folk has me sitting her ewith flooded eyes. I suspect that as we grow older ourselves that we feel a bit of empathy. And thanks again for the interview; it was fun. 🙂
The interview reads very well, largely due to the slick editing of the interviewer. Thank you for ensuring i sounded coherent!! c
Great effort on the noble event. Safe travels!
Thank you frank. i have a log wait at the airport so i am going to be visiting all my favourite blogs for a good read and you are on the list! So put the kettle on, i will be over later! c
Water is boiling! French-pressed coffee or tea?
Coffee sounds perfect.. make it strong and maybe a wee nip from that bottle stashed in the back of the cupboard!!
No problem … and the bottles are up front … and choices!
Your posts have infinite capacity to move me to tears: evidence of the excellence of your writing and the charm of what you write.
I came on here to calm down, having spent the morning doing our tax return, finding the mistakes and then trying to teach Jock the whole caboodle. He asked to learn (in case anything happens to me) but his take on learning is interfering and the whole thing has stressed me out to the extent that I have stopped in mid task – unheard of for me. But your post has calmed me, so thank you.
Sometimes stepping away is the best way. Maybe you could make a written set of instructions for Jock. Thank you so much for you lovely words too.. c
This is so beautiful it made me cry. Ton Ton is an amazing intuitive therapy dog! My mother lived in a nursing home for about three years before she died after suffering a massive stroke. I so wanted to care for her at home, but it was beyond my ability and it broke my heart that she had to be there. Even though she was in a good place with a caring staff, it was not home. So much that is tactile is lost to people when they have to be in an institution and I love seeing the pleasure on those old folks’ faces as they handled the animal babies. Thank you for doing this. You bring sunshine wherever you go and set a powerful example for the rest of us. Enjoy your trip!
There is only so much a person can do at home. But we always carry that guilt of not having been able to do enough. BUt we can’t and sometimes the best choice is say Help.. And i totally agree about the touching. The activity manager who i am working with at this home is fully into ‘hands on’ with the animals. He just lets things fly and sees what comes next. They are lucky to have him.. c
What a wonderful day!! Enjoy California!
Morning Pink.. c
Looks like you had a terrific trip – Minty looks quite cozy there. Have a good weekend in California!
Minty was a great surprise. She just puttered about in her long black boots, absolutely serene. c
Happy Hearts for these folks indeed. I trust yours is as well.
There is nothing like seeing a smile break out from the face of a quiet person.. it is certainly heart warming.. c
Oh Celi, what a dog your Ton Ton is! That story did bring a little tear to my eye, I must admit. Have a wonderful time on your trip, looking forward to reading your interview with Misky.
Morning honey! c
Oh, that made me cry! I was very close to my grandparents, and this reminded me so much of them. Luckily, we were able to take care of them and they didn’t have to go to a “rest” home. I couldn’t imagine it. It’s sad how easily our elders can slip through the cracks and be overlooked. But you aren’t going to let that happen and that makes me proud to know you!
What a sweet little thing TonTon is. Some animals have such instincts it just amazes me. Heaven sent. You have been blessed with a special life, Cecelia!
Have a safe trip! ~ April
Deep down TonTon just wanted someone to play with him, he was thrilled to have so many takers! Even the staff were playing, it was great! c
The Old Folk will look forward to these visits I’m sure. I’m curious to hear about Minty’s first car ride with chicks and TonTon. Enjoy your weekend and come back safely to us all. Laura
Minty cried and cried in her box until i turned the radio OFF! then she settled down and went to sleep. And so did Ton, with some relief, a bleating lamb is the saddest sound. Ton was squished into the well on the passenger side, the only space left free in the little car, and was grateful to be able to Stand Down.. c