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!”
There really should be a “Love” box and not just a “Like” box. This was magical.
Cecil, my mom was in 3 rehap /skilled nursing facilities before she died and the loving, caring staff at the last one made all the difference in the world. To share just one sustainable moment of her experience there – her best friend was only able to visit her one time (friend’s 92 & still driving…a little), but she wore her red floppy-brim hat and a purple feather boa. As my mom recalled it to me daily, “Did I tell you that Clarice came to see me yesterday?” Those residents will retain that visit in their memories and can relive them over and over. They will sustain.
Happy trails, Nikki
That is a fantastic story, her friend visiting in a hat and boa and your mother loving it so much it felt like her old friend had only just walked out the door. She remained close. That really is a beautiful story.. thank you.. c
Tears are trickling down my cheeks as I write. Oh, C., what an absolute gift you gave to these old folks. I read it in your words, saw it in your photos. Those loving hands. TonTon’s ability to understand and to reach out to the man who could barely lift the rope. All this made me cry. You are a blessing, my dear. Safe travels to California and back.
I’ll be back!! c
I seriously had my phone sitting next to my bed so that first thing when I woke up today I could read this. I so look forward to your posts Celi and this one in particular. It just warmed my heart and was a great way to start my day. Tears of joy. My great grandma was in a retirement home much like this and I remember how much she lit up at the site of the animals coming to visit. You brought such joy to these people yesterday. I love it. 🙂 Have a safe and wonderful trip to California!
Kristy what a fantastic thing to say, This was a lovely post to write first thing this morning too! I will have a wonderful trip, i shall wave ! Can you do something about the weather while I am gone.. it is COLD!! c
Wonderful, Celi, absolutely wonderful. All Joy. HF
Marvelous, C.
Have a safe trip!
This was so beautiful, and the photos too — what a lot of wonderful happy energy. Have a great trip!
What wonderful stories and photos of Minty. Ton Ton is a good and smart dog. How much joy you brought to those forty of fifty people. Bless you. So you think you can’t party in your nightgown and rubber boots? No, I guess you need high heels with that. Have fun.
I would travel in my boots at the drop of a hat, John is appalled when i wear them out to the store but I am comfy in my wellington boots! c
I am so touched by this post. A beautiful way to bring some smiles to those in need. A win- win day from everyone. Happy and safe travels. Take Care, BAM
I think i got as much joy out of it as the residents, so it really is win win..morning bam! c
You are enriching the lives of so many. What endearing pictures and comments. All that could never happen here as therapy regulations are so tough(gel hand sanitizer must be used by handler and animal rubbed down between individual rooms, animals must have their teeth brushed and nails clipped before each visit…it goes on and on) – sad as this is a great experience.
My grandmother would say you are earning stars for your crown in heaven. (and being a positive role model for the next generation who will one day be taking care of us)
(Oh, more piggy madness at my place – another heritage breed – cute in their own way…my yard is much too small!)
what silly regulations, these people are not in a burns unit, they are just old! i am very lucky to be able to do what i do then! c
exactly! Maybe their immunity systems improve by a little exposure – and by being happy. (isolation is just sad – who wants to live that way: alive, but over protected.) You are almost a Noah’s Ark…we can just change that first name.
Cecilia… Speechless Granny at this end. I am balling. One simple moment of kindness… you’d think it should catch on and contaminate the entire world. Thank you.
Oh No don’t cry!.. I can’t have you crying!! c
It passed… and your article is traveling! Thank you. 🙂
Enjoy!
I think you had a lot of us in tears this morning, celi, including me. I wish I had been there in body as well as in spirit. Have safe travels, and wave at me if you are coming through Denver. Were I more organized I’d rush to the airport to meet you in person…
What a lovely thought, i was in Denver for an hour and it is very nice airport! I did not get lost at all though i did have quite a work out getting to the gate.. c
What a wonderful thing for those residents. I am going to take our dogs in soon to the place where Husband is and maybe a duck or two! Have a fun weekend and I will read the interview.
How wonderfully inspiring this was, c. Thank you so much for sharing it, not only with them but with us. 😀
I love how your travelling petting zoo has grown.. what joy to see these people enjoying your animals soft fur and wet noses:) Have a wonderful trip, c… I’m off now too!.. over to Miskys, lol! xoxo
say hi to misky for me! c