Why is it so easy to write things down in a diary but damned difficult to think them onto a screen - because I am not used to it. Hell, let's have a go anyway. An hour's walk, bike to the shops, and then a swim all before lunch. Lucky, yes I am as I am heading to 65 and fit and healthy and i believe we are the new 50's. Certainly don't feel like I am heading to 65.
Today was my time to take my friend to school and do some reading with year 2 kids ( Aust 7-8yr olds) who have difficulty learning to read. My friend, Jake (my dog) and I are part of an organisation called Story Dogs and we go, as volunteers, into schools to help these students. It has been proved that animals, and in this case dogs, calm the child, the dog is non-judgmental, doesn't mind if things are said incorrectly or pronounced wrong, they are there to be stroked and loved. Jake loves it, he lies down and the kids can stroke him while they read and their whole demeanour changes. Challenging yes, rewarding certainly come the end of the school year when you see the progress. He is ready when he sees me put on my shirt, hes vest is slipped over his head and I bring out the bag of tricks. His favourite time is recess when there are extra bits left all around the playground, also as he is ultra friendly he loves the kids coming up to him and speaking and stroking him as he walks around. He is a "star" now. Of course this works for nursing homes, but how reluctant so many 'institutions' are to give their clients the benefits of having the chance of just seeing an animal in their midst. I guess "dollars before dogs" -
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