Most of you are aware by now that the dogs I feature here in Barking Buddies are as result of my love of dogs and the confidence in approaching their owners, to meet their pooch.
I’ve spontaneously pulled up into driveways, ran across fields, turned around on boardwalks and even rendezvoused with out-of-towners, all in the pursuit of meeting and introducing you fine folks to fur babies of all sizes.
I regularly go to Trillium Lodge (longterm care home) in Parksville to visit with my friend Walter, known officially there as George. During a recent visit, while enjoying his musings about his amazing career in the merchant marines during the Second World War, something caught my eye.
Knowing a little, but nearly not enough about service dogs I was fortunate to be meet what is known as a “therapy dog.”
Rather than go into a lengthy description about what it takes to become a therapy dog and the incredible benefits they provide, I highly suggest you go to the St. John Ambulance website www.sja.ca/Community-Services/Pages/TherapyDogServices.
As part of the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, amazing dogs and their owners do regular visits to hospitals, schools and senior care facilities such as Trillium Lodge. On this particular day while visiting Trillium Lodge, a gorgeous German Shepherd/Leonberger crossbreed named “Benny” and his owner Don diverted my attention away from Walter.
Needless to say, off I went to catch up with Benny. Resplendent with a beautiful, long multi-coloured coat, Benny sat quietly and calmly as one of the other residents petted him and cooed how nice Benny was.
Most of us have been around or aware of the German Shepherd breed, who can be anything from a powerful police dog to a cuddly caring family dog. The Leonberger, or Leo as they are often referred to, are actually a crossbreed of a Newfoundland and a St. Bernard. The breed, which dates back to the 1840s, is very serene in their manner, rarely bark and are a wonderful family dog. They are not docile though and require more than just a short stroll around the neighbourhood.
Don tells me that he is going to introduce a second dog from his home to the Therapy Dog Program, a young golden retriever he states is a little bouncier and more energetic than Benny. Nonetheless, not everyone needs a dog jumping up for a kiss or wagging their tale so hard that it sends a coffee cup flying across the room.
Benny quietly stands or sits, perhaps knowing that he is an extremely handsome fellow and is simply saying, “take your time folks, but no too long, my people await.”
Born on March 1, 2021 and a therapy dog since March 2023, Benny loves long walks, rides in the car and watching TV. He also loves to sit on his deck and survey his yard.
I just realized something, I might actually be a two-legged version of the Shepherd/Leonberger cross.
This month’s column is dedicated to the memory of little Molly and the Morgan family. On behalf of the entire dog community we send our condolences.
Bill Flower is an avid dog lover and proud Parksville resident