I got Miss Bella when she was about 2 years old ... a short time after we got acclimated to each other. Miss Bella was very docile so the Vet and the Groomer at the time suggested that I have her trained as a therapy dog ... At first, I didn't think it was a good idea but after some thought and talking with a few people I had her trained by a lady in Middleton, Mass. Sadly, she no longer does it.
But here are some of the places and organizations that Bella and I have worked with over the years and a short comment after:
Boston Children's Hospital and Salem Children's Hospital ... we did that for a while however I had to stop as I was getting sick from the kids.
Several Nursing Homes. Rosewood in Peabody; Bear Hill in Stoneham; BlueBerry Hill in Beverly ... we had to stop that after a few years as the seniors would not listen and they fed Miss Bella just about everything you could think of. Consequently Bella gained a lot of weight she went from 10 lbs. to 16 lbs. and Dr. Sweiko reprimanded me because this was not healthy for Miss Bella and she became ill ... this led to a serious weight gain that lead to a lot of the problems we have been dealing with today. Turns out she had a boyfriend and he would pick her up and put her on his bed and she would get on one side of the tray on wheels and he on the other and they would both share lunch and/or dinner ... everyone loved Miss Bella.
When we stopped with the nursing homes and hospitals we started working with autistic, blind and deaf children ... we still do that occasionally ... Bella loves to be with kids and oddly enough they were all wonderful with Bella, it was me that had the problem. There was one little autistic boy who Bella loved and we would sit for hours talking, playing ... he would talk to Bella and I would be her voice talking back to him ... after a while when it was time to leave he wanted to come home with us ... I cried all the way home so the next time we were invited I made an excuse and they mailed us the beautiful little trophy Giving Miss Bella and a couple of other dogs that attended these gatherings Pet Therapy Dog of the Year. I felt horrible ... There should be more people involved with these children, they are intelligent, kind, loving and neither Bella nor I have one bad thing to say about any of them. No pictures can be taken of the children and the organizations are unnamed due to the privacy of the families and children. But we really felt special involved with them.
Therapy dogs are not just purebreds, they are little rescues like Madam Bella ... She saved my life, I can't even tell you how much she means to me she gets me out of bed every day, she kisses me when I am sad, she is very well behaved when I take her out. I take here everywhere, grocery shopping, to the mall, to visit friends, to Bed Bath and Beyond, TJ Max, you name it I take her. We have been going to Shaws grocery store for over 10 years, she knows everyone, she has never once caused any problem of any kind, I have a special cover for the carriage so she does not catch anything from people who handle the carts .. I love her more than I can say ...
I will do whatever it takes to keep her healthy and happy ... love her so much ... BTW ... we have Trupanion Insurance who has been wonderful I got it for her as I was told at the time best to get it as you never know ... it was the best thing I have ever done.
Thank you MaryElizabeth for putting Miss Bella in the Newsletter she is a very special young lady ... Love her tons and tons ...
Dorina Aldo ... the Mom ...
