Cody, my cocky Cocker, does three things when he
steps out of his crate in the morning. The first is when he shakes his body so
fast side to side it looks like he has only one eye. Doggie stretch follows the
shake, first the front legs and paws, then the back ones. I love his third move
most of all. He comes over to me and nuzzles my legs, rubbing his little self
against me.
No matter how poorly I may have slept the night
before or how my day may loom like a mountain to be climbed, his morning
greeting comforts me. Dogs do that and that’s
why they are welcome in hospitals, nursing homes and other places where humans
stress out.
I recently read a newspaper article by Haley Vaccaro
(Albany Bureau) about comfort dogs working the courtrooms, of all places. There,
“facility” dogs have a way of helping witnesses testify with less anxiety and
more accuracy. In fact, according to the article, Senator Terry Gipson of
Dutchess County N.Y. introduced a law that would allow these dogs in the courtrooms
to offer comfort to victims and witnesses. The potential law is named after the
dog “Rosie” who helped a terrified teen who was on the witness stand. The girl
froze when asked to point out her assailant. When Rosie gently nudged the girl’s
arm with her snout, she was able to point to her father.
What a great way for dogs to add even more comfort to
peoples’ lives than they already do. They warn us when strangers approach, somehow
know when we need a nuzzle; they fetch, herd, protect and generally adopt their
people pack with more loyalty and love than I think we sometimes deserve.
I think we would be amazed at what goes on between
those pointy or floppity ears.
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