I bet you have had threads before about dogs showing empathy. Oban certainly does with me but I wasn't sure how receptive he was to other's feelings. He was always good with the other residents at my Aunt's nursing home, my Mum's retirement home and then Mum's nursing home, but those residents were always happy to see him. So he was wiggly and happy too. WE visited my Aunt a couple of days ago. She's 101 and never ever was able to function as a normal person but is obviously declining more. A visit without the dog is misery, Oban or his cousin Bonnie are the biggest interest for her, not us. Aunt went into a weeping spell, not unusual at all for her but this time she lay down on her bed, with her head down. Oban went over and gently pushed his nose under her head, looked at me with what I can only think was concern, then went back to Aunt. He's done that with me when we play and he can lift me right up. I mean literally, he's strong enough to lift my head. But with my Aunt he just pushed gently, did not lift her and she roused and laughed and came right out of it. Later in the visit she got weepy again and the same thing happened. I was surprised. Oban is a nice friendly dog but he's a bit of a blunderbuss. He steps on the kittens and he knocks me over. I am so pleased to see this side of him, that I didn't know existed. What about your pup? Care to share a story in the same vein, about your Lab showing empathy?
Its so lovely when you see that side of them and realise what kind creatures they are. Mine were great when my dad was really ill. They would run from the front door straight to were he was in the house and very gently sit next to him and let them stroke them. He loved to see them they were something different and didn't ask him how he felt and just let him talk to them and fuss them. Doug used to sit with him for hours and I'm sure stroking them helped with his mood and pain. They helped him relax and also made him laugh as they would fall about and just be a bit silly with each other but always careful of my dad. when he eventulally died it was really hard to see them run from the front door to find my dads chair empty, they only did once and never looked for him again. Doug looked so upset theat he was not there They also seemed to know which part of his body was affected by his cancer and avoid touching the area even though they seemed to know what it was. My dad loved having them around and they bought some funand kindness into a bad situation. Rory who is only 22 months has shown great compassion for me when I was very ill earlier this year. He did not act like the silly giddy boy he is and was so gentle and understanding. The others have always been very caring but I did not expect it from mister silly. The more time I spend with them the more I see or this kindness and empathy.
What a lovely post, i definitely think they have a natural ability read a person and their needs. Not quite the same but when we got Baxter we were worried about him being his normal bouncy silly self when visiting my elderly In Laws. M in L has really bad legs so jumping/pawing is a no no. Need not have worried. you would think he was a different dog when we go over, he's never jumped up on them and behaves like an angel. They think he is wonderful lol Don't know whether to video him having a mad turn or leave them to believe he's this really well trained dog
Such caring, compassionate dogs. If only humans could do as well sometimes. My OH came home from a hospital visit yesterday upset at something he'd seen in the waiting room between an elderly woman and probably her son. It sounds like she could have used a Doug or Rory or Baxter. Thank you for telling us their stories.
My old dog Bones used to go and visit elderly patients, many with dementia, in our local Old People's Home. They loved him, and he was kind and impeccably behaved on his twice-weekly visits. Many of the patients, like your aunt, could only really relate to him rather than to the nursing staff. Bones loved to visit the old people, and always came home with his tail wagging and a big doggy smile on his face; he knew he had an important job and it made him feel great! Here he is on one of his later visits: When he turned about 13, the visits started getting too much for him, and we decided he had to stop. The old people were very sad, and some of them accused the nursing staff of lying, thinking that he was actually dead. We hadn't wanted to upset them by telling them that a particular visit would be his last time, but it was obvious that an official 'goodbye' was needed, so we took him for one last visit, and he had big cuddles and much love with the patients. Many tears were shed, but it was important that everyone got the chance to say goodbye. I know he did feel some kind of empathy with the old people, because he would just stay close and let them stroke and pat him and talk to him, even when he was feeling tired or it was boring. He didnt mind the people with dementia, or anyone who cried or made strange noises; he just stayed by and helped them with his calm, generous nature. He truly was a lovely dog, and I miss him very much.
Beautiful photo Karen, of your dear old boy xx Sam was asked to visit a family who live near to me , they have three children , two of them with severe autism , and one the two having other mental health issues . The family wanted to see what the children would be like with a dog, how they would interact or not, before possibly taking the plunge and getting a dog to join the family . Sam has always adored children , he often goes with me to collect my seven year old grandson from the village school , he gets wildly excited when all the children start coming out . Because of this , I was a little concerned that Sam might be too bouncy around the children who were not used to a bog black dog, but I needn't have worried, he was gentle as a lamb , just nuzzling them and wallowing in their tentative strokes . This was two years ago , the family now have their own Labrador , I like to think Sam helped in the decision, he definitely recognised the need for steadiness and calm on that occasion and the consequent visits .
I can see what a hit Bones is. I bet his name (nickname?) endeared him to many as well. Was Bones certified as a Therapy Dog?
Doug helped my friends autistic daughter over come her huge fear of dogs predictably guess who wants a labrador now?
Wonderful dogs.....Karen ,as you can probably guess,tears were plopping on the ipad reading your post ..... Our Dexter is definately not an natural .......We have a nephew with special needs ,he is inexplicably terrified of dogs and the first year he visited us ( which was a big deal as he hadn't flown for 8 years ) the visit was quite stressful for both him and Dexter who was only just coming up to a year old.I came to realize that my SIL was pinning quite a lot of hope on Dexter being therapy to help my nephew learn to trust dogs.....that was sooooooo not going to be the case.....Dexter was too excited by unpredictable movements and noises.Anyway the next year was so much better,Dexter was steady and reliable in the house so we actually were able to get my nephew to sit by him and they even did a hi 5 ...I'd say .Dexter tolerates his part in this though rather than enjoying it.......he's definately not a 'natural'
His real name was Bonaparte No, he wasn't certified as a therapy dog; my friend does ergotherapy and got special permission to take him along. He wouldn't have been very good at this in his youth though, as he was a bit of a thug when he was younger! So Angela, there may be hope for Dexter yet...
What a beautiful post. Reading all those lovely stories moved me to tears. Mabel is incredibly gentle around the older generation. When she was a little over 4 months old we all rushed to the care home where my mum in law lived as we were told she would not live through the night. Mabel sat so still and quiet watching Betty carefully. She passed away peacefully at the ripe old age of 92. Mabel came to the wake and was a star.
Wispa is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde when out on her lead. One moment she can be as good as gold, walking beautifully and not spooked by anything, then suddenly everything becomes scary and she can be very unpredictable. However, even from when she was only a few months old she would walk very steadily with my husband, who found walking very difficult and was very slow. Nothing seems to spook her then; she matched her pace to his and seemed to know exactly what to do. That showed real empathy.
I have been so poorly today ,really unexpectedly sick....I got up fine,had a lovely fresh long desert walk with friends and then went downhill when I got in....after all I've said about 'Dexter No Empathy' he has been my constant nurse maid all day,with a very worried look on his face.....bit perturbing to be honest on his bathroom escorts with me.Anyway luckily I've come back as quick as I went down....good job too,got UK visitors today and I've missed a lovely day we had planned with them ! I'll make it up tomorrow I'm sure!
That was SUCH a lovely post about Bones Karen. Sniff sniff..... Charlie absolutely adores people - he is still bouncy and boisterous, and weaves about, tail wagging saying "Hi! Hi! Hi! IT'S MEEEEE!". But I can see that when he is older and he is less bouncy and boisterous (although I'm not sure that will EVER happen), he'd be a good dog to visit people who need a dog to pat. He loves any and all attention from people. Actual empathy though? No, not yet - he is still too preoccupied with the fact that the world revolves around him for that, although it might come.....
World? Er Universe more,like and rightly so! He will be wonderful when he's a bit older xxx I'm much better thanks just so disappointing when I'm NEVER ill!
My late husband passed away December 2000, Ben my prebious lab would sit hours at his side never wanting anything more but to be with him, because he was in so much pain Ben was so gentle, gone was the boisterous boy he usually was, unconditional love, I will never forget either of them
What a bitter/sweet post , very moving indeed, bless Ben . Hope you feel better soon Angela x My husband hasn't been well again these past few days , Doctor thinks he has had another TIA following his stroke earlier in the year . Millie, our rescue terrier has spent lots of time on Pauls knee , gently licking his hands, and Sam has been a star , I`m sure they know when things aren't quite right , dear dogs x
