Lots of pictures were taken, and I’ve heard many great stories. They weren’t home long before a return trip was in the works. They departed July 1 and will return on the 15th. I think it’s real neat that they are returning to the same neighborhood.
The downside of their trip last year was how things went back here at our house. I’m sure lots of you know that a member of our family is a handsome, black and white therapy dog named Stuart. The last few years Stuart has developed a tremendous dislike for thunderstorms and fireworks.
Last year he was upset that Lyn left the house one morning with travel suitcases and wasn’t home in time to go to bed that evening. His unrest seemed to grow each day, and that was multiplied by the sound of fireworks each evening.
There is a neighborhood fireworks display each year on the Fourth of July. I thought up a plan ... Stuart and I got in the car and went for a long ride. I played the radio loudly and once we were up to speed, Stuart settled down for a nice nap. The plan worked very well. By the time we returned home the fireworks were over and everyone was happy.
We employ this plan when fireworks are going off in our neighborhood. Sometimes we start our trip by getting some of Ritter’s Frozen Custard. I have a self-made CD that I sing along with while on our trips. Stuart just lays in the passenger seat with his paws over his ears.
Since Stuart was unsettled the entire two weeks that Lyn was gone last year, I contacted the airport to see if therapy dogs were allowed to greet returning passengers. I was told that as long as Stuart’s paperwork was with us that he was allowed in the building.
We waited in the baggage claim area for them to arrive. Stuart got excited when he saw Lyn riding down the escalator.
We noticed that Stuart was a little upset when the large suitcases came out a couple of weeks ago. The great thing that I have noticed is that he isn’t as upset about Lyn’s absence as last year. I’m sure he is going to be very excited when we travel to the airport Saturday evening.
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There is a weekly television show called “Pet Pals TV,” which is hosted and produced by Patty Spitler.
Patty and her guests tell stories about animals and the good things they and their owners do to help others. Stuart and I met with her last week, and there is a good chance that there might be a segment about him and his therapy work in the near future.
We had a busy week ... thunderstorms, fireworks, Mom gone to Ecuador and a television show interview.
Shonk is a 1960 graduate of Southport High School, a ’63 grad of Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) and a retired bus driver from Beech Grove Schools.