I can’t believe that summer is over. During the summer we seldom visit Beech Grove Schools, where some really nice children read to me. While most kids enjoy school being out for summer, I really miss seeing everyone at the schools and hearing those great books being read to me.
On Sept. 7 we started listening to the students at Central Elementary and South Grove Intermediate. Now, if that wasn’t exciting enough, that day was also my birthday. I was 13, which is 75 in human years. We visited Ritter’s Frozen Custard to get a treat.
I’m looking forward to meeting a couple of new friends (therapy dogs) at Beech Grove Schools. I’m sure my good friend Findley will be back to work at South Grove. Findley works with Mrs. Keeley and always says hi when we stop by.
The reading programs are so much fun. Sometimes we visit with someone who is feeling sick or sad. I understand that it is important for them to be able to sit or cuddle with me or one of my canine therapy friends.
Most of the time I enjoy my duties. We meet with a lot of people at the nursing facilities we regularly visit.
About seven weeks ago, my dad (Fred) and I made several trips to Southport’s city offices, where everyone seemed busy and sad. A few times we sat near the police car that had been driven by Lt. Aaron Allen. I learned that Lt. Allen had been killed, and then I understood why everyone was so sad. Some of his friends and co-workers hung out with me for a while. I could feel their sorrow.
I have heard lots of stories about people and organizations uniting to do good things to help Lt. Allen’s family.
About a month ago Dad took me for a ride. I like to look out the window and try to figure out where we are going, but this time I didn’t see anything that seemed familiar. We parked and walked around a building and sat down at a table. In a few minutes a nice lady walked up and introduced herself. She and Dad talked for a minute before she was introduced to me as Patty Spitler.
From what I gathered, she has a television show called “Pet Pals TV,” and she wants to do a piece on Dad and me when we are visiting patients at the local nursing homes we stop by. Her production crew will meet us and do the taping. When they are finished doing stuff to the film (I think it’s called editing), it will be aired. I’m familiar with editing. My friend Scott Mohr does a marvelous job cleaning up my columns.
I have a lot going on, and just typing this article out has made me feel the need for my second nap of the day. I’ll keep everyone posted about the “Pet Pals TV” segment in Dad’s weekly column. I think it is called “Personal Recollections.”
As I tell all my canine friends, “Keep your tail wagging,” and I’ll see you later.