I have always loved dogs. Even though he bit me when I tried to remove chewing gum from his mouth, I still loved my first dog, Slim. Chico, a mixed breed from the pound used to sit on my bed and sing “Cross over the Bridge” which in retrospect was probably quite a bit of annoying howling. At age eight I didn’t think so at all. After a long career in education that included teaching, administration and consulting, I retired (almost) and I finally get to spend time with my dog again. This time my best friend’s name is Tali…short for Natalia, then Talia and finally when she did not respond to either of those, Tali.
We work together, Tali and I, doing what is called Pet Therapy. We are a team, certified by The Delta Society, a national organization that sponsors and insures pet partners throughout the country. We passed a rather rigorous exam and work hard to get recertified every two years. We work in libraries in The Doggie Tales program where I get to listen to young children read. Tali listens too, placing her head on a child’s lap and provides two large non-judgmental ears. We are also involved in a program for seventh- grade “struggling” readers. Tali doesn’t know this and she treats these boys and girls with the same respect as the superstars who are not in the “bluebird” group. We visit hospitals where I get to meet some very interesting folks and Tali provides the tactile therapy that calms these often anxious patients.Recently we were involved in a wellness program in a life-care community. As Tali and I grow older together, we visit residents who grow older with us moving from independent living to assisted living and finally, to skilled nursing. We have said goodbye to quite a few friends and even though I am sad to see them die, I know that our visits were meaningful to them and that my dog helped to enrich their lives at the end of their days. There is little to compare with the glimmer in the eyes of an Alzheimer’s patient as she pets Tali or the determination of someone suffering from Parkinson’s Disease when his hand stops shaking as it works its way through Tali’s thick fur.
Although I suspect that spending time with me is enough fun for my dog, we do have special outings as well. My husband, Syl and I take her to the beach here in Venice, FL and she swims in the Gulf of Mexico. Most Borzois, I’m told, do not like the water but Tali is very fond of it.
Although I am very active in my retirement, exercising every day, playing bridge with other couples, chairing adult education at our local Jewish Center, painting large canvases and furniture, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School and, yes, still lecturing for the Bureau of Education and Research, the most important part of my retirement is spending time with my dog. My elder years have been enriched by this wonderful animal and I am very grateful to be able to grow old with her. [Leave a comment here.]
By Georgia Boni
ElderChicks 
What a rich life you lead with that totally beautiful dog.
Are you teaching her to sing like that first doggie memory of yours? It has great advice in it …” leave your fickle past behind you and true romance will find you…Cross Over the Bridge.” Romance can mean any enrichment that comes when you enjoy your past and yet move on.
Some of my favorite classes have been with middle schoolers so it was fun to hear that you and Tali can help some “bluebirds”, who all too often have been called “crows” by ignorant teachers.
Thanks for your story. Christine Purves
There’s good reason behind the soubriquet “man’s (read ‘person’s’) best friend.” After she read an article about the many benefits dogs bring to humans, I remember hearing my mother whisper, as she stroked our late beloved golden Lucy, “You’re helping to lower my blood pressure.”
My first Borzoi lived to swim. He was the only dog I have ever heard of that swam laps.He started his swimming career at 5 months when he jumped off the dock to get closer to some ducks and swam all of his life, whenever he could.
Good article, Georgia. I loved the title! Pat
Georgia, this is a terrific article and you are so lucky that you can have a dog. We live in a condominium that doesn’t allow pets, although some people do sneak cats into their apartments, hoping that the cats never wander out. Keep up the kind work that you are doing.
What a wonderful article, Georgia, and you’re both gorgeous! You go girls! There are so many good quotes about dogs that are all so true. One of my new favorites is “if you don’t believe dogs are smart, try putting 3 treats in your pocket and only giving her 2”. The work you and Tali are doing is so meaningful for both of you, Georgia, and for every single person you touch. Kudos to you both!
And Martha (or anyone else who misses having a dog) the very professional national dog walking/pet sitting franchise I work as an independent contractor for part-time, called “Fetch!”, is currently looking for many more part-time dog walkers and cat visitors in all areas of Philly (and probably nationally, but I can only speak for the one I work for). Danielle Carter is my franchisee and her standards are very high, which her clients so appreciate and depend upon. AND, she strongly prefers to use us “Elder Chicks” who are so much more dependable, reliable and let’s face it, just better :0) than the students who typically apply because they think that it might be a fun job between gigs. (No offense to students or young ‘uns, really) She asked me today if I had any ideas on how she could reach the people she wants to hire, and of course my first thought was Elder Chicks. It really is a fun job – not so lucrative in monetary measures, but immeasurably lucrative in the amount of love showered upon one by not only the pet in question, but also by the pet owner who truly appreciates that their pet is in such good hands when they can’t be with them. I absolutely love “having to do a dog walk” and it’s making me get outdoors on days I might not have because of dreary weather, etc. I now find most of those days to be the most enjoyable and always have a smile on my face on days I get to see one of my “clients”. If anyone is interested in some part-time pet lovin’, Danielle’s ad is on Craigslist, you can visit the Fetch! website, or I would be happy to facilitate a meeting. Their slogan is “We’ve got your tail covered”, and they truly mean it. It is a national franchise with very high standards, so I would encourage anyone in any area of the country who misses their “dose of dog” to check them out! xxoo to all who visit this incredible web site and thanks again Thelma for introducing me to it!
Hi Deb!
I loved the article too. I think your idea is great and might find that many people who read this blog would be interested in Fetch!. The subscribers seem to come from all over the country. Thanks so much for the suggestion.