As promised, here's the scoop on Isaac the therapy dog.  He's a Newfoundland, and in spite of his size (175 lbs), he is not only a big marshmallow but is hilariously afraid of rolling carts. He will try to squeeze into the tiniest space to hide from the Evil Cart as it rolls by.  Never mind he could eat it for an afternoon snack!  His hair is so soft and flowing.  A woman could be jealous of hair like that!  A true gentle giant.  As he lumbers down the hall, his hair floats, almost like it's in a cloud surrounding him instead of being attached to him.  For his sheer size alone, even staff who know none of the other therapy dogs know Isaac.  They can't talk about him at all without a big smile on his face. 

This week I met a third therapy dog, Sierra.  She is a 10-year-old Alaskan Malamute.  HUGE dog (127 lbs), but totally, totally sweet.  She will lie down to have a tummy rub if you show the slightest interest in giving her one.  I had pictured the breed about the same size as other shepherds, but she was way bigger than that.  Very broad at the shoulders, huge feet and legs as big around as a Pringles can.  It was another case of her walking up to me and pressing against me, as if we'd known each other forever.  She was shedding a lot, but I didn't mind.  That's why God invented washing machines!

Monday was also the 3rd anniversary of the passing of my darling Adidas.  I still miss my boy soooo much.  Had to fight tears all weekend prior to also.  I still tell him and my shepherd mix Skippy, who are buried in a memory garden in my backyard, to "Hold down the fort, boys, Sissy'll be back," every morning as I leave, and greet them with "Sissy's home, boys!" each afternoon when I get back.  And I can't see a snowfall without thinking immediately, "Skippy would've loved it, Adidas would've hated it!"

Next Tuesday I get to keep one of my "regular clients" again, a tiny white Chihuahua named Moss Ray, after the NFL player Randy Moss.  So next time...all about the Moss-man!