Update on Riley and Chase and 2 1/2 minutes of fame

I promised, in another thread, for an update on Riley and Chase when they started their therapy dog visits to Shriners. It took a bit longer then usual to get the paperwork taken care of with our evaluator having a few issues with TDI but finally got it all worked out. Riley (with the black spot on his tongue, 26 months old) paid his first visit last week and Chase (19 months old) today. They did SUPER! The kids loved them both and was wonderful to see them interact!




Also this last saturday I taped a spot for Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid Florida which was shown sunday morning on the local ABC affiliate. It shows two of our more mature dogs. The spot only lasts 2 1/2 minuts so guess I am still owed 12 1/2? Anyway the group has asked me to do another spot for first weekend in september. Both Riley and Chase are rescues. We got Riley when he was 7 1/2 months old and Chase when he was 10 months old.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5GnYA13ooM

Marc,

Thanks for posting. Wow, Riley and Chase are beautiful. I can see why they would be popular with the kids. And what a noble cause you have undertaken.

Nice work on TV. You have mastered the sound bite approach with short, but meaningful responses, letting the host get his air time. I think I could use a six-month sabbatical and you can fill in for me!

"Velcro dogs." Perfect!! Great job, Marc, both the spot and the adoption and outreach.

Marc, that's wonderful. Congratulations.

Super, Marc. Thanks for sharing and the good work you do.

Great photos Marc... they are handsome happy boys.
Nice to see nice things happen also/ way better than the nightly news.
God Bless

That's a wonderful thing you guys are doing. We're proud of the effort you are giving-keep up the good work!

what a handsome pair of dogs you have. so proud of them for getting through the training. oh the great things they'll get to do now!

wonderful job on the promo spot. we have a neighbor who is going thru our dfw golden rescue right now. lost his father/son pair over the last 14 months. chelsea and bayleigh reminded me of his dogs -- so sweet and settled. if you weren't so far away, i think rob would grab up those two!

so glad you updated! thanks for sharing!

terri

Wow, way cool....who knew we had TV stars in the 'hood!

What a kind and considerate undertaking. I know you'd probably say that you & Cathy get more out of it than you give which I know is the true sign of a noble and humble undertaking.

I hope Barb doesn't see the YouTube clip....the dogs would be in and I'd be out!

Hope we're able to catch up with you guys at some point. Visits home to FL are less frequent and shorter.i hate to suggest Vegas....LOL

Dan

Thank you all for the kind thoughts and replies.

Dan, at times we feel guilty. Seems like we are getting much more out of it then we put in.

Two quick stories, please feel free to skip. We take the boys to adoption events. The group does not usually take adoptable Goldens as there is a process one has to go through so rather unkind to have people think they can go home with the dog right there. Also tends to stress some of the dogs. So we bring our own Goldens, 90 precent of which have been adopted from the group, to both educate on the breed and show what great dogs you can get through adoption.

So we are at one of the events and a lady comes up to pet our two. Thats what they are there for. Start to talks about the group and adoption when some others come up from our organization and greet her, she is well known. Apparently, over the years, she has adopted a number of our dogs always having one and at the most two. She takes the older dogs, the youngest she ever adopted was 9. She knows they dont have that much longer but she says the love they share is incredible and they give so much. And, when their time comes, they have some one who truly loves them to see them off. She remembers each and everyone of them. After that you got to feel your contribution is small.

Yesterday had Riley at Shriners. There was a group of folks in a common area they use for meals, arts and crafts, all sorts of indoor activities. Three adults and two childen around one child in a wheelchair. Went up to them and Riley stood there looking with those big brown eyes into the child's eyes as he petted him. The boy had an operation the previous day on his leg which was now in a cast. He was in a great deal of pain. But Riley soothed him and when they started comparing who had the bigger tongue broke the tension and everyone was laughing. The parents and grandmother were asking about the pain. He said "The dog makes me feel better but it still hurts". Due to the pain they went back to their room, Riley went along until they got inside, and the doctor did give some more pain meds and the boy went to sleep. But hearing that comment was a great ego check. It is ALL about the dogs. I might transport them but they do the magic!

Ok, sorry, I did say short didnt I.