When they are not out patrolling, giving medications, helping in the dining room, or helping the residents get to sleep, the aides are sometimes in the office on the ground floor near the door.

When Red comes into the Mansion, he makes a beeline for the office, and if we go in the late afternoon, which is when we often go to the Mansion, Kelly and Tia are in the office, they both drop to the floor and hug Red, and pat him and hold him.

Red just eats this up, he loves  women in general, and he loves the Mansion aides in particular. They return the favor.

It has been a particular pleasure to get to know the Mansion aides, and this year, I decided to focus some of the holiday attention on them. I’ve gotten them pens,  offered regular pizza nights, where I pay for them to order pizza, and we’re getting Amazon gift cards for each one.

These are our Better Angels, they are an inspiration to me, and they are worth every penny they earn, and that is not a lot of pennies. I’m excited to be bringing the Amazon $50 gift cards. I wish I could do more.

There are some I rarely see but they work as hard as anyone. When I come to the Mansion, I always check in to let the staff know Red and I are there. My average stay is about 45 minutes, the therapy for the dog is actually intense and tiring, and I don’t like to push it beyond that.

Red has gotten used to joyous and loving greetings at the Mansion, I just get out of the way and go visit someone, and he always finds me when he’s through with his girl friends.