Zinnia is big enough now to stand up and put her paws on my shoulder (if I’m sitting down) and give me some long and loving licks on the chin, her tail going a mile a minute.

Zinnia’s love is full and unconditional and generous.  I admit, I sing to her and talk to her and look into her deep black eyes.

Maria is always ribbing me, saying I l-o-0-0-v-e that dog, and I suppose this is true. Zinnia is the dog I looked for and was lucky enough to get, she was the perfect dog for me now. In a few weeks, we will be resuming our dog therapy work at the Mansion and at Bishop Maginn High School.

I’m not allowed into either place yet, but I can drop Zinnia off out front and she knows what to do. I don’t know when I’ll get back into these places but I’ll keep up our support work, I’m wired in and talk to the staff and aides and teachers all of the time.

I’m lucky to have Zinnia, we sing to each other.