Once or twice a week, Zinnia and I make our rounds at the Mansion what a treat to see all of those happy faces when Zinnia appears.

Our meditation class had to be postponed, but there is always plenty to do there.

First, we stopped to give Peggie her three bug Word Search books; she is a rapacious Word Search and Puzzle Person. “This will keep me busy for a while,” she said, “but only for a while.” We just got Peggie some new sneakers; she has trouble with her feet.

Peggie reads day and night; it is sometimes hard to keep up with her.

Ellen is one of Zinnia’s biggest fans; we always stop and see her.  She isn’t much of a smile, but she lights up when she sees the dog. Sometimes, she says, she is very anxious, but Zinnia always makes her feel better.

Zinnia is a portable smile machine.

Zinnia had a run-in with Summer, the Mansion cat we helped rescue and get necessary rabies and other medical issues straightened out when she was a stray. Like all stray cats, she knew the Mansion was a good place when she saw it, and it was a beautiful match.

She sleeps in a different room every night.

She and Zinnia had a stand-off when Zinnia rounded a corner and found herself face-to-face with a hissing cat. She roared, then thought the better of it and gave Summer a sniff, and the two called an immediate truce.

Both are chill animals; nobody is looking for trouble.

Our short, sweet visits are lovely; everyone is thrilled to see the dog and lighten up. What a great feeling to talk through a place like the Mansion and spread joy everywhere.