Zinnia and I launched our weekly visits to the Mansion Memory Care unit today. It was wonderful, a shining example of the power of small acts of great kindness.

Jane Hicks painted again this morning, and early this afternoon, Zinnia and I went to Memory Care to see what she had done. Once again, a striking work. The aides have been talking about her painting for weeks. I finally got to see some yesterday. They were right.

I am in awe at the power of a dog to pull people out of the deepest places and bring them and their memories to life.

Jane was a nurse for most of her working life and is the mother of five children. She invited me to come and see her paint today and tomorrow morning. If I can, I’ll come by.

Jane and I spoke for the first time, and when I asked her if she had painted during her life, she smiled and said, “ever and ever.”

 

 

Jane painted again  this morning. She said she had painted all of her life. She paints with great confidence and boldness.

The residents loved to feel Zinnia and talk to her. She seemed to love that. They couldn’t believe how calm and sweet she was. They couldn’t get enough of her. When I came in, the center was quiet. When I left, everyone was talking and laughing. Zinnia has great power without knowing it.

 

Zinnia and Jane seemed to make a strong connection with everyone. She shies away from people who are not interested in her and presents herself quietly and gently to those who do. We can both tell by the look on the resident’s faces who the dog lover sare.

 

The Memory Care Gathering and TV watching room

Jane’s fingernail polish.

 

Almost all of the residents made me promise to come back often. Every week, I said. Every week.

 

 

Jane followed us all over the Memory Care unit. She needed to touch Zinnia and get close to her. Zinnia returned the favor. After 45 minutes, she got tired and just lay down to be petted and loved. This is hard work for dogs, they are exhausted afterwards.

After an hour, Zinnia began to tire more visibly.

I put her in a lie-down, and the residents came over to pet her and touch her belly. They all wanted to say goodbye.

Sometimes the Memory Care unit residents have a vacant look, which is, at first, the only way I recognize them from the other Mansion residents.

Their vacant look disappears when they see Zinnia, and all kinds of memories and emotions emerge. This is valuable work and I am excited to spend more time in the Memory Care unit.

I am in awe of my dog’s ability to draw these memories out; we always sit and talk together.

At first, I wasn’t sure how to approach them. Now, we yak and yak like old college pals.

“I know you,” said one to me, “we met at the training school for dogs that work with the blind.”

I nodded. “Who are you?,” she then asked.

“I’m Zinnia’s friend,” I said.

“Oh yes,” she said. “I’ve known Zinnia a long time since she was just a puppy.”