Accidentally spreading cheer
As she often does, Lilly went shopping with me on Saturday. Many of the little stores on our “main street” allow dogs, so while I cruised for a few final gifts, Lilly came along. She befriended a woman in one particular store, delivering a gentle POKE with her nose to the woman’s hand when offered and accepting being petted and praised. Hey, who wouldn’t want that? Then, as the woman left the store, she said something that brought tears to my eyes.
After one last connection with Lilly, she said something like, “This has been the best part of my day. You have no idea.”
Simply by being herself, Lilly improved someone’s day.
The only reply I could come up with at the time was this: “I don’t know what I would do without her. I really don’t.”
Perhaps down the road Lilly will be able to pass the exams to become an official service dog of some sort — letting kids read to her, visiting nursing homes, whatever.
But, until then, I’ll bask into the glory of her quiet work … just being Lilly … and remember that she makes my days a million percent better too.