Therapy Dog

I belong to a Coton de Tulear Facebook Group. There are several, but I just chose one at random, and for the most part it has been helpful in learning a lot about Angel's breed. 

Of course there are lots of perfect show dogs on there, but then there are lots of dogs like Angel too- rescued and loved-far from perfect, as far as AKC goes! 

Some people are critical about certain foods they use and that's okay. Angel is easy to please, having had to probably compete for her food at an early age. She's not picky. 

She's not well-trained like some of the other dogs, for sure! She still has no idea how to tell us she needs to go outside. Well, she does, but it's not very practical! It's quite amusing and annoying, but effective. 

She barks like a crazy dog at strangers still, and has a ferocious growl that most trainers and some dog owners would simply just frown upon. I'm sure I would get a scolding and a failing grade as a dog owner in that department. 

But she's gentle and sweet and kind, and never aggressive, quite contrary to that fake display of hers. And she is super smart, but stubborn. 

One thing that I love about the group is the occasional post about therapy dogs. There is at least one coton who visits hospitals and nursing homes. The owner posts sweet photos of the dog sitting on laps of the elderly. I just love to see those. There is another dog who belongs to a little girl who is suffering some type of chronic illness and he he is always by her side, cuddled by her face, never too far away. It is so heartwarming to see. 

Angel is my own therapy dog. She may not qualify as a show dog. She's badly trained. She certainly has a bad haircut and bad habits to match! But I'm fairly certain she was the first to sense I was having seizures back in March, as she was closer to me than normal and climbing up into my face a lot more. And when my brother passed away recently, I believe she has sensed my terrible grief. She usually sleeps at my feet for a little while and then jumps off the bed at night. But lately she has been sleeping hugged up tight next to me, and then eventually she sleeps ON me for a duration of the night. In the morning she gets in Steve's spot and waits for me to put my hand on her and we both go back to sleep awhile. 

During the day she follows me more than normal, and sits on my lap a little longer than she usually does. She's very perceptive. I may not be crying at these times, but she seems to know I'm in some type of distress. 

In that way, to me, she is a perfect dog! She's had a little cabin fever lately, so she's been kind of like a bored toddler at times, but for the most part, she's a wonderful companion who keeps my heart from breaking completely until the humans come back home. 

She's really gonna love me today...she needs a bath. Guess I better find a new companion for the day! ;)