Mr. Boomer McSpaniel, pet therapist

by Gary Shepherd, NM, USA

First, thank you, Linda, for your contributions and dedication to the CMT community.

I always knew something was ‘not right' with my physical situation. But only at age 50, some six years ago, did a sharp orthopedic specialist send me down the road that led to a CMT diagnosis. I immediately began looking for resources to help. Your newsletter has provided ongoing support and valuable information.

In a later article I will cover the successes I've had from the braces I learned about from your publication. But this article is about pets, a favorite subject.

Sir Bo and Lady Penelope (two golden cocker spaniels) graced our lives for more than 14 years. They provided a vital resource — unending joy. They have now passed on and have been succeeded by Mr. Boomer McSpaniel, whose picture is enclosed. No matter how one may feel, our pets can raise us up with their total focus on being happy and making all around them happy as well. I took Bo and Penelope to a local rest home for a number of years where they ministered to the residents. It was sad when their age made it impossible to continue. But now Mr. Boomer has taken up the work, and each Saturday we visit the 90 residents in this facility once again.

Boomer is a real trouper, as were Bo and Penelope. He stops at each resident, waiting to receive the pats and scratches that are his ‘pet therapy' offering. He allows himself to be picked up and placed onto the beds of those who can't reach him and shows more patience than any person I know with these elderly residents.

And he ministers to us as well, coming in from his naps periodically to check on us to make sure everything is all right. After administering some of his ‘pet therapy,' he picks up his rubber hamburger and returns to his pillow for another nap, or pops outside to race around the yard.

Pets can provide immeasurable comfort and I would urge anyone who is able to indulge, whether the pet is a cat, dog, or whatever. Boomer, beautiful as he is, came from the local shelter, and has been a blessing.

As an aside, we create stained glass art and have teamed with a wildlife artist to immortalize pets with objects combining painting and stained glass. Anyone interested in seeing more can visit www.shepdesignassoc.com, and click on "Pets on Glass."