Photo Shoot

I think I was as nervous about the photo shoot as I was about the Pet Partners Test itself! This would be Gilda's first time actually inside the hospital and I wanted the experience to be a good one.

There were all sorts of new experiences like the elevator and the revolving door! We didn't even attempt the escalator! There were also lots of new sounds and I'm sure lots of new smells.

On the way from Volunteer Services to the photo studio, we were approached by a boy in a wheelchair and his mother. The boy was about 5 and asked if he could pet Gilda. He waited patiently while she gave him an all-over sniff and then he began petting her. She seemed very happy wagging her tail and staying near him. I told him that she was brand new to the DB and that he was her "very first kid". I would love for him to have one of her trading cards when they are ready.

Next, we were approached by a little girl who was about 4 years old. As she was petting Gilda, Gilda gave her a tiny lick on her forehead. I said, "wow. Gilda must really like you because she never licks anyone!" to which the girl replied, "yeah. she does"!

The most amazing interaction happened after the photo shoot. I took Gilda to the Nursing Office to visit some friends and coworkers. After she had visited everyone and sniffed around sufficiently, she curled up under a desk where she had a good vantage point for watching all the comings and goings. A supervisor came in carrying a 3 year-old boy who was wearing a face mask. She explained that he wanted to see the dog but couldn't touch her because of a recent bone-marrow transplant. As soon as she stood the little boy on the floor, Gilda came from across the room carrying a biscuit, which she dropped onto his shoe. She then laid down at ate her biscuit where he could stand and watch her. No one called her over to the little boy or said anything to direct her to him. I've never seen her do anything like it in the 2 years we've had her!