“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
~ Maya Angelou
Our beautiful young red cattle dog, Rufous, has found a new calling.
He’s certainly at home on our farm doing chores and rounding up the cows. But he’s also discovered a wonderful hidden talent – he’s become a hit at the aged care facility where one of our family members lives. The home is for women with moderate to advanced dementia, and it has become his favourite destination.
Rufous is a gentle boy. He’s only just turned two, so you think he’d still have a puppy-brain (and if you watched him run around like a demented pixie with his dog brother Harry here at our farm you’d KNOW he is still just a pup) but when he is in the presence of these frail elderly women he suddenly becomes attentive, caring, responsible and wise.
He seems to know when someone needs extra love and attention. In his presence, the women smile and laugh. Some of them talk to him when they are silent for everyone else. He stands so still for them to pat him or hug him clumsily, and always seeks out the shy ones who stand back and would otherwise not get a turn to say hello.
This little rescue dog has paid the favour forwards.
I’m so grateful he came into our lives.
Lots of love to you from all of us, Nicole ❤ xx
