Today’s post may seem different from my usual ones. There’s no link to scientific data or a story about humans receiving hospice or palliative care. The featured topic literally goes to the dogs, rescued dogs that are mostly elderly and ill.
Living at a refuge similar to a nursing home for dogs, they struggled with health challenges ranging from deafness, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, heart murmur, and a lymphatic mass on one “hospice” dog predicted to live only a few more weeks.
Caregiving humans decided it was high time these canine seniors had their chance at smelling the roses we humans have to remind ourselves to smell. A great way to do this was to take all the dogs on a wonderful trip to dog-friendly locations immersed in adventure and nature.
This post shows another application of “quality of life” care for an elderly, ill population that has so often supported others. A soul-stirring video, “Seven Days with Seven Dogs” takes us on a “dog-centered” trip where floral fragrances permeate the air, where wounded spirits soar, and where we are reminded that the best things in life are not things.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
"Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes”
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog
Hi Frances,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Andrew, and I'm the producer of the video that you've linked to (that's me putting the dogs into the car). Thank-you so much for your kind words, and for the interesting slant on care that you've given to our “dog-umentary”.
You might be interested in knowing that we have a full hour-long version of "Seven Days with Seven Dogs". It goes into much more detail (for one, we talk in it), and you get to know the dogs and our journey much better.
You can see the first six minutes of the full version here.
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have about our doco. Please let me know.
Thanks again.
Cheers,
Andrew