Lily had a terrific time today with her four readers that she meets with each Tuesday morning at the Kelly School in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Meeting with the same four students builds a special bond between them. Lily beams – as happy dogs do – and each child smiles back at her. It’s wonderful to be the observer at the other end of the lead. Something I haven’t tired of being for the past 24 years. I get to watch magic take place!
First, Lily meets with the only girl in our group. She greets Lily with a big hug. Then, I hand her Lily’s brush that I carry in Lily’s special book bag. Lily loves to be brushed, so each of the kids takes great delight in spending a few minutes at the beginning of the 20-minute one-on-one session brushing, petting, and talking to Lily. Then, it’s down to business, the reading begins. Twenty minutes goes by fast when you’re having fun reading to a dog! I try to stick to the schedule closely so each reader gets the same amount of reading time. This is part of the criteria used in tracking each child’s progress. Lily gets a BIG HUG good-bye, and in comes the next reader, the first of the three boys. Lily awaits each one’s arrival stretched out on a cozy blanket where she and her reader enjoy a story together.
Before you know it, the session comes to an end. Lily has listened to all four readers, each reading for twenty minutes. This doesn’t end the hugs and petting Lily receives, though. As she and I walk through the hallways to the office, she’s greeted by teachers and other children on their way to the library or the cafeteria. Together, Lily and I sign-out and say our final good-byes.
Now, Lily knows that she gets a cookie from me in the car when all her work for the morning is done. It’s her reward. Today, though, just one cookie wasn’t enough for Lily. On the way home, I decided to pick up my favorite Cob Salad to enjoy when I got home. I love this salad full of sliced chicken breast, crumbled blue cheese, sliced hard-boiled eggs and avocado, baby spinach and other assorted greens… and topped with a yummy house dressing. Just what I felt like having for lunch. Well, Lily had the same thought in mind. En route home, after picking up my salad, I decided to stop at the Honda lot and look at a couple of cars… just a peek, three minutes, maybe, to look at the price listing on the window and peer through the glass at the interior design. Really, no more than three minutes – but that’s all it took… When I got back in the car, Lily had devoured the Cob Salad, all that delicious chicken breast, eggs, everything gone. Just two baby spinach leaves left for me on the passenger seat. Lily decided to reward herself for a job well-done at Kelly School this morning. A cookie just wasn’t enough! I had to laugh. She is a rascal. And, she had been so good with the kids. Well, Lily, I said, as I called in the order for a second Cob Salad, I’m glad you enjoyed that salad. Now, this next one’s for me!