So proud of Harry

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

My MIL is in a care home and is extremely depressed after breaking her hip. Due to her age she can't have an operation and is now bed bound. She's always asks how Harry is and has said on several occasions it's a shame she can't see him. We asked the care home if we could take him in for a visit and they said yes so yesterday he was loaded in his basket and did his first ever cat therapy!

MIL was asleep when we got there but when she woke up and saw him her eyes lit up and I held him while she stroked him and made a fuss of him, telling him what a lovely boy he is! He can be a bit bitey (or gummy these days!) and he's very quick with his claws so I was very pleased that he just laid in my arms the whole time. It was almost as though he knew he had to behave.

I know it's only a short term fix for MIL but she was happier and more awake and talkative than she's been since she fell.

[cozietoesie]

Lovely, Pink.

Well done that lad.

[ALemonyPea]

How lovely. Well done Harry.

[Wordsaremything]

How lovely of Harry and how kind of you too.

[BirthdayBetty]

How wonderful give him some dreamies.

[RubbishMantra]

Bless your MIL, I hope her hip improves.

I've been toying with the idea of finding out if Little Monsieur would like to be a therapy cat, having been a bit down in the dumps lately. (Me, not him, he's like a little ray of sunshine.)

It must be very rewarding to see a little beastie make someone's day, I'm sure Harry was just as pleased to see your MIL. x

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

It was lovely to see her smile. She's in her late 90's and it nearly deaf and blind as well as being bed bound and is understandably very depressed. Every time we go she tells us how much she wants to die but she only mentioned it once yesterday and seemed more relaxed. One of the nurses came in to see Harry and asked how his jaw is, so he's obviously been the subject of conversation in the care home! (One of the other nurses looked at him when he was in his basket and said 'Oh, cat. Very big.' Cheeky mare!)

Rubbish, if Little Monsieur has the temperament for it then I would say go for it. Harry hasn't, he wouldn't have the patience to be stroked and cuddled too much! It was rewarding to see how he could make someone (other than me!) smile though.

[Wolfiefan]

That's amazing. Any chance of more visits? Could a PaT dog visit? Perhaps the home could adopt a cat!!!!!!
I had a cat called Harry. Harrycats are awesome!

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

He will be going back, probably in a couple of weeks time. He's (hopefully) having his jaw unwired on Tuesday so we don't want to shove him back in his basket a few days later!

MIL used to be visited by a dog who belonged to someone else's visitor but doesn't see him any more as she had to move rooms to accommodate the hoist she now needs. I'll have a look at PaT dogs, it might cheer her (and the other residents) up.

I had a cat called Harry. Harrycats are awesome!
Definitely!

[frostyfingers]

When my mum was in a rehab unit after a stroke and 2 months in hospital the nurses encouraged us to bring her dog in. In fact we ended up taking 4 dogs in (1 lab, a spaniel and 2 terriers) and they were "shared" around the patients - it was absolutely fantastic to see how much pleasure they brought everyone. After that we took them in pretty much everyday whilst my mum was there.

My friend took her dog in to see her mum whilst she was in a hospice - the dog was allowed to lie on her bed (on a separate blanket) and again gave so much comfort, it's something that should be encouraged wherever possible.