Sophie Visits the Nursing Home | #WobblyWednesday
Happy New Year! Wow, it has been a while since we posted. We sure have missed blogging and visiting our furiends. Unfortunately my work life was taking up so much time that blogging fell to the back burner. I’ve made some changes though, and my biggest resolution for 2017 is to get back into blogging regularly. Be prepared to see more of us this year!
What better way to kick off our 2017 blogging year than with a very special #WobblyWednesday post! For any new readers, #WobblyWednesday is the hashtag we created to help spread the word about special-needs animals, particularly those with cerebellar hypoplasia. One of our biggest goals with this blog is to show the world that CH kitties, and special-needs animals in general, CAN and DO live happy lives. In fact, they live EXTRAORDINARY lives! Take our Sophie, for example – she has CH, yet she is the happiest cat I’ve ever known. Once she puts her mind to accomplishing something, nothing stands in her way. She touches the lives of everyone she meets, and she loves a good adventure.
Her latest adventure is one I am going to share about today. Just a couple of days before Christmas, Sophie went on the most meaningful adventure she’s had yet. She went with my husband, mother-in-law, and me to visit a very dear family friend in the nursing home. This friend of ours, Mrs. Linda, suffers from Alzheimer’s. As is the case with Alzheimer’s patients, she doesn’t always recognize everyone, she gets easily confused, and she doesn’t always make sense. She did recognize my husband and mother-in-law when we walked in though, and she immediately started crying. She was so excited to see them.
Once I pulled Sophie out of her carrier and put her on the bed beside her, Mrs. Linda started crying again and exclaiming, “Smokey, Smokey!” as she pet Sophie. See, Smokey was the name of her cat. At first, we tried to explain that this was Sophie, but then I realized it doesn’t matter. If she thinks Sophie is Smokey, there is nothing wrong with that! Then Sophie cuddled up beside her, purring and making biscuits, as my husband played guitar.
Music has always been a big part of Mrs. Linda’s life. She and my mother-in-law are best friend, and her son and my husband are best friends as well. The two of them grew up together, taught each other how to play guitar, and were even in a band together for several years. Mrs. Linda was always a big supporter of them and their music, so when Bobby started playing guitar for her and singing her favorite songs, I could visibly see her spirits lifted. She even tried to sing along, all the while “Smokey” curled up in her lap. It was a very touching and heartfelt scene – one that I am grateful I got to witness and be a part of.
As usual, Sophie always amazes me. She had never been to a nursing home before, and had only met Mrs. Linda maybe once or twice before, a year or so ago. Though it took her a minute to settle down, she eventually just knew exactly what she needed to do. Sophie is not an official therapy cat, but I hope to get her certified so we can make visits like this more regularly. Thankfully this particular nursing home only asked if her shots were up-to-date when we called about bringing her with us on our visit, but I think that most places would prefer she be certified. We do intend to visit Mrs. Linda again though, so hopefully we will have more of these visits to share about!
Happy #WobblyWednesday, everyone! Don’t forget to check out the hashtag on Instagram for photos and videos of our wobbly furiends – guaranteed to make you smile!
Lone Star Cats says
What a pawsome thing to do!
Summer says
This is SO awesome! Even though you made my human cry a little, but it’s because Sophie did exactly what I do with a lot of patients – I cuddle next to them, and knead and purr (which is actually pretty funny because I never do that with my human!). I am sure Sophie will get her therapy cat certification with flying colors! You are right, when you are a therapy cat, it doesn’t matter what the patient calls you – all that matters is that you are there.
Brian Frum says
Dearest Sophie, that was a wonderful visit dear girl.
Athena and Marie says
That’s amazing. Well done, Sophie!
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
Austin Towers says
What a wonderful thing to do and Sophie was an absolute star!! ❤️❤️
Random Felines says
What a wonderful gift…
Heather says
That’s great! Sophie is a very special kitty. I’m so glad y’all brightened Mrs. Linda’s day.
Kitties Blue says
Emily, what a wonderful and heartwarming story. We know that you made Mrs. Linda’s day way better. Sophie is a natural. Thank you for sharing. Sure hope we see you all more often. You know how much we miss you. Sending love to all. Astrid is sending a bazillion kisses and all her love forever to her husband, Sampy! XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Sam says
Oh I love hearing from you all again AND particularly love this post……you brought so much joy to Mrs. Linda with the music, the company, and certainly sweet Sophie cuddling up to her probably meant the WORLD to her even if she may not have been totally able to express that. What a lovely thing to do. Sending you hugs……and hope for a Happy New Year AND a certification for sweet Sophie to be a certified therapy cat before you know it – SPREADING THE LOVE.
Hugs, Pam and Angel Sammy
da tabbies o trout towne says
sophie !!!! itz awesum two see ewe bak thiz way …..N speekin oh awesum, thiz storee iz mega soooper grate awesum…984 pawz up N then sum……we troo lee N joyed reedin thiz; N we hope ewe N yur hole familee haza happee healthee 2017…we all sew hope ta start see in yur postz in R in box ~~~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥
The Island Cats says
What a special gift you gave Mrs. Linda. Sophie did so well…we’re so impressed!
Hairballs and Hissyfits says
What a wonderful story! Sophie is clearly a very special cat who has a special influence on those around her!
Mary McNeil says
What a great story ! It sure is good to see you all again.
Melissa & Mudpie says
Your Sophie is such a special little angel! Animals have such an instinct for when they are “needed”. She will make an amazing therapy cat, and we can’t wait to read all about her new adventures this year!
Annie says
I am so amazed that Sophie knew exactly what to do! She is clearly meant to be a therapy cat. Thank you for sharing this!
Ellen Pilch says
Welcome back! Happy New Year! Sophie is a sweetie and brought a lot of happiness to Ms. Linda.
LP says
Your visit must have done so much good for Mrs. Linda. Of course Little Papi would be a natural kitty therapist. She is such a special girl. We know she left Mrs. Linda feeling more settled after spending time with her beloved, “Smokey” . Love to all of you! Our Mama will write you in the morning 🙂
the critters in the cottage xo
The J-Cats says
What a wonderful and meaningful adventure for Sophie! How sweet and wise she is, knowing just what to do.
Happy New Year to you all.
Jennifer Shafton says
That’s so cool you took Sophie to visit a dear fried in a nursing home to bring the friend some comfort from Sophie. That would really be special if you can get Sophie certified as a therapy cat so you continue to bring her as a gift to your friend and other people in need of the love of a cat when they are in a nursing home or other hospital-like environments.
The Swiss Cats says
What a wonderful gift for Miss Linda ! Purrs
Tamago says
It’s so great to see you back here and what a wonderful story! Sophie is really special and loving. I’m very happy Mrs. Linda enjoyed spending time with her “Smokey.”
Happy new year to you all xoxo
Pipo/Minko/MrJackFreckles says
Thanks so much for letting Sophie be part of your visit to see your good furend. Petcretary works in a nursing home, and only rarely does anyone bring in a kitty, let a lone a kitty that will ‘visit’.
Sophie is very sensitive to the needs of those she interacts with:)
There are a lot of doggies that come in there, but we all wish more kitties would too. We ourselves are not suitable for this kind of thing, though in the past before petcretary worked there she had two that would…our angel furblings, Simba and Toki.
Three Chatty Cats says
What a beautiful post. So glad to see you’ll be back to blogging!