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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFrankie - Bayview's Lifeline... kitty rescue OR who rescued who Seattle, WA
Last edited Sun Jun 7, 2015, 06:51 PM - Edit history (1)
http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/story/frankie-bayviews-lifeline901
Frankie resides at Bayview Retirement Community's Health Center in Queen Anne, Seattle. Frankie was rescued after his owner passed away. He was at a facility in Kingston when we saw his photo and adoption information online. He was 2 and a half years old when he came to live with us at Bayview. At first he was quite scared and shy. He stayed in the office for the first few weeks. Then he gradually became a "regular" at activity programs. Later on, he started exploring the halls and began visiting residents in their rooms. Several times he has done vigils with the dying of his own accord.
As seen in the photo, Frankie initiated a vigil with this gentleman, visiting him up to 6 times per day until his passing. The resident was missing his own cat, so Frankie provided an available substitute. Towards the end of his journey, Frankie sat on the resident's chest and put his arms around him. The family of the resident said that having Frankie there really eased his pain.
Frankie is more than just a cat at Bayview Retirement Community. He has taught us about peace, joy, and living in the now. He moves quietly but his impact is bigger than life.
Lynn Arntuffus
Seattle, WA
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shenmue
(38,506 posts)KT2000
(20,583 posts)Kitties have also saved troubled marriages! They can be peacemakers.
Rhiannon12866
(205,506 posts)And it's extremely beneficial to both the residents and the pets. I've seen this kind of program work in numerous places - many elderly people who are in assisted care facilities are lonely.
I spent time at a great retirement community in NC with my grandmother. They instituted a program called "Noah's Oasis" for those in the part of the community that provided nursing care and could no longer have their own pets. Residents there could "rent" a bird - who was fed and cared for daily - so all the resident had to do was enjoy it.
Some halls had resident cats and there were two dogs (both rescue) on the last hall where my grandmother lived. They were very popular and provided company and comfort for those living there - and also for visitors like me. They spent a lot of time in my grandmother's room - since I brought dog cookies, LOL, and later they installed a dog treat dispenser in the hallway. I was so glad to see this program succeed so well and I've seen it happening more and more in retirement facilities...
Paper Roses
(7,473 posts)It only takes a minute to reply to the daily e-mail they send. Free food for shelter kitties. Please sign up and click daily. It is the least we can do and costs us nothing.
calimary
(81,322 posts)GREAT story of Frankie and friends. Animals are therapeutic, calming, comforting. My dad had a cat when he was in his last years. I think it really made a difference for him. The companionship made the days far more pleasant and the disabilities a little more tolerable.
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)I've seen articles in years past, about animals that seem to know the end is near...amazing.
And even if a person is not I'll or dying, the sheer companionship of a do or cat coming to visit, would work wonders.
Great post OS.
WHEN CRABS ROAR
(3,813 posts)in Stephen King's novel, Doctor Sleep.
Blue Owl
(50,427 posts)hifiguy
(33,688 posts)a volunteer regularly came around with his beautiful Spitz to visit with the folks there. My mom really liked dogs and she loved seeing them every week or so. Critters are good for people.
PeaceNikki
(27,985 posts)It's really rewarding for everyone involved.