If you’ve recently watched the news or MTV or perused the comments section of any given digital publication (except ours, o’ course, because Advocate commenters are the best), you might feel depressed or hopeless, certain the world and most-everyone in it has gone bad, mad or stupid. These dogs and people from a neighborhood senior living community, are here to show you your attitudinal error.
Last week at Lake Highlands’ Presbyterian Village North community, residents celebrated National Dog Day with an aptly themed “Yappy Hour.” Presbyterian Village is decidedly dog friendly, as evidenced in its imminent $93 million expansion project that features a new dog park.
Stories abound of seniors who chose Presbyterian Village for its pet-accommodating atmosphere.
Take Frank and Nancy Pike, for example. They adopted Annie the sheltie mix in the wake of a loss. The same afternoon the Pike’s dog died, their vet called and asked them to come in. “She brought out a stunning sheltie mix on a lead who walked past everyone with such poise,” Frank remembers. “She walked straight to me, jumped in my lap, then walked over to my wife, sat in her lap and planted a kiss on her face. The vet took a final look at us, put her hand on her hip and said, ‘I guess that takes care of that.'”
Nancy and Frank Pike with Annie
The Pikes grew to love that Sheltie, Annie, who spent her days chasing squirrels in their sprawling back yard. It’s a thing she can thankfully still do at the family’s new home, the Pikes say.
Another Presbyterian Village dog, Lexi, is a rescue abandoned in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina. She is a friend and protector to owner Joyce Forney.
“Lexi was scrawny, older, no beauty to behold, but she had a way about her that said, ‘If you take care of me, I’ll take care of you,'” recalls Joyce. “I was sold.” (Lexi is at least 14 now, and possibly older, Forney says.)
Presbyterian Village director Ron Kelly believes pets are important to the health and wellbeing of his residents.
“Having a pet reduces depression and helps prevent loneliness,” he says. “It is a delight seeing residents walking the campus with their dogs. The dogs really do encourage more activity, and their happy-go-lucky spirits liven up anyone’s mood … we are excited to build a brand new dog park for them. We know many new, fun memories will be made there once it is open.”
In the mood for more cute pets? Check out this month’s cover story — it’s all about neighborhood animals. Want less-cute pets? See the story about the neighborhood resident raising 50-plus ball pythons.
