Dog's-eye view of the new House

Monday afternoon I was working, minding my own business, when my coworkers began bundling up one of my patients. I thought maybe they were going to move him to another room or something, so I went to visit another patient. But that person was packing up, too! I tried to tell them to stop acting so strangely, but they ignored me. I was quite annoyed and went to have a nice lie-down in my fluffy bed.

One at a time, each patient was wheeled out the front door and past the admin building. This really got me going -- I mean, if they're going on walks, why don't I get to go, too?! I love walks! I don't scrub in the grass or track muddy paw prints into the house, like some dogs. I'm pretty sure that's against our Housekeeping policies, anyway.

My coworkers came back, but the patients didn't. I scuttled around, hoping to find out more, but no one had a moment to explain what was going on. Finally, I overheard two nurses talking about the "new House." What! That big new building next to the admin office -- that's a new Hospice House? I didn't think there was anything wrong with this one! The patients all liked it, and I have my own bed and doggy door and fenced yard and... Then they started turning lights out on me! I knew then that this was a big deal.

At last, they walked me over to the new House. I thought about the patch of woods that used to be in its spot; you used to catch a whiff of rabbits from there, or the occasional groundhog. Today, there were all-new smells: new carpet, potpourri, and the patients' dinners cooking in the new kitchen... Yummy!

The front door opened. This place was HUGE! The ceiling seemed very high over my head, and the hallways were enormous. I bet my friends in wheelchairs can go wherever they want in here! A quick sniff let me know there wasn't anybody in the living room or sunroom. I followed my nose down the hall, looking for where my patients had gone. I breathed in my surroundings: big, airy rooms; fresh air-conditioning; good-smelling soap; and someone's peanut butter crackers in their handbag... I tried not to get distracted.

The nurses' station buzzed with cheerful voices. I made a left toward the perfumey scent of one of my favorite patients. What a room! It made her room at the old House look like my dog bed. She was fast asleep under the covers, smiling. She had pushed down the quilt on her bed, one flap falling where I could see the pattern. It was decorated with moose, bears, and other animals. Hey! I thought indignantly, why not a dog?

I wasn't indignant for long, because there was too much to take in. The TV chattered quietly to itself on its wall mount. It was bigger than I am, nose to tail! I noticed the remote next to her hand, so I used one paw to mash the "Mute" button. Then I could hear the ceiling fan whispering overhead, in time with the soft hum of a small fridge. I also noticed a microwave, a big nice chair that looked like it folded out to a bed, and a bay window for sitting in the sun! My favorite!

I could smell water and tile from one door. It sounded echoey, so I figure it was a private bathroom. It had a pull-door so I couldn't get inside to see. I'll have to inspect that later to make sure it's up to par! A piney scent at the other door told me it was a big closet. As much as I loved the old House, I had to admit, I was pretty impressed with this place. It was big and beautiful, and it seemed like, well, home.

I nudged the door closed and trotted back toward the nurses' station. In my hurry, I had missed a small dining area with coffee and snacks. It was a bright, sunny area with flowers and... Oh my!

It was the fancy picture from when I was nominated in 2009 for the American Kennel Club's Award for Canine Excellence. I blushed under my fur! That cinched it. Home is where your portrait hangs!

I explored other parts of the house afterward... More on that next time! See you again soon!