TINKERBELLE REMEMBERS: We did too much

The Finding of a Therapy Cat: a series about Tinkerbelle, Registered Pet Partner Therapy Cat (retired) and our journey together.

By Mollie Hunt

Part 9: We did too much.

When Tinkerbelle and I first began volunteering, I went a little crazy. There were so many places that needed a cat visit: assisted living, nursing homes, hospitals, hospice, as well as special events and requests. I tried to stick with places close to home, meaning shorter trips for Tink, but even so, the choices were endless. It was so hard to say no.

We went many places and visited many people. Tink was a good sport but I could tell she was getting tired. It’s not just the time spent with the patients, but also getting ready: the bath, grooming, brushing of teeth, etc. Not Tink’s favorite part of the deal.

One thing they teach us in Pet Partners is that the animal’s needs come first. I finally narrowed it down to weekly visits to 2 local assisted living facilities and one hospice patient. Tinkerbelle was okay with that schedule and began to look forward to her hour with the people who loved her.

About Tinkerbelle:
Tink served for four years as a registered Pet Partner Therapy Cat, visiting assisted living facilities and hospice patients. Tink is now retired and living the quiet life. Check out her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/TinkerbelleTheTherapyCat/

About Mollie Hunt:
Mollie is the author of the Crazy Cat Lady cozy mystery series, featuring Lynley Cannon, a sixty-something cat shelter volunteer who finds more trouble than a cat in catnip. Mollie is a member of the Oregon Writers’ Colony, Sisters in Crime, and the Cat Writers’ Association. This year she won a CWA Muse Medallion for her 3-part blogpost series, “Life Stages”.

Like Lynley, Mollie is a grateful shelter volunteer. She is a longtime volunteer for the Oregon Humane Society where she socializes sad, fearful, and behavior-challenged cats. She also fosters sick and elderly cats in her home. In 2014, she had the privilege to work with cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy on a particularly thought-provoking case.

You can find Mollie on her Website: http://www.lecatts.wordpress.com/, her Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/molliehunt, and her Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MollieHuntCatWriter/.