All right, I’ll admit it.  I’m one of the smallest. Hey!  This isn’t a basketball team or a football team.  I’m okay, just being the size I am.  Just like, you’re okay being the size you are.  Also, I’m not the youngest.  Actually, I celebrated my nine-year-old birthday in December.  Converted from "doggie years" to "people years", that makes me about… hmm…sixty-something.  But age, like size, makes no difference, if your heart is BIG and if you are young-at-heart.  Wow!  That’s me!  I have that special heart that is both big and youthful.  You know what?  I just bet you do, too.  Otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading a story written by a smaller-than-average dog that has reached middle age.  Now, would you?

 As we enter the hospital, I get a very unique view (through my eyes).  While others are looking at people’s faces and tops of beds, I get to "check out" feet and the view UNDER  the beds.  Watch out, all you little "dust bunnies"!  And… while the other dogs are standing next to the beds, I manage to sit ON the beds.  Sometimes, I even get to lie down right on top of someone’s tummy. Imagine a St. Bernard doing that!  It is true that people don’t need to bend down to pet the "big guys" (large dogs); but I can pop right up on people’s laps.  A ride in a wheelchair is pretty cool!

 Scampering through the hospital, in and out of rooms, up and down the halls; I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that makes me feel ten feet tall.  For what I see, even from the floor looking up, are SMILES.  Sometimes, warm friendly hands reach out to touch me.  People talk to me.  Would you believe some people even tell me that I’m a "cute little puppy"!  Wow!  How about that!  Those of us, who have reached "middle age", always appreciate a complement on our youthful appearance.
 Being a therapy dog is a new adventure for me.  As we, therapy dogs (yes, and cats, too), continue with our therapy adventures; we would like very much to share some of them with you.  Consider this little conversation, if you would, the "introductory chapter" to the Looking Through the Special Eyes of…  And remember, it’s NOT your size or age that’s important; it’s how big your heart  is and how you view the world…through your special eyes.