A Park, Some Food & A Friend

For the month of March momma and I have been involved with a research project that hopes to measure the effectiveness of pairing up a clinically depressed patient with an animal to walk and talk with.  We were interviewed in order to match-up personalities, measuring walking speed, friendliness, approachability, and available times.  My "walk-mate" was Judy, a pleasant and sociable woman.

I met Judy in a nearby city park where she and momma made small talk, while I tried to munch on newly sprouting Spring dandylion greens.  They agreed that momma and I would meet Judy at the park every other day, where Judy and I would walk the 3.5 mile hiking trail that meanders the outside and visually more stunning area of the park.  Judy took my leash, hooked up my water bottle to her belt loop and off we went to walk around the park.

When we first started walking Judy was a little quiet, concentrating on the downed tree limbs, keeping us both safe from tripping.  We wandered through the old military barracks now painted a bright yellow and made it back to greet my momma for lunch in the park.  After a week passed momma gave Judy a packed lunch for the two of us and off we'd go, walking the park where we would generally find ourselves down by the lighthouse where we would listen to the seals, watch the boats cruise by, and where Judy would take pictures of us as we nibbled on our lunches.

It wouldn't be right for me to share the personal things that Judy has told me, that's between the two of us.  But, Judy did say that I could tell you that she has never felt so alive, so loved and so happy as when we are on our little walks together through the park.  I look forward to my walks with Judy, she gives me apple pieces, makes kind eye contact when she talks to me like I am her buddy, and kisses and snuggles me when we part ways after our daily hikes.  Judy is thinking about adopting a little doggy all her own, and I hope she does; and when she finds her little special pup I hope we can all take walks together, me my momma and Judy and her fuzzy one... a party of four walking through the park, sharing life together and making wonderful, meaningful connections.

With love - Mattiedog
Listen to Mattiedog's March 28, 2010 Podcast