Little Mary (not her real name) went with her grandmother to visit a friend in the nursing home and take a plate of their homemade cookies. As they were packing it all in a basket, little Mary asked, “Please, Grandma, can I take my new puppy?” She had gotten the puppy for Christmas and hadn’t been able to find a name she liked for her new friend yet.

“We had better stop at the office and see if it’s all right and if we can take the puppy in,” Grandma said. They of course were told, “Oh yes, you certainly may.”

Their story and their day went on, and it turned out to be so very special. It seems puppies and kittens are always welcome and get so much attention, cuddling and loving.

This one, however, had a different twist. The first thing everyone wanted to know, of course: “What is your puppy’s name?”

Then Grandma asked Mary, “Why don’t you ask these nice old folks what their pets’ names were, or ask them to help you name yours?”

I can just imagine what a fun day that became. Can’t you?

Several of them thought Mary was such an angel for bringing and sharing her new puppy with them, so Angel was the best choice.

Mary was so happy. “She really is just an Angel to me,” she said as she hugged her puppy close.

There are so many happy stories to be told, and so much fun, to share during an afternoon with someone who perhaps has little or maybe no visitors at all, in our nursing homes. Perhaps you are feeling down and need cheering up yourself. Go visit your local nursing home gain a new friend.

Hugs now and God bless all of you.

— Aunt Norie, P.O. Box 265, Tonganoxie, KS 66086; auntnorie@att.net