A Guy's View of "Girl Talk" 
(In Reggie's own words - as told to Judy Brown.)

Yikes! I'm the only boy in the middle of all these girls!  Beautiful, laughing, energetic girls from ages 9 to 15. And they all want to hug me, kiss me and baby talk to me!  Gotta love it!

("Girl Talk" 2012 was sponsored by Women's Fund of Hancock County Community Foundation in partnership with Girls Inc. of Shelby County. Held at Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center on April 28, the event attracted girls from both counties.)
 
These girls raced madly from sessions on beauty to science, to money management to sports and nutrition to college and careers to - relationships! That's where they found me (Reggie) and my Pet Partner (Judy.) With the help of some girl volunteers (were they ever cute!) and Judy, I demonstrated what a therapy dog does.  Then Judy talked to them about "Empathy." I am a shining example of empathy. (Oooops! Judy says "more like a slightly tarnished" example of empathy.) But I seem to have a talent for sensing how people feel and responding appropriately (that's empathy!)
 
It was a great day and we had fun!  Here are some pictures of what happened in the "Meet Reggie" station at "Girl Talk."  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Doggy Handouts at "Girl Talk"
 
 
 

















A Small Piece of Sea Glass  
 
It has been a busy day, starting out in Reflections, going to the Hospice Unit for the first time and ending up at In-Patient Rehab. After we visited the last patient, Reggie and I stroll through the hospital lobby ready to call it a day.  Staff, volunteers, visitors and professionals all flock around us as we pass through, each vying for a chance to pet and/or talk to Reggie. As usual Reggie eagerly responds to this attention. In fact, he seems offended if someone walks by without noticing him. Finally, after chatting at length with a visitor, who has many questions about Reggie and Giant Schnoodles in general, we bid him goodbye. As we walk pass the hospital valet and greeter, I mummer softly “We’re outta here.” 

But just as we exit the door on the right of the revolving doors, a woman is coming in the door on the other side. She sees that Reggie and I are leaving. Suddenly the hospital valet comes running after me, “Can you bring Reggie back in?” she asked. “This lady is so disappointed that she missed him.” “Sure,” I grinned as we returned to the reception area of the lobby.

“Oh Reggie,” the woman exclaimed, “I am so glad I got to see you again!” A small woman, she doesn’t have to bend over much to put her arms around Reggie’s neck and give him a hug. “You are just such a beautiful dog. I enjoyed having you visit me so much when I was in Rehab! It’s so good to see you again!” Then looking down she said something else that I didn’t quite catch. And she walked away.

As Reggie and I started for home once more the valet walked out with us. “Did you hear what that woman said just before she left?” she asked. I shook my head. “She said, ‘Thank you so much for the wonderful work you do.’ ” 

Only a few words, but another piece of sea glass for our cache.

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"I will do the best I can, with what I have, where I am, for Jesus' sake today."