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Many years ago when me and my wife were a young couple. My wife got a job as a house keeper at a local retirement home. She didn't mind the hard physical work, but what depressed her was the poor old folks who resided there.

They seemed so defeated and abandoned. Many received no visitors at all and they just seemed to be waiting for the end. Many nights she would come home and weep at night for their neglect and misery.

But one day something amazing happened that changed everything, not only for the unwilling residents of the retirement home, but for both of us as well.

It was my day off and I arrived early to pick up my wife. I had brought my new Doberman puppy Brutus with me and had left him in the car with the window partially rolled down.

I entered the cafeteria unaware that that my little rascal of a puppy had squeezed though the small opening in the window and had followed me into the building.

The lunchroom was jam packed with residents eating and I ordered coffee and sat down to wait for my hard working spouse, when I heard loud escalations of joy and wonder coming from many of the old people in the room.

Little Brutus was going from table to table licking outstretched hands and putting smiles on every face in the room. I was flabbergasted at the reactions I was seeing from all the former lonely and dejected faces.

Even the wheelchair bound patients were laughing and wheeling their chairs to get a better look at the beautiful, vibrant pup that was romping around the room with so much vitality.

Tears began to slide down my face as I saw what simple joys that these unfortunate souls were deprived of.

When my wife finally arrived we both were filled with such elation and happiness at the effect our little pup was having on all the residents.

When we went home that night we decided that I would bring Brutus with me every night for a few hours a night.

It was so astounding and inspiring to see the number of old timers that enthusiastically showed up every evening at the cafeteria.

The ecstasy and pleasure they achieved from spending a little quality time with a puppy was both wondrous and heartbreaking at the same time.

We continued to bring Brutus with us everyday for over two years even though he was no longer a puppy. Even though some of the faces changed the zest and delight never faltered.

Brutus is gone now as are all the former residents of that nursing home so far away, but the memories and the emotions I felt will always be with me.

Learn more about this author, Jim Osborn.
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