Saturday, 10 March 2012

Blimey, we're in the Australian newspapers!

So it seems I got it wrong before - there's another Chloe who visits fellers in hospital out in Perth, would you believe it? So I wrote to her and they put it in the Western Australian Post 


In case you can't read what I wrote here, I've written it again below (no doubt it was edited a bit): 
  
Dear Chloe/Dr. Feelgood.
 
An old pal of mine in W.A. sent me a press cutting about you, and I was so gobsmacked that I decided to drop you a line. Apart from the obvious things which any self respecting dog would own up to, like quality tucker and chasing cats, we seem to have much in common.
 
For a start I am called Chloe the same as you, although my humans use much ruder names to address me when I have committed terrible household crimes, like shedding my fur all over the best settee, or making muddy footprints on the Wilton shagpile in the lounge.
 
Secondly, I am West Australian like you. I am a Bitzer from the bush, born in a tin shed up there in Gidgegannup in the hills behind Perth. I was raised on this 5 acre property where I had a right royal time chasing chooks and digging up my humans` ornamental flower beds. But 5 years ago they decided to go walkabout to this strange place called England, and a few nmonths later I was crated up and sent off to join them.
 
Thirdly, my humans have got a son called Paul who spends his days in a wheelchair on account of being paralysed as a result of a car accident. He lives in Melbourne now so I don't see him, but I do know how tough life must be for him and for your mate Terry. I also know how much we dogs can do to help blokes like them, and I reckon that what you have done for Terry and the other blokes you visit is awsome. Incidentally, some of them might remember Paul (Cumming as he then was) when he lived in Perth and played in a band called "The Shuffling Hungarians", whatever that means.
 
So what a set of coincidences! You may well ask how I come to be in this rain-soaked land when I could be back in W.A. baking my bum in the sun and snapping at passing flies. Well its a long tragic tale involving men in white coats, transportation in a big silver bird, and a whole load of new experiences which would make your fur turn white. If you want to know more about this crime against dogkind read my book, "Home Thoughts On Abroad", available from Amazon .com, amazon.co.uk or the publisher Austin and Macauley (see their website). The book won't win the Nobel Prize for literature, but it may give you and your humans a chuckle when they sit down to sink a slab or two at beer o`clock. My male human is hoping to cash in on an offer from Hollywood for the film rights. In your dreams I say, but if it happens, its a case of move over Lassie and make way from the glamour girl from Gidge.
 
Well I must go now as it looks like I might score a walk on the beach. Go well old mate, and give all those blokes you visit a big lick from me.
 
 
It seems the bloke from the paper was so chiffed with my letter, he even ran a piece on me which gave him an excuse to fill the page with my lovely face!
 
 

Sunday, 4 March 2012

Instinct helps Chloe to help residents

G'day - and you might be wondering what I've been doing to help residents, but it's not me, it's another Chloe in Western Australia - we're everywhere!

Anika Hume of the Mudgee Guardian has penned this piece which I thought was worth sharing with all my readers.

Residents of Pioneer House’s dementia wings are relearning memories thanks to some help from a furry friend.

Chloe, a white three-year-old Maltese Shihtzu cross, has been living at the residence up to four days a week since she was eight-weeks old and spends most of her days bringing joy to the faces of those who struggle to remember their life before the lodge.

Working primarily in Braeholme (Pioneer House’s high care dementia unit), D wing (low care dementia unit) and A wing (high care patient unit), Chloe has become an important part of the furniture - and the therapy program - at the residence.

“As a little puppy, she brings out the warmth in the residents and makes them feel at home, but she also helps prompt and bring back their memories of pets they have had or have been around throughout their life,” Chloe’s owner and Pioneer House Recreational Activities Officer Rhonda Brooke said.


If you have a copy of the Mudgee Guardian of 25 March, you can find the full story on page 7.

Thursday, 1 March 2012

Some photos of the author

G'day!

It strikes me there are too many pictures of the humans up here and not enough of me - the portraits by uncle Chris are way too far down the page. So here are some to let you know just how beautiful I really am!

Rounding up sheep (just out of shot, of course - see them go!)

Rounding up a ball (ailing somewhat)  

Rounding up my shadow

Rounding up my humans!