I got all the paperwork from this place called Therapy Dogs International. I want to take Gustavo to visit old people in nursing homes. Because most people freak out with joy when they meet him and want him to sit on their laps and pet him. When I was a little kid, everyone in 4-H used to do this. We just showed up and walked around with our dogs and old people petted them.

Now, you have to have your dog tested for all these diseases, get proof of each vaccination from the veterinarian plus certified proof of heartworm testing, pass a rigorous test of obedience and tolerance of wheelchairs and walkers and hospital equipment from a certified tester, register with Homeland Security, hire an attorney and make sure your dog has been bleached and disinfected. To get your badge. In Salinas. Just to sign up. To fill out more paperwork. After making the calls. And then, you could go visit. After sending the appropriate paperwork to the appropriate facilities to register. I’m exhausted after just reading all the stuff they sent me.

I was thinking just like I could dress in a nice holiday kinda outfit and go to a nursing home with my friendly little dog and visit some old folks and let him sit on their laps for a while?