Meet Buttons

My name is Buttons and I am Shih-Tzu/ Lhasa Apso cross who is just over two years old and I do my visitations in Willow Manor on Saturday mornings. I will also be going into Maple Ridge Hospital hopefully to visit the children there.

Before the visit starts, my  owners Yvonne or John have to shampoo and bathe me (which I try to avoid) but after it is done and they put the warm dryer on me I feel like I am in doggy heaven. I just love the pampering. It feels so good.

Now it is time to put on my uniform, a special St John Ambulance kerchief, my red leash. This is so fun; I usually get lots and lots of treats if I am really good.

As I come up to 224th, I know where I am and where I am going and I become extremely excited in the car until we stop. I start running as fast as I can, but humans are so slow and make me slow down.

We usually spend the first five or ten minutes in the entrance way, as there are many of the staff and residents just waiting for me to visit.

Of course, this is when I take getting treated like the little prince that I am, I am fussed over and get lots of treats; If I do one of my tricks, it’s usually worth an extra tidbit.

I have to calm down, from being overexcited before I go downstairs, to the assisted living area where lots of my friends live

The staff and residents are always expecting me and that is when I really calm down, usually by just sitting on the residents lap and being petted by them. Live is hard, but someone has to do it!

Of course, being a two year old, I am told that I can be quite mischievous also and they are always watching me, so that I don’t get into mischief…like time I stole some cantaloupe. It was just

sitting there drying out.

I absolutely enjoy the visitations and you can see the benefits and enjoyment that I bring to my friends.