Maryanne and Gizmo - Garden girls pt.1

In the summer, many individuals love to tend to their gardens, myself included. However, moving to a Long Term Care home can prove frustrating when there is inaccessibility to a garden plot to be able to plant or enjoy the outdoors. This is the beginning of a story where I met a lovely woman, nurtured her green thumb and her long lost bond with animals.


I met a woman named *Maryanne when I was visiting another client with Cujo. Maryanne appeared shy, withdrawn, yet curious and even from across the sitting room where the other resident were practicing verbal commands with Cujo, I could see her intrigue as we practiced on leash commands with the little one, hoping to get him to learn to roll over one day. The other resident and I visit each other once a week, practice some training techniques with little C as thats what she loved to do. After this we would talk over tea as Cujo napped in her lap, discussing the grief she had over being the the last of her siblings to remain living. Out of the corner of my eye, Maryanne would still watch us with a sort of half cocked smile but would avert her eyes quickly once she realized she was noticed.

One day after I was done therapy with my regular resident, I went over to Maryanne to introduce myself; she extended her hand and gave both Cujo and I the warmest of introductions. She then went on to share with me the details of her past regarding her love of animals and the sadness she felt unable to have an animal of her own. There are caged budgies on one of the floors and a small fish tank on another but she stated it didnt feel the same, of course, which is completely understandable. Maryanne missed that companionship, the bond between pet owner and their beloved; Maryanne used to raise rabbits on a farm and recalled how often she would sit by the pen and admire their curious nature and cotton soft fur. Now the farm days were virtually non existent for Maryanne however as she has limited mobility due to stroke.

I thanked Maryanne for the talk, and agreed to say hello next time I came in, her jokingly saying "You know where to find me!" and immediately after went to visit with the activation department in the facility. After a few weeks of paperwork, our first visit was set in action.

Gizmo the guinea pig would accompany me on this journey. Not a rabbit, no, but in my realm of AAT furry and feathered friends, I felt she would be the closest fit; although Maryanne took a liking to Cujo, I felt it wasn't the best match. When we arrived, Maryanne had such a look of surprise, shock and delight on her face, I was truly excited to see how she would react to her first meet and greet with this tiny ball of fur. Gizmo travels with me in a covered carried (think of a rabbit sized pet crate that's fabric) or in a basket, lined with blankets and a half cover for shade; I know from her reaction she enjoys the basket and in the summer, I tend to go with this option more, especially if not traveling too far. My new friend reached for the basket and started to coo and scratch Gizmos head and Giz settled in for some more. After explaining to Maryanne the type of animal Gizmo was, how I care for her, the lifespan, the living quarters and how she got along with my other pets, she began to sing to her while feeding her some greens. I am unsure of the tune as it was in Dutch, but watching her was like watching a mother or father sing a lullaby to a baby; the tenderness and kindness in her beautiful words and voice were captivating.

After a short visit of thirty minutes, we said goodbye and Maryanne was eager to see us the next week, same time, same place. As we left Maryanne waved through the window and I knew what was to come would be one of the most unique experiences of my (and Gizmo's!) life....