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Community Corner

A 'Ruff' Afternoon at The Nathaniel Witherell

The Greenwich nursing home hosts a 'Pooch Parade' for residents.

Dozens of pooches were on parade Monday afternoon at Nathaniel Witherell, Greenwich’s own nursing and rehabilitation center.

The auditorium was packed with about 50 residents, who sat in a large circle of wheelchairs. There was no shortage of dogs eager to show off their tricks and have their biographies shared. After each dog was introduced along with its owner, they worked their way around the circle and had a chance to mingle with their fans. There was a wide range of dogs strutting their stuff, including rescue dogs, retired show dogs, puppies, mixed-breeds, and regular visitors to the facility.

With her jaunty pink bow, brown-haired and brown-eyed Dachsund, Zinger, whose owner, Lee Paine, had met and adopted her while visiting her own mother’s nursing home in Massachusetts two years ago, stole the show by performing her repertoire of tricks. The audience was impressed by Zinger’s brilliant execution of sit, roll over, and high five, all on command!

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But if there’d been a ‘Best Kiss’ category, Miss Mocha, a seven-year-old toy poodle owned by regular Nathaniel Witherell volunteer visitor, Jackie Parasol, would have taken the trophy. 

Not to be outdone, a fluffy white dog named Gigi, one of three Bichon-Frises brought to the event by their owner, Ann Arslan, settled into the lap of resident, Marie Lancaster. Gigi did not budge for the duration of the event, giving her the unofficial moniker ‘Best Lap Dog.’

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After a couple dozen dogs each received their moment in the limelight, Mary Bruce, the Witherell's recreation director, regaled the audience with a variety of stories. She shared tales of babysitting Shep and Ian Murray, now of Vineyard Vines fame, and gave a shout-out to the new Greenwich Animal Control facility located nearby on North Street. That facility, she explained, “gets a good number of dogs that are dumped in our town’s parks, possibly by owners from out-of-town who hope a well-heeled Greenwich resident will provide a better home then they can.”

After a rousing rendition of a “How Much is That Doggie in the Window,” was played on the piano, emcee Bruce, who, according to a guest, also calls an intensely exciting game of Bingo, shared her own laughing cat toy with the audience. Her gray wind-up cat giggled hysterically and rolled over and over, receiving more than one raised canine eyebrows, all in good fun.

Anyone wishing to volunteer at Nathaniel Witherell or find out more about participating in future Pooch Parades, should contact Sally Van Leeuwen at 203) 618-4228. Nathaniel Witherell is at 70 Parsonage Rd.

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