Cuddlin' With Uncle Pete

During our NY Vacation '09 we got to visit Pete.  Pete lives in a residential setting with skilled nursing.  He is a friend of Jesse's who became a quadriplegic about 13 years ago. He has his own apartment in a busy city.  With some help from his nurses, he gets into his motorized wheel chair and is then free to go and do as he pleases. He is able to make his way out of his apartment building and down the side walks for a stroll when ever he wants.  

On the day we visited, we arrived on our motorcycles.  Me, Cooper and Howard's girlfriend on my bike, Jesse and Howard on Jesse's bike.  We visited Pete for a couple of hours.  Cooper welcomed the time off the bike.  We rode up to Pete's floor in an elevator.  There were many smells in the hall as we walked to Pete's apartment.  Cooper wanted to stop and sniff every three or four feet.

This is what Cooper looks like when he's unsure of something

Pete was in bed when we arrived.  He was watching tv while waiting for his dinner.  Hugs and Kisses all around is our typical greeting.  Cooper recognizes this behavior and seems willing to allow people to greet him with excitement too.  This greeting was a little different though because Cooper had to go to Pete for a greeting.  We put Cooper on Pete's bed so they could visit.  Since Cooper doesn't really have much practice with this kind of greeting, he continually looked at me for guidance and reassurance.  He did fine as I'm sure you can imagine.  He followed my directions to be side of Pete on the bed up by Pete's chest where Pete could reach Cooper and talk to him.  Pete enjoyed having Cooper lay next to him.  Cooper was content to stay with Pete.  

Another unsure look but a little more confident

Pete had always had dogs.  It was such a treat to him to get a visit from a dog who was willing to lay with him for the whole visit.  I could tell Pete was having warm feelings and tender memories of snuggling with his own dogs.  

By the time Cooper was comfortable, he cuddled with Pete like this

I know it's hard to live like Pete does.  I never knew him before his accident but Jesse and Howard did.  I feel like the visit was a good visit for us, but a great visit for Pete thanks to Cooper.