Posted By
Nanci Levy
| Jul 19, 2022
Leo the cat shares an apartment with Jane at Handmaker. She got him from the Humane Society four years ago when he was probably about a year old. He is good roommate, doesn’t purr or ask for too much, lets her pet him, and keeps her good company. “It is so calming to pet him”, Jane says of her yellow tabby. “It’s what saves me!”
Knowing how important pets are to their owners, Handmaker welcomes small pets into the apartments of residents in Rubin Assisted Living and Besserman Independent Living Apartments, as long as residents are able to take care of them.
Like Kim. Every Wednesday morning those who Zoom into Handmaker’s Torah Study with Howard Schwartz will hear some chirping in the background. Those who come regularly know that chirping is the sound of Juan and Trixie, two parakeets in Kim’s Independent Living apartment. Kim has had them for 10 years, for the last year at Handmaker. She says that she loves to look at them, talk to them, and especially to take care of them. And they seem to enjoy participating in Torah Study and Shabbat morning services as well!
Max the cat was just a baby when Toddy got him. She says that he sleeps with her every night, and greets her at the door whenever she gets home. She talks to him all the time and he can tell when she is upset or not feeling well, and will cuddle up next to her to make her feel better. She says, “I am never lonely with him around.”
Grace found her cat “Buddy” in the yard outside her home several years ago. Since they were not sure if Buddy was male or female at first, they named her Buddy. When Grace ended up in the hospital early this year, her son and his wife took care of Buddy while Grace recovered. But shortly after Grace moved into Handmaker, they brought Buddy to live with Grace. Grace was so happy to have Buddy with her again. She says that Buddy is not a very cuddly cat, but likes to follow her around the apartment, and does let Grace pet her. Buddy sleeps at Grace’s feet every night and purrs when Grace rubs her with her feet. Graces says that is how she knows that Buddy is happy, and “it makes me happy when she is happy.”
Charles’s dog Poochie is about three years old and moved into Handmaker with Charles just a few months ago. Charles enjoys taking Poochie for walks, and Poochie likes hanging out on Charles’ patio. Charles says that he is so happy to have Poochie with him, and that “he is good company for me.”
Pets can be calming, are good company, and can give residents a sense a purpose and someone to love and feel loved by. It is always an adjustment to make a move to a new home, and having a loving and caring companion with you can make that transition that much easier.