When my mother was in the nursing home she could not speak and had trouble walking. I took my beloved dog Stuart who is an English Springer Spaniel into the nursing home and he was so good. He gave my mother kisses gently on the cheek and it was the first time my mother smiled so genuinely. It brought tears to my eyes. She started to pet him and gave hime a hug and he just allowed her to do it so gently. It was like he knew she was fragile and it brought my mother a joy that was missing.