If you were to visit Dykeland Lodge, a long-term care facility in Windsor, Nova Scotia, you might be greeted by staff, residents or even a sweet, tiny Tortie named Molly.
Molly’s journey began when she and two other cats were rescued by SPCA Enforcement Officers on October 31, 2023 and brought to safety at the Dartmouth Shelter. After some dental work, Molly was given the green light to find her forever home. And she did just that on November 30th.
Victoria Gagne, the Director of Recreation at the Lodge, visited the shelter that day and was immediately drawn to Molly. She recalled “Molly was in the bottom kennel and at first, all I saw was her paw sticking out. When I bent down to pet her, she started rubbing against me and purring. I asked Molly if she wanted to come live with us and got an affirmative meow.”
Molly adapted to her new home immediately. Victoria chuckled “I brought her into the building and set her down. She jumped up onto a chair and looked around as if to say ‘Yes, this will do.’” And for the last 18 months, Molly has been an ambassador of love, winning the hearts of residents, staff and visitors at the Lodge.
Molly spends her days going from one resident’s room to another, cuddling in the soft blankets on their beds. She can also be found in her favourite sunny window or perched on a staff member’s desk. “When walking down the hall, if you say ‘Good morning’ to Molly, she will meow back,” said Victoria. “The nursing staff have definitely spoiled her. Molly is also a source of smiles and laughter. “Staff members know that Molly prefers to drink water directly from the tap, so when Molly meows at the nursing station, staff know it’s her way of asking them to turn the tap water on so she can have a drink!” A staff member told Victoria that Molly will stand in the hallway and cry if a particular bed she wants to sleep on hasn’t been made yet!
Molly isn’t the first cat to live among residents at Dykeland Lodge. In fact, the facility previously had two beloved kitties – Tiger and Chloe. Victoria shared “They were unofficially adopted by staff members when the pandemic started as we weren’t sure how residents or the cats would be impacted. The cats definitely lived a spoiled life in their new homes but were deeply missed by residents.” Animal therapy has been shown to have many positive therapeutic effects for elderly people, so when the Lodge was ready to welcome a resident pet again, Molly fit the bill. While the home does not engage any official pet therapy dogs, various staff members bring their dogs in to visit the residents, and Molly doesn’t seem to mind canine visitors.
Molly keeps busy brightening the lives of residents by providing quiet comfort, cheer and companionship. Victoria said “Molly has brought so much joy to our residents. Many will come and see me if they wonder where she is or if they have a funny story about her to share. We have residents who go out of their way to make sure that Molly is well taken care of and spoiled.”
“We all love Molly very much and are grateful that she agreed to make the Lodge her forever home,” exclaimed Victoria. How wonderful it would be if every personal care home had a resident cat! Molly is a reminder of how special pets can be and that even the smallest creatures can make a big impact. Victoria summed it up perfectly – “A little cat hair makes a house a home.”