“I’ve owned Boxers for 32 years and have a Facebook group ‘Everyday Boxer‘ with nearly 50,000 Boxer fanatics. I breed on occasion.
![womans holds white puppy close to elderly woman in a wheelchair](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/puppy2_edit-754x645.jpg)
When the pups are six weeks I begin socialization, and one of my favorite things to do with them is visit the elderly at Four Fountains nursing home.
![elderly man in nursing home lays in bed with puppy on his chest](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26231205_10210641332302096_6520404595479929967_n-860x645.jpg)
When I was a child my grandmother took me to visit her mother in a nursing home every Tuesday for almost a decade. Many years later, Grandma also finished out the last year of her life there.
![nursing home woman snuggles with white puppy in her lap](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26231404_10210641329662030_1828205967476311124_n_edit-751x645.jpg)
My family always made sure someone was there every day for both of my grandmas. But for many residents, that’s not the case. Some go years without a single visitor.
![man leans over with white puppy in his arms to let elderly woman pet it](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26238867_10210641327701981_249434182669310843_n_edit-732x484.jpg)
![elderly man sits in chair while someone holds a puppy out for him to pet](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26734299_10210641328982013_6045043976091327774_n_edit-747x645.jpg)
It’s heartbreaking to see so much loneliness in a group of people that should be held in the highest regard.
![elderly woman clasps her hands together and smiles at the puppy being held up to her](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26231020_10210641329622029_6483309079384312390_n_edit-752x645.jpg)
![nursing home resident in wheelchair smiles as she holds a puppy and elderly woman in background watches](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26903989_10210641331582078_6577553806898934652_n_edit-860x645.jpg)
![nursing home resident lies in bed petting a white puppy that is lying next to him](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26730812_10210641336302196_4693269882548411025_n_edit-841x645.jpg)
I wear them out before I take them in.
![puppies sitting and laying on a blanket with toys surrounding them](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/27846435_10210832542162223_1092554247_o-1600x1200.jpg)
The second we walk in with a basket full of puppies, all that loneliness is washed away, if only for a moment.
![puppies sit in laundry basket with a red and white blanket with paw prints on in in from of fire hydrant](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/27846106_10210832529241900_2070298739_o-1600x1200.jpg)
![puppies trying to get out of laundry basket](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/27846297_10210832529321902_1866334047_o-1600x1200.jpg)
The residents smile, laugh and share with me so many memories of their pets.
![nursing home resident smiles as puppy lays in her lap](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26731505_10210641332182093_5949671342628366518_n_edit-758x645.jpg)
![elderly woman holds puppy up with confused look on her face](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26229729_10210641327901986_3896538607908769532_n-860x645.jpg)
It is my hope that sharing these images of pure happiness will encourage others to visit the elderly with their pets.”
![elderly man looks down while puppy stands in his lap](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26229974_10210641335142167_2774685408505944718_n_edit-742x645.jpg)
![nursing home resident smiles and pets puppy that is in her lap](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26231638_10210641333222119_5694595746468586896_n-860x645.jpg)
![elderly woman sits in wheelchair with puppy sitting up in her lap](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26219280_10210641332142092_2705027291998831882_n_edit-5a7dd597054e5-787x645.jpg)
![worker holds puppy to resident in wheelchair while resident makes worried face while another worker leans on wheelchair](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26220146_10210641329102016_833420316917571905_n_edit-756x645.jpg)
![someone holds puppy to resident while resident touches the puppy's paw](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2018/02/26904318_10210641335422174_4307536595730331741_n_edit-751x645.jpg)
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Brett Kaemmerer, 40, of Belleville, Illinois. Submit your story here.
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