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24 | OHCC LIVING | APRIL 2023 | Grandma's Closet I think we're on our way to spring – and that means spring break! If you find yourself in need of some items to better accommodate the little ones, Grandma's Closet may have just the ticket! We keep a list of people who have items to loan, their contact information, as well as the items they wish to share. When someone inquires about borrowing items, we'll supply the list, and the donor and recipient can work out the details. We offer these loans to be used by our residents for our visiting grandchildren. The borrowed items are not to be taken out of the village and used elsewhere or by anyone other than the borrower. If you have items you wish to loan out (strollers, car seats, carriers, Pack'n'Play, high chair, books, toys, games, puzzles, etc.), send an email to (NaomiBKatz@iCloud.com) and/or Lynn Bible (LynnLBible@ iCloud.com) enumerating those items and age-appropriateness, along with your name, address, phone numbers and email address. That information will be added to the list. If you find yourself in need of an item or two, please let Lynn or me know, and we will forward the list to you. If your visiting grandchildren have left behind items you won't be needing for a while, consider offering them for loan at Grandma's Closet. If you have any items of clothing for babies or children which you can't store or use, please let us know. We will gladly pick up the items and bring them to Father Joe's Village, which is in desperate need. Thank you so much for your attention and anticipated assistance. Your continued generosity and support are truly appreciated. ~ Naomi B. Katz and Lynn Bible Do you need a temporary loan of medical equipment? Helping Hands maintains an inventory of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes and shower chairs for people living in Ocean Hills Country Club. Call one of the volunteers listed at the end of this article and we will deliver to your door at no cost to you. You can help a neighbor in OHCC by donating a clean, serviceable item that you are no longer using to Helping Hands. Check your storage areas for the items listed in this article. Please do not leave items outside of the storage area. Call the volunteers listed for more information. Thank you! For info, call Tom Mazur at (760) 295-1006, Tim Wilbur at (760) 639-5221, Gary Lucas at (760) 707-8363, Dolores Hofmann at (707) 339-0508, Dennis Drake at (760) 859-7046 or Stan Katz at (760) 505- 8298. Helping Hands Group Tips For Approaching an Unfamiliar Dog: You are a "dog lover" and never miss an opportunity to greet and pet any dog you encounter for the first time. You and your grandson are in a dog park full of dogs you know. A new, unfamiliar person enters with their dog. You speak cheerfully to the dog as you approach and reach out to pet him. The reaction you might get is seen in the picture above. It could also happen with a small dog like a bichon. Is the dog vicious? More likely it is reacting to what it perceives as a threat from you because of the way you approached it. Kids, especially, tend to want to approach dogs and will do so with far less fear than many older people. And while people and kids should not be afraid of well-behaved dogs, they should all be cautious. So how do you approach an unfamiliar dog? Here Are Some Do's and Don'ts: 1. Don't approach the dog. Always let the dog approach you, no matter how friendly it looks. This allows the dog to determine that you are safe before he interacts with you. 2. Always ask the dog's owner for permission to meet or pet their dog. 3. Stay relaxed. Tension tells a dog that you are a threat, so try to keep your body language relaxed by smiling and staying calm. Some trainers recommend that if you yawn and lick your lips, the dog will see that as a sign that YOU are not aggressive. 4. Sniffing is the dog's way of getting more information about you. Let the dog sniff you and let him take the lead on what to do next. 5. If at any time during the interaction, the dog backs away, stop what you are doing. 6. To most people, eye contact indicates trustworthiness, but not to a dog. In the dog world it signals aggression or threat. Never stare into a dog's eyes. Don't make eye contact with the dog until you are sure he is comfortable with you. 7. Turn your body so you are not facing the dog. Again, being face-to-face is polite to most of us, but can signal threats or aggressive intentions to a dog. 8. Respect his space. Don't bend over the dog. It is much better to kneel down and turn your body slightly sideways. 9. Offer to let the dog sniff your hand before you touch him. Then you can gently touch the dog on the shoulder, neck or chest, not the top of the head. Reaching over their head is intimidating. 10. Don't worry if a dog doesn't like you. The more you pursue a shy dog, the more it convinces them that you are a threat. Back away, discontinue eye contact and give him a chance to get to know you on his terms. If more people become aware of how to properly approach and behave around dogs, the risk of bad reactions can be minimized. No matter how well trained, dogs are still animals; if they feel threatened, they will protect themselves by barking loudly, growling or biting. Pet Lovers Club

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