Who Let the Dogs In? Waterford Terrace Managers Did—for Yappy Hour

Dick Shelton, 90, was in his element. Having owned 20 dogs in his lifetime—including seven male collies—he wasn’t fazed by the 12 or 13 dogs gathered Wednesday afternoon at Waterford Terrace on Aztec Drive. The occasion was the first “Yappy Hour,” in which many of the retirement community’s 93 residents either brought their own pets to a kitchen area or mingled with therapy dogs assembled by Lu Zemlick, the city’s pet therapy coordinator, and others.

Two-year resident Opal Brown, 92, brought her Maltese named Trouble—who kept out of it while resting in a scooter basket.

Donna Randon, who manages the retirement home with her husband, Scott, pulled out all the stops—with their 5-month-old Chihuahua named Isabella modeling a variety of costumes in a doggie fashion show. (Donna said she has 20 outfits.)

Although comfortably air-conditioned, a chef handed out milkshakes, and 2 1/2-year resident Nancy Tschopp told of her Cooking Club making 100 dog-boned cookies for the four-legged guests (in peanut butter and garlic varieties).  Paw Country also donated goodies for the four-legged guests.

The event isn’t a rarity, however. Waterford Terrace offers a therapy dog program every Friday in the six-floor facility, which boasts a recently remodeled lobby. The youngest resident is 62 and the oldest, a woman, is 99, Donna Randon said.

Shelton said he grew up in Oregon and Washington but has lived in La Mesa for 55 years—the past 15 months at Waterford Terrace. A retired heavy equipment operator for the county Roads Department, Shelton summarized the feelings of many: “I love dogs. I’ve loved dogs all my life. … We had one named Laddie.”