Resident Pat Michelin, 93, rests in her room at the Gordon Manor assisted-care facility as she holds her stuffed animal “Rosie” who she believes is her actual dog in Redwood City, California on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. Before the pandemic,
Pat Michelin loved walking her dog, Rosie, through the halls of Gordon Manor, the assisted-living facility in Redwood City where she’s lived for four years. The other residents often fawned over the Chihuahua mix. The 93-year-old, who was diagnosed with dementia nearly eight years ago, has been losing her memory, but Rosie provided comfort, consistency and friendship.
Then the pandemic took nearly everything away from Michelin, including Rosie.
Michelin’s family had to remove Rosie from her care last year as Gordon Manor administrators confronted the coronavirus, which ultimately killed 12 of 68 residents, nearly all of whom had dementia.