Bingo, a miniature Chihuahua, weaves in and out of a maze of legs and wheelchairs Friday afternoon as residents of Vicksburg Convalescent Home listen intently for numbers to be called out. Every now and then one of the senior citizens yells out “Bingo!” and the pint-sized pooch turns his head expectantly, responding to his name.

At 15 weeks old, Bingo weighs little more than a pound or two, but he’s become the unofficial mascot of the residents living at the home on Cherry Street. He’s a pet therapy puppy that comes to visit three or four times a week, and the residents can’t get enough of him.

“He kind of makes their day,” assistant activities director Pauline Vessell said. “Some of these residents don’t get to see pets, so he really brightens their day.”

Bingo’s owner, Margaret Richmond, started bringing him to the home about a month ago to visit her mother, Ina “Granny” Richmond, and he became an instant hit among the residents. Now, if Margaret shows up without the dog she’s in trouble.

“If she left him up here it would be better,” Ina said.

Bingo got his name before he ever made it home with Margaret. The pair stopped by the convalescent home after she bought him and the residents were playing the game that is his namesake.

“The first time she brought him in we were playing bingo and Granny named him,” Vessell said. “Everybody was like ‘Yeah let’s call him Bingo!”

At first some of the residents were afraid of the pint-sized pooch, but he quickly warmed himself to them, Vessell said. He comes to visit during their bingo games every week, and even makes his way upstairs to some of the bed-bound patients.

“Oh I love him. He makes my day when he comes,” Ina said. “He just gets up with me and I love on him and he loves me back.”