March -Rally Novice title earned in a 3 day show cluster in York!!!! Rah!!! for River and Amanda. Scores of 87,9?, 97 Placements of second, 1 point out of ribbons and first to finish. Now if I could just figure out how to add photos.
April - I started this a while ago - they now have 2 legs towards Advanced, earned with scores of 94 - a first and second place in Harrisburg. Headed to Lancaster KC show in Lebanon May 15 - maybe to finish Advanced.
"Even there, River got to be a therapy dog." wrote this part earlier, Hmm, wish I remember where I was going with this.... maybe that people petted him as opposed to ring- prepped dogs who couldn't be touched. We took him with us when we shopped the vendors so he got lots of attention which he enjoyed.
Showing posts with label AAA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AAA. Show all posts
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
MIL Rest In Peace
My friend's MIL passed on a few days ago at hospice. I had taken just River for another visit right before Christmas while she was still at home. She was confined to bed at this point but still delighted to see him, although she could only talk in a whisper. River greeted her with kisses; he seems to know she enjoys them. She requested that he lay on the bed with her, so I told him "up" and got him laying along side of her where she could easily pet his head. We visted briefly; she drifted off occasionally, then woke to apologize and blame it on her medication. She still kept her hand on River. When the hospice nurse arrived, seemed the right time for us to go. I hugged her good bye and promised her a copy of the photos we were planning to take of River and Noche in Santa hats. I'm sorry we didn't get it done in time to show her.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Four visits in Three Days, written after the fact
Tuesday - Schreiber Pediatric - PT visit with Pink Girl, she most enjoyed holding the hula hoop for him to jump while she worked at standing up straight.
Wednesday - Acadia Rehab with Ump followed by home visit to MIL, both preceded by River's agility lesson with Karen that morning equals one very tired dog.
Thursday - New visit for a reading program at Wickersham Elementary School. we were in an auditorium seated on the edge of the stage, with another team on the opposite side. I had brought along a blanket as asked, to have specific spot for us to sit. The school was extremely warm. River needed a water break and he wanted to lie on the cooler floor of the auditorium rather than the blanket by the end of our hour. The response to the dog varied; one boy who approached him eagerly had a large dog at home. One girl was utterly terrified of him. I sat between them( instead of River int he middle as usual), she still startled if he even shifted position. She watched his tricks from a distance, took the card we gave her and all but bolted out of there. Most were somewhere in between, fascinated but a little cautious. I think we saw about 5 students. They had short books, read pretty quickly and didn't want to linger. The other team with older class, longer books, I think had 3 students. We will be going weekly, but they will be rotating through different classes, so no one will be returning. From what I've read, most reading to dog programs see a benefit to encouraging readers because the dog is unconditionally accepting. These kids seemed to be adequate readers, perhaps this was a reward, for the novelty? I am even more interested in learning about the READ program now. It seems to be that seeing the same kids would be more helpful to them and even more of an incentive, and more effective as we build rapport with them.
Busy dog week - Sunday was intro to agility with Wendy, Monday - rally class with Wendy; Saturday we'll be at the Gifts That Give Hope Fair stumping for KPETS - he gets Friday off.
The following week is Thanksgiving week, so we had no visits planned. As it turned out, we did end up going to see MIL, who is now in a hospital bed ( she was in a wheel chair our previous visit, had been managing with a cane before that, and walked freely at our first encounter). Amanda came along this time and we brought Noche as well. Both dogs behaved amazingly well; at one point we had them on either side of her in her bed and she had a hand in each one's fur. That was really what she wanted and it brings tears to my eyes recalling it. I am so glad we could provide that simple gift.
Wednesday - Acadia Rehab with Ump followed by home visit to MIL, both preceded by River's agility lesson with Karen that morning equals one very tired dog.
Thursday - New visit for a reading program at Wickersham Elementary School. we were in an auditorium seated on the edge of the stage, with another team on the opposite side. I had brought along a blanket as asked, to have specific spot for us to sit. The school was extremely warm. River needed a water break and he wanted to lie on the cooler floor of the auditorium rather than the blanket by the end of our hour. The response to the dog varied; one boy who approached him eagerly had a large dog at home. One girl was utterly terrified of him. I sat between them( instead of River int he middle as usual), she still startled if he even shifted position. She watched his tricks from a distance, took the card we gave her and all but bolted out of there. Most were somewhere in between, fascinated but a little cautious. I think we saw about 5 students. They had short books, read pretty quickly and didn't want to linger. The other team with older class, longer books, I think had 3 students. We will be going weekly, but they will be rotating through different classes, so no one will be returning. From what I've read, most reading to dog programs see a benefit to encouraging readers because the dog is unconditionally accepting. These kids seemed to be adequate readers, perhaps this was a reward, for the novelty? I am even more interested in learning about the READ program now. It seems to be that seeing the same kids would be more helpful to them and even more of an incentive, and more effective as we build rapport with them.
Busy dog week - Sunday was intro to agility with Wendy, Monday - rally class with Wendy; Saturday we'll be at the Gifts That Give Hope Fair stumping for KPETS - he gets Friday off.
The following week is Thanksgiving week, so we had no visits planned. As it turned out, we did end up going to see MIL, who is now in a hospital bed ( she was in a wheel chair our previous visit, had been managing with a cane before that, and walked freely at our first encounter). Amanda came along this time and we brought Noche as well. Both dogs behaved amazingly well; at one point we had them on either side of her in her bed and she had a hand in each one's fur. That was really what she wanted and it brings tears to my eyes recalling it. I am so glad we could provide that simple gift.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Preschool Visit
Reactions ranged from quiet, cautious observation- from a distance and holding a teacher's hand, to enthusiastic hugs, the last from a little girl whose household includes several Rottweilers.
Along with two other KPETS teams, we visited the preschool at the local JCC. We went to the toddler room where we were in a separate room with child sized couch and chair and a regular rocking chair and given a book to read to them. A teacher, also a dog-lover, brought in 2 or 3 children at a time. We introduced them to River and encouraged them to greet him. For some we read a book while they petted him, a few others "read" to River; with others we just talked about River. Lastly we had all of the class seated on the floor and River performed tricks with his usual enthusiasm.
Most of the children seemed to enjoy visiting with the dogs and I know the adults did as well, as many of the staff made certain they got at least a peek at all three dogs of our handsome dogs. (Heather's Romeo,collie & Karen's Max, Golden completed the trio). It was refreshing to see such enthusiasm for what seems to me just a few minutes with a dog. I hope we were able to brighten a few days, provide a few conversation starters and who knows what else might come from our simple visit.
Along with two other KPETS teams, we visited the preschool at the local JCC. We went to the toddler room where we were in a separate room with child sized couch and chair and a regular rocking chair and given a book to read to them. A teacher, also a dog-lover, brought in 2 or 3 children at a time. We introduced them to River and encouraged them to greet him. For some we read a book while they petted him, a few others "read" to River; with others we just talked about River. Lastly we had all of the class seated on the floor and River performed tricks with his usual enthusiasm.
Most of the children seemed to enjoy visiting with the dogs and I know the adults did as well, as many of the staff made certain they got at least a peek at all three dogs of our handsome dogs. (Heather's Romeo,collie & Karen's Max, Golden completed the trio). It was refreshing to see such enthusiasm for what seems to me just a few minutes with a dog. I hope we were able to brighten a few days, provide a few conversation starters and who knows what else might come from our simple visit.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Missing Her Dog
These visits are harder to write about, yet they really affirm that animal human bond. A local friend of mine has recently had her mother-in-law move in with her lively household. The MIL is being treated for brain cancer and the prognosis is not good. She moved to PA from Alabama and was not able to bring her dog along and had been missing her terribly. So, I was happy to take River for a visit and she, as well as the children, really seemed to enjoy him, both petting and his tricks. She told me about her dog and shared pictures and we chatted about other canine topics; she wanted to know about the Humane League here.
I heard afterward that River was quite the topic of conversation and something that seemed to give her pleasure. We returned a few times, even taking Amanda and puppy Noche along on one visit. Recently, my friend emailed that her MIL does not have long left and I thought, "we must visit again if she wants us." Before I could call, I heard through another friend,that she still talked about River and would like us to visit. So Satuday afternoon, we headed over there again. River was on his best behavior and even was generous with his "kisses" which she seems to like. We kept it light, chatting about dogs; she told a story about hers who is with her daughter. I maneuvered River to keep him close for petting as she has become a bit less steady. I was planning to keep the focus on visiting, as River gets food-focused if treats are out, but her young grandson brought out some Cheerios and coaxed a few tricks from River. Her only allusion to her health was when I offered to come again and she said " Well, if I'm here."
I never wanted to do hospice visits. I cry at sentimental commercials and I think I would be uselessly tearful in that situation. I met Jasmine & Moose at the Pitties in Park event and she does hospice visits - that seems so brave and so selfless to me, as with our friend who sings with a " Songs for the Journey" group. Yet, if she goes into hospice, I would take River to visit her.
I heard afterward that River was quite the topic of conversation and something that seemed to give her pleasure. We returned a few times, even taking Amanda and puppy Noche along on one visit. Recently, my friend emailed that her MIL does not have long left and I thought, "we must visit again if she wants us." Before I could call, I heard through another friend,that she still talked about River and would like us to visit. So Satuday afternoon, we headed over there again. River was on his best behavior and even was generous with his "kisses" which she seems to like. We kept it light, chatting about dogs; she told a story about hers who is with her daughter. I maneuvered River to keep him close for petting as she has become a bit less steady. I was planning to keep the focus on visiting, as River gets food-focused if treats are out, but her young grandson brought out some Cheerios and coaxed a few tricks from River. Her only allusion to her health was when I offered to come again and she said " Well, if I'm here."
I never wanted to do hospice visits. I cry at sentimental commercials and I think I would be uselessly tearful in that situation. I met Jasmine & Moose at the Pitties in Park event and she does hospice visits - that seems so brave and so selfless to me, as with our friend who sings with a " Songs for the Journey" group. Yet, if she goes into hospice, I would take River to visit her.
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