THIS IS ME
when I first came to live with Master. What’s not to love, right? I celebrated my birthday on June 27. I am now 2 years old. Master says for a big dog (If you must know, I weigh 70 pounds), it’s like 24 human years. Well, I don’t feel a day over 16!
We celebrated the entire day. It was awesome. I got to sleep in. When at last I got up off my mat, Master and I went for a morning stroll around the big lodge-like building where we live now, and we met some of my new doggy friends on the way. I like it here. We are over 500 humans and 30 dogs under one roof. Master says it’s more people than in his childhood hometown.
Next we did a RT down the street to the highway and back up again. Someone once asked Master where we walked. He said half the time down. He’s right. This is Northwest mountain living.
Back home, I had breakfast and then laid down for awhile. A little morning nap is good for your digestive system.
THIS AFTERNOON
we went to one of my favorite dog parks. It’s all chips, dirt, and no grass. I ran with the other dogs that were there. And ran. And ran. We even dug some in the dirt. It was great!
When I was filthy and exhausted, Master brought me home and gave me a shower bath. I love this because he has to get in with me and we see who gets the wettest and covered with the most shampoo.
ON MY BIRTHDAY EVENING
we were back in class again. Mistress was with us and that’s even more fun. I’m pretty smart anyway and I love learning new things. I was in puppy school for a year, then pre-therapy class (a kind of graduate school for dogs), passed the final exam with Master (he’s called a ‘handler’ when we’re in school), did 12 mentored visits among children and older humans, and got my therapy dog badge in February! It was fun, but a lot of work.
Now I’m in a Relationship Development/Therapy Animal Skills Class at Healing Paws, Inc., with Christi Dudzik LMHC, MC. She’s nice and a really good teacher. I like her a lot, but she is strict. Ongoing barking is not acceptable behavior during therapy training or in therapy work itself, so I have to keep my mouth shut and listen up. The training focuses on relationship development between both ends of the leash, so Master has to pay attention, too.
If we make it through successfully, Reading with Rover, where I trained to become a therapy dog, will give me my Medical badge, qualifying me to visit children and other humans in hospitals, hospice, or assisted care centers. We have one of these centers with lots of nice humans where we live.
I’M GROWING UP
and I wanted you to know. I’m not a puppy any more. I’m a young adult dog now. A working dog. With responsibilities. Master will always be first, but I will be able to help others, too. Now Master and I have a ministry together, giving comfort and love to children, college students and older adults.
Every dog needs a purpose. This is mine.
(Dictated by GAGE the wonder dog.)
Ward … just have to say … AHHHHHH … LOVE THIS! You’ve written some tremendously spiritually impactful blogs, but this one does my 2-Scotties-in-the-Nest heart good. Some time ago my dad forwarded me your blog–I think it originally came to a friend, John Coulombe. In any case, I will confess I have fallen hard for your work–thanks for the uplifting it always provides. I’m privileged to work in Christian media with many gifted communicators–if we were “some younger,” I would be pleading with you to consider a regular feature on the air … maybe you do (or did) that! All I can say is from where I sit–on the cusp of 70 and a spouse preceding me to Glory as you have experienced, I am very grateful for words of encouragement that come out of the deep wisdom of many seasons :-). This one made me teary-eyed, to be honest. In a good way! Blessings to you and yours, most especially that adorable Pup! – Peg