My morning started out at the Fairway, which is always great. Kathy wanted to start more training of recall work with the dogs. One of the newly adopted out dogs escaped from their yard and played keep away from their owner. Very sadly, that dog then got hit by a car and killed. If he would have had good recall skills this may not have happened so Kathy is determined to do everything she can to work with the dogs on this.
Behind the runs is a really big fenced in area that spans all of the back of the dogs runs. It's the exercise run and the dogs really enjoy getting to frolic around. I let the dogs into the x-run, run by run, to get out some energy. I then worked on recalls with some of the dogs using peanut butter. This worked for the shy dogs that didn't want to stay super close to me, but it was near impossible with the social dogs. As soon as they realized I had peanut butter they didn't leave my side.
Raisin was great today. I've never seen her so happy - running and jumping and even barking. She came up to me as soon as I called her and let me pet her many times. I'm very sad I will be leaving her now that she is starting to trust me. I've heard from other people that she had started to come somewhat near them so I'm glad that some of our socialization is [hopefully] transferring. She really is a great dog and I'd love to take her home if Tucker wouldn't mind, which I think he would.
I'm back at the Fairway tomorrow for my very last shift which is exactly the way I want it. The Fairway was the first dog area I worked in and I'm glad it will also be my last. I've really gotten close to the caregivers there and I will miss them tremendously.
And now for the sad part. Today was my last training session with Sharkey. He's such a good boy and he was a complete rockstar at Tara's Run today. He was quiet and kept much, much better focus than last week. I was so proud of him. Most of the session he spent laying down with his paws on my legs. I don't think I've posted a picture of Tara's Run before, so here most of it is (there are also a few pedestals and a seesaw for dogs to walk across). This is where we had all of our training classes and where they hold agility training. You can see how it would be distracting to a dog, especially while other dogs are also in it.
I had to get Sharkey back early after training. Normally we go on an outing after, but he had a sleep over scheduled and the woman taking him was going to pick him up early. We didn't go on an outing, but we did drive around a bit. I wasn't ready to give him back for the final time and he fell asleep in the car. I've really bonded with Sharkey and I'm really, really going to miss him. I was trying to talk him up like crazy to the lady who was taking him on a sleepover. Sharkey getting adopted would be the best end to my internship ever. Even if it's not right now, I know he will find a home. He is such a sweet dog and such a good boy. I don't want tomorrow to happen because I don't want this to end.
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