Scarlet and Friends

Friends come in all shapes, forms, and sizes.  Whether people, animals, a good book, or a cup of coffee - a friend is ready available to offer solace in this crazy world.

Scarlet has made a ton of human friends over the years.  Whether in a therapy visit or on a daily walk, she is happy to greet all who come her way.  Last weekend when she accompanied mom and the kids to a Fall festival, she quickly became the belle of the ball.  Few people walked by her without asking to stroke her velvety fur.  Each time someone reached to pet her there was a smile across their face and for that brief moment joy in their heart.  She just has that effect on people which is why she makes the perfect therapy dog.

The Scarlet effect - random strangers who asked to greet her.

Scarlet is the perfect dog.  She is quick to respond to any verbal command or silent hand signal.  She walks effortlessly on a leash.  She is beautiful.  Her eyes speak comfort to the soul.  However, when it is time to "go to work", Scarlet's enthusiasm cannot be contained.

Our routine for a day out to visit is always the same:  she eats, does her business, and comes in to be brushed and sprayed with her special perfume.  Once that has been accomplished - she knows what her day holds!  She begins prancing - picking her front legs up higher and higher until it is time to leave.  The command is given to "load up" and she runs to wait at the van until the door is open and she is allowed inside.  When the ride is complete and we have arrived at our destination, patience is no longer her friend.  She pulls against the lead hard dragging Mom behind her in a hurry to visit with her friends.  She longs for the attention she will be given on these days and looks forward to each visit with each individual person.

This week Scarlet started back at our local elementary school where the children read to her.  Following her school visit, she made her rounds at a nursing home that we have just started volunteering at.  It's amazing the happiness her presence offers and the difference those few minutes make.

Scarlet enjoys being read to.. especially when it's a book about her buddy, Sugar.

Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times."  Scarlet perfects that and lives it daily.  May we all aspire to do as much.

One Happy Camper

One last post about camp from Mom this time. 

So last March I was asked to be education director for our animal rescue league. Having no idea what that entailed, I just knew I wanted to work directly with kids and dogs. At the beginning of June (2010) I went to our board president and said, “I had this idea for a summer camp. We’d have to plan it for next summer though cause there isn’t time to put it together this year.” She said, “Nope, put it together and do it this year.”  In five weeks, I pulled it off. It was not nearly as grand as this year, but was still great given the short notice.

We live in the “Bible belt” and our BARL president is a Christian, so I was given permission to put a Christian twist on the camp. Our theme this year was D.O.G.- depend on God and our camp song was GoD and DoG by Wendy Francisco.  I was able to look each child in the eyes and tell them that God made them special and that He and I love them and were always there for them. As simple as that sounds I hope and pray that I sowed seeds into the lives of these precious children that will reap a harvest in their lives in the years to come.

It is my desire that this thing will grow and be bigger and better each year. I also want to pursue other outlets to make the lessons we’re teaching in the camp available to more children. As I shared with media last week: “Education is key to preventing children from being dog attack victims. If they knew how to react in that situation, they’d be less likely to be injured badly. And if we can teach the kids responsible ownership, we are training the next generation to have reliable canine companions that will be an asset to our communities rather than a threat.”

And so my heart is being turned again - in addition to continuing therapy work with children and adults, education has now become a strong heart's desire.  With that I am hoping to turn some of the lessons we have started teaching into a children's book series featuring Boondocks and The Love Shack Pack.  I have no idea how to begin but am pursuing all avenues to see this through.  I'm excited to see where God is leading and to continue following the path He's set before us.

For your viewing entertainment, I leave you with a video montage from our camp week featuring three of our favorite dog songs.

Kudzu's First Therapy Dog Visit

Just a month past his leg amputation, Kudzu made his first appearance as a "therapy dog in training" yesterday.  Some dogs are just born to be therapy dogs, and Kudzu is certainly among them. 

At the library, he laid still next to Isaac as Isaac read a "Clifford the Big Red Dog" book to him.  (Isaac was featured with his golden, Cosmo, in yesterday's post.)

Then Kudzu chilled out with big sister, Dacey, at Brookhaven Animal Rescue League while Mom took pictures of some of the newest arrivals.

Kudzu LOVES being LOVED!

BARL pup, Meeko.  Such a cutie!!

Once Mom finished up there (after taking 75 pictures!), we went to the nursing home.  Mom has taken lots of dogs to the nursing home over the past seven years.  She says that most of them behave nice enough, but few of them instinctually know why they are there.  Kudzu is one of those few.  The first resident that Kudzu visited was a lady sitting in a recliner.  He promptly put his front paw in her lap and attempted to lick her face.  Everyone he met shared the same reaction: surprised by joy!  Everyone quickly inquired as to the nature of his injury and the meaning of his name.  Our favorite moment of the afternoon came when we visited with a lady who owned a Golden Retriever before moving into the nursing home.  Since she is bed bound, Mom helped Kudzu up on to her bed and then helped the lady to put her arm over Kudzu.  She held him tightly for several minutes.  It blessed all of us to see her reaction to him.

It was a great day.  Kudzu even got some extra treats for behaving so nicely.  Once we were home though, all he wanted to do was SLEEP.  You could honetly say Kudzu was "dog tired".

  He worked hard on his first day in training.  We were all very proud of him.

          Kudzu relaxing on the "dog couch" after a long day.

                                          

AROOOOF!

Boondocks and Kudzu

(Not sure why the font is not displaying in appropriate size.  Sorry for any inconvience!)

The Great Kudzu

 

Earlier this week I briefly introduced you to my new brother, Kudzu.  He is healing up really nicely and is quite the cool pup.  The kids seem to really like him which is good because he is drawn to them.  Our resident 'alpha' dog, Ohno (aka Mr. Grumpy Pants) isn't particularly fond of him. Mom says he'll learn to love him though.  Kudzu seems to be trying to eat us out of house and home.  Mom thought I ate a lot!  HA!!  The vet says that as he continues to heal, he burns more calories and will have a bigger appetite.

It's hard not to feel sorry for Kudzu, but Mom says that doesn't help him one single bit.  From what I understand his life was kind of chaotic before coming home with us.  His first owner had a lot of land and Kudzu roamed free.  This guy worked away from home and was gone sometimes days at a time.  Family and neighbors stopped by to feed him while his owner was out.  (Mom says she thinks that adds to his eating problems.  She's not entirely convinced that he is use to being fed two square meals a day.)  Then when he got caught in the hammock, he was all alone and not found for several hours.  We are all extremely grateful for the vet that footed the cost of the bill to save him rather than to put him down as his previous owner had requested.

Life is good for Kudzu now though.  He is part of a family who adores him.  Instead of acres of land to roam, he lives inside.  Instead of being at the mercy of folks who don't care about him to be fed at their convenience, he is fed on a strict schedule twice a day.  Instead of not having a visible purpose, he is now being trained to be a therapy dog.  Mom says because of his new found appreciation for life, he may just make the best therapy dog ever.  (Of course, we know that's not right because that title will one day belong to me!) 

I really like Kudzu.  He's only a few weeks older than me.  He likes playing with me a lot.  Mom says she's proud that she doesn't have to remind me to be gentle cause I already am.  We are destined to have many great adventures together. 

Life is good!

AROOOF!

Boondocks

Therapy Dog in Training

As part of my training to be a therapy dog, I have been allowed to tag along with my K9 big, sister Scarlet on some of her outings. Scarlet is a TDI therapy dog and really loves people.

Here's Scarlet and Momma at the library last summer.

The first time I got to go with her was to a nursing home.  There were lots of people in wheelchairs and scooters.  There were also lots of new and strange smells.  I wasn't too sure about all of it and for the life of me, I could not understand why all these strangers wanted to wipe their hands off on me!

A week went by after that visit and I found myself back in the same place.  After lots of encouragement from Scarlet and Momma, I became excited.  I really wanted to give love to these people who needed me.  It felt good to have a purpose and this time it felt good when they ran their hands through my fur.  I wasn't scared at all. 

Yesterday I got to go visit again, but this time to a new place filled with kids!  (I really like two-legged, short people.)  Mom explained that my job was to lie still while the children took turns reading to me.  It sounded easy enough. 

As kids walked past me they all "oohed and ahhed" at me.  It was ok cause I like the attention.  Then I got to meet Michael!  He walked me on the leash for a bit.  I took the leash from him to show him I could walk myself.  He laughed.  I threw my body against the floor and wiggled and danced while Michael continue giggling at me.  I knew this was going to work great.  Then it was time to read.  I did just as Mom had said and was still and quiet while I helped him sound the words out that he read from the page.  He did a really good job!  He read me a story about a yellow dog named Marley.  Now that's a pooch who really knows how to have fun!!

Momma says I have a very bright future in store.  She's right, of course!

I liked it when Michael showed me the pictures.

Scarlet watched over me to make sure I did everything just right.

Meet Boondocks

Boondocks is our newest family member, and we are excited for him to join our therapy dog team.  "Doc" is a ten week old, English Creme Golden Retriever.  We will be introducing him to residents of the nursing home this afternoon.  He is a rambunctious, hand full whom we all have quickly fallen head over heels for!

Here are some pictures of our first outing together:

Ain't he gorgeous, y'all?? 

You can become a fan and follow his progress on his facebook page by clicking  here.