Today is my Shelter training

[purdyandi]

As some of you know, I lost my little dog a short time ago and I have been dog-less for the first time in my entire life (and I am old! ) So, I decided that what I'd like to do is volunteer at our SPCA--and, today is my training! I cannot wait. Among other things, I'll be assisting in adoptions--I think. I'll find out more today, of course.

The one thing that I was disappointed to learn, was that they only foster kittens, and as much as that would be fun to do, I don't want to do that to my cat, Gordon. He likes dogs, but kittens would throw his whole life out of whack!

They do have what they call a 'fostpice'--a type of hospice for old or terminally ill dogs, and if I hadn't just gone through that, I would be very willing to help in that capacity. But, I'd like to foster dogs. I plan to be out of the country for an extended period in the summer of '11 (going to Barcelona!!) so I thought I'd hold off and avoid a hugh boarding fee I kind of feel like those are famous last words, though--today is my training!

[Deerie me]

You're going to stay dogless for a year and a half? Mmm good luck with that. I lasted a month and a half!

I hope all goes well with the shelter training and that you enjoy it.

[purdyandi]

Yeah, that's why I say 'famous last words'! I wouldn't be surprised if I want to come home with a dog this afternoon!

[kian]

LOL I went less than a year and now two! You know dog people cannot be without, it goes against our nature. Have fun with the shelter and learning placement. That is the key to find good matches, it sounds like fun.

Enjoy your trip, I got to spend a week in the South of Spain along with Deerie Me, it was so pretty. Bring us some pictures.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Best wishes on your first day as a volunteer. I'm anxious to hear how your first day was, and if you came home with a puppy!

[purdyandi]

I'm actually going back again today for another training. It's a very large operation and they offer training in a number of areas, one of which is facilitating adoptions but there's also training and hospital work, with specific training for each. Boy, when I volunteered in northern Ohio, we had a tour of the facilities, a list of rules and have at it!
I'll tell you how my entire weekend went later. Don't have a puppy yet, but I did see a few possibilities--!!

[RubyJeansMom]

That's great about the volunteering. I think the 'fostpice' would be too heartbreaking, especially after your loss of sweet Purdy. Your dogless plan might work, after walking high energy dogs for hours I really didn't want another one.

I had zero training at the shelter I volunteer. I walked in, they said all the dogs need to be walked, here are the leashes. Then I was on my own.
In their defense, they were shorthanded and very busy that day, and dog-walking doesn't take much training.

[purdyandi]

Speaking of high energy dogs, on my first day of training we were encouraged to practice going in and out of the doors to the dogs' rooms. We were only to go into rooms with a single dog in them and only the dogs on the "green" list -the easy dogs.

So, looking around the area I wanted to visit a dog that I hadn't visited yet and I blundered into the room of a great big yellow lab, who came bounding over and was a big sweetheart of a galoot. I played with him for a little while and he would NOT let me out the door. I kept throwing toys to the other side of the room and anything else I could think of to get him away from the door for a split-second so I could slip out. So while I'm trying, here comes one of the trainers out in the hall (I can see him because of the big windows) and he's looking rather stern.

As you can probably guess, Bob, the big lab, was not on the "green" list. Way to make a good impression on your first day!

[Deerie me]

Oopsy! Still it sounds like it made Bob's day. Did you tell the trainer you are red/green colour blind?

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Bob sounds delightful and apparently wanted to be with you. There are worse mistakes that could have been made. It sounds like you are enjoying the experience so far.

[RubyJeansMom]

Did you tell the trainer you are red/green colour blind?

[purdyandi]

Yeah, Bob. I'll be able to laugh about it in years to come

[kian]

He liked you and wanted to play! Who can blame him, he IS colorblind....LOL

[purdyandi]

The next day at my next training, we were sitting in the foyer and around the corner here comes Bob (on a leash with, apparently, someone who has graduated out of the green dogs) with a look on his face like a toddler's who knows he's going to the toy store, and all the staff and volunteers start to exclaim to each other, "That's Bob!" He seems to have quite the reputation!