NY's EVE

Trying to hang in to see the New Year in....it's weird tonight and I am really missing my beloved Rain tonight....typing through tears as I realize that for the first time in 11 years I'm completely alone on New Year's Eve....even though he couldn't talk, somehow it made a difference having him around.

Long before 2013 rolls around, of course, I expect to have a new companion. But right now....it's not easy, this waiting. ...

Rain Loved the Lake

Yesterday at Aunt Beth's Boxing Day brunch was lovely. A bit hard for me with the memories of the way my beloved Rain (black lab X) loved the water....He loved the beach, splashing in the water.

Brought back a rather funny (in retrospect) memory though. The first time we were out there as a team, we headed down to the beach for a walk. I had the Flexi-leash fully extended, and probably I wasn't holding on as firmly as I should. We were still a new team then, he and I...

So....he spotted a flock of geese & ducks out on the water...took off at a dead run toward them, dragging me behind....and in the shallows, dumping me face down in the lake! I was so scared...watching him swim on out toward the birds, dragging the Flexi with its heavy handle. What if he sank from the weight of it and drowned? How would I ever explain that to HED Head Trainer Jason Chrysler?

All this running through my head while my four-footed companion had the time of his young life swimming with the birds...

Christmas Day

As expected, I'm still awaiting the formal acceptance to the programme.

Even though I'm pretty sure (Tracy assured me of this) that it's pretty much a formality, it's still a bit nerve-wracking, as waiting always is. I'm excited, and a bit nervous, all at the same time!

It will be a new adventure, and I'm eager to see the changes in the training and in the building since I was last there in June of 2000.

Christmas...Alone

A strange Christmas indeed....the first time in 11 years that I will be completely alone on Christmas morning. Missing my dear friend Rain a LOT right now, a bit hard to get through this season....esp. when I'm out & about and I see other people's four-pawed friends walking THEM...All being well, sometime in the first quarter of the NY I will have another--from what Tracy said when she was here, most probably a miniature poodle.

Awaiting the formal letter of acceptance is tough too...can't expect that till January and thus, until I have that, I can't quite wrap my mind around this being for real...getting the new friend, I mean.

My New Friend

According to Tracy--the trainer who did my in-home assessment--my new pal is most probably going to be a miniature poodle, as they have many of those in the training now and close to "graduation." so I've been reading up. Haven't had much experience with that particular breed, as Chippy (my first HED) was a shaded sable purebred Sheltie; Rain, a Black Labrador X.

Miniature poodles do very well in apartment/urban environments which is a very good thing for me. Their coats require somewhat more care than my previous companions' did--but of course that will be part of the training for ME when I get there. By then, the dog will know his/her job inside out. (It's the human side of the team that needs the two weeks at the Centre lol) I can see this breed doing very well in this sort of service work--very sharp, clever, eager to please. Not to mention loving (and loveable!)

I'm In!

Well, it seems (as expected) I'm in!

In-home assessment interview went well yesterday. New wrinkle to it though. After we went through the usual q & a, Tracey wanted to check out my dog handling skills (since I'm a repeat client). She pretended to be my dog and we did a short tour of the apartment. Sometimes she'd be heeling quite nicely, staying with me, paying attention; sometimes, not. If she was not focusing, not following, I had to correct her and bring her back on task. It felt weird doing it with a human, especially since after 11 years Rain (my most recent companion from the school) and I were so bonded, I hardly had to do any of that.

Tracey explained a few changes in class process as well. For one thing, they've extended the training class to a full two weeks; it used to be 11 days with travel to & from Oakville bookending & a day off in the middle. That allows them to ease off on the evening "homework"/training sessions--more time for both dogs and human partner to relax and absorb information. So not quite as intense as it used to be.

I am to expect the formal acceptance letter in January. The school closes for two weeks over Christmas season--the dogs in training go back to their foster families for that time. Tracey expects sometime between February and April of  the coming year my class would be scheduled.

I'm excited! It's been 11 years since I was last at the school and there've been a lot of changes, in personnel, training process and even in the dorm room furnishings. For one thing, thanks to a generous donation from a major charitable foundation, all the dorm rooms now have Internet access!