This is one of my dogs favorite activities. It takes some prep, and makes for a long lasting enjoyable treat for her that's worth the effort. A little hide and seek training can be added to the experience to make for a well rounded exercise of dog brains and teeth.
The first ingredient is a prize. A kong stuffed with kibble, peanut butter, a bone, or any combination of aromatic doggy delicious treats.
Next enhance the challenge. 5 to 6 - 6" strips of old t-shirts work well. Wrap the prize in each strip knotting well multiple times. The more knotted layers you can get on the prize the greater the challenge. If the dog is a beginner start with fewer layers and loose knots, a more experienced animal will persist through multiple layers, of tight double knots to gain the prize.
Once the dog understands the objective (to dissect the wrapped treat and gain the food prize), you can add in some new challenges such as "Go Find!" Place the dog in a stay and show her the treat. Then hide it. Release the dog from the "Stay" and tell her to "Go Find". Hide the treat in easy to find locations at first, then increase the hunting challenge.
This exercise puts to work many of a dogs natural instincts. It's a mental challenge that will keep even an experienced animal thoroughly engrossed for a time period. It's doggy therapy, a little work and effort makes for a blissfully content animal.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
First Things First
In the ideal order of wildlife rehab, potential resucers call in to the facility before they interact with an animal. This allows for a few things to happen.
One, is rehabbers get the chance to get accurate answers to all the questions. There is a lot of information on the scene that help rehabbers understand the situation the animal is in. A phone call before engaging the animal gives rescuers a chance to be on scene eyes and ears to what happened. A stunned bird sitting the yard maybe a diseased animal. A stunned bird in the yard with a smear and feathers sticking to a nearby picture window is likely another story.
Secondly, calling in before engaging an animal in the wild gives opportunity for an encounter with the animal to be as safe as possible for both the rescuer and the animal. A orphaned infant mammal, cold and dehydrated, likely doesn't need to be netted in a fish net. They're able to get tangled and strangled in it. A small blanket is enough for capture and provides a warm dark hiding place for the frightened creature as well. However, more than a blanket is a safer for capture and transport of a 10" snapping turtle.
The poor animals that arrive at our facility on a regular basis without that first phone call have sad stories. Many of them have not been rescued, they've been abducted from their habitats and families by well meaning humans that interacted with them without gathering the important information first.
Fledgling birds spend a day or two on the ground being coached to fly by their attentive parents. Many end up in rehab for no other reason then because no phone call was made to find out what should be done for the baby bird hopping around in the yard. Many times the fledglings have been kept though the weekend. They are delivered for rehab on Monday morning when the humans have to return to work. Not only were the fledglings abducted from their habitat, they're health was compromised for the sake of human entertainment by inadequate animal care. Fledgling birds are also just old enough to have an opinion of what and how they exist and prefer to be free. It's a struggle to get them settled and turned around even when they get adequate care from a rehabber. It's an unnecessary struggle, that would have been prevented with an early phone call.
So, first things first! If the life of the animal is not in immediate danger, call the rehab facility before you interact with it. You may be given an opportunity, much more moving then paperwork at a facility. You maybe given a moment to sit and watch in educated wonder as nature nurtures it's wild and free creatures.
One, is rehabbers get the chance to get accurate answers to all the questions. There is a lot of information on the scene that help rehabbers understand the situation the animal is in. A phone call before engaging the animal gives rescuers a chance to be on scene eyes and ears to what happened. A stunned bird sitting the yard maybe a diseased animal. A stunned bird in the yard with a smear and feathers sticking to a nearby picture window is likely another story.
Secondly, calling in before engaging an animal in the wild gives opportunity for an encounter with the animal to be as safe as possible for both the rescuer and the animal. A orphaned infant mammal, cold and dehydrated, likely doesn't need to be netted in a fish net. They're able to get tangled and strangled in it. A small blanket is enough for capture and provides a warm dark hiding place for the frightened creature as well. However, more than a blanket is a safer for capture and transport of a 10" snapping turtle.
The poor animals that arrive at our facility on a regular basis without that first phone call have sad stories. Many of them have not been rescued, they've been abducted from their habitats and families by well meaning humans that interacted with them without gathering the important information first.
Fledgling birds spend a day or two on the ground being coached to fly by their attentive parents. Many end up in rehab for no other reason then because no phone call was made to find out what should be done for the baby bird hopping around in the yard. Many times the fledglings have been kept though the weekend. They are delivered for rehab on Monday morning when the humans have to return to work. Not only were the fledglings abducted from their habitat, they're health was compromised for the sake of human entertainment by inadequate animal care. Fledgling birds are also just old enough to have an opinion of what and how they exist and prefer to be free. It's a struggle to get them settled and turned around even when they get adequate care from a rehabber. It's an unnecessary struggle, that would have been prevented with an early phone call.
So, first things first! If the life of the animal is not in immediate danger, call the rehab facility before you interact with it. You may be given an opportunity, much more moving then paperwork at a facility. You maybe given a moment to sit and watch in educated wonder as nature nurtures it's wild and free creatures.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Coyotes
Fresh back from a wildlife symposium my head is full of information waiting to be infused into my work as a wildlife rehabber. Some of it just has to come out now or my head will implode.
Some interesting facts about coyotes. They live in small family pack units. Within the pack there is an alpha male and female. As long as there is an alpha pair breeding, no other female (associate) in the pack will breed or have the capabilities to do so. Breeding pairs mate for life. However, remove either of the breeding pair from the pack, and all the females not only will go into heat the next breeding season, but they will *each* have MORE pups then the breeding pair would have had.
So, just for grins, lets do the math. Left alone a pack will have 3-4 pups each year from the alpha pair. Just enough to maintian a packs natural territory if it's left undisturbed. However, if one of the breeding pair is eradicated there will be 3-4 associate females, having litters of 4-5 pups in the remaining pack. Remove one alpha coyote and there will be 12-20 pups born the next breeding season.
Nature has some amazing mechanisms in place to ensure survival of this species. Doesn't it?
Some interesting facts about coyotes. They live in small family pack units. Within the pack there is an alpha male and female. As long as there is an alpha pair breeding, no other female (associate) in the pack will breed or have the capabilities to do so. Breeding pairs mate for life. However, remove either of the breeding pair from the pack, and all the females not only will go into heat the next breeding season, but they will *each* have MORE pups then the breeding pair would have had.
So, just for grins, lets do the math. Left alone a pack will have 3-4 pups each year from the alpha pair. Just enough to maintian a packs natural territory if it's left undisturbed. However, if one of the breeding pair is eradicated there will be 3-4 associate females, having litters of 4-5 pups in the remaining pack. Remove one alpha coyote and there will be 12-20 pups born the next breeding season.
Nature has some amazing mechanisms in place to ensure survival of this species. Doesn't it?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Silly Questions
Silly list of questions.
It's my birthday, so I'll do a me-me today.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Yes. Christy Huddleston. My sister is named after her daughter and author of the book, "Christy"
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Hard? Last Sunday. It was a rough one at work.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITNG?
I like my handwriting when I'm making an effort to write beautifully. I don't have alot of stamina for it though, and prefer to type if it's gonna be long.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
I don't eat meat. For lunch I like black beans, but not on bread.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
3 of the most amazing creatures on earth call me Mom.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I would!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Yes, biting at times. I don't like it, but some days it's just comes out. Try to curb it though, cause I think it takes root and destroys.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yup. Wisdom teeth too.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I would and nearly have a couple of times. Don't care for the carnival jumps it would have to be a more professional gig. Consider skydiving and hot air balloons too.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
I have 3 kids, and have had my full of cereal, spaghetti, and mac n cheese. Don't expect I'll care much for any of them for as long as I live now. Once upon a time I liked Luck Charms the best.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Some I have choice on. If there's a choice I kick 'em off.
12. PARIS OR LAS VEGAS?
Paris, cannot even imagine what the draw to Vegas is all about.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Mint chocolate chip.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their body language. I think it tells so much about folks I tend not to even look sometimes. Animals expect their body language to be communicating things, people don't.
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I would get braces on my teeth to close the gaps in the front. But I wouldn't want them to be perfect, so require a dentist that will fix the gaps and leave them crooked. Last one I saw wanted to fix every tooth in my head. No thanks!
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
An old friend from school.
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Jeans, in my socks. No shoes.
19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Pandora. Sniffly kids in the living room.
20. WHAT COLOR CRAYON WOULD YOU BE?
Orange if I have to pick just one. My favorite color on paper is orange and yellow mixed together. It only works with the crayons they had 30+ years ago, the new ones won't smear together like the old ones did.
21. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Vanilla, orange peels and cinnamon simmering on the stove, perked coffee and chocolate chip cookies.
22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My sister calling on my birthday.
23. HOW DO YOU KNOW THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
This one has been prolific on Facebook this week. I've had a few tags.
24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Eeew! Sports? Never watch.
25. HAIR COLOR?
Brown, that's been going gray at my bangs since I was 20.
26. EYE COLOR?
Brown.
27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No, I have glasses that I wear if I need.
28. FAVORITE FOODS?
Popcorn and ice cream.
29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings. I thought Lost Boys was terrifying.
30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Wall-E. It was really good!
31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Red shirt under a blue fleece zip with an old fashioned Coca-Cola sign embroidered on it.
32. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter. I like the hibernation time, and snow. Still winter nights bright with moon kissed snow. I LOVE a sunrise on fresh snow.
34. DESCRIBE YOUR PENCIL CUP.
A clay coffee cup made by my son.
35. FAVORITE ARTIST(s)?
Stickly, Rockwell, Doolittle, and Da Vinci.
36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
The Fiery Cross. It's horribly overdue and I haven't had time to read it. Very unusual for January for me. I usually gorge on books during January.
38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
I didn't watch TV.
40. LEAST FAVORITE SOUND(S)
Dogs whistle whining. Kids whining. Most anyone whining.
41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles.
43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
A dove call whistle into cupped hands. A natural eye for perspective drawing. I'm good with animals.
44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Princeton, IL
45. FAVORITE PIECE OF JEWELRY?
Amethyst ring Gram gave me. (Had to look up how to spell that, maybe outa wear that this Friday.)
46. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
I saw him first at a fish fry and think that was a bit prophetic. We were introduced in a bar.
It's my birthday, so I'll do a me-me today.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Yes. Christy Huddleston. My sister is named after her daughter and author of the book, "Christy"
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Hard? Last Sunday. It was a rough one at work.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITNG?
I like my handwriting when I'm making an effort to write beautifully. I don't have alot of stamina for it though, and prefer to type if it's gonna be long.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
I don't eat meat. For lunch I like black beans, but not on bread.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
3 of the most amazing creatures on earth call me Mom.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I would!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Yes, biting at times. I don't like it, but some days it's just comes out. Try to curb it though, cause I think it takes root and destroys.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yup. Wisdom teeth too.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I would and nearly have a couple of times. Don't care for the carnival jumps it would have to be a more professional gig. Consider skydiving and hot air balloons too.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
I have 3 kids, and have had my full of cereal, spaghetti, and mac n cheese. Don't expect I'll care much for any of them for as long as I live now. Once upon a time I liked Luck Charms the best.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Some I have choice on. If there's a choice I kick 'em off.
12. PARIS OR LAS VEGAS?
Paris, cannot even imagine what the draw to Vegas is all about.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Mint chocolate chip.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their body language. I think it tells so much about folks I tend not to even look sometimes. Animals expect their body language to be communicating things, people don't.
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I would get braces on my teeth to close the gaps in the front. But I wouldn't want them to be perfect, so require a dentist that will fix the gaps and leave them crooked. Last one I saw wanted to fix every tooth in my head. No thanks!
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
An old friend from school.
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Jeans, in my socks. No shoes.
19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Pandora. Sniffly kids in the living room.
20. WHAT COLOR CRAYON WOULD YOU BE?
Orange if I have to pick just one. My favorite color on paper is orange and yellow mixed together. It only works with the crayons they had 30+ years ago, the new ones won't smear together like the old ones did.
21. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Vanilla, orange peels and cinnamon simmering on the stove, perked coffee and chocolate chip cookies.
22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My sister calling on my birthday.
23. HOW DO YOU KNOW THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
This one has been prolific on Facebook this week. I've had a few tags.
24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Eeew! Sports? Never watch.
25. HAIR COLOR?
Brown, that's been going gray at my bangs since I was 20.
26. EYE COLOR?
Brown.
27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No, I have glasses that I wear if I need.
28. FAVORITE FOODS?
Popcorn and ice cream.
29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings. I thought Lost Boys was terrifying.
30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Wall-E. It was really good!
31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Red shirt under a blue fleece zip with an old fashioned Coca-Cola sign embroidered on it.
32. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter. I like the hibernation time, and snow. Still winter nights bright with moon kissed snow. I LOVE a sunrise on fresh snow.
34. DESCRIBE YOUR PENCIL CUP.
A clay coffee cup made by my son.
35. FAVORITE ARTIST(s)?
Stickly, Rockwell, Doolittle, and Da Vinci.
36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
The Fiery Cross. It's horribly overdue and I haven't had time to read it. Very unusual for January for me. I usually gorge on books during January.
38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
I didn't watch TV.
40. LEAST FAVORITE SOUND(S)
Dogs whistle whining. Kids whining. Most anyone whining.
41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles.
43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
A dove call whistle into cupped hands. A natural eye for perspective drawing. I'm good with animals.
44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Princeton, IL
45. FAVORITE PIECE OF JEWELRY?
Amethyst ring Gram gave me. (Had to look up how to spell that, maybe outa wear that this Friday.)
46. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
I saw him first at a fish fry and think that was a bit prophetic. We were introduced in a bar.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Working on Sally's Flip Side
Resident foster dog Sally has a sweet side and she's got a flip side that ain't so sweet. It's rather shocking actually. She's a small dog and can move quick, and I'm not skilled enough to catch her triggers. Once she's triggered she goes off on an ankle like a weed eater.
Since she's only done this to men, I think she's rather handy to have around at the moment. Seriously, I cringe that really great men in my life have been the recipients of her weed eater treatments. The devil of it is, I was worried I was triggering the attacks. Turns out I wasn't, but she's no less a Godsend of personal reflection packed into a warm fuzzy package.
Help for Sally came like a gift under the Christmas tree. My sister-in-law, a horsemanship trainer, and her hubby, my brother took time during our holiday visit to work with Sally. My sister-in-laws skill with animals knocks my socks off, which is to say she's very zen. Plus, when you need to bait a dog to discover a trigger (not a very zen moment) there's a bonus in using your kid brother in snark relief and laughter.
Sally is a sensitive dog, I've mentioned that as her greatest strength. My skills fell short of identifying it also as her weakness. (Well duh! Isn't that the way it works for us all?) Fortunately, for Sally and her bait, my sister-in-law quickly identified the trigger. Working my brother like a puppet verbally, she turned the assessment into a therapy session for Sally. Before the evening was over, Sally bonded to her bait! This picture well expresses the celebration we all felt and Sally's comfort with her new friend too.
Turns out that Sally's emotional sensitivity could cause her to respond to anyone, male or female, who's emotionally blocking. Given her history and the behaviors I've seen, this makes reasonable sense. That makes it no less amazing, the information dogs are privileged to, or what can be done for them, when we simply seek to understand and believe in them.
Sally and I still have some work to do. Before the visit was over another trigger was discovered, a breed protection characteristic this time. It's probably a good thing there's more work to do with sweet little Sally. I was fixin' to grab a pitbull the next time I visit my brother!
Since she's only done this to men, I think she's rather handy to have around at the moment. Seriously, I cringe that really great men in my life have been the recipients of her weed eater treatments. The devil of it is, I was worried I was triggering the attacks. Turns out I wasn't, but she's no less a Godsend of personal reflection packed into a warm fuzzy package.
Help for Sally came like a gift under the Christmas tree. My sister-in-law, a horsemanship trainer, and her hubby, my brother took time during our holiday visit to work with Sally. My sister-in-laws skill with animals knocks my socks off, which is to say she's very zen. Plus, when you need to bait a dog to discover a trigger (not a very zen moment) there's a bonus in using your kid brother in snark relief and laughter.
Sally is a sensitive dog, I've mentioned that as her greatest strength. My skills fell short of identifying it also as her weakness. (Well duh! Isn't that the way it works for us all?) Fortunately, for Sally and her bait, my sister-in-law quickly identified the trigger. Working my brother like a puppet verbally, she turned the assessment into a therapy session for Sally. Before the evening was over, Sally bonded to her bait! This picture well expresses the celebration we all felt and Sally's comfort with her new friend too.
Turns out that Sally's emotional sensitivity could cause her to respond to anyone, male or female, who's emotionally blocking. Given her history and the behaviors I've seen, this makes reasonable sense. That makes it no less amazing, the information dogs are privileged to, or what can be done for them, when we simply seek to understand and believe in them.
Sally and I still have some work to do. Before the visit was over another trigger was discovered, a breed protection characteristic this time. It's probably a good thing there's more work to do with sweet little Sally. I was fixin' to grab a pitbull the next time I visit my brother!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
All I Want For Christmas
As a 5 year old child, I asked if Santa had to bring dolls at Christmas. Mom countered my question with one of her own. Why did I ask? What I really wanted was an animal. Santa pulled out all the stops that year and delivered a hampster, from a distant city and housed it at a neighbors until it could be put under the tree. (It would have been too cold in the sleigh for it.)
I don't know why, but the desire for a Christmas animal never left me it's still with me today. The shelter is full. Full of animals being reliquished because of the economy. These are animals that have been well cared for by loving families, who's hearts were broken by the desision to relinquish them. There have been some sad pitiful cases in my short time in animal welfare but these cases are a different kind of sad. The loving nature of a well cared for animal stands out in a shelter like a Christmas star, shining so brightly it makes a heart ache.
My Christmas wish, this year is that these animals coming in to us, find their forever homes this holiday season. The hope is that they all, the animals, the families that had to give them up, and the new families that will love them, find a little peace on earth this Christmas season. It's not a decision to make impulsively, but if you're waiting for that special pet to come into your life, there's a good chance it's in a shelter right now. If adopting an animal isn't for you this year, volunteer, or donate on their behalf.
I don't know why, but the desire for a Christmas animal never left me it's still with me today. The shelter is full. Full of animals being reliquished because of the economy. These are animals that have been well cared for by loving families, who's hearts were broken by the desision to relinquish them. There have been some sad pitiful cases in my short time in animal welfare but these cases are a different kind of sad. The loving nature of a well cared for animal stands out in a shelter like a Christmas star, shining so brightly it makes a heart ache.
My Christmas wish, this year is that these animals coming in to us, find their forever homes this holiday season. The hope is that they all, the animals, the families that had to give them up, and the new families that will love them, find a little peace on earth this Christmas season. It's not a decision to make impulsively, but if you're waiting for that special pet to come into your life, there's a good chance it's in a shelter right now. If adopting an animal isn't for you this year, volunteer, or donate on their behalf.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sweet Sally
As mentioned in the previous post, Sally is my resident foster. She's still with me for a few reasons. Reasons that I feel demonstrate her potential as a pet.
First she's bonded to me. She follows me along like my own shadow in the house and yard. She curls up near my feet if I'm at the computer, and has to be evicted from the bathroom if I want to shower. Off lead away from home, she stays close (much closer then my own dog). She'll bond with another adult if given the chance.
Secondly, she's a first class cuddle bug. By that I mean she can make herself comfortable in a flash on a lap or snuggled up side-by-side in a bed. She's quick to judge the mood and adjusts accordingly. Cuddling softly with a somber cuddler, giving a kisses for a smile or tears, and animating a rollover for a playful mood. With Animal Assisted Activity/Therapy experience of my own, this trait gets a lot of weight with me.
She'll do a full retrieve to my hand with seemingly endless enthusiasm. There's alot of shtuff that has to go on in a dogs head to chase down a ball, catch , return, and release. While this could have been something she was trained to do, her level of enthusiasm for the game isn't something that was trained into her. She loves it, and with her skills at it it's a marker of her intelligence and aptitude, IMO.
Those are the her top traits. I maybe a bit prejudice, but I believe they're her most sound traits. She's got a few traits that aren't as nice, but they're also not as dependable. So, there's hope for her.
Just as an aside, cause it's flat out cute as all get out. She's very attentive to all the activity in our busy household. If there's going to be a loud crash like falling dishes, she raises a paw and shuts her eyes tight and points her nose to the ground. I've never seen a dog anticipate a loud sound and wince like she does. Geez, it's cute!
First she's bonded to me. She follows me along like my own shadow in the house and yard. She curls up near my feet if I'm at the computer, and has to be evicted from the bathroom if I want to shower. Off lead away from home, she stays close (much closer then my own dog). She'll bond with another adult if given the chance.
Secondly, she's a first class cuddle bug. By that I mean she can make herself comfortable in a flash on a lap or snuggled up side-by-side in a bed. She's quick to judge the mood and adjusts accordingly. Cuddling softly with a somber cuddler, giving a kisses for a smile or tears, and animating a rollover for a playful mood. With Animal Assisted Activity/Therapy experience of my own, this trait gets a lot of weight with me.
She'll do a full retrieve to my hand with seemingly endless enthusiasm. There's alot of shtuff that has to go on in a dogs head to chase down a ball, catch , return, and release. While this could have been something she was trained to do, her level of enthusiasm for the game isn't something that was trained into her. She loves it, and with her skills at it it's a marker of her intelligence and aptitude, IMO.
Those are the her top traits. I maybe a bit prejudice, but I believe they're her most sound traits. She's got a few traits that aren't as nice, but they're also not as dependable. So, there's hope for her.
Just as an aside, cause it's flat out cute as all get out. She's very attentive to all the activity in our busy household. If there's going to be a loud crash like falling dishes, she raises a paw and shuts her eyes tight and points her nose to the ground. I've never seen a dog anticipate a loud sound and wince like she does. Geez, it's cute!
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