Rescue to 5K in 4 days.
I wonder if that’s a record? I made a joke of the possibility on Sunday at class when I told the pack I was going to pick up a foster. I didn’t believe it, either. However, yesterday I was looking at the three dogs in my home at the moment. Pony is 15-weeks post-op from ACL surgery; although cleared for unrestricted activity I think 3.1 miles is a bit much in the chilly November air. Gigi would do it if I insisted but she doesn’t love crowds or cold wind. Phoenix has been doing exceptionally well so after talking it out with one of the veterinary nurses in the pack, I decided she would get to go!
It was a great test for her. She was uncomfortable at first. It’s probably the first time she’s ever worn a coat but at not quite 50# and not quite 8-months-old, I chose to err on the side of caution. She did her best to heel as told her to but I found her plastering herself to my leg instead of walking loosely at my side. By the last mile she had settled in; she was particularly happy when we walked in a tight pack with the people and dogs she has quickly come to know as her friends.
It was loud and long and cold. She was brilliant! She posed beautifully on place with her packmates after we crossed the finish line. When we got home, she chugged a bowl of water and ran out back for a long pee. (She still will not eliminate on the leash, only on the tie out back. Never in the house <knock wood> so there’s that!) She also climbed up on the couch for a snuggle and nap with Pony & Gigi.
There is a family coming to meet her tomorrow. They’ve already completed an application and they are committed to continuing her training. I’m struggling.
This isn’t my first foster experience. I’ve been both a success and a failure. It’s not in either hers or my family’s best interest for her to remain with me, even though I do love her so. My family is full and I need to allow for other students, and fosters, to join us for spurts of time. I wish it got easier to let them go. It never does. But you know what? Nothing ever worth having comes easy. If it didn’t hurt like hell then was it even love? Nope. I love you, Phoenix; I’ll miss you but I’m so excited to know that you’re going to be amazing and have the most spectacular life with a family tailor made for you. For that, I am thankful.
Please follow along on this blog as she completes the Good Dog Board and Train program. Your kind financial support of Char-Wills in honor of this sweet girl is most appreciated.
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