Hi, Everyone!
Guess what! Iβm sticking to my New Year’s Resolution! Remember, I pledged to keep working on my Host/Guest skills. Well, I had some BIG chances in January!
First, I played Host when a Special Family Member came up from California. He and PADS Triton were great friends, and I can sure see why! Heβs so interested in PADS puppies and wants to do all the PADS things. Plus, he gives the best scrooches ever. So, I took hosting to new heights, showed off my best manners and gave him the whirlwind tour. We went to Granville Island, Tsawwassen Mills, the coffee house, on sniffaries and to the park for recall drills. Last, we went to the airport together, which started terrificly, but then got a tiny bit sad. Poof! He was gone. But heβll come back.
Next, I played Guest at my first Puppy Swap! PADS Fawn stayed at my house while I stayed at Special Person Benitaβs! Iβve been to Benitaβs tons of times, but Iβve never stayed overnight, so, I had to pull out my whole skill set. Well, Benita is magnificent and showed me the best time! We went everywhere: the Aquarium, Wesbrook Village, Save On, the Library (twice), the Senior Living Centreβ¦ AND she introduced me to former PADS Archer, AND she trained with me every day (& taught me to back up on leash!) AND (catch this), we performed a magic trick together where I suspended a bone in mid-air. I tried to be my best self (and was pretty successful). Except, oops, I barked a few excited barks at the Aquarium. Even so, I hope Benita will invite me for another Sleepover. I DID settle nicely at the Library after all.
THEN, O my gosh, I was Host, again. Or maybe a Guest? A bit of a head-scratcher at first. Thereβs a dog on my bed with my bone in its mouth. Did my raisers get me my own PADS Pup?!! Not exactly. Itβs PADS Fawn! I donβt get to keep her, but we DO get to be roomies for a week. Must say, weβre both very good at the Host/Guest thing. Weβre great playmates and also good work partners. We train together and are getting good at taking turns. Our favourite training game is Destination Square – sometimes we play one at a time while the other watches, but sometimes we play side-by-side – on a leash, no less. Very cozy! We even did Zoom Class together. This Monday, after the In-Person Class, I think itβs going to be a bit sad like at the Airportβ¦ Poof! Bye-bye, Fawn. But thatβs okay. Weβll still see each other a lots.
Thanks so much for checking in on me! Fawn & I are over here making the most of our time together. Then, in February, Iβm going to the Invictus Games!! How amazing is that?! Iβll tell you all about it next time. Until then, remember, itβs okay to bark excitedly now & then. Especially in support of PADS & Invictus Games 2025!!
Submitted by: Mikal
