During the first couple of weeks of February, temperatures plummeted, with the daily high going down to -12 C a few days. We finally received enough snow to go tobogganing with my almost 2-year-old grandson and their pup, and with Kiyoko. The dogs had fun racing up and down the hill, managing to stay away from the flight of the toboggan.
One cold Sunday we decided to go for a drive and check out cottage country, up in the Cariboo area near 100 Mile House. Sheridan Lake was well-frozen as we walked on the snowmobile paths on the lake. We stopped at a local pub where the only way in was up a grated staircase. Kiyoko hesitated at first, but with some encouragement took the challenge and succeeded in going up and back down on the way out.
We went to the Edge Restaurant in Vernon, again, this time for lunch. Kiyoko settled nicely in a sunbeam by the table. What a beautiful restaurant, the food was great, and the view was even more stunning in the daylight. Afterwards, we walked a stretch of the Grey Canal Trail, where we hit an icy section. Oh my! Kiyoko would have none of this, ALL her toenails were spread out and clinging to the ice. It took her a few moments to regain her courage and continue gingerly along the icy path.
We read with our designated kids, One to One weekly, at our local elementary school. We meet around Kiyoko’s lunchtime, so I practice hand feeding her, with eye contact and playing Yours & Mine. She’s getting good at waiting as I place kibble on her paws as well. One of the students has been trying to balance a piece of kibble on her nose with no success yet.
One week, we stayed after school for a basketball game. We stood by the door watching the kids warm up, as they bounced their basketballs, shooting hoops. Kiyoko went crazy. The multiple balls bouncing at once were loud, with a lot of commotion for her, but eventually, she did settle down and was able to calmly watch the game. A good experience for her.
On Valentine’s Day, PADS were invited to a Smooch Your Pooch event at Predator Ridge in Vernon, where homeowners could get Valentine’s themed photos with their dogs while supporting a great cause, PADS. Kiyoko has been sponsored by Predator Ridge, so naturally she was there, on her best behaviour with PADS Tetris & PADS Rooty. The 3 dogs patiently watched and settled, while an array of small, medium and large dogs entered and posed with their owners and family. She had a nice walk in Predator Ridge afterwards.
We had three PADS classes this month where we practiced a variety of our skills. One of my favourites was 2 lines of 6 perch pots with a pup and handler on one line, and one pup and handler perching down the other line, one perch pot at a time. See picture. And then the lines got a bit closer together! We are in the younger of 2 classes, and all the pups are doing amazingly well despite their young ages.
Kiyoko and I enjoy socializing with another dog and friend on wooded mountain trails a few times a month, where we start off on leash and then practice off-leash, and recalls, as well. We also met released PADS pup Doppler and his little sister Lucy, on one such excursion this month. The pups enjoy the freedom of running off some steam, on a controlled basis. We can’t wait for warmer weather for our hikes when the trails aren’t so snowy, icy and mucky.
Submitted by: Chris Buitinga
