Eight-month-old Kiyoko has had a busy month participating in all our usual monthly outings: PADS puppy classes, reading with the kids at school, dentist and chiro visits, grocery shopping, including COSTCO, dining out, and hanging out at a few wineries, cideries and breweries.
At PADS class, 6 brand new 8-week-old puppies were welcomed to the Okanagan this month. Kiyoko met baby Shyloh there and exchanged kisses. In class, the pups also got to play with a tug toy as a reward for a good recall. They also had some fun free shaping with a box. But then, real work was practiced as we walked past another dog, one-on-one, and then had to weave through 4 stationary dogs with their handlers lined up in a row. We also worked on collar holds with movement forward, with a reward.
My yoga classes have all been online since I’ve had Kiyoko, but this month we went to an in-person yoga class at Shuswap Cidery, where she was well-received. At first, she went around on her own, with permission of course, and greeted all the ladies on their mats. Then she returned to me and settled in nicely beside me for the hour class. Afterward, we were treated to cider and charcuterie. What a successful outing! The instructor emailed me after the event asking me if we would return next week. Maybe now I have an “IN” for an actual yoga studio.
On the May long weekend, Kiyoko rode two small ferries across Arrow Lake to travel to (and from) Nakusp to go camping in our van with our kids, grandson and their dog. Kiyoko behaved very well, slept nicely on the floor of the van at night without a kennel and did not need to be always leashed up at our campsite because she stayed close. A successful outing until it rained our first night and since there was more forecast, we packed up and went home.
Speaking of rain, we went on a hike one day with a new friend and her dog, and we encountered ALL the weather: light rain, thunder, pouring rain, topped off with hail! Kiyoko was a trouper, none of it bothered her. All I wanted to do was get back to the car safely! I was so wet and cold, and SO unprepared.
And then on warmer May days, we went to the beach a couple of times to cool off. I found out that Kiyoko is not a swimmer yet, but she did enjoy frolicking along the edge of the water either by herself or with another dog she met.
And who knew that PADS capes glow in the dark under certain lighting? We found out at a blues concert at Song Sparrow Hall where we listened to a great musician, Colin Linden, while Kiyoko took a nap at my feet.
At the end of the month, 5 PADS pups and raisers met local and nearby town’s JCI’s (Junior Chamber International), in Vernon, where our coordinator Brian gave a talk showcasing PADS with an informal meet and greet afterwards.
And lastly, we also attended the Okanagan chapter of PADS Graduation and brunch at Predator Ridge (who is Kiyoko’s sponsor). We celebrated the graduation of 44 PADS dogs in the 5 programs, of which 7 were raised in the Okanagan, including a breeding pair, of which the female was mine! For the dogs, it was not much different than going to class, but this event was closer to 3 hours instead of our usual hour. All the dogs were on their best behaviour and settled nicely with their raisers. We even got to see one of our own Okanagan graduates, PADS Gherkin, with his new handler. What a treat! Graduation is such a wonderful celebration where it all comes together for us raisers. It’s such a happy event, yet a teary one where it all hits home for us and strengthens the meaning of why we do what we do!
Submitted by: Chris Buitinga
