Snuggles, Splashes & So Many Firsts
Puppy adventures from one of your favourite service dogs-in-training!
Hi there, wonderful donors, friends, and tail-wagging supportersโShelby II here, zooming by with my June update!
Oh wow, where do I even start? June was bursting with new smells, new sights, and so many โfirstsโ that my little puppy brain almost needs a nap just thinking about it!
After getting settled into my new home in Calgary, we headed back to the sunny Okanagan. And guess what I discoveredโฆ BABY DUCKS! They were soft, fluffy, and waddled just like me (well, kind of). They visited while my Hooman and I watched training videos, and sometimes we all snoozed together by the pond. Iโm pretty sure they are my fan club.
I also became a poolside pro! Picture this: me, chillinโ under a giant umbrella, crunching ice cubes, gnawing a toy, andโmost importantlyโkeeping a close eye on my Hooman. She walked all around the pool, going in and out so many times! I supervised like a champ and got lots of rewards for staying calm and focused. And because training never takes a vacation, I practiced my skills too. I played โkibble on my feet,โ and she even spelled my name out in treats. (Spoiler: donโt eat them, even if they smell amazing.)
A few people stopped to say hi, and after showing off my best โsit,โ I got to “go say hi” like a polite little lady. My Hooman gave me a GOLD STAR! Thatโs basically a puppy Oscar, right?!
Boy, all this focus and self-control is going to really help me build the skills Iโll need to support someone someday! ๐
We had peaceful moments, tooโwalks to the marina to watch our reflections in the water and admire all the boats. We even met a curious deer! She and I had a solid staring contest.
Me: โAre you a dog?โ
Her: โAre you a doe?โ
It was MAGICAL.
Back in Calgary, the adventures continued! I reunited with my brother Doane for trainingโheโs the best.
I got to visit West Legal to see Lawyer Kelseyโeveryone there was so friendly and welcoming.
Then came my very first trip to Costco! So many carts, so many smells! I walked like a pro, staying tucked between my Hooman and the shopping cart.
At Golf Towne, I bravely walked through a turnstile (it spinsโlike me when Iโm excited). Not scary at allโjust kind of interesting.
And in the changing room, I met some mysterious mirror dogs! I wagged, they waggedโฆ it was a full-blown mirror party. Then I realized they werenโt real, so I did the only logical thing – I took a nap! Shopping is so exhausting.
But my proudest moment of the month: I got to visit Calgary South Health Campus to support my Hooman during a hospital visit. I stayed brave and calm as we visited the surgical unit, making sure the staff took the best care of him (they totally did). SERVICE DOG IN TRAININGโREPORTING FOR DUTY!
A couple of weeks later, during some loose-leash training, I got to lead his very first outdoor walk! Iโm so proud of him. (Heโs learning pretty fast for a human!)
Being a service dog in training is a big jobโฆ but my tail still wags, even when my brainโs working hard.
Thanks for being part of my journeyโIโm learning, growing, and wagging more every single day.
Submitted with puppy kisses and wiggly joy,
Shelby II, Service Dog in Training & Future Super Hero
Submitted by:ย Moira Reitsma
