Sunday June 4th, 2017

Sophie W. always has the biggest smile on her face! She was so excited to walk with her friends and was bouncing around in her kennel when I came to get her. Sophie rushed out the door after Nyxx and Indi, and the three headed straight for the trail. Right away Sophie bounded to the long grass and started sniffing away. Of course, Sophie had to stop for a roll in the grass as well. When it was time for groups, Sophie was a very social girl today. She wandered from dog to dog saying hello and always had her mouth open in a grin, complete with a wagging tail. Every time she walked past me, Sophie would rush over and sit down on my toes. She certainly loves her cuddles! Then, Sophie trotted off to explore the grass yard. She found plenty of toys and poked a few of them around with her nose before deciding she just wanted some more attention. This time she made her way over to see our volunteer, Eric, and had plenty of snuggles with him. Sophie also got to enjoy a second smaller group today, to welcome one of our new rescues! She was super happy to meet Red and gave him a friendly sniff, although he was more interested in the yard, so Sophie ended up cuddling with me again until we headed inside.

Teddie and Kizmet started their morning off with a nice walk with our volunteer, Eric. Although the boys enjoy hanging out with their friends, they also love to have some one-on-one time with people and they got plenty of snuggles while they explored the trail. When it was time for groups, the two of them happily followed the other dogs outside and split up to check out the yard. Teddie was looking super handsome with his freshly bathed coat. He seemed to know it, too, and was prancing around the yard with his head held high. Eric joined us outside and Teddie immediately trotted over to say hello, knowing that he could get lots of attention from him. Kizmet was nosing through some long grass by the fence, but he also hurried over when he realized Teddie was getting snuggles without him! Teddie moved on to see what I was up to, and politely sat down when I asked, earning himself a nice back scratch. Kizmet had ended up sniffing his way to the play structure. He stuck his head inside to check things out and then Nyxx raced through the door, so Kizmet decided to climb in with him. Their friend Sophie then showed up to see what was going on. It seemed like everybody wanted to squash their way in! Teddie, not wanting to get himself dirty, sat back to observe the show. He seemed to be enjoying the fresh air and lifted his nose to sniff the wind. Teddie must have smelled something good as he stood up and wandered off, still sniffing away. The boys decided to meet up after making a few more laps of the yard. Both of them lay down side by side in the gravel yard to soak up some sun. Teddie rested for a bit, though he soon got up and went to find Eric for more attention. Kizmet was happy to lounge around where he was, and said hello to each dog that trotted over to see him. At one point he noticed a bumblebee flying past and watched it with his head bobbing to follow its path. Overall the boys had quite the relaxing, lazy day!

Sam was her usual playful self today. In the first group of the day, she could hardly wait to get outside and was leaping around at the door. Then she seemed to remember her manners and sat down to let me open the door. She took off at full speed into the yard and ran a lap before slowing down to sniff things. For her walk later, she spent some alone time with our volunteer and got lots of love! Sam was zigzagging all over the trail, full of energy as always. When it was group time, I decided to put that energy to good use. Sam trotted around the yard, checking out the different scents from all the dogs that had gone through during walks. Once she had sniffed everything, I approached her with some toys. Sam nosed through them and picked her favourite, a toy bone. She proudly carried it across the yard and then went leaping after something in the grass, forgetting all about her bone. Her friends Magic and Justice were also wandering around the yard. Everybody seemed quite lazy so I pretended to chase after Sam, which got her running in circles, and encouraged the others to join in. Soon all three of them were bouncing around the yard with Sam in the lead. After that, Sam seemed unable to sit still and she was racing all over the place! Sam and I headed to the playroom for her extra attention later in the day. Right away she started bouncing around the room, checking out all of the toys. We played fetch with a rope toy until Sam decided that she was too full of energy and just started running circles. I pretended to chase her and she would play-bow, leap up and then twist around in mid-air, flying off in a new direction. Then she sniffed out the treats in my pocket. I had her sit and give me a paw, then let Sam enjoy her treats as well as some snuggles!

This morning Jemma started the day off bright and early with her group outside. She spent her time outside playing with pals Finn, Blue, and Indie, and they chased each other and ran the entire time. After she got tired of all the exercise, Jemma came over for some belly rubs and chilled out on the ground. She likes to spend time with the other dogs, but she also appreciates some one on one attention too! Later, Jemma got to head out for a walk with her other friends Oscar and Taylor. She was so funny on her walk, and even spotted a bug flying by and began to chase it. All three of them got along just fine, and spent the walk exploring and finding new scents together. Back at the yard, it was time to do groups again. Jemma was especially excited to go and see everybody. She spent her time doing various different activities, such as switching between being with her friends, seeking out pats and sniffing out the yard. Jemma went out a second time to play with one of our shyer guests. She was her typical bubbly self and soon had her new friend Radar racing circles around the yard. The other dog in the group, Vega, quickly joined in and Jemma led everyone on a big chase!

Jemma and I spent some quality time getting to know one another better during her extra attention time. She had just had her nails done and was quite relieved to have a bit of time to relax and explore up front. While still getting to know me, Jemma was quite happy to hear the word "treat" and enjoyed a couple of cookies from the cookie jar. I lay down on the floor and Jemma quietly came closer and closer until she was within perfect petting distance. I massaged the top of her head and her shoulder while her eyes got heavier and heavier and we both relaxed. 

Kai was happy to start the day on a good note today! She bounded outside with the rest of her group and started to explore the yard with the others. She was in a good mood the entire time and wouldn’t stop wagging her tail, even for a moment. Kai likes to go and greet the other dogs but when it comes to running and high-energy games, she would rather relax with me and seek out some affection. She was really cute when she plopped down right beside where I was and looked up to see if I would rub her belly, which of course I did! Later in the morning, Kai got to go for a walk with her buddy Sophie. They stuck together and found scent trails during their stroll, letting their curiosity take them wherever they pleased. Kai also likes to walk at your side, rolling around in the fresh grass, looking silly when all of her fur is sticking up all over the place. She usually comes up to my side again so that I can fix it for her. When we got back Kai was ready to settle in for a nap for the remainder of her time, so she could rest easy until she got to go back outside and play with the other dogs. Later, me and Kai headed over to the reception area to do some extra attention! She bounded down the hall ways with her tail wagging as fast as it can, ready to get some good one on one time together. She came over and snuggled to my side ready to just relax and chill out. Kai investigated the toy bin, but really got excited when I got her some treats. Kai was so good and sat on command, and even gave me her paw without even asking. She then spent the rest of the time sitting snugly by my side and getting some good pats and affection. 

Mosey was really funny this morning when she got to go outside! I let her out of her kennel and she bounded to the door, but waited for my approval to actually go out, which was very polite of her! She then headed out to greet with the others dogs in her group, Beauty and Taylor. They all had fun wandering around the yard sniffing the perimeter and exploring the grasses. Mosey also got to hang out with Beauty again when they went for their walks. She took to pausing to sniff and chasing after any small bugs that flew up out of the dandelions. She also likes to look back and see if your still walking, as if to check on how you are doing. She was really funny when we got to go back out into the yard, bounding around and leaping through patches of grass. She even rolled onto her back to get some well-deserved belly rubs. After all her time outside, we came back to which she ran to the door ready, and followed me back to her space. She got a drink of water, and then curled up ready to take a nice after lunch nap. For her extra attention, Mosey joined me up front where she quickly got to work checking the space out. She leaped onto the chair and got nice and cozy, claiming the spot as hers. I took a few pictures and then asked Mosey if she wanted a treat. She perked right up at the word and ran to sit down at my feet. After munching on her reward, Mosey got wound up and ran around reception, dodging the toys on the ground. As soon as I sat down on the floor or in a chair, Mosey would race over and leap into my lap without hesitation. What a cuddly girl!

Taylor was so cute this morning, ready to go outside and greet her new friends Mosey and Beauty. She headed outside with a bounce in her step and immediately met with Mosey to which they became pals! They both wandered around the yard exploring the new scents and following each other around. After, Taylor got to go for a walk with two other dogs, Jemma and Oscar. They all set off into the fresh morning air scenting out the trail and eyeing bugs that crossed their paths. Taylor liked to set a moderate pace and spend her time getting to know her surroundings. When we returned, Taylor was ready to go back outside fro groups and hang out with her new friend Mosey! They really enjoyed each other’s company and often met back to where I was to seek out some affection. Taylor really enjoyed her day and was ready to come back inside ready for some time to snooze.  

Beauty started the day off happy to see me at the front of her kennel. She zoomed out the door to greet me, and then quickly left to go outside and say hi to the other dogs. After she was done socializing, Beauty left to go scent out the yard space and explore her surroundings. She would even come up to stand beside me and wait for me to give her a couple pats before leaving to set off on another important mission. Later she got to go for a walk with Mosey, the same dog from her group! They got along nicely and set off down the trail ready to explore. Beauty also likes to lead on walks, and often comes back to make sure that I’m still with them. When we got back to the yard and did groups again, Beauty was ready to see her friends! She was all into the games, and ran around with the others until we had to go back inside. She once again zoomed in the door and waited patiently at her kennel door getting small pats as I walked by. 

I took Allie into the kitchen today for some change in scenery. She explored a little, but told me, quite loudly, that she would prefer to go back to the cat room. Once in there, Allie ran straight to her favorite window sill and rubbed her cheek against the corner as though enjoying the comfort of the familiar smell and feeling. She had a burst of energy, running to the top of the cat tree, to the chair and then to the window sill, where she accepted some affectionate pets and love.