Day Two - FASD Service Dog - Painfully Clean Work

Posted 1/31/2008 6:36:51 AM

Okay. So certain realities are becoming painfully clear. I am way too ambitious in my dreams of being able to keep up every night with recording the details of this awesome experience in the way that I'd like. But I'll try to get down some general comments and hopefully fill out the details later on. At the end of the training day...the evening is comprised of me running errands, while the kids and Chancer are watched by my cousin and dad. I'm practicing the commands we learned that day with Chancer while attempting to stay conscious! During the training class, Iyal is playing with other kids and video games and is not staying involved in watching the training. I had not expected he would be able to sit and listen for more than maybe 7 seconds. Thus, in after class it is vitally important that we make time for just Iyal and Chancer to have some bonding time. I fear cumulative fatigue has already set in. I just am not sleeping well at night. Too much excitement mixed with anticipatory anxiety I suppose.

But here are the highlights from Day 2:
This is how the day started. When I awoke I crept inside the room where Iyal is sleeping in bed with my dad. Chancer is sleeping in his crate in the same room. I peeked in the crate and Chancer was still in La-la land (labrador-labrador land), so I went to take a shower. Evidently while showering, Adair (my cousin) and Dad let Chancer out of his crate. Adair was able to videotape most of what happened next as I did not witness this in person. Chancer lept up onto the bed and immediately began licking Iyal's face with "Good Morning" kisses and much excitement. Iyal, who is typically quite cranky when first awakened in the early morning seemed to enjoy his Chancer kisses. Probably somewhat taken aback...at least he was not put off and welcomed the attention. Yesssss!

I'm jumping forward to the end of the day and will fill in the middle as soon as I can. Again, I was otherwise engaged as I was at Sam's Club and filling up the van with gas (3.09 (yikes) for those who are curious). Adair took Iyal and Chancer out to "go potty". That's the actual command for Chancer to pee and poop! The event was unproductive as nothing biologically occurred outside. However...we had previously made plans to meet another family or two at the indoor swimming pool. Adair had let Iyal go ahead and get in the pool with his new friend Aiden, before taking Chancer outside. There were already adults present in the pool area. On the way back up to the room, Adair took Chancer into the pool area, because she saw two of the other SDs inside. So...the moment Chancer spied Iyal in the Whirlpool (big hot tub) he darted into the pool to join/rescue/retreive him! This took Adair quite by surprise and being that the pool floor area was wet, she had no traction to stop Chancer. So Chancer had his first "rescue" even though he hasn't even been trained for this! Needless-to-say WetDog smell permeated our hotel room for the evening. This was even after a mini-spa experience for Chancer of a rub down, massage and facial. Gotta get a handle on the right products to use!

That's it for now...