bill_schubert | Dog day (Reply)

Yesterday was my day volunteering at the Canine Ranch. I really hate the whole volunteer system. The people who work there have to appreciate us no matter what and boundaries that would be 'don't do that' to an employee become a long discussion about how 'we'd rather in the larger scheme of things not be in a place where something like that might happen' or some horseshit like that. And I'm trying to figure out where the 'don't do that' is in the sentence. It is just me. I like hard boundaries or none. All the crap in the middle just confuses me. They are also leery of someone who has been vetted on the basis of 'will you come' vs someone who applied and submitted a resume and has been interviewed. That will pass with time and learning who I am and what I can do. Beginnings are annoying.

Meanwhile, the dogs don't know if I'm being paid or not but are pretty happy for me to be walking them.

You already met Taylor. She was picked up on the side of the road. Her chip revealed the owner but they did not want her back.

This is Lily. I'm not sure how she got to the ranch.

Sweetheart Lily

She's one of the elders but gets around OK. She knew where she wanted to go and we went there. To the playground where she could walk around off leash for a while. Then it was time to go back and get her treat. We hung out for half an hour or so discussing the weather and, of course, the other dogs at the ranch.

I also spent some time with Taylor. My thought is to see the same dogs each time I go so they will get to know me and expect me. Dogs and children LOVE routine and sameness. So I've got Taylor, Lily, Shadow, Tommy and Kayla. Pix to follow. Since the goal is not to adopt them out but rather to give them a home until they die, they will be there waiting for me. I suspect it will be hard to keep away on days off.

They all love people, even the ones who where abused. They don't get on with all dogs but they all love people. Makes the job easy. In addition to the ones I worked with for 20-30 mins I stopped off and scratched half a dozen other heads around the place.

I ended up with about double my usual steps and did not drink enough water. Things to learn.