Joy on Faces
Joy on Faces
Jo Ann Russell on Sat Jan 23, 2010 5:44 pm
I know I am a bit late on sharing this, but my live has been hectic.
Last Sunday when I evaluated April and Bella, as usual the handler was more anxious and nervous than the dog. It was obvious this was something April really wanted to do. We did the ITA eval in which the last exercise requires the handler leave the dog with a team member and exit the room. I walked out to call April in and she was pacing the floor. I wish you could have seen her face flood with joy when we announce a new member of Paws and her dog Bella.
Next came Dusty and Spots. Dusty has been with Niesy several times and has helped with an evaluation in the past. I knew that he really wanted to qualify. He chose to use Spots rather than Orange Crush, and realize that he was taking a chance of Not Ready because Spots might not meet the code. The young man worked really hard with Spots who was at times more interested in finding Niesy than responding. But once the Beagle got on track with the exercise he was fine. So we proceeded step by step on each exercise re-engaging Spots when necessary. Finally, we dismissed Dusty and Spots remained with Perry. The concenses of the group was that Spots and Dusty needed to spend more time together without Niesy around, but that this was a team with lots of potential and certainly a young man who had a real desire to serve. They were voted "qualified". I had the pleasure of opening the door and announcing to Dusty and those outside, that Paws now had it's first Jr. member. The smile on Dusty's face was reward enough. Then the boy came in got his dog from Perry, kneeled down, hugged Spots, then hugged him again while laughing and smiling. Our evaluation team was well rewarded.
Last Sunday when I evaluated April and Bella, as usual the handler was more anxious and nervous than the dog. It was obvious this was something April really wanted to do. We did the ITA eval in which the last exercise requires the handler leave the dog with a team member and exit the room. I walked out to call April in and she was pacing the floor. I wish you could have seen her face flood with joy when we announce a new member of Paws and her dog Bella.
Next came Dusty and Spots. Dusty has been with Niesy several times and has helped with an evaluation in the past. I knew that he really wanted to qualify. He chose to use Spots rather than Orange Crush, and realize that he was taking a chance of Not Ready because Spots might not meet the code. The young man worked really hard with Spots who was at times more interested in finding Niesy than responding. But once the Beagle got on track with the exercise he was fine. So we proceeded step by step on each exercise re-engaging Spots when necessary. Finally, we dismissed Dusty and Spots remained with Perry. The concenses of the group was that Spots and Dusty needed to spend more time together without Niesy around, but that this was a team with lots of potential and certainly a young man who had a real desire to serve. They were voted "qualified". I had the pleasure of opening the door and announcing to Dusty and those outside, that Paws now had it's first Jr. member. The smile on Dusty's face was reward enough. Then the boy came in got his dog from Perry, kneeled down, hugged Spots, then hugged him again while laughing and smiling. Our evaluation team was well rewarded.
_________________
"Big dog hearts sometimes come in small dog bodies."
[i]Jo Ann, Holly, and Bruce Russell
Jo Ann Russell- Number of posts: 324
Age: 69
Location: P.O. Box 623 Devers, TX 77538 936/549-7613; 936/334-3547
Registration date: 2008-07-04 
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