Ramblings
It feels good to be back on campus. All of my things are unpacked and organized. Sunny's work was 100% while I fetched food and attended a Sigma Alpha Iota meeting.
Susan is a Guide Dog user who lives in my neighborhood. She walked by with her Guide Dog Cade, and Sunny whined and woofed at him. I immediately corrected her and commanded her quiet. She obeyed, but Cade recognized Sunny and the dogs tried to greet each other. Susan and I were confused, and we laughed after we figured out what Sunny and Cade were up to. I was embarrassed and surprised that Sunny barked at Cade, because she has not barked at a dog apart from when she plays for some time. Susan told me not to worry about it because it was a friendship bark, though how she knew that I do not know. Sunny was on leash, and Cade was in harness. Since Cade was in harness I did not let Sunny visit with him, but Susan and I talked for a bit. Sunny sat by my side, and Cade sat by Susan's side. I was relieved that Susan was not mad at me about Sunny's behavior. After Susan left Sunny and I walked by the house where Julius lives, and she tried to turn in to the driveway. Julius saw her and he barked and bounded over to us, and Sunny wagged her tail and whined because she wanted to play with him. I commanded her quiet and corrected her, and we continued on. Sunny the social butterfly. I love that she recognizes her canine friends, but I hope that a bark or a whine will not become routine when she sees a dog that she knows. If they do I shall correct and she shall listen to me. Sunny knows that I am in charge, and once I correct her for whatever her bad behavior is she does not repeat the behavior often. Her bark and whine remind me that Guide Dogs are dogs 1st, and Guide Dogs 2nd.
I found a new toy for Sunny. The double action chew manufactured by nylabone looks like a cylinder with a pyramid of golf balls on each end. The ends are made of dense plastic, and I am not sure what the rubber coated middle is made of. Sunny likes the toy. I found a red martingale collar for the Golden Girl. It is 3/4 part nylon and 1/4 part chain. Catherine helped me switch Sunny's tags from the chain collar to the martingale collar. Sunny wears her new collar with pride. A diva dog for sure. I like the martingale collar because it serves the same purpose as the chain collar, plus it looks nice and I can correct if need be.
Love,
Kolby