Daycare/Boarding Dogs

I adore this photo I took of Roxie today. Funny story about this dog, actually. Two summers ago I worked for Denise Herman; she is an AWESOME dog trainer and I assisted her in dog training classes and private consultations. It's safe to say she's one of my heroes. A couple of weeks ago, Rob asked me if I could drop Roxie off at her house on my way home (back when I was still driving to Greenpoint). I took Roxie home. As I was fumbling with the keys to her apartment door (I have serious issues with opening doors) her mom happened to be home and opened the door. I said hi and let Roxie in and suddenly had the STRONGEST feeling of deja vu - as if I KNEW I had been in this apartment before but just was not sure of when. Then it came screaming back to me: one of the consults that I went on with Denise was to visit an extremely shy and timid little black-lab mix named Roxie. During the session Denise talked to Roxie's mom about what she should be exposing Roxie to and I practiced hand-targeting and the self-pet technique with Roxie. This little puppy who was so terrified to go anywhere near me only two summers ago is now a stunning ladydog who is quite self-confident and very wonderfully socialized since then. Small world!

Tucker and Moses. I've been thinking ever since I met Tucker what the other half was. Clearly he's half Shepherd.I could see that with a blindfold over my shepherd-loving eyes. But WHAT is the other half? I asked Jay and he thought some type of hound. It makes sense I guess!

Tucker shows more teeth during play than most dogs but the fact that he is SO incredibly gentle all of the time takes away all the worry :)

Stella attempts to join the boys.

More photos:

Kiddo plays with little-Stella. We had two Stella's today, luckily not in the same run. It's funny when there are two dogs in one run with the same name.

Kiddo & Stella playing - Howie wants to join!

Big boy Rocky. You can definitely tell that this dog is mostly Rottie. His bark is a small dog bark though. It's quite precious. The least intimidating gigantic dog I've ever met. All he wants to do is snuggle up his drooly mouth against you - especially likes to rub it in your lap after he finishes drinking.

Koko and Kane!

Crazy Logan. Both the reason I would never have a lab and the reason why I want a lab so badly. He's extremely hyper but clearly extremely intelligent. He loves water and especially loves to dive into water bowls and spill them absolutely all over the place.

I can tell this is my buddy Sasha from the white tip on his tail. I'm not sure exactly what is happening but I'm guessing he's playing with my boyfriend Duke. :) Jay always refers to Duke as my boyfriend. He's right on target.

Riley (girl) is one of the funniest looking dogs I've ever seen and not just at Unleash. Her coat is a very unique colour-it almost looks like someone took a Shepherd-colored dog and then put her into the wash over and over again. Quite pretty is the result!

Brava and Riley on the ramp. Trying to get both girls to look at me at the same time was clearly not going to happen.

Brava pawing at an uncertain Roxie. Haha

She is just such a pretty puppy. And I love how in her face and mannerisms she is so obviously a puppy.

I am doubly loving this photo of Duke. It's his confused face.

Duke is licking his lips because he just bit Brava's head off. Nom nom nom.

Heidi takes a liking to Riley. Dogs are such narcissists. They like dogs that look like them.

Roxie, Riley, Heidey, Logan and Brava's ridgeback.

It's been great to see Heidi come out of her shell and start playing with other dogs.

Let's make-out.

Aren't we both in the herding group? Let me follow you.

Maggie meets our rescue Piper who made her first debut into the runs today!

Stella, Maggie, Maebe

I believe this is when Casey was bringing Beckett in. The interested parties of Howie, Trixie and Mike.

They were in size order...sort of. And ALL looking at me. Left to right: Alfie (rescue), Mia, Honey, Ellodie, Maebe, and Maggie. Way to go, guys.

A canine disturbance in the size-order force. How unfortunate.

Billie and Maebe

Maebe and Trixie. Trixie is another dog who has come a long way. She was quite nervous her first day of daycare even though I believe she had attended daycare at a different place before. She has also really come out of her shell and has started not just participating in but initiating play as well.

I really wish this photo wasn't blurry but it's still cute.

Mike Honey and Kiki

Mia, Kiddo, Ellodie and Stella

Trixie is in love with our rescue Alfie. Dogs really REALLY like dogs that look like them.

I think Trixie wants a little brother..

Mike...and...the Lakeland Terrier's name escapes me. I left very soon after he came in but I did notice he came in with Blue Buff food. I used to work for the BB pet food company and I still feed my dog Rem BB Wilderness (Duck) along with raw Bravo rolls that I get from Unleash. I called this little terrier Blue today - mostly because the BB food was I believe originally formulated for an Airedale terrier (named Blue) who had cancer.

Before Kiddo got up and walked away they formed a semi-circle. Also: Find Tucker!