JOY! JOY! JOY!

We had our first solo walks today and all are accounted for. They tell us that they have never lost anyone. My partner and I worked doubles for it and we could consult each other about details of the route. It was a good walk. There were some errors, but we could rework them without the help of our trailing instructor. These solo experiences give me the sense that Trinity and I are beginning to become a team.

There are two times each week when we can have visitors. These are Saturday and Sunday afternoon between 2:00 and 4:00. It was a treat for me to visit with friends in the Morris Frank lounge. They pointed out the huge door displayed there. It was brought from the old training center when this building was built. It is very massive with a width of about 5 feet and a height of 8 or more feet by our estimations.

The dogs are more comfortable about their routines and we started touching them in the park area last evening to determine for ourselves if they are doing a one or a two. Once they quit walking and are in position, we work our way along the leash and stroke down the back. If it is straight and slanted down to the tail area, it is a one. If it is rounded, it is a two. Once we determine that a two is coming, we place one foot so that the toes point at the base of the tail. Then we ready our plastic bag over one hand. Once the dog vacates the position, we will find the “treasure” right where the tail was before the dog moved away. If the dog walks, we attempt to place our other foot so that it points at the second spot without moving the other foot. This evening was the first time we actually picked up anything. This is also the first time Trinity has had a two after her afternoon meal and the first time she has not put it all in the same spot. Joy! I am always glad when we can pick up after our dogs. It is then that I can tell for myself how much and of what consistency. Any change and I am aware of it.

We get to sleep in tomorrow morning until 6:30. There will be no walks in town. We could go to church, but we would need to leave our dogs behind at this point. Next Sunday, we will be able to take them with us.

We learned more information about our dogs today. Trinity was born April 9, 2008. She is 19 inches high and weighed 55 pounds when she came into class on Monday. This makes her my smallest dog so far.