Chels Big Night Out
Chels had her first night at my workplace. I work in a 2 story, 7 bedroom, 5 office house with communal kitchen, laundry, dining and lounge.
Saturdays evenings are pretty relaxed with the house empty of all but 2 staff & 7 youth. At first I kept her on the gentle leader and let her meet the boys (she hasn’t heard male voices much before) both she and they were pretty excited. They thought she was only there for an hour so they all wanted her time but when I explained she would be there till midnight they relaxed.
Fishing was planned so we loaded the bus and headed off. We have a 10seater bus so Chels and I were in the back behind the driver with head out of the window, loving it. We stopped to get bait at a service station and the boys pointed out that soccer balls were on special so we got Chels one. They also took the lead and reminded each other not to leave bait on hooks because of Chelsea. Most have dogs at home and often through the night they would tell myself or my colleague stories of their own dog.
One boy was over fishing pretty quick so he asked permission to take Chelsea for a long walk along the boardwalk. That was it, of all the kids she bonded with this one. When we got home I put her bed in the lounge and we had dinner. All respected my request not to feed her unless they asked and after dinner she was given a huge bowl of vegetables in white sauce (all of their left overs..lol)
Throughout the night I kept her with me, taking the gentle leader off. Teaching her to sit each time I had to unlock an office door which she picked up quickly. Some went fishing again and three kids stayed home with me. We settled to watch movies and at one stage Chels cried as a boy was on her bed. He moved over and they settled together. Later we had computer time and this moved to Chels bed as well. The boy she bonded with spent his time looking up pit bull rescue sites, with Chels curled around him the whole time. Lots of discussion on cruelty to animals, the kids i was with last night are passionate about caring for animals.
One girl was not sure of dogs and turned to me during the night (with Chels head in her lap) and said ‘I think she likes me, shes smiling’ that alone was worth taking Chels in. In all their phone calls home Chels and the things they had done throughout the night was the main conversation. I can’t take her with me every shift but after she did so well last night I will take her in when I can both she and they benefitted from the experience & definitely for my night shifts. We finished at half midnight last night and she slept solid 8hrs when we got home.
What a lucky girl that she gets to go to work with you, even if it is just occasionally!!
And what a great experience for the kids
The Zoo Crew
May 18, 2008
She was so well behaved Zcrew … and fitted in with this group of kids …its funny with such loud boistrous children, when I said Chels wasnt used to yelling they monitored each other throughout the night…that in itself was a miracle…lol
Abbey
May 18, 2008
Good that there were lots of positives both ways from this experience, it will be good for Chels if future times are as positive, and can only be a positive the other way as well.
Robert
May 18, 2008
I’m really proud of Chels (and you) for doing so well. I’m sure the kids loved having a dog there for the night. She got to do lots of new things! I am not surprised she was tired when she finally got home.I wish I could bring my dog to work.
Lindsay
May 18, 2008
Definitely positives RG.. though i would pick the times I took her. It has been done before. One staff member had a shai pei cross that worked incredibly well, another had a gorgeous Malamute which wasnt a sucess due to its excess shedding (also untrained).
Lindsay I was so proud of Chels…she really behaved well & though her excitement level was raised she settled easily. It was also a credit to the youth in the house at the time, I was incredibly proud of them.
Abbey
May 18, 2008
Sounds like she had an amazing adventure. I’m sure she’ll want to go back the next time you have to go to work too. Great socialization exercise for her and the kids
Saint Lover
May 19, 2008
Brilliant socialisation Saint Lover but like any mom I was soooo worried she’d pee on the carpet…lol
Abbey
May 19, 2008
Perhaps “pet” therapy may be a way of more easily relating and being related to with the children that come into your care – tho in moderation – its seems that it was positive vibes for all involved – including Chels.
Robert
May 20, 2008
: ) i like this story a lot
K9 Amiga
May 22, 2008
Thanks K9Amiga, it was a brilliant experience….
Abbey
May 22, 2008