Goodbye Thornwald: Onto Another Adventure

I'm trying to write this without crying, but I do need to update everyone about Thornwald. He was finally discharged from the Palmyra Animal Clinic, but he won't be returning home with me. This decision was made by Susquehanna Service Dogs based on how he has been doing in classes. As many of you might know, Thornwald gets confused and distracted quite easily. As much as I have tried, it is still difficult to get his attention and the people at Susquehanna Service Dogs want to try out another trainer to see if he will do better in another household or environment. This does happen quite often, and although it is quite painful for me, I know that he will be in good hands. They promised that I will be able to see him and if the trainer needs a sitter, that I might be able to sit him. They will be setting up a time that I will be able to see him in a week or two, but for now, it will be a difficult transition to not having him there.

My goal is to put my energy into better my health and finances. I hope to be able to raise another service dog when another litter is born, but for now, I will be contacting local animal shelters and possibly doing volunteer work with them. For now, I hope to use my free time to help other dogs and animals. I know that this is not the end for Thornwald, but hopefully, the beginning. I will miss him, but if this is what is best for him, and the new environment will be better for his training.

My First Time in Lancaster City: I'm Not a City Dog (Yet!)

Even though we live in the Lancaster area, we do not go into the city. There is nothing in the city that I cannot buy outside of the city with free parking. The only resource in the city that I use are the Lancaster General Health resources (doctors and emergency department).

Knowing Thornwald needed to visit a city, I decided that a day in Lancaster would be perfect! I had it all planned. I was going to take him to Central Market, the Lancaster Art Museum, the Library, City Hall, and a few stores. My plan was to get him used to walking around busy streets with new sounds and to visit places that he might visit with a handler. I had him walk over new textures and go to places with new smells.

Our first stop was Rite Aid, and even though he has visited numerous Rite Aids before, he was distraught over how crowded it was in this store. We then continued to visit Central Market. He did not do too badly at the market, but I did not want to keep him there too long because he was having a lot of difficulty keeping focused with all the food smells. I wanted him to leave successful! We practiced stopping at crosswalks and when there was a lot of traffic sounds, I made sure to give him treats to help calm him and associate the sounds with a positive vibe. I was even able to get him to sit and pose on a sewer grate! \

Unfortunately, for young Thornwald, the experience was overwhelming.  Most of our time was spent walking, but when we made it to the Library, he freaked out and started to jump on me and bite my legs. I took him out of the Library and he calmed down. I am not sure what element about the trip freaked him out, but for now, I will be slowly introducing him to the different smells and sounds of the city. Hopefully, we will be able to visit a city for more than an hour before he gets stressed.

Dog Parks are For the Dogs (But People Can Enjoy Them, Too!)

Until I became Thornwald's puppy raiser, I had never visited a dog park, but I soon learned that a Labrador Retriever puppy needs much more exercise than a walk or two a day can provide. Whenever the weather was bearable, I would take an hour or two to drive him to the park so he could run around and play without being restrained by a leash or with me trying to keep up! I researched the nearby dog parks and there are two in my area, one requiring a yearly membership, so we ventured to Beau's Dream Dog Park to see if it was an appropriate outing location for Thornwald.

When I had first researched the park, I learned that this park had received a makeover in 2013 as the winning recipient in the 2012 Beneful Dream Dog Park. The park is an amazing facility and offers a variety of surfaces and activities for the dogs to participate in while they visit. Even though the park is small (something that they could not change), the way that the design is set up creates enough resistance and surfaces that dogs tire out and still have enough room to get their required exercise to remain healthy.

I take Thornwald to this park quite often and I have found that most of the dog parents are respectful of the property and watch their dogs. I have also found a strong community within the owners which I did not expect. On numerous occasions, other dog owners have helped me watch out for Thornwald and I have returned the favor. He has several dogs that he has become fast friends with and it is so sweet to see them interact. On several occasions, I have seen other dogs protect Thornwald when other dogs have become aggressive. This does not happen as often, but it is great to know that his dog friends look out for him.

The facility is absolutely stunning. There are water fountains for the dogs, a splash pad, turf "grass," a tree that throws tennis balls, bone shaped benches, and even a shaded area with chairs for the dog parents.

Going to the dog park is one of Thornwald and I's favorite activities and I am glad that not only the residents of Lancaster have kept the park nice, but the city also provides support and tennis balls. It is a great resource and it has solved my puppy energy problem.