Bark in the Park - What a Day!

Izzy and I before the walk.

Izzy has to think today was the best day ever. I know I think it was amazing. We got to the event early. She first got to see her friends from Training Spot (our team for the event). After that, we started walking by the vendor booths. All of a sudden, I heard "Izzy". We both looked up and it was LuckyDog Day and Night Care's booth. I wondered what does a dog think. Going someplace and running into all these people from different parts of her life? She got her first pup cup. Initially she was cautious (as she is with any new food) but once she tasted it, her tail started wagging and she actually started prancing. A few minutes later I heard my name and then "Izzy" and it was VCA McKenzie Animal Hospital's booth. Izzy got some more love from her friends there and her first popcorn.

During all this there were so many dogs and people. All kinds of dogs. Many who came up to say "Hi" and surprised us. Izzy did great. Just once she was intimidated and she just came up and leaned against me. It showed me she trusts that I will take care of her. There were people on loudspeakers, bubbles, and people in dog costumes. Izzy looked at everything with interest and stayed calm. There were people in wheelchairs, dogs in strollers, dogs in costumes. She showed interest but did not get overly excited. I was so very proud of her.

We next did the walk. Lots of dogs and people in close quarters. Izzy rocked it! She pulled a bit (we had her gentle leader on which really helps) but only approached one dog (when I wasn't paying attention) and a couple of people who encouraged her. After we went through the finish line, there were people clapping and cheering and using noise makers. Izzy looked at them all and then stopped and sat down in front of them. I think she thought it was all for her.

I mentioned in another blog that Izzy needs more experience with young children. Well, she got some today. She had several individual kids come up and pet her and then had four run up to her at one time. She did great! She enjoyed the attention and all the pets.

Before we left, we visited the F.E.T.C.H. Therapy Dogs booth. She got to meet some of the other teams she will be working with and she got to see her dog friend Maya. We even saw a friend from our Thursday pack walks. I so wonder what she was thinking we she saw her after seeing all her people friends. She had to be thinking "this is the best day ever" and I'm thinking "I got the best dog ever".

Thank you to everyone who supported Izzy and I today. We met our goal of $250 to help homeless pets in our community!

She did so great with all the kids there.

So proud of her!

The finish line.

Pretty sure Izzy thought all the clapping and cheering at the end was just for her.

She got to see her friends from VCA McKenzie Animal Hospital.

Very first pup cup compliments of LuckyDog Day Care. She loved it!

F.E.T.C.H. Therapy Dogs Booth

What an amazing day!

Getting really tired. Time to go home.