Well, it was a super busy day for Miss Pearlie today. On top of the human slobber she endured this morning, it just got more exciting from there.
I had to work today at a canine carnival fund raiser for my work. It is a yearly carnival for the public to bring their dogs to with vendors and games and lots of prizes. Well, I decided at the last minute that Pearlie should go along with me and Owen. I knew better than to try to take her inside. She would have panicked at all the people in a small area, and the noise, etc. But she needed a car ride and it was a gorgeous day.
She rode quite a ways without any anxiety or sickness. She waited calmly for several hours in her crate in the cool car. She was happy to see me when I came out afterwards and she was brave as I introduced her to my co-workers. They were thrilled to finally meet Pearlie, as they have been listening politely to all my talk about her and her progress.
On the way home, I had to stop and pick up dog food and training treats. Owen had been with me in the carnival all day, so he slept in the car while I got food. After I loaded the car, I took Pearlie out for a break. She panicked in the parking lot, but still walked or sort of walked with me on leash.
I took her in the store and we found a quiet corner and I sat on the floor with her. We were near enough to the door to see people coming and going, but far enough not to be close to anyone. I pulled out my baggie of cut up roast beef, brought along just for this occassion. Well, Pearlie ate the roast beef, tiny bit by tiny bit, but she didn't move. Just laid frozen in one place. I just ignored her except to hand her roast beef.
She really didn't like all the people coming in with sunglasses on. And the men with hats AND sunglasses, well that just was not cool in her book. But she held it together and continued to eat roast beef. Any time anyone squeaked a toy, she came to attention. We just sat and watched the world go by. She let me pet her. She did not try to get away. The leash was totally loose.
After 20 minutes of just sitting and nothing bad happening, she started to move around on her leash, sniffing the floor and the scratching posts we were sitting near. A few more minutes of her sniffing around and eating more beef, and it was time to stand up and see if she'd walk around with me. The store was quiet. Pearlie followed me up to the front counter and past all the yummy delights stored below it. She was very brave and kept the leash loose. Her head was up but her tail was down. Her ears flicked to pick up any sound.
The manager is a good friend of mine and I introduced her to Pearlie. She came around the counter to say hello. I handed her my bag of roast beef. Pearlie wasn't sure but she did take one piece from my friend's hand. She wouldn't take the second one, but did politely sniff it:) And she let my friend pet her without running away.
There were several young and very tall men leaning over the counter to see her, and she looked at them warily, but didn't run away...I think she knew they couldn't get to her through the counter!:) My friend offered her a chew treat too, and Pearlie sniffed at it, but didn't take it. (she still won't chew on bones or chewie treats...have tried all types)
Just then a man AND a noisy cart came around the corner right near Pearlie. Oh my! Not a good combination. She ran to the end of her leash, but then heard me softly telling her it was alright and she stopped and watched the cart and the man pass by. She then walked with me past the cart and the man who was at the counter.
Whew! She was very relieved for me to pick her up and carry her back to the car. She went politely into her crate and rode home.
BOY was she GLAD to get HOME!! She jumped out of the car on her own (we have a van and usually she waits for a boost down from me)...don't worry, I had her leash:) And then she shook a mighty shake from head to toe and made a beeline to the house and up the front steps.
Pearlie had a very busy day! I bet she'll sleep well tonight! But she had her very first field trip away from home to a public place!
Yippee!
Deb
