Dogs

I spent this weekend working at a kennel - the owners needed to go away for some family stuff so I offered to help. It was a great opportunity since I have been thinking about owning my own kennel but really had no experience with them. I never thought Clyde would tolerate a kennel but in retrospect I think it would have been a better option than the terrible pet sitters I have had over the years. Anyways, it was a bit hard on the old office feet - I am so out of shape and used to sitting for 99% of my day. I had to walk 12-16 dogs each morning (some came an some left each day) which was a big challenge. It's not a long walk - just enough to get them some exercize and do their business but still it took about 2 hours. Then I had to clean out the kennels and rotate the dogs in the dog yards so they got a bit more time out & about until I put them to 'bed'. Friday was kind of crazy because I was still figuring stuff out and I had to deal with owners dropping off & picking up. All the dogs wanted attention so if I spent some time with one I had to spend time with the others, and I ended up feeling really guilty. I was on my feet all day and thought I would never be able to walk again. Saturday was a bit easier because I felt a bit more confident but there were all these shifty people down the road where I walk the dogs - I am sure I saw a man with a prostitute and a drug deal but maybe I am just being too paranoid. There was also a crazy lady (or so I nicknamed her) that drove past me at least 6 times, i.e. every other dog. There is nothing around there except for a cement factory that's closed on Saturday so I worried that she was going to try and take a dog. I had never considered the possibility of dog theft but I was reading the kennel owner's book about, yep, kennels, and the first section I read was about security and making sure the dogs were safe. I think my paranoia wasn't completely unwarranted but nothing happened, luckily. Sunday was the best day - no weirdos on the walk and it was more relaxing in the afternoon. The trick is to spend a few minutes with each dog and then let them do their own thing for about 20 minutes or so. All the dogs calm down when you're not around. When I came back they would all go crazy so I would fill up their water if needed and let out another dog for the next little bit. A couple of the dogs were not cooperative at all, at least not when it was time to go back in, but most listened really well. It's hard to be loud & firm enough when 10+ other dogs are barking all around. I have a hard enough time speaking loud enough, so it was a bit futile yelling. I got into a bit of a routine though finally so it went well. And now, here are the dogs (and a cat):

Brie - a Rottweiler and the biggest sweet heart (one of my favourites). She was super easy-going and was not aggressive at all toward the other dogs.

Ty - a drooler, peer and a puller. A golden lab and a cutie. He was really friendly and wanted to play with the other dogs but they didn't want to play and barked at him alot. He had a very Clyde-like bark (that the neighbours on the next block can hear) and would even howl a bit in the kennel.

Ruby & Jane - gorgeous dogs, and sisters. I don't remember the breed but they were really well trained. The owner said I could walk Jane & Ruby would just follow but when I took them out Ruby kept running ahead and with all the shifty people ( this was Saturday) I ended up hooking them both up. On Sunday I decided to try them on separate extendable leashes, so they could get a bit more exercize, but they are used to walking side by side so got all tangled up and Jane ended up chewing half through one of the leashes...oops!

Mia - a bit of a nut but really adorable. She reminded me alot of my old neighbour's dog Princess (my first dog-love). She loved getting her butt scratched and was one of the hardest to get back into the kennel at night. She made me chase her around to catch her and all the other dogs would go crazy barking. I gave her lots of time in the yard because she pooped inside her kennel on the first night (and I didn't want to chase her). She was fine the next day, though she needed a bath. She was a whiner too but not aggressive with the other dogs - but when one dog whines or barks the rest follow!

Sadie - a bit shy and a big time barker. She would only go out if I left the yard but she eventually let me pet her and liked me. She was a big white dog with long whiskers & a nubbin tale. Her whiskers were so dirty & her water dish always ended up dirty so I was constantly rinsing it out and refilling it. She LOVED the morning walk with fiery passion and I had to use the extendable leash because she was all over the place.

Motti - a big old fluff ball. Very mellow & really only barked at Sadie & the Ty. He was great to hug and easy to get along with. Beautiful brown eyes.

Kona - a pretty brown pitbull. A big time barker she got along okay with the big dogs (though she barked & barked at the new dogs until she decided they were okay) but went CRAZY with the small dogs.

Scooby Doo - not at all like his namesake, a chubby old cutie-pie. He loved getting pet and would smile and stick his nose in my face. My other favourite.

Tom - a HANDFUL. He was the worst to try to get into the kennel at night. He ALWAYS wanted to play and was a jumper and a nibbler ('affectionate nibbles' I call them but they still bruise...). He made me laugh though - especially walking him because he would always grab the leash on the way back and try to play with it. Nutball, but quite lovable.

Cody & Taz (or Taz and Cody?) - two white poodles, brothers I assume. They were really well behaved & loved the walk. I took them on the 'big dog' walk (the smaller dogs had a shorter walk) because they were always full of energy. I just never got their names straight though, so if I called them they wouldn't listen because I would say 'Taz...or Cody...or whoever..." which really isn't very authoritative enough.

Red - a little 'rat' or 'purse' dog and AWESOME. He was so funny & friendly. He kind of looked like a Chihuahua but was furrier so I am not sure what breed. He loved getting his tummy rubbed and was always up for playing. He would run along the fence with the bigger dogs like he was flying through the air, and he loved it. He was also a really good walker.

Carly - a nice little terrier or something. She was a runner & liked going outside. She was one of the first dogs to go so I didn't get too much time with her.

Maggie - a bit timid but listened well. The other dogs would go nuts though when she went out and she would bark & they would all bark...it was mayhem. I ended up only letting her out when the dogs closest to her side were in, much more peaceful.

Chloe - poor Chloe. She was so scared that she tried to nip me when I tried to take her out. So, I tried the old treat technique and made moderate progress. She still wouldn't go out but she didn't growl at least. Poor thing.

And, then Sage, the only cat. She was a meower and LOVED getting pet. She was totally easy-going and would let me pet her until I dropped dead of exhaustion. She looked like a Siamese but she was really fluffy, not long hair just fuzzy. A real cutie.

I guess that's it. I am really exhausted but I felt a real pang of sadness leaving last night. I got quite attached. It's not easy work, not super-hard either but still physically demanding work. The hardest part is the time, it's pretty much all day, though you do have breaks. It's quite a commitment but I think I would be really good at it. I guess we'll see.