A trial run for Reuben

[kateincornwall]

Today was the day , and all went swimmingly well ,so pleased x Anna picked Reuben up at 9 and asked if she could keep him until 3 , at this point Reuben was looking adoringly at Anna and I just knew that he would be fine . He trotted off to the van, didnt even look back , whilst silly me was weeping , he is my precious boy and I was handing him over ? The house seemed very quiet , Nelly began to look for him in the garden , even behind the sofa but we just played with her to distract . Anna had promised to ring me if there was any cause for concern so , when it got to lunchtime , I stopped worrying ( almost ) . Just before 3 , the van pulled up and I resisted the urge to go out to get him , just waited by the door , he came in , fussed us both and Nelly , then clambered onto his favourite chair and went to sleep . Anna said he had been really good , he made friends with another Lab called Archie , similar age , and so much playing was done , little sessions on the agility equipment , testing of Reubens recall to her and then a rest . This field is fantastic , I have seen the photos, its huge with a good sized cabin in the corner where the dogs have a rest ( and Anna too ! ) also a woody part with a little stream . After a little respite , they all went for a walk , then came back to the field for more play before setting off homewards . Reuben is going to go again next Friday , and thereafter every two weeks , he seems absolutely fine and Anna is going to take photos for me next week . I`m so pleased that I`ve done it , I knew we had to have some sort of plan in place and have been assured that any time we need him to go , we only have to ring her xxxx

 

[Selina27]

This is all good news @kateincornwall . I would be exactly the same handing Cassie over xx

 

[Jacqui-S]

This sounds ideal Kate.
Well done for making that first step.
It's like sending your children to nursery x

 

[M.F.]

So pleased it went well. Must be a relief for you.

 

[Granca]

That’s great, Kate. I’m glad it went so well, and just when you needed it too.

 

[Selina27]

I'm pleased to read that Reuben's day with the dog walker went so well, he's a lucky boy to have that as well as his amazing home life. It makes me realise that I need to get on and sort something similar out for Cassie. Hope I can find as good a set up, it's her safety I worry about, she would need to be somewhere secure.
People don't realise when they see an affectionate comfort loving Lab that she will follow her nose in a nanosecond. Only yesterday she jumped a 3ft 6in fence from a standstill to put up a pheasant in the field the other side. I was talking to my neighbour at the time who could not believe her eyes!

 

[Granca]

Only yesterday she jumped a 3ft 6in fence from a standstill to put up a pheasant in the field the other side

That’s impressive! A bit worrying, too, though.

 

[Selina27]

A bit worrying, too, though.

From the point of view of being in the care of others, yes. For me though, not at all She isn't going to abscond, I know, and at home is no where near traffic or livestock

 

[Emily]

Sounds fantastic @kateincornwall and good boy Reuben

We now have Ella's dog sitter as a backup for walking if needed. I wish we'd had this in place the times that Nathan had been sick in hospital as it would have saved the extra stress and travel to race home and exercise her each day.

 

[Xena Dog Princess]

Just to make you feel better, Kate - Xena had her "therapy dog" day at school on Wednesday, and I was like a mum on the first day of school. Went to my period 1 class late because I was reluctant to leave her, told the girls that I'd pop back at interval (after period 2) yet I ended up leaving period 1 early and dashing down to check on her between classes I then spent ages with her at interval before having to supervise a year 10 exam for 2 hours (so no sneaking out). I know that she was well looked after and fussed over but she was definitely aware that I was LEAVING THE ROOM WITHOUT HER and that made me all emotional. It's wonderful that Reuben was so relaxed but your reaction was totally normal for a crazy dog mam (TM Jen).

 

[kateincornwall]

I am so pleased that I found Anna , and found the courage to let Reuben go to her . He has now been to what we refer to as Playgroup four times and seems to be loving it . He goes crackers when he sees Anna pull up in her van , and never hesitates to climb in . Amazingly he comes home spotlessly clean as she gives all the dogs a wash down followed by a good towel dry ( which he loves ) . He has a mix of play , walk off lead and also some agility in her field , comes home tail wagging like mad and shattered from his day . Anna always says that she will have him any time , as he has fitted in wonderfully and is no trouble at all , apart from being the one who gets most filthy . I know that she would ring us if there were any problem at all , she is lovely and adores her work .
Yes, I admit that it gives me a break once a week , I can recharge the batteries and if we want to, we can go out and take Nelly to places that might be more " Challenging " for Reuben, but I honestly feel that it is broadening his horizons too , he is a sociable happy lad so meeting different dogs suit him down to the ground , all in all it was a really good call x

 

[Selina27]

I am so pleased that I found Anna

I really need to find an Anna

If I'm honest, I hate being parted from Cassie now, but I know really that it's in her interest, in case something happens to me. It's important I think that there is somewhere else they are happy to go if need be.

I've brought her up to expect the unexpected, so I'm sure she'd be fine. It's my problem really

 

[HAH]

I think it’s sometimes a really tough decision to make, especially if there’s no need ‘right now’ - you’re very cool to have done this @kateincornwall , it’s been a brave move and not easy so brava
I sympathise entirely @Selina27 - I’d love to find an Anna too, for now I’m putting off investigating further.

 

[kateincornwall]

I think it’s sometimes a really tough decision to make, especially if there’s no need ‘right now’ - you’re very cool to have done this @kateincornwall , it’s been a was brave move and not easy so brava
I sympathise entirely @Selina27 - I’d love to find an Anna too, for now I’m putting off investigating further.

You`re spot on , I felt that there was no need , but after what happened to me last year , I knew that I had to employ the Scouts motto " Be prepared ! " . It is hard , handing over your dearest darling dog , I cried like a baby the first two times he went off , I worried that he would miss me , that he would hate me for sending him away, oh you wouldnt believe the human emotions I gave Reuben , but he is still my Reuben , just the same loving waggy tailed crack pot as he was before his journey started xx

 

[Selina27]

I think it’s sometimes a really tough decision to make, especially if there’s no need ‘right now’

Yes, exactly that! For all that Cassie is no velcro dog I know that I am the centre of her world, I hate that moment when she registers that she's not coming with me.

Unless it's raining of course In which case it's " I'm just fine on the sofa, you run along now"