Welcome Walter, a New Beginning!
Doc always told her patient's that It’s ok to move forward while you are still grieving. So I was glad to see that she took her own advice and brought home a puppy to train as a therapy dog. Yes, I am still keeping watch from the other side of the Rainbow Bridge and will communicate for Walter until he is old enough to understand what is going on. He is still too little to know how important his job will be and how many lives he will touch. As the CEO of our company said, “ Walter is going to have some big paws to fill.” I do appreciate him saying that, but Walter will grow into his role over time and make an impact in his own unique way.
Poor Walter, at least Doc waited until I was a little older to take me to work, but Walter started three days after he came to live with Doc at the ripe old age of nine weeks. Like myself, Walter went from living on a farm with his father, mother, brother’s and sisters to working full time in the city. At first, Walter slept most of the work day. After all he was and is just a baby, but now at the ripe old age of four months he is starting to get the hang of things. Doc and Walter get to work a little before 6am, just like we did. He is learning to go out and greet the patient as they come in the office and being corrected when he jumps or tries to mouth the patient with those sharp baby teeth. Doc calls him baby shark when he gets too aggressive.
Until recently. Walter was having a hard time getting the hang of being potty trained. One day after Doc had just taken him out to the bathroom at work, he decided to come back inside and poop right in the middle of Stress Management group. Another day he went in one of the supervisors office and peed on the floor. I guess he’s letting him know what he thinks of people in authority. The great thing is that the patient’s and staff don’t seem to mind. They are all happy to have a new puppy at work to cheer them up and are working together to help Doc train him. Like they say, it takes a village.
Outside of work, Walter has been socializing with other dogs. He already has a girlfriend that is an Irish Wolfhound puppy that is only a few weeks older, but she is so tall that Walter can stand underneath her. She happens to be my old Veterinarian’s new puppy and when Walter goes in the office for an appointment, he gets to play with her. At their first meeting he was so startled by her size that he hid behind Doc and peed himself. But by the third play date he was more at ease, but got too amorous with her like male doggies often do and boy did she put him in his place quickly. She took her big paw and flipped Walter on his side until he straightened up. Doc warned Walter not to mess with tall assertive women, but he had to find out the hard way I guess. After it was over, Doc had a talk with him about respecting people’s boundaries.
A few Friday’s ago, Doc took Walter to meet with my old trainer Amy. Doc told Walter she doesn’t mess around with inappropriate puppy behavior and I agree, she’s strict about training. But just like a puppy, he had to test her and as soon as he tried to nip at her with those sharp baby teeth, he got corrected and knew not to try that again. Next Monday he goes to stay with her for training for 10 days. It’s like puppy boot camp, but at least he will know what kind of behavior is expected of him as a therapy dog and I know he will adapt just fine.
Personally, I think Walter will make a good therapy dog, he is so happy to meet everyone, his tail never stops wagging. He is certainly keeping Doc on her toes. She forgot how much work it takes to raise a good working dog. I know she still misses me and I see her looking sad sometimes when she looks at my picture, but I am so glad that the story didn't end with me, there's a new story to be written with Walter as the main character. Stay tuned for all of his adventures.