Kirby is a graduate!
Kirby, our 4 month old Black Lab, graduated from level one obedience class last night. He received a certificate with his name misspelled (Kriby), a dog biscuit and a five dollar coupon for the next level. (The instructor noticed the misspelling as she was presenting it to us and promised a new one.)
Afterward, we celebrated with an ice cream cone. (Yes, I let “Kriby” share my ice cream cone.) A man sitting nearby at Dairy Queen asked me TWICE how much money I would take for my dog. I told him that although he had been a “free” dog, he was now priceless. Although his comments look creepy on paper, he seemed like a nice man. He was a well-dressed silver-haired man and with a nice lady companion. He drove away in a beautiful silver luxury convertible.
I know this sounds weird, but did you feel “proud” of your dog when he “graduated”? I bet you couldn’t help but feel a little proud of him.
My poor father about 24 years ago took his young beagle to obedience school. During the lead up to the “final exam” on graduation night, the dog would not do anything she was told to do. She nipped at him and growled and snarled (we later found out this was how she expressed herself- she never bit anyone). She wouldn’t sit, lay down, heel, or do anything right. As dog after dog obediently passed with flying colors, he was smart enough to grab her under his arm and sneak out the back door before he embarrassed himself in front of the whole group.
I’m happy to hear this didn’t happen to you!
This is some-what unrelated, but people expect that from me so I’ll share anyway.
When my aunt was in the Peace Corps in Africa and I was a kid I used to send her my school pictures for her to hang in her home. She lived in a clay hut.
The prince of the tribe of people she was living with saw my picture in her home and offered my aunt 3 flocks of sheep and a goat if she would have me sent to Africa to be his wife. I was 7.
I got really mad at my mom for not letting me move to Africa to be an African Princess and own sheep and goats. What can I say? I was 7.
I bet that’s how Kirby felt when he saw that man drive away in his convertable.
Scottius - I posted again with more details. This trainer was pretty lenient, I’m sure. I think dog training has eased up in the past few decades, based on what our trainer told us about methods used when she first began with dogs.
Devona - That’s funny! And a little scary! Actually, the way he kept asking questions made me wonder if he was in the early stages of Alzheimers.
Congratulations. Dogs are awesome. Glad you’re putting your energy into something that is truly worthwhile. The old man was right, twice. A good dog is worth a lot.