I’m a fan of just about anything with fur, fins, or feathers, but dogs are in a class by themselves. There is nothing so pure as the joy expressed by a happy baby or a happy dog. They trigger the same autonomic giggle response in me no matter how bad or stressful my day's been. I'm positive there's a science to it, but for this one instance, I'm uncaring of the causal reasons. They both make me happy. ^_^
I was watching this year's AKC events and thoroughly enjoying every minute of it. During the fastest competition, an incredible whippet clocked in at over 33 mph down a 100-yard lane, chasing a white flurry of cloth, but at the end had eyes only for a stuffed bunny provided by his partner. Witnessing the sheer GLEE at getting that plushy was awesome.
There's a term for enjoying others' successes—freudenfreude. Seriously, it's the opposite of schadenfreude. Anyway, dogs.
Another highlight was when the pekingese ran the course. These furballs are not made for running, and they are breaking no records, but they are just as happy to chase that fluff down the track and look amazing doing it. My favorite was Smokey.
Watching the dogs got me thinking about all the dogs I've had the honor of meeting since being locked up. Back in... 2008? 2010? Washington DOC implemented a dog training program where shelter dogs are brought into the various institutions for training and subsequent adoption. It gives the dogs a second chance at life and teaches the incarcerated trainers valuable life lessons in empathy, responsibility, and patience.
So much patience. ^_^
The pandemic crushed our program here as much as it did the rest of the world's desires, but this month, after much work, the dogs are back! It's limited and small at the moment with only a few dogs, but it's just the beginning.
The last dog I got to hang out with was a little guy named Ginko. I've no idea what breed he was, but he was fun, smart, and extremely lovable. His trainer was one of my fellow facilitators in another program and whenever we had a meeting, I'd just sit on the floor and play with Ginko the whole time. Wherever I could hang out with this dude, I did.
It was a struggle at first. When the dogs arrive, they're assigned a red collar that signals "Don't touch, I'm acclimating to the new digs," but from day one, I knew Ginko would go home with me if ever the situation allowed. I cheated and gave him a scratch or two, but only because he demanded it. ^_^
The day he got his "You can pet me with permission" yellow collar? Yeah, in my lap or at my heels every possible opportunity. He had a great trainer, but Ginko and I clicked. I've always been adjacent to the program due to conflicting work schedules, but I get involved wherever I can.
Ginko, as expected, aced all his training and tests and was adopted out to a loving family. They gave him a different name, but that's ok, he's cool no matter what anyone calls him. I hope I can find another buddy like him someday; wherever he is, I hope he’s having the best day ever, every day.
Programs like this, which restarted recently after a three and a half year Covid gap, are incredible in just how impactful they are. This is just ONE of my dog stories and I'm just ONE out of THOUSANDS who've been likewise affected. Good things happen in here and when they do, good things happen out there.