Memories To Keep

Now comes the time to say goodbye.  It seems like only yesterday that Lily came into the program to meet her inmate trainer.   In just ten short weeks Lily has learned a lot, but has also created memories that will last a lifetime.  She will never be forgotten.  

Lily had an upset stomach this week.  Her inmate trainer says that you know it’s true love when you’re cleaning up after them thinking poor baby instead of ewww gross I’m not touching that!  This adventure has proven just how head-over-heels he is for this girl!

He says that the hardest part of this program is saying goodbye to the dogs in their care.  He’s proud to be a part of the lives of these amazing dogs.  He is excited to be part of a program that shares this amazing breed with the rest of the world.  By training he’s changing their lives and they too are changing his one dog at a time.   

Graduation Is Almost Here

Week 9 already!  Lily’s inmate handler says that it’s true; time does fly when you’re having fun! This week Lily has become more vocal. Her inmate trainer believes that she may be under the impression that she speaks English. 

Lily also loves to eat and will try every trick she knows in hopes of receiving a tasty treat.  Her trainer says that everyone loves to see her do tricks.  It’s easy for people to smile around Lily. 

Her trainer plans to add “shake” to her list of commands and work on jump.  She was jumping really well until she slipped and now she’s a little gun shy.  No worries though, her trainer has no doubt that she’ll work through it. 

 Her inmate trainer believes that Lily is part dog and part bug slayer.  So far she’s killed two crickets and one fly.  He says it cute to watch the chase, but not the …errrr….. crunch.  Not to worry though, as unladylike as it is she spits them out.  Her inmate trainer says that he is envious of her new owners but is happy to know that she’s going to have a loving home.  He says that she is an awesome dog and deserves to be happy and loved.

Tail Wagging Happiness

Lily's alternate inmate handler had a great time working with Lily!  He says that she is a true joy to be around and that there was actually very little work to be done because she knows all of her basic commands a lots of extras.  He says that she does a fun extra called "Who's A Brave Dog" where she circles around and sticks her head between your legs looking up at you with those beautiful golden eyes.  He says that it is very cute!  

Lily does all of her commands with her tail wagging and full of happiness.  She's a girl who's eager to please and her alternate inmate handler believes that she's going to make her new forever family very happy.  

One Little Cricket

This week while exploring Lily came upon one lonely cricket.  At first it seemed to be an instant friendship with Lily doing her play bow and chasing the jumping little guy around.  Her inmate trainer settled in to watch the cute play date.  Well, it didn't last long.  Lily decided that instead of using the cricket as a toy that it would serve a better purpose by spending time in her belly.  Before he could stop her the poor cricket was down the hatch. It didn't take long for her to spit it out with a look of disgust on her face! He says that Lily loves to eat, but judging on her reaction cricket is not listed on her fine dining menu anymore. 

She continues to do well with training.  She goes up and down stairs without a problem and her recall is amazing!  She will recall from 100 ft with no problem! 

Next week is swap the hound week where Lily will get to spend some time with an alternate trainer, no doubt wowing him with all her tricks.  She will learn to accept commands from new people and get to experience a new environment away from her primary trainer. Her trainer is going to miss her, but knows she’s going to impress everyone she meets.  

Hide And Seek

Lily's inmate trainer says that Lily must have been a circus dog in a past life!  She knows all of her basic commands an seems to enjoy doing silly fun tricks the best!  He's been working to wean her off the treat reward so keeping it fun for her has been important.  Lily loves to learn so they've added a new trick to her already impressive resume, "who's a brave dog."  For this trick Lily is sitting or standing in front of her trainer then he asks "who's a brave dog" and Lily will run behind him and put her head between his legs and look up at him like, I don't know who is?  How cute is that!!??

This week they've also spent time getting in touch with their inner child learning how to play Hide and Seek! He calls her name the entire time he hides and she loves trying to find him!  He says, who would of ever thought that he'd be playing Hide and Seek in prison with a wonderful, smart, funny dog like Lily!  He believes that she is going to make a great addition to a loving family and he will never forget their time together.  

Toys! Training! Treats! Love!

Like a spring flower, Lily is beginning to open up and show everyone how beautiful she is!  Her inmate trainer says that she is showing more interest in toys.  She has a wishbone shaped Nyla Bone that she likes to chew on.  Her favorite game of late is making a toy squeak under a blanket or bed!  She goes nuts trying to dig and get it out!

This week Lily had a lesson in science first taught by Sir Issac Newton - what goes up must come down.  While running in the big yard Lily decided to try flying and jumped through the air over both another dog and the large Jolly Ball!  Thankfully she came away with only a small cut on the inside of her leg and hopefully a new found respect for gravity!  

She is doing all of her basic commands and they are working to polish up her extra commands as well.  Her inmate trainer says that Lily continues to impress him with her high intelligence.  He says that he's so very proud of this amazing girl.  

Her inmate trainer says that Lily is helping him experience love again.  He says that the hardest part of prison and not allowing yourself to show emotions and this program has given him an important outlet.  Besides, who's heart wouldn't melt over a cute dog who gives so much love?  He says that he is only playing a role in saving Lily's life, but she is playing a role in saving his life as well.  

Quite the Performer

Hellooo! My name's Lily! My inmate trainer says that I'm so smart and charismatic that he thinks I could run for public office and win!  I could see me in a an office filled with treats! Wonder how the humans would feel about paying their taxes in dog treats?  

Let's discuss my training really quick so we can get back to talking about treats.  I know all of my basic commands - no need for the standing ovation, really you can do that in a minute when you find out everything I know!  Seriously, go ahead sit down this is going to take a bit... Ahem... I can bow, kiss, circle around you, speak on command and whisper (hold your finger to your lips and say "shhhh whisper" then I'll bark with little to no sound! - cool, I know.  My inmate trainer says he thinks this is YouTube material) Ha! I knew you'd be impressed!

Okay, so I hope you've regained your composure after being blown away by my talents as I have a few more things to say. I love to learn and hope that my new family continues to teach me new things.  I'm always happy and I'm learning to enjoy hanging out with the other Greys.  My inmate trainer says that having me as part of your family is going to be like having a new car.  You're gonna wanna show me off to all of your friends - as you should.  

Sandra Dee With Four Legs?

If Lily were a character in a move her inmate trainer believes she'd be Sandra Dee from "Grease."  At first glance she is all poodle skirts and sweetness, but eventually the leather jacket and pants come out and she shows her sassy side!  Her trainer says that Lily has not found her John Travolta yet, but he's sure that it's due to the fact that she is an intelligent female who know how to take her time choose the right guy!

Her trainer says that Lily is very treat motivated and if you have a piece of kibble for her you'll earn yourself a spot on her Christmas card list!  Lily already speaks on command which he says is handy if you ever need someone to agree with your point of view.  All it takes is a hand signal and she will instantly bark in response to your question. Now that is perfect companionship!

Her inmate trainer says that training is coming along great and that he has no doubt that Lily is going to be a top performer at the end of training!  She is already learning kiss, bow, and circle as additional commands!  He says that training with Lily is the most fun he has had in a long time!    
 

A Four Legged Angel

After waking up to Lily's "I'm so happy to see you" foot stomp dance in the mornings her inmate trainer says that he is now a firm believer that angels sometimes do walk on four legs and have a tail.  Lily continues to be outgoing and fearless.  When it comes to toys she likes them best when other dogs are playing with them.  Other than that the toy is good for about one minute of attention.  Lily is very busy and important so she obviously has little time for such trivial things like a duck that squeaks!  

Lily's inmate trainer says that she's a smart girl who picks up on commands quickly.  She now sits unassisted and can go to the down position from a sit.  Now that she is getting comfortable with her surroundings she prefers not to share her bed or kennel with any of the others Greys.  She has no problems with any of the two legged humans in her personal space.  

Lily's training is progressing nicely!  She already knows many commands verbally and by hand signals such as here, sit, down, stay and bed!  She knows hurry, let's go, release and here really well!  She's a little slow to respond to kennel, wait, heel, sit, down, stay, bed and jump so her inmate trainer will be working with her for faster response times.  

Her inmate trainer says that Lily is an amazingly smart, loving, outgoing, girl who is going to make someone every happy!

Training A Cutie Pie

Lilly's inmate trainer says that anyone who does not believe in the old adage "love at first sight" has obviously never laid eyes on Lilly!  Her inmate trainer has no doubt that some loving family will years of enjoyment from spoiling her when they fall victim to her unbelievably cute face!

Lilly has taken to prison life better than most.  She has no problem meeting new people and is quick to wag her tail.  She has no problem eating all of her food at feeding time.  She even has the attitude of a woman who is comfortable with her figure and asks for seconds, to which her inmate trainer respectfully declines.

Lilly goes potty on the leash like a champ and her trainer uses the command "hurry" and she takes care of business like a good girl.  It has only been a few days, but training is starting off great!  She has already learned kennel, wait, heel, hurry, and let's go.  

Her inmate trainer says that it's easy for him to see that they are both going to come out of this forever changed and happier at the end of their time together. Try as he might to build walls up so that he does not get attached Lilly's loving personality is going to tear down those walls and earn a spot in his heart forever.  Truth be told.... that'd be just fine with him.