Fate had her best day by far at the Mansion today. First, we did our first therapy dog visit to the new Memory Care Unit at the Mansion, it opened next week. Something was really different this time, and I think it might be me.

We visited with Lois, the first new resident in the unit, and a passionate dog lover. Loise and  Hollyanne,  a Mansion aide were sitting in the unit lounge, I put Fate right up on the couch between them.

Fate got up on the sofa and was calm and affectionate and as patient and still as I have ever seen her. I think she is beginning to understand that the work is the people, there is no other work at the Mansion. Since she loves people, she is warming to this idea.

I’ve also been working to change my attitude. I know I miss Red, we did so much wonderful work together, and I have struggled with my inability to train Fate to herd sheep when she has so much instinct and drive. I can’t help but think this is my fault, and I am sure it crept into our relationship.

Dogs, like children, need encouragement and support, not questioning and doubt. I got my head on straight today. She responded. I think a dog like Fate rises to our expectations of her.

I had to do better, I could feel it. I know it’s almost always the human’s fault, not the dogs.

I need to be more positive and confident, to have more fun with her, she is not Red, it is not fair to judge her in terms of Red. There will not be another Red, but Fate can be an outstanding dog in her own way and in her own light.

But she is a wonderful dog in her own right, and I want to accept and love her for who she is. The easier and more confident I am, the calmer and more focused she is. Like most dog lovers, I often forget how important my attitude and expectations are to training a complex creature like Fate.

I am clearing my head and visualizing every time now – imagining the outcome I want, and once again I learn that our dogs can pick this up and respond to it, especially if my attitude is good and positive and clear.

Fate has great potential as a therapy dog, and Zinnia, if and when she comes, will have the benefit of early training in a perfect environment. Today really inspired me to move forward. I also work on calming training for her first ten minutes at the Mansion.

We did basic obedience exercises, and sat and stayed for up to five minutes. This clearly settled her, got her past the excitable need-to-jump phase.

I was much impressed by the way Fate handled Alice, a dog lover who is frail and must be approached gently. Fate got up on the sofa, went over on her back and let Alice hold her and touch her in a way that was both loving and safe. I was very much impressed by this, this is a veteran therapy dog move. She handled it perfectly and beautifully.

I kept the leash on her just in case, but after this encounter,  I took it off, even in the crowded activity room. Fate was perfect. She did a lot of good today.