We made a family trek to meet a friend – Jackie Thorne – at a new aquarium store near Saratoga Springs called Benson’s Fishroom, a labor of love from Ryan Benson, who also owns and runs pet stores all over the area.

I am still trying to socialize Zinnia in strange environments, and she did well in this one, accepting much love and sitting like the Queen Mum observing the flow.

Fish are clearly Ryan’s first love, his store is amazing, a fish lover’s little paradise, and I also learned that he is a supporter of a group that raises money to give fully equipped fish tanks to schools up to the seventh grade.

This got me started about thinking about if a fish tank is a good idea for Bishop Maginn, kids love them but there are all sorts of issues about who will care for them, especially on weekends, holidays and summer vacation.

Still, Ryan said he would help me put a tank together if I raised the money. He’d offer a discount. I’ll ask Bishop Maginn about it next week, I expect the answer will be a reluctant no.

But I want to offer it. There are some rabid animal lovers among the students, and many live close to the school. It could work. If the tank is small, a student could bring it home over the summer.

We had a great visit, we got two snails, three community fish and a plant that grows lily pads.

I’ve found a new training issue for Zinnia, she barks loudly and gets excited when she sees another dog. It’s not aggressive behavior, it looks more like fear or arousal. She barks, pulls on her lead, then quiets as she sniffs and observes the dog.

I think I need to do more work with her around other dogs.

In the therapy work, that’ s not likely, but it is very important in the certification process. She needs to lie down and be calm on command.

She was too excited today at the fish store, although once she got to sniff the dog, she quieted right down..

Fortunately, there was no aggression of any kind. I see she is not without some domination genes. But I have some more work to do. The breeder was adamant about my keeping Zinnia away from other dogs until she had all of her shots, so she is just now seeing strange dogs.

I’ve got to get my training hat on. The fish store was great fun. One day I’ll buy a 65-gallon tank if we can find space for it in the living room. But not now.