Well, it all started with a text message

I once said that if I ever got a dog, it would be a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  My brother's family had one and she was great, so accommodating with their busy schedules, so cuddly, so mischievous. Of the small dog breeds I have come in contact with, the Cav seems the least small dog-ish.  So I just said that would be my dog type.  Mind you I was not looking for a dog.  Good Lord, no!  I have two cats and a horse.  I do not have time for a dog.

Enter the text message.  Late fall, I get a message from my friend Emily, "do you want a puppy?"  I tried to say no but she kept slipping little tidbits about him, like his owner had to give him up and wanted him to go to a good home, like how adorable he was, how well mannered...  So I said I would meet him.  Well, he came home on the first date.

The cats were confused for a bit but he seemed trainable, so they worked it out.  Now they prefer to be together at all times, and the cats monitor Ivan when he runs in the back yard.  

Now, Ivan is pretty smart and really cute and, well, mischievous.  So I asked the vet for a recommendation and they suggested Pawsabilities Unleashed.  Off we went to Doggy Civilizing class and Ivan was a hit right off.  Everyone agreed that Ivan was really cute, really smart and was going to become spoiled rotten if I did not give him a job.  Actually lots of jobs.  And so Ivan and I started to explore this thing called Therapy Dog work.  I like to volunteer, I love being out in the community and Ivan seems to enjoy it as well.

I am hoping this blog will entertain our readers and promote Therapy and Service dogs.  Perhaps it will inspire someone else to adopt a dog and get to work.