WAGS’
Home Helpmate, Dylan
was born on July 19, 2005. His breeders are Peggy and Gary Lindholm who are also
Volunteer Puppy Raisers for WAGS.
Dylan, and his brother,
Dexter came into the WAGS training
program on September 6, 2005.
Dylan began his training in Wauwatosa with Volunteer Puppy
Raiser Jean Dineen and then came to live with my pet dog,
Lucy and me in December of 2005 – the same month I began
with WAGS as Program Director. I was getting used to
Wisconsin winters (coming from California and North
Carolina) so it was nice having a sweet golden retriever in
the house.
To put it nicely, Dylan was a “bit needy” as a youngster. It
was a trait that would make him a wonderful Home Helpmate
later in his life. But, when I had a root canal and was
suffering the effects of a pain pill (nausea) late one
night, having Dylan leaning against the recliner – panting –
wanting to be petted DID NOT make me feel better. His
panting was shaking the recliner.
Dylan continued his training with Volunteer Puppy Raiser
Mike Croft and his partner, Sonjia. Mike has cared for and
trained many WAGS dogs and gives them wonderful
opportunities to live with different animals – their pet
dog, Lacy and three mules. Dylan began showing signs that he
was anxious in most public places – letting us know with his
body language, drooling, not taking treats, etc. We happily
listened to him and began his career path to Home Helpmate
training. He continued his home manners (waiting for meals
and at the door when guests arrived), polite walking on
leash, retrieve and, of course, recall. And, we began
looking at our list of Home Helpmate clients to determine
the best placement for Dylan.
That’s when we realized that Daniel and Dylan might be a
perfect match. Daniel needed a companion that really wanted
to be petted; who would help him feel more confident and
responsible and who would give him a reason to take more
walks outside. When we began talking with Daniel and his
family about the possibility of starting Team Training with
Dylan, Daniel’s mom, Barb emailed: “Daniel is very excited
about meeting Dylan. When he came home from school yesterday
and I told him about the dog, he was so happy he fell to the
floor in a dramatic fake faint, and then got up and danced
in the kitchen.” And that’s EXACTLY the response I was
hoping for!! It was EXACTLY the response Dylan gave every
time he felt excited too.
We began our Team Training on January 18, 2007 here at the
WAGS facility. Daniel and his mom and dad (Barb and Joe)
began by meeting and loving on Dylan and, of course, Dylan
being a Golden Retriever, loved all over Daniel! Dylan’s
Puppy Raiser, Mike spent some time telling stories about
Dylan and then Team Training began with Daniel learning
basic commands, giving treats and praise and how to change
the tone of his voice depending on what he wanted from
Dylan.
Since Dylan would not have public access, the remainder of
the training took place in Daniel’s home, first introducing
Dylan to the King’s pet dog D’ohgee (sounds like d-o-g) and
continuing with basic training and going for walks. Dylan
stayed overnight while I went to a nearby hotel and returned
the following day. That evening, I left Dylan with his new
family and drove back, for the first of many times, alone to
Madison. Fortunately, Lucy, as always, was waiting for me to
go for a walk.
In the first of many follow-up phone calls from Barb, I
heard that things were going great. Because the family was
willing to let Daniel be the primary care giver (feeding,
petting, walking, playing, cleaning up poop, etc) with
Dylan, Dylan’s bond was beginning with Daniel. D’ohgee and
Dylan were playing well together and Barb said, “We are
blown away by how great this is for Daniel.”
Naturally, a bond in any relationship takes time to work out
all the kinks. Fortunately, the Kings understood this when,
at three weeks, I heard, “It’s not even been three weeks yet
since Dylan arrived”. They understood that there would be an
adjustment period for everyone including the two dogs. And,
they were willing to help Daniel learn what was involved
with caring for a dog. They made it fun, too, by having
Dylan help on recycle days by carrying each item from one
place to another – having Daniel give the commands. In an
email to Barb and Joe, I wrote: “It was just wonderful to
spend some time with you all last night. I was just glowing
as I returned to Madison – remembering Dylan and Daniel, the
recycling and most of all, the walk/run.” Barb’s response:
“Thank you for the words of wisdom; we appreciate the
support and help. Things are going much better. We’re loving
the sit/stay idea – it’s going great and sooo easy (on us!).
We’ll keep you posted and see you in August.” Follow-up is a
valuable part of the picture for WAGS – we know that it
takes more than two weeks (or even six months) for a Team to
become a partnership.
Fast forward into the Spring and Daniel and Dylan passed
their 4-H Dog Obedience class – Advanced Off Leash Class.
This was a wonderful way for Daniel to continue learning how
to work with Dylan and be consistent – something that would
pay off as they continued their lives together.
We were blessed to have the whole King family join us for
the WAGS Graduation in August 2007 and watched as Dylan wore
his own graduating cap and gown. The event made us all shed
tears of joy as we saw what a difference these dogs make in
the lives of their person and family members!
In the fall 2007 Paw Prints newsletter, Joe wrote: “We knew
that the relationship between Daniel and Dylan was something
special when Daniel began bragging about how many times a
day they went for a walk. … Those one-mile walks, which have
slowly evolved into independent outings, are also a reminder
of how Dylan has helped broaden the world for Daniel. … He
has also taken surprisingly well to the responsibilities
that came with Dylan. There are never any complaints about
feeding him or about cleaning up the yard. In fact, taking
responsibility for those chores seems to have helped him
become more reliable with others – a side benefit we never
anticipated.” (Click here to read the entire article.)
I returned to Daniel’s home in December 2007 for our final
“official” post-placement follow-up home visit. As had
happened on most other visits, I enjoyed a wonderful supper
with the whole family – Daniel, Dustin, Kaitlyn, Barb and
Joe. It was a time to chat and catch up on all their many
interests. Everyone is involved in the community theatre and
many school events. D’ohgee now had a new best friend.
Daniel had become wonderfully consistent with Dylan whether
it was feeding time or going through the door or walking on
the leash. Daniel constantly had his hand on Dylan and I
knew, in that moment, we had found the perfect place for
Dylan.
In an email dated April 2008, I read: “Just a note to let
you know that all is well with Daniel and Dylan. The bond
continues to grow – Daniel gets downright militant these
days if anything gets between him and his walk with Dylan.
They have become a regular fixture in the neighborhood. And
there is no question in Dylan’s mind as to whose dog he is
these days. Daniel and Dylan are becoming inseparable and
Dylan is happy and healthy.”
Dylan and Daniel enjoyed camping with their family at
Shabbona Lake this past summer and Dylan listened as Daniel
sang Love Shack karaoke style! It’s a song from a play that
Daniel and his brother, Dustin are doing this fall called
“Back to the 80’s. We simply couldn’t be happier for Dylan –
and for Daniel!
