Catching up with Gavin - 6 year DK-anniversary

[BG and Gavin]

It has been six years since I joined this site.  When I joined Gavin looked like this:

My friends at DK have been there for us through thick and thin, sickness and health, triumphs and set backs.   We owe a lot to the advice and friendship that we found on this site.  Gavin has gone from an adorable little land shark of a puppy to the most wonderful and best behaved dog I could dream of.  Aside from getting a dental cleaning and a broken tooth removed yesterday, he is in perfect health as his blood profile indicated.  I owe part of that (and perfect poops) to Karen and our Food Group members.  He is also well-exercised and well trained thanks to Jane and our Training Group.  And lastly he is an active Therapy Dog thanks to the inspiration of Charlotte and the rest of our friends in the Therapy Dog Group.  I would like to encourage any new members to join Puppy Madness first and then get involved in some of the other active groups on DK.  You doodle can be even more than you ever dreamed!  I hope that along the way I too have passed on some tips and inspiration.

If you are so inclined, you can Like and Share Gavin's page on FB: 

https://www.facebook.com/Gavin-The-Therapy-Dog-334456143425609/?ref...

It was started by one of my LD students that I was mentoring, who is taking photography classes.  She has stayed on with us this year as a volunteer (Gavin's charms have done it again).  Here are a couple of her pictures of Gavin at work (at the College and at a Stroke and ABI group)

And finally a shout out to F and the Photography group as I was able to get this nice picture of Gavin and my student.

And what were the very first discussions that I started?

1. Housebreaking question

2. Coat question

3.  Loose leash walking question

And who was my first friend?

Joanne and Spud!

There more things change, the more they stay the same ;)

Thanks Adina and DK!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Fun to read your update on Gavin.  You two are doing such terrific work and touching many souls.  It does not get any better than that!  Thanks for posting Gavin's facebook link - we will be following him! Keep up the great work.

[BG and Gavin]

Thank you so much Linda. Volunteering is easy once you find something that you love to do.

[F, Calla & Luca]

By and Gavin, how nice to review your DK times and we all feel like we know you forever.

[BG and Gavin]

Me too F. From looking back, you were the first person to answer my first post. Thanks for your consistency on this site. It is so rare.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Happy DK Anniversary! You and Gavin have contributed so much to all of us here; helping people keep their dogs safe by advocating for car safety restraints, setting a great example and being wonderful ambassadors for our doodles with your therapy work, and being the voice of reason in so many areas of discussion and debate. The day you joined DK was a lucky day for all of us, and it's a real reason to celebrate!

[BG and Gavin]

I am honoured by your kind words Karen. My 4th post ever was asking for advice on a seat belt for Gavin lol. Guess I took up that torch early.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This just made my day, BG!  I have had the special gift of watching Gavin grow up and getting to know you.  You are such a perfect team....I really think you "complete each other"...LOL.  I remember when you did the training class when he was tethered to you and what an amazing bond you both developed.  You have taken your love for one another and shared it with so many through your Therapy work.  I truly believe that takes our bond with our Doods to a whole new level.  Happy DK anniversary...how lucky we are to have one another for strength, laughs when we need it, knowledge about how to best "raise" these incredible Doodles, and most of all the hugs that are so freely given on this site.  Yes, thank you Adina and Clark for creating this wonderful little "Doodle village".

[BG and Gavin]

Thank you Jane. Yes the tethering! I advised my friend who has been struggling to train her large rescue dog to tether without talking and she phoned the next day proclaiming they had a huge break through after just one session!

[Stella]

Happy DK anniversary!! It's amazing how quickly the time goes by, can't believe our doodles are "all grown up" now. Hartley was also a land shark, I had to resort to spraying my hands and arms, and feet with Bitter Apple because he wouldn't stop!!

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Stella, my fellow Ontarian and Cottage Country lover.

[Stella]

:)

[Donna K & Quincy]

Happy Anniversary. I've certainly enjoyed knowing you and Gavin on DK. BTW, We are still working on the stop command. It works like a charm without distractions. :>)