Fudge Tries Volunteering!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

 

When we first got Fudge and she was still a little puppy, I had big dreams of volunteering with her at the Assisted Living Facility where I volunteer. The breeder assured me she was the calmest dog in the litter, and if by calm she meant reactive to every living thing that moves, then I would agree. Before I got too carried away, I decided to take her over to the Assisted Living place and see how she did.  My good friend is the receptionist there and calls herself Fudge and Vern’s aunt, except she wants to be called Aunt Ciocia (Polish for aunt) or something. I have trouble remembering the correct pronunciation, so we sometimes change it to Aunt CooCoo, but regardless of what we call her, my dogs love her. Well, the first person we see when we walk in the door is Aunt CooCoo and she is so excited about seeing Fudge that Fudge goes nuts. Remember she was a very young puppy and before I could stop her, she jumped up on the desk, knocked over a few pencils, and launched herself into Aunt CooCoo’s lap. I have never had a Therapy dog before, but I knew enough to know this was not how most of them acted in a public place.

 

I explained that we were in the process of ironing out a few kinks, but they just kept saying stuff like, “the elderly don’t like to be startled.” I assured them that we planned on doing lots more training with Fudge, but my friend still suggested I come back at a later date. I think she said to return after she retired.

 

Well, jump to today. Usually, Vern and Fudge go to the dog sitter on Wednesday.  Once the dog sitter arrives to take them to her house, Vern, or Benedict Arnold, as I like to call him, forgets all about me. He loves to go with her and just stares at her like he is thinking, “Get me out of here NOW!”  She says all he wants to do at her house is watch her cat, but I think she is throwing me a bone (so to speak).  I am Fudge’s favorite person in the world and she is happy to see the pet sitter, but always lets me know I am still her first choice. Today, I decided to take her again to the Assisted Living Facility.

 

What a difference a couple of years and some training made with Fudge. Fudge was amazing and the residents loved her. She had no problem with wheelchairs or walkers, and was calm and loving.  They have birds in a large cage in the lobby and Fudge was interested in them, but she did not over react and listened when I told her to leave it.  I was concerned about the birds, because I knew I wasn’t strong enough to move that cage by myself if we ran into a problem.  I also know from past experience that the residents would not help. They come up with all kinds of excuses….”I am 93….I’m in a wheelchair….I just had my hip replaced,” to get out of helping. Anyway, no help was needed and Fudge made me very proud. One resident told me she had never pet a dog before EVER and loved how soft Fudge was and I told her to start finding a dog to pet every day!!  Another resident who keeps dog treats in her wheelchair was feeding treats to Fudge like she was a slot machine.  I told her to slow down before Fudge popped and make her earn her treat with a trick, and all she said to Fudge was "Smile" and gave her another treat and then she smiled. Fudge liked her a lot!! I saw a whole new side to Fudge today… she was just so kind and affectionate to all the residents that approached her, that even Aunt CooCoo said we could come back.

Fudge, My Sweet Volunteer:

Vern, aka Benedict Arnold:

[BG and Gavin]

Great outcome Laurie and told with your usual flair!  Darn those old, immobile people, they never help move things!! Kisses to Ben too!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

What a wonderful story!  Fudge is such a sweetie pie - who wouldn't just love getting a visit from her?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We're soooo proud of you Fudge!  Great job, our Doodle friend!  We know that you brought smiles to lots of people who needed a reason to smile.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks for all the nice comments!! Fudge is sleeping in today...it is hard to be a volunteer.

[sandy b]

Way to go Fudge!! Lots of treats you say? Hmmm, maybe I should try this?

[Coco Chanel and Cheryl]

Coco is so proud of Fudge!! She likes to go to the assisted living facility to see my grandma!! When we first went she was wild and no one would pet her!! Now she goes and everyone pets her and she sits for them!! She even knows who doesn't want her to come up!! We had a proud moment because we walked at an outdoor city area with lots of people and she was so good!! She let people pet her and did not jump on anyone!!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Cha Cha Lisa here (actually it's Cha Cha Sasa in my family) - that's how we pronounce Ciocia.

CONGRATULATIONS FUDGE your mommy must be so proud.

Laurie you have given me hope. As you know Daisy is/was also very reactive to everything and it doesn't mean moving everythings, it means anything everythings. However training has her not afraid of wheelchairs and crutches as long as I am by her side.

The only thing I am concerned with is Daisy doesn't like over the head pets, you always have to go underneath, would it be plausible to tell a Senior that? If they go over the head she will duck and avoid contact.

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Way to go Fudge!  You make all of us doodles proud and you're really cute too.  --Clifford and Cloud

[cheryl & oliver]

WTG Fudge...Isn't it great when the "kids" make us proud of them out in public?...People think we have such amazing "kids"...Of course they are not there when all hell breaks loose in the house, or they get into stuff they shouldn't...BUT, as my Mom used to say, people only see what is in front of them, lol....And you must be doing something right, just look what a wonderful girl Fudge turned out to be!!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Oh, we are so proud of Fudge!  We are somewhere between Arnold (oops we mean Vern) and Fudge and might go either way.  Our mom is not as nice as you cuz she doesn't get us a sitter. We have to stay home by ourselves. Boring!

Ned and Clancy