Remy the Wonder-Puppy
I recently brought home a new little baby named Remy. He’s a Bichon Frise (pronounced Bee-shon Free-Zay), and was seven weeks old when we got him. He’s twelve weeks old now, and weighs about four pounds. I have to say he is the best puppy I have ever had to train. We live in a condo, without a yard, so I immediately started taking him outside on the leash. He resisted a little, but after about five minutes we were walking around the building with ease. I was amazed. It took me several months to finally get my older dogs used to a leash. Holly, my four-year old poodle, flopped around like a fish and then sat down and refused to move at all. It took tons of effort on my part to finally get her going. He’s already fetching and knows what “sit� means. This could possibly be the best dog ever.
Remy also loves people, as well as other animals. He absolutely doesn’t meet a stranger. He’s very friendly and outgoing. Just the other day, we were walking, and we came across an elderly neighbor. I see her out walking often, but she usually seems somewhat oblivious to my presence, and I assumed she probably can’t hear and/or see very well. On this day, Remy decided to go over and say hello, so I let him. Pleasantly, her face lit up as he approached her; she bent down to pet him and he showered her with kisses. She cuddled and played with him for a few minutes, and then we both went our separate ways, her with a big smile, and me with an idea in my head.
It occurred to me that Remy might be perfect for Pet Therapy. Therapy dogs are allowed into places such as nursing homes and hospitals to visit with patients and hopefully brighten their day. For a dog to become a therapy dog, they must first pass the Canine Good Citizenship Test. I’m still looking into this idea, and I don’t exactly have all the information I need as of yet. I’ll keep posting about Remy’s progress, and Therapy Dogs.
Do you know any ‘Therapy Dogs’?
dogs, pets, animals, bichon frise, puppies, therapy dogs, pet therapy, cgc test
March 7th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
What a precious pup!!
I adopted Mabel, a deaf mutt, when she was just six weeks old. After a rough bout of parvo, she made it through unscathed. She was the most social dog I’d ever had, and she had the temperment of a saint.
I checked into therapy dogs at the time, and found that the training was more time-consuming than difficult. We went to a few rounds of classes, but I ended up moving out of the area and we never pursued it any further when we resettled.
But I think every dog with a sweet disposition and a fondness to learn should work with the elderly and invalid. The power of animals is limitless.
Great post!
March 8th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Remy is ADORABLE! The pet therapy thing sounds like a great idea too.
June 18th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
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August 24th, 2007 at 12:10 am
My family is researching about getting a Bichon Frise, did you get Remy locally here in Minneapolis? Care to share to share where?