Happy Pack Walks

Choya has been waking me up at 6.15am for many Wednesdays. She doesn't know the days of the week of course, but she knows that the night I put out the school leash, harness and collar, as well as her lunch bag,  it means that she's going to school the next day. On those nights, I never have an issue with getting her to bed. She promptly puts herself to bed by 10pm, thankfully sleeping through the night. But she might wake me before the phone alarm does. While this dog loves routine and a fixed schedule, she isn't a stickler to fixed timings, say, she doesn't need to eat at 6pm or 7pm or 8pm. She's flexible as long as dinner is served after her evening walk, and before bedtime. 

Doggy daycare is serious business. The operators gotta keep the dogs safe and secure within and outside of the premises, keep them happy, exercised and fed, and also gotta have social media savvy hires to ensure pawrents get damn cute photos. Sunny Heights never fail to update me week after week with photos. Texts are sent if Choya skips her lunch or seems a bit moody or anxious. If her behavior is a tad off. Or touch wood, injuries happen. She's famous for her fear of thunder and heavy rain, so that doesn't require a text anymore. She can shiver together with her fweends who might be scared of thunder too.  

I'm relieved to know that Choya thrives in a pack. When she goes to school weekly, it becomes a familiar environment. The school must be doing something right in how their handlers stay for quite a while. Many have stayed for the two years since we came to know of this place. I've met most of the handlers and I appreciate what they do for the dogs. The consistency in handlers also helps the dogs settle in.

While there will be strange and unknown dogs coming in on the days Choya goes to school, there's a core group of 'classmates' whom she's friendly enough with. School (daycare) isn't a bad idea for this dog and her temperament. Her handlers watch all of their charges carefully. They've definitely earned my trust, and chalked up plenty of brownie points to take rough edges of my anger should anything happen. 

Choya has spent 1.5 years and counting at Sunny Heights. She's thriving. She comes home happy, and not traumatized. The exercise, socialization and mental stimulation are good for her. The man and I keep up with her daily training; while we can keep her exercised and well-fed, these happen in a different form. We wouldn't be able to provide a pack environment for her. (Also, we're not that sociable.) That's something the school can do, and do well.