Hi Kathy,
I imagine you receive calls and notes often, thanking you for all that you do for the animals, and I wanted to add mine. Monte is a different dog in your care, and I attribute it to the philosophy and approach you are committed to at Luck Dawg. I was especially thankful when I listened to Dr. Nichols comments about Monte’s day care and what a good fit Lucky Dawg is for Monte.
As you know (!), Monte’s separation anxiety was pretty much sealed in the first four years of his life, being crated 20 – 22 hours every day, for the entire four years — and when he was outside, he was tied up with a 6 foot cable. That he is as sweet, functional and connected as he is, is amazing, but I have ached as I witnessed his deep anxiety when he feels separated.
In the brief time he has been coming to Lucky Dawg, he is less stressed and more at ease than I have ever seen him. And the progress he has made, that you and Nicole talk about, means more to me than I can tell you. I know with certainty that it is because of the level of knowledge and care you bring into your work, and the dedication you have to helping dogs feel comfortable being “dogs.” The previous day care I took Monte to had so many dogs at any given time that he was just one of the masses — safe but not really connected and, based on the barking that they reported, certainly not at real ease. When you told me he was actually beginning to play with other dogs at your daycare, I understood at another level your dedication. Thank you so much for being there, for Monte and all of the dogs lucky enough to come to Lucky Dawg.