Snow Laden Branches

Snow Laden Branches, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Definitely a white Christmas in Montreal. Though we have not had a major storm, we have had a fair amount of light snow that keeps falling. Today was our first sunny day in a while. A walk through Summit Park was delightful. Dogs are welcome there and I was one of few who was there without a dog. Many dogs were out cavorting in the snow. Some wore winter attire. This is one park where dogs are allowed to run free in the winter. They obviously enjoy the opportunity to run and play and make friends with other pooches.

       
Despite the sun the cold nipped at my hands as I took them out of my gloves to snap photos, but the cold air is also exhilarating. A walk on a sunny, cold winter day is a delight.



And the days are getting longer...

Apr 10/10: Dog Day Afternoon

Apr 10/10: Looking Out, originally uploaded by susanvg.

It's a dog's life being stuck in a car when right across the street there are two more dogs. But try as they might, there is no escape. My neighbourhood is home to many dogs. Many are part of the "M" team - dogs that are walked by our local dog-walker.

Each day Martin picks up dogs from various homes to walk them in packs of about 8. You can see him at different times of the day, always with a variety of canines. It doesn't matter what the combination of dogs is, they all seem to get along and enjoy being together. He controls them, in English and in French and they respect him in return. I wrote about him once before.

Jan 15/10: Working Dogs

Jan 15/10: Working Dogs, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I went with a friend to a nursing home to play music for her mother who is 101. While we were there the weekly visit of these dogs happened. I was told that they belong to Zoothérapie Québec, an organization that arranges visits by dogs to a variety of long term care facilities. (The website is only in French). The dogs live with families, get evenings and weekends off, but otherwise work during the week. The effect of the visit was obvious. People who had been sitting expressionless broke out into smiles. Maggie, On Mme D's lap enjoyed the attention. Elvis, calmly waited his turn to be the centre of attention. The dogs patiently sat on laps, nuzzled with the patients and brought a sense of joy and calm. What a pick-me-up on an otherwise grey day!

Day 255: Sheep Herding

Day 255: Sheep Herding, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Instinct - that's what the gentleman spoke about as he demonstrated how his border collies herd sheep. They are bred for herding and it is remarkable to watch them focus solely on herding the sheep. He explained that in training them he does not reward or praise them, just lets them know through tone of voice that they are off the mark.

The dogs understood spoken commands as well as whistle commands and obeyed completely (well not quite completely), never taking their eyes off the sheep.

I'm just reading Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire: The Methods and Madness in Room 56 by Rafe Esquith. Our students are much more complex than these dogs. Instinct alone will not help our students develop. But the respect for the capabilities of our students and the belief that they can achieve is common to the approach of both Rafe and the dog trainer. As for the sheep - we have to help our students see that following the flock and banding together isn't the best path to growth!

Day 126: The Dog Walker

IMG_3455, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Martin is our local dog walker. As an owner of cats, I have not used his services, but have often chatted with him. He has an incredible rapport with the animals. Like a dog whisperer, he makes even the most unruly dog walk happily along with the rest of the pack. You see him passing with up to about 8 dogs at various times of the day. His double role is that of neighbourhood watch. He knows the patterns of our community and keeps an eye out for changes. His presence adds a level of safety (not that it is particularly unsafe).

Martin has keys to many homes as he picks up and delivers dogs on his route. The dogs know he is a dog's best friend.