When is Widget Moving In?

I have had many people over the last year ask me when Widget will be moving in permanently with me.  I have been waiting for inspiration and motivation to post the right words to say.  Ever since I started working with Widget there was always  the chance that he and I wouldn’t be suited for whatever reason.  K9 Helpers, has always included the clients in the beginning stages of the training and started off slowly, and slowly integrating the dog with the hander.  This is one of the many reasons I love this organization.

I have always considered myself a volunteer with the chance of Widget becoming my service dog.  There are so many variables which disqualifies a dog, or even the handler for that matter.  I always said, that if things went according to plan that Widget will move in with me in April.

I FINALLY have an update regarding Widget and I.  As much as I adored that dog, and worked with him, he was a lot of dog, meaning he had a very high prey drive.  He took a great deal of concentration for me to work with.  He has taught me so much, however, he is not the dog for me.  He is not going to be my service dog.

He is now living an amazing life for a dog, back with his breeder in Ohio.

I am sure you are all wondering how I am doing with this sudden change.  And to be honest, I am doing ok, and to my surprise I am relieved that I am not going to be partnered with him.  If I was, I would do my best to make it work out, but it would’ve been extremely difficult.

I will be working with another dog or puppy in the next year (I am estimating).  And now I have more skills to put toward another dog, and one that might not be so hard for me to work with.  As I said, Widget has helped me a great deal.  I have been able to learn so much with working and playing with him.  I am sorry that so much time and money has gone into him but at this point, I cannot focus on that.

So where do I go from here?  i take some breathing room from dog training, and I focus myself on other areas.  I am jumping into a few hobbies of mine, and just waiting patiently until I hear what is going to happen.  A few friends that have service dogs have offered me to help work their dogs. Just basic stuff, like working on a few of their hand signals, and basic obedience brush ups.  I am more than willing to help with that 🙂  So, that’s what I’m doing.

So just a recap.  Widget is not moving in, but I am relieved because we weren’t the best match and I will be getting another dog to be my service dog in training in the future.

Chow for now