Therapy Dog--Born not Made

I decided to go ahead and have Russ evaluated at Nationals for his Therapy Dog International (TDI) status. While I was cruising the web page the first thing it talks about is how therapy dogs are born not made. Last night Russ proved to me that his innate sense is truly the stuff therapy dogs are made of.

So we are watching the Super Bowl and it is a little raucous what with the Boss singing, folks hooting for the Cardinals, food galore, and a 3 yr old playing on the floor. Now my niece is a little afraid of the dogs because they bark and jump.

So after the initial excitement dies a bit, Shaker and Music bid a hasty retreat to our bedroom, but Russ stays and watches the show from the sidelines. Mira (my niece) loves to play with the stuffed dog toys. It helps that they are essentially harmless when she throws them--well except for a little spilled soda pop. Any way Russ is watching her play with the toys, and he doesn't jump or bark he just watches her and moves ever so slowly closer to her and all the Super Bowl action.

Next thing we know Russ and Mira are playing tug of war with the stuffed bunny. Now it is not the usual raucous tug of war that Russ loves but a very gentle back and forth with Mira winning each time. It was the most remarkable scene--gentle, no jumping, no barking--all the things Mira needed to not be afraid of the dogs!

Yep, he's ready.