Paws Claws Scales and Tails 
By Eileen Michals
Now we are up to the summer of 2006 and the theme of the summer reading program at the Mid-Columbia Library system just seems to fit “The Shreq” The library system consists of 11 branches located throughout the eastern corner of Washington State. Originally, when I volunteered ‘The Shreq’ for this summer program, we were told the visits would be spread out over an 8 week period, which was very doable between his other therapy commitments and the performance ring.
Somehow, before the program started, the dates changed and we were to go to a different library every day for a week, week off and then another round of libraries daily. This was hard on the dog, and Shreq had to ask my other LOAL Doberman, Anonymous, for help during the sessions.
June 12th Our first visit was to Merrill’s Corner, a little building in Eltopia, so little that we met outside under a huge evergreen tree. It was raining that day, but we were all snug and dry under the heavy limbs. This was a group of about 20 young people and their parents. As I did at each library, explained some of the training, socializing, and activities involved in therapy work. I never know how a visit will go over, this time ‘The Shreq’ would only talk to the boys and ignored the little girls, much to the boys delight. So I got Anonymous out of the van and she smooched all over the girls to make up for his ignoring them.
June 13th The next day we had a shorter drive to Pasco, a library that both dogs have visited as part of ongoing programs over the past couple of years. Anonymous just turned eight in September and she has been an active ThD most of her life. At Pasco we were joined by a friend, Gail, and her Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund – Nawdia. Since this summer, eight of the dogs in our Columbia Basin Dog Training Club have become certified which is great and spreads the joy around.
June 14th Next day had us on the road again this time to Basin City; most out of town libraries were at least an hour away. I was offered mileage to all the libraries by Mid-Columbia, but this was fun for me, the children and the dogs, so never considered keeping mileage records. Most libraries were very helpful with controlling the situations, allowing the dogs their quiet space unless they were interacting with people.
Sometimes the barriers were pillows, a piece of tape or just a section opposite some chairs. The first week wasn’t too hard on the dogs, but we had seen around 40 people each day so far and the dogs do try to meet and remember everyone. By the second week, it was obvious that the dogs had to take turns, and have breaks while I talked, allowing them to sleep.
On the 15th of June, we had a short trip to West Richland Library with the two dogs. The Librarian was on vacation at this location, but the substitutes were very helpful in organizing the crowd and there were several good questions asked that allowed the program to be original. I try hard not to sound like a canned voice.
June 16th Our last library visit of the week was at our own library here in Kennewick, just two minutes from the house. For this one I was able to get Lisa and her Newfoundland, Kula – Sharon and Argus also a Newfoundland – Kathy and Kayos (Shreq’s best girl friend) a German Shepherd Dog to join Shreq and I as there was over 150 people for this visit. We divided up into 3 groups, plus Argus gave rides to the children around the library, as he pulled 2 small carts around inside the building. This place is very supportive of my dogs and I get in trouble trying to pick up a reserved book if I am unaccompanied by a dog. For this visit, ‘The Shreq’ was dressed in his Elvis outfit and about 50 children posed with him one at a time getting their photos taken. The library may do something similar around Christmas in order to gather some food items for the local animal shelter.
June 19th Now we have a week off from the library visits so there is time for a Therapy Dog visit to a new location where the situation is four homes with 6 residents each. We met people in the living room areas and the dogs (Kayos joined us) were well received. We now go to this Legacy House once a month. During the spring of 2006 we had gotten the Rally Novice title on Shreq which I sewed on to his coat. There is a lady here who is a retired Registered Nurse, and she was very fixated on the RN patch that Shreq was wearing. Kept asking why he was an RN and figured she “had gone to the dogs”. We finally put tape over the patch and calm resumed.
June 20th Since I am always looking for new places to visit, I had contacted a group called Visiting Angels. We had an interview with some of the staff, and at first the response was cool, because of the breed of dog, but it didn’t last long. Before we left, the dogs both had new Teddy Bears to carry home. “Teddy” will show up again in the future.
June 21st The third Wednesday of each month we visit Alterra, a retirement community, in Richland. At first it took some talking to get the Activities Director to try the Therapy Dogs program but they have since become fans and we are nearing our 2nd year of visits. As soon as we get some more hours logged in at this facility and all the additional paperwork is submitted, “The Shreq” will apply for an Advanced Therapy Dog title: e:sv for Elderly: Senior Visits. Again, there is good support here, the staff puts up a red Doberman flyer in the elevator announcing the upcoming visit; a poster in the hallway on the way to the dining room and it is listed on the event calendar each month.
June 22nd This is a travel day as we head to Portland, Or to compete in Rally at a Doberman Specialty. June 23rd had us showing in Excellent as the substitute Honor dog which was unexpected and after we got through, he was too warm and uncomfortable to do well in Advanced. Disappointing as his owner, breeder, handler was there and that just added to the stress on my part, wanting to do well. Until I got Shreq in Oct. of 2005 had not been competing for over 20 years and I still had bad ring nerves.
Jun 24th Was a class in Yakima where we often train, taking over 70 classes there in 2005 and about half that many this year as we work on Agility, Rally, Obedience, Leadership, Tracking, and Freestyle Dance. On Sunday we rested and watched NASCAR and my favorite driver and yes, I have his signature on a cap! “To Eileen from Jeff Gordon”.
June 26th Again on the road, to Kahlotus this time, another small library “by the grain mill” were the directions. At this visit, the group was small but very interested. One woman that came to our program had a Rottweiller and was pleased to see another of the breeds on the BSL lists doing a good PR job. Her Rottie is an alert dog for her as she has Epileptic seizures and he lets her know when one is coming on so she can get to safety. Doing Therapy visits always means we meet some interesting folks as we go along.
June 27th Back in Kennewick at a branch across town, this time we are at Keewaydin with Gail and Nawdia helping out. ‘The Shreq’ and I just sat back and let that team take over the program, giving the dog a well deserved break. Don’t tell Kayos but ‘The Shreq’ and Nawdia have been ‘good’ friends since he moved to town!
June 28th In Othello, we had the usual turnout, another 40 or so new folks to meet and greet. I sometimes take a favorite toy along to give the dogs some company. Anonymous was with us this time and as I was talking and had Shreq’s attention, she slipped around behind us, took his Teddy and hid it in the book stacks. The children thought it was hilarious and nothing that you can teach a dog, the good ones just know what to do, seems to me. She came back and laid down, didn’t want the toy to play with, just being ornery.
June 29th Benton City was our library today, where KVEW-TV would be to get some film on ‘The Shreq’. We also set up an example of the PAWS To Read program to get publicity for the program hopefully starting in the fall as the schedule allowed. KVEW-TV ended up following the dog for three weeks as he was demo at a CGC class; Therapy Dog visit; summer school, a Washington State University program, and some other activities from his social calendar during July.
June 30th Our 10th library, only one to go next month. This small town had a big sign out front letting everyone know the Therapy Dogs were coming to visit. Although we had our own space, a little toddler came up and grabbed Shreq’s muzzle with all his chubby fingers. The dog just sat still as a statue waiting for the baby to let go. His Mother made a millisecond dash from the back of the room, but there was no need which she soon realized. Anyone that has done much Therapy work knows the dog can be attacked at any time. During an earlier visit, a young man hurt Shreq making him yelp and leap away. Then the child turned to his brother and said “Now watch, now he will try to get me”
July 1st is back to Yakima – don’t remember if it was a Leadership class with Kathy and Kayos or an Agility play day. Was fun anyway, and if it was Leadership, the trainers often use him as a demo dog or allow children to see what it is like to have a dog that minds his manners and doesn’t drag them down the street.
July 2nd Today we traveled to Spokane where we train with Barb Gordon, working on basic obedience skills, and heeling patterns for Rally. On July 4th we drove to Hermiston, OR to practice a rally course in a new area with some other die hard trainers, wind or rain, we still show up. Now we are tracking in the rain and waiting for that first snow fall so we can see how well the dogs do with that challenge.
If you have read this far, you are asking, why is she still talking about libraries, isn’t it over yet? Nope, not yet, we have one more library to visit. July 11th in Prosser where there is another good turn out, TV camera again, and a lovely young lady reads a book to ‘The Shreq’. This young lady had a big TV camera in her face, was wired for sound and did a fabulous job during her interview after reading her book. While another child read to Nawdia, we decided try and get more dogs involved through the fall and winter with PAWS.
The TV show aired on the 24th of July on a station that I don’t receive on my DISH network. Fortunately, I had reconstructive surgery on my right shoulder that morning and the hospital carried the program. I got to watch him on the 6 o’clock news, the 11 o’clock news where he was mentioned as an upcoming item and at 6 the next morning with bullets. Only cost me $15,000 to see him on TV.
Not all of his months are like this, though I often feel like his Social Secretary. Just the other day the phone rang and someone asked “Is this Shreq’s Mom?” I replied where do you want him and at what time? So until next time, take care, Eileen, Anonymous and ‘The Shreq’.
Reprinted with permission from the "Doberman Digest"
You can click on any of the titles below to read the essay:
The Doberman and Cowboy ·
September 11 ·
Max the Rescue
· Paws Claws Scales and Tails
· Winter of 2006
· Mesu
· The Eggnog Doberman
· Dolphie