And in prances Fiona…….

It all started on our ride home from Camp Lejeune. Donna and I needed to focus on our next class, the Veterans and the dogs we were looking for, as a diversion from missing Stig and Bella. Our last dogs we just paired. We got talking about TV shows we watch……Burn Notice came up……Fiona……and I mentioned to Donna that “I almost named Stella that. I like that name for a girl dog for us…..”

The next morning Donna and I were off looking at Trooper, (another Stiggys Dog contender whoI will write about later). After leaving there I was headed to my mothers house. I told Donna that I would stop by thee Humane Society by her house.  We had our criteria for what we were looking for, so a quick in and out would be fine to see I needed Donna to go back. I walked past a few ‘maybes’, when I noticed this brindle little bundle curled up in the floor. As soon as the dog saw me peak in, she ran to the glass, rolled over, and showed me her belly to rub. I looked at her cage card: Catahoula Leopard Dog /Mix. No way! That was the breed Stig was and we knew this breed well. High energy, very intelligent, desire to learn and work……Plus my heart was still aching for Stig. I immediately picked up the phone and dialed Donna. “Ummmm…you need to turn around.” I was saying when I looked up to see her name……Fiona…..

Michigan Humane Society in Westland welcomed our organization with open arms. Erin Campbell was excited about out program and we are setting up a meeting to talk further. Gratefully we adopted Fiona the next day!

Fiona is such a beautiful girl. She is around 4 years old, but you would never know it. She is mixed with a Beagle, you can hear the faint Beagle howl/bark at times. She is a quick learner and is picking up on things very fast. She is learning fetch, with her desire to play this is becoming a great tool. Fiona is very focused on you, looking directly at you tying to read your facial expressions. This is essential to a Psychiatric Service Dog. Her need to be loved is also apparent. She loves to be petted, cuddled, hugged, kissed….anything that involves interaction with her. Another wonderful quality. Fiona also likes to play by herself with toys. This will make you laugh. She prances, yes, prances-like a toy soldier in Toy Story. That’s the Beagle in her too.  We are working on lose leash walking, which once we do a few attention exercises, she walks amazingly well. She even matches paces with you already!

It has almost been a week with Her and we are already impressed.  This first week is really a transition week for the dogs, a getting to know you, us and our routine. Next week starts the training, expectations, and limitations. Honey Moon over!