The initial meeting is basically for Tiger and Jamey to just get to know each other. We met at a neutral place, a park nearby, just Jamey, Tiger, Joe and I.  I drove  filled with  nerves, excitement, worry,and anticipation. Just being back here in Jacksonville was bringing up a bunch of memories we were trying hard to push back.

Tiger had been on the road for two days driving, different hotel rooms, his normal routine was off and his excitement was high! Not what I really wanted for the first meeting, but Tiger needed some play time to run off some of his anxiety. This meeting is just for fun, for Tiger and Jamey to play together and interact. Tiger was wound up and ready to go!!!

We were excited to show Jamey how awesome Tiger was at ‘fetch’ with the ChuckIt stick. Well, he usually is good, however, the sun was setting in right in Tigers eyes, there were a lot of trees, it was hilly and filled with lots of pine-cones. Needless to say, it was not a moment of showing off for Tiger, he couldn’t find almost every ball Jamey threw! We still had fun trying to find the ball with Tiger. It was hot and Tiger was panting heavily so we gave him water and walked to a shaded picnic table. When Jamey sat down, Tiger went directly to him. Tiger sat between Jamey’s legs just soaking up the loving! I believe that Tiger recognized Jamey’s sent (we had Jamey wear a t-shirt and send it to us, it has been in Tigers cage for a week).  When Tiger couldn’t stand it any long, he laid down, lifting his head so Jamey could still reach him. I could see the ‘connection’ starting to build, the hairs on my arm stood up.

It was the perfect ending for a first meeting. Yes, I did cry,  but only a little on the way home…..