Congratulations to Maddie, our newest therapy dog!

Hooray for Maddie! She passed her CGC/ TDI test tonight. Now I just need to fill out some paperwork, get the vet to sign off on her medical records, and send in for her ID tags.

She was such a good girl! She had to work very hard for this. Concentration does not come naturally to her. Thank goodness for the "look" command (one I never used with Jack) because I had to use it about a half-dozen times in the test tonight. There were people out in the hall and she didn't want to sit, she thought there might be some treats dropped in a corner and she didn't want to walk, and it also helped keep her focused while we were walking through the crowd of wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches.

The hardest part, though, for any Corgi, was walking past food on the floor for the "leave it" phase. When I tested with Jack, the evaluator had some crummy treats in a bowl in the middle of the floor and we walked past. Well, this evaluator munched on a cracker and then tossed it on the ground. We were expecting it, but wow did Maddie want that cracker. A quick string of "Leave it, leave it, LEAVE it!'s" got her past it, and then she was highly insulted that the evaluator put the cracker up on a table instead of sharing!

I thought we blew it because she put her paws up on the tester, but the tester gave her a pass on that because she had just been eating the cracker, then leaned over and something around her neck dangled down near Maddie's face, which is when Maddie hopped up for a closer look. I was very surprised because Maddie normally does not jump. The tester let her sniff the offending item and then she was fine. She also apparently paced a bit when I left the room for the three-minute hold, but then she settled down and was good for the rest of the hold.

So now we have two therapy dogs in the house, and I'm so proud of both of them.

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Comment by Judi, Dawn, Soffie & Griffyn on September 1, 2010 at 2:59pm: Congratulations Maddie!! Well deserved!!!

Comment by Bev Levy on September 1, 2010 at 2:44pm: Wonderful! Sparty would never pass because nothing can stop him from going for food and I am afraid Izzy would not pass because if you are not looking she does what ever the H--ll she wants so I am very impressed!

Comment by Geri & Sidney on September 1, 2010 at 12:57am: that's great news! I remember how proud I was when SIdney passed his CGC and THerapy eval. Good job!

Comment by Jane Christensen on September 1, 2010 at 12:49am: WOW...how wonderful...hope Sage makes it that far! Congrats to you both!!!!! Did you 2 celebrate???

Comment by Lawren and Teddy on August 31, 2010 at 10:46pm: Congrats Maddie! Way to go!

Comment by Holiday Thomas on August 31, 2010 at 10:35pm: WOW!! Good job to the both of you! My husband had a brain tumor 2 1/2 years ago and he was in rehab for a month post op from his surgery. He had a great therapy dog came to visit him twice a week and it made a big difference in his day. When we got Olive we thought that if she has the right temperment we might try do do that with her and "pass it on". You are an inspiration to us!

Comment by Michelle on August 31, 2010 at 10:01pm: Congratualtions Maddie!! Excellent showing for your corgi brethern. My two couldn't leave a stale cheese cracker for any reward known to dog or man. ^,,^