Letting go of the leash.

Part 3 of 3

Blue and the fire department…

Well, hello! Blue and I kept feeling like we weren’t quite ready to write a new edition. But, now…we have TWO stories to share about our local fire department!

You Take It. You Wear It.

Blue and I were doing some Spring cleaning, and I was gathering some clothes to donate. Somehow I feel like my work takes me just a bit longer with Blue by my side.

Recap.

In part 1 of this series we shared about Blue and I agreeing to apply to a therapy dog team. This required us to participate in a weekend of training/testing. We shared stories around our Day 1 - morning arrival and our bus training. And we discussed using breath as an anchor for mindfulness.

In part 2 of this series we shared our experiences around our Day 1 - mock assisted living, lunch and the airport. And, we introduced drishti as an anchor for mindfulness.

We continue our story…

Our Local Fire Department.

Day 2 started at our local fire station. Many team alumni showed up as well as all of us participating in the initial training weekend. We met outside the building not knowing at all what to expect.

Several firemen dressed in their daily uniforms were meandering amongst us. I took an opportunity to walk Blue up to three of them who were standing together chatting. Blue approached each one and sweetly said hello as he took in some new scents — sniffing uniforms and hands. All three of the men were kind to Blue, and one was especially impressed that Blue was wearing a Steelers bandana!

Here we go.

The fire truck pulled out of the building, and the firemen donned their gear. Our first task was to walk around the huge truck. We were in a single file — human/dog pair, human/dog pair… — just walking around the truck getting used to this big piece of machinery.

Next, the lights went on. Again, we walked around the truck.

THEN…the sirens turned on, and they were LOUD.

- We again walked in a single file, approached the truck, and walked along the rear and both sides — never approaching the front of the truck to protect the ear drums of our little furry friends.

- I cannot really emphasize enough how loud it was. It was a lot of auditory and visual stimulation for both of us. Blue, was brave and curious and did a great job!

Letting go.

After the lights and sirens were turned off, we all had a chance to catch our breath before the one-on-one interactions between the dogs and the firemen. Our tasks were as follows:

- Approach a kneeling fireman wearing his turnout gear,

- Walk our dog very closely around him,

- Put our dog into a sit right next to him,

- Drop the leash, and walk away while someone captures a photo.

My stomach was full of butterflies — I did not know how Blue would do as I let go of the leash and walked away. Turns out, I could not have been more proud!

Photos, Food Avoidance and Paperwork.

We left the fire station, headed to a beautiful outdoor space for individual and group photos, and then we went to Blue’s school where he did some further food avoidance and food aggression testing.

- Our master trainer set up plates that had yummy treats - I believe it was duck jerky. At various points in the exercises Blue was either lying next to treats while dogs were walking around him OR Blue was walking around the treats and other dogs.

- Then we went inside the building for the humans to complete some paperwork and listen to what the next steps would be should we make the team. Most of the dogs took this as a much needed, nap time.

Fast Forward…

The Fire Department Visits Our House.

A few months ago my husband replaced the batteries in all of our smoke detectors…except one. We have a vaulted ceiling in our living room, and at the peak of it is a smoke detector. I was concerned about my husband’s safety in switching out the battery, so it just didn’t get done.

Very recently, my husband travelled for work. And one early morning Blue and I woke up to a repeated, incessant, loud chirping noise coming from our living room.

-Blue was not OK with this noise. He retreated to our closet where he backed himself under some of my hanging clothes. It was immediately clear to me that Blue would be taking the backseat to this challenge…

I went out to the living room to try to identify where the noise was coming from. I stood underneath the vaulted ceiling and listened. I couldn’t be certain it was that particular smoke detector, so I walked room to room trying to discern the source of the noise.

When we reached a reasonable morning hour, I called the non-emergency number and explained the situation…that I believed the smoke detector in our high vaulted ceiling had a low battery. And, as a result, three of our local firemen were dispatched to our house for what I thought would be a quick battery change.

These three men walked all around the house over and over again — including the garage, the mechanical room, and outside on the patio — trying to identify where the chirping was coming from. They checked the refrigerator, stove, and under the sinks. In the process, they replaced multiple batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors just as a process of elimination. This included the battery in the vaulted ceiling…though that also was not the cause of the chirping.

One of the men had gotten down on the floor checking the refrigerator, and he said he really felt the sound was low. So they started opening cabinets in our kitchen island.

- And there it was…a smoke detector sitting on a cabinet shelf!!! One that we had brought over from our previous home — and we never removed the battery.

I was so embarrassed. And, I felt so bad for what I felt was a waste of their time. I apologized over and over.

- One of them responded with something like… “It was kind of fun. It was like a scavenger hunt.”

- And, one of them said “Don’t you even worry about it.”

- And, they were ALL glad that they had changed the battery at the vaulted ceiling. (One had climbed up the ladder, while the other two each stood at the base supporting the ladder and watching their fellow man).

I was so grateful for them all! And, before they left I had the opportunity to tell them how Blue and I had been to their fire station for training and how much we appreciated that experience.

Bringing It Together…

Removing The Leash And Receiving Kindness.

At the fire station…Blue sat next to the fireman, and I dropped his leash and walked away.

- It was scary and uncomfortable for Blue and me. But Blue kept his gaze on me…brave and trusting.

At home, and while Blue was hiding out…the firemen walked around our personal space.

- Uncomfortable and embarrassing for me. But the three men were committed to identifying the problem and helping us out.

Blue and I felt the kindness from the firemen on those two different days.

Kindness As An Anchor For Mindfulness.

As many of you know, I love words. And, I’ve been reflecting on a quote:

We are all aware that life can be so hard. Humanity is suffering. People are suffering. Individuals are suffering.

It can be so easy to lose sight of goodness and hope.

And, I can get so caught up in my thoughts and worries, world struggles and personal struggles that I can quickly forget how I want to show up and greet life.

And, so I’m reminded…

- I want to show up with kindness.

- I want to consistently show up with kindness.

- I want to meet the moments mindfully, and not in reaction.

Looking back, Blue and I were excited for the possibility to join a therapy dog team for many reasons, none of which are truly altruistic…

- To be part of something bigger than ourselves.

- To serve others.

- To contribute some good vibes and energy to those whose paths we crossed.

- And, to be part of a community where we could maybe make some new friends.

But just like Blue gives me more than I could ever give him…we have learned more and been given more on our training journey than we could have ever imagined.

Blue and I are grateful for the kindness we have received.

We are grateful for the reminders of who we want to be in this world — and for how we want to show up.

Can you recall a time when someone showed you kindness? What did you feel from receiving that kindness? Can you pause for a moment and really be present to it?

We would love to know. You can share by posting a comment or replying to this email.

What We Are Loving:

Blue wants to give a big shout out to his friends River and Koda! It took so much commitment and hard work to even be able to attend the training weekend. AND, these three guys together made it on to the team!! Congratulations to River and Koda and their moms!

Life is sure sweeter with friends. And we are grateful for you all!

In closing this edition, Blue and I wanted to share our gratitude for your interest in our newsletter. We love writing and sharing our stories.

Thank you for following along!

Until we write again,