lats saturday me and mum took him to my grandma's care home as he has not visited her at all (neither had i). I did not really like the idea at first as i know what he is like especially around new, strange people in a new strange place. he was such a good boy, he was nervouse to start with and was overwhelmed by it all but soon came round with treats, strokes and encouriging words. he let grandma stroke him and give him some biscuits which he eagerly accepted and it is usual for him to get biscuits from her. as soon as he saw her he was wagging his tail as he recognised her. he did refuse to go through the door at the top of the stairs to start with but soon came through and once he was through he was fine he just did not like that door. the staff loved him and had a stroke with him, he did not mind this and they all fed him a biscuit to reinforce that it is a positive experience. all asked before stroking him which was great and all were told to stroke his chin as he does not his head being stroked. he accepted biscuits from all of the residents who offered him one, with hesitation but that is ok it was his first visit, none of the residents sitting down got to stroke him as he was too scared of the,m but he accepted biscuits which is a great achivement. he got to show off some of his tricks as well which helped him relaxed a bit and find his feet. he let the residents that were downstairs and standing give him a stroke, i think he felt less threatend as they were standing and not leaning towards him in a chair. all in all he was a very good and brave boy compared to what he is normally like and given how he has reacted to people in the past, not once did he point blank refuse to do anything which was good, he was hesitant and reserved but soon came out of his shell a bit. i hope we can visit there more often to increase his confidence and get to know people better and learn that most people give him biscuits. it was also our first try of the gizapaw lead cover which was a sucess as everyone asked before stroking himw hich is what it said on it as i had no idea how he would take to this and how he was going to react.
Re: so proud of barley Well done to you both and to a happy Grandma, must have cheered her up immensely.
Re: so proud of barley That's lovely Annabelle and a real treat for Grandma to see you and all the hard work you have put in with Barley. Very well done xx
Re: so proud of barley Very well done Barley! Charlie would go through a care home like a tornado, leaving a wake of destruction behind him! : ;D *shudder*. So good boy Barley!
