One of my work colleagues has 2 children who are petrified of dogs. Yesterday they came to my house and it was so special to watch. Chloe is 4 and has severe allergies (not to dogs) and is constantly covered in cream and scabs. Emrys is 7 and has Aspergers. I have a really good relationship with both children and they trust me. I set down a few ground rules before they came in around behaviour with Harley. For a few mins the kids hid behind their mum, Harley sniffed them both and ran to get a ball. They played for over half an hour and didn't want to leave. They've changed their minds about dogs (well, Harley) and said she is a very special dog that they now love. It was surreal watching them engage together.
Wonderful! The children look delighted! I have a nice warm glow now to start the day. Good girl Harley!
Wow she's grown! Beautiful dog!! And such a good therapist she is! Such a proud moment for you. Snowie also transformed many a frightened child with a game of ball - quite a few terrified kids in our local park. One of the games I particularly liked was to make him sit and wait while I hid the ball in a huge ficus tree (very gnarly trunk) and then tell him, Go find your ball! Well, this delighted the kids no end. Funniest moment was when one child told him verbally where it was, and the other child said, Don't give him clues! (And I do have to mention that I envy your E Cape grass!!!!!)
Ooh I am!! I just assumed it was Harley Quinn. So many similarities. That will teach me to sneak a hurried distraction while I'm supposed to be getting a deadline done by TODAY!!! Just goes to show: multitasking - no such thing! Apologies both to @Naya and @Harley Quinn
ROFL! I was catching up quickly on the forum and my first reaction on reading your compliment on the E Cape grass was Naya is near us!!! Why didn't she say so. lol. And then when I figured it out I was just very flattered that my Harley was taken for @Naya's Harley. What a compliment And now I have to show off my grass, just to be cheeky - we have been blessed with rain, as I am typing it is raining here.
@Naya I just love these photos. It looks like Harley was telling the kids all about her toys and then roped them into playing with her. She is just awesome. They look thrilled to be with her!
It's great that the kids had a chance to feel confident with Harley. I've had similar experiences with Homer. My one niece is cautious but loved "training" Homer to sit, down, stay, fetch. For nervous kids it's all about giving them the rules of the game so that they have some control and the dog is no longer unpredictable.
