Hello from the K9 Project Team. I hope you and your families and teams are staying well and healthy during this strange time of lockdown/post lockdown/lets try and return to some kindof normal. I’m sure that the Covid 19 virus is presenting us all with many challenges, and I do not intend to write about them all here. Enough to say we are still working, if in a different way, with new guidelines and systems, and mostly outdoors. This has been challenging enough in itself due to either rain, gales, or intense heat!
Anyhow I thought it was way past time to give you a K9 Update as we have some new pups 😊 Looking forward to introducing them to the project as their training comes along. Both Milo and Zola have come from Romania- from the same rescue but at different times. Milo is still a bit crazy and full on and is 18 months old now and a strong boy- but very affectionate and loving. He was born in a field next to a railway line so is a mouse and small furry hunter! Guess that was what his mum caught to help them survive.
Zola is tiny and as smart as a whip- she bosses Milo and puts him in his place. She did have a brother and sister but sadly they both died when very young- she is a fighter and very determined! She is going to be a trick and parkour queen and so far Izzy is teaching her the ropes. She is a quick learner, loves other dogs and people equally and when we can get her less worried about the car she will be regularly joining us.
Billy meantime is retired as he cannot see or hear well now and gets very muddled when we are out as a result. The pointers, Teya and Dylan continue to grow and bloom with confidence. Teya has been visiting primary schools and enjoying it, as well as becoming the queen of Reducing Anxiety Around Dogs.
Izzys book You Me and ADHD continues to do well and get great reviews. We produced a book at the K9 Community Café which is full of photos, stories and poems about the café and the incredible bond we forge with our dogs. Mine are certainly keeping me sane, and busy, at this time.
I am currently happy to offer our Walk Your Worries Away sessions. These are a combination of walking, dogs, nature, fun, purposeful conversation and mindfulness. In this way we can safely socially distance and stay safe. I spray leads and collars and dogs and would never share leads between people; (I have lots!! 😉 ) and we purely walk outside. This may involve parents dropping off somewhere neutral rather travel in my car where we cannot safely socially distance. I have been brushing up on my natural world knowledge as wel las how to use various apps on my phone ( challenging !! )so if young people are interested in that we can learn lots on the way round.
I am aware that some young people may be struggling now, and some may struggle later, and a reintroduction to school/education may be challenging after a lay off. Please let me know if there is any way I can be of help.
If you think you may be interested in those sessions – either now or in the future as restrictions begin to lift – or have any other ideas- please let me know. I can provide you with our Covid19 safety plan on request. There are also lots of other exciting plans developing so I hope to be giving a more regualr update from now on.
I have missed seeing everyone and I know the dogs are missing the varied exercise and activities.
Wishing you all well. stay safe and hope to see you on the other side
All the best
The K9 Team
Chris Izzy Billy Teya Dylan Milo and Zola . (yep we are up to 6 dogs again!)
