paws4peopleTM foundation - Assistance Dogs|Nonprofit Fundraising|Charity Raffles

Hello Everyone,
I am sorry for the long delay on starting this blog and updating you on SOLOMON’s progress. I will start at the beginning and do my best to fill you in on details since we have had him.
After leaving the prison, SOLOMON was a great car buddy snuggling up to me and laying across my lap on the trip home. We arrived at Marcie’s house (Candace’s mom, also my neighbor) at about 9:00 on Saturday night. Since it was so late and to simplify matters, Marcie volunteered to keep him at her house for the evening and throughout Sunday until we would have a chance to get together and introduce him to LANIE. SOLOMON was pretty unsettled throughout the night barking periodically from his crate, but better the next day. He spent hours sniffing everything he could glue his nose onto which helped him de-stress. By Sunday evening, Marcie called Candace and I to ask if it would be a problem if SOLOMON just stayed on with them, since she and Frankie liked him so much. Well, that was a no-brainer for us! Since Marcie and Frankie live across the street from me, this made the arrangement super convenient! Candace (and everyone else who knows Marcie) all say they are really shocked, because Marcie isn’t a dog person, but with SOLOMON, she is! She is really in love with him which has only increased with time. I’m afraid Marcie will be shedding a few tears when it comes time to say good-bye!
On Monday I took SOLOMON over to Candace’s house to sniff around and meet LANIE. LANIE was ecstatic to have a new playmate. She and SOLOMON hit it off right away. She said, “You’re cute, but I’m the boss.” SOLOMON said, “No problem, I like a woman sure of herself and in charge!” That conversation transpired in a few seconds and then the games were on! Ever since, they’ve been best buddies.
Tuesday SOLOMON and I worked at the house to get to know each other a little better. We went to school to read with three fourth grade boys. Oh, did SOLOMON love them! Especially Johann. Johann loved WYATT and wanted to touch him and be close to him all the time. Unfortunately, this affection stressed WYATT out and WYATT spent a lot of time moving away from Johan. However, SOLOMON was ALL about Johan. He greeted him, crawled in his lap as soon as he sat down, gave him kisses, did tricks for him-in general, just loved on him. I was so happy for Johan and I’ve never seen a bigger smile on Johan’s face! SOLOMON warmed up to the other boys immediately as well. This was the first time he visibly relaxed since coming home with us. Those boys certainly made all the difference for him! Later that evening, SOLOMON had his first demo. The demo was for a community watch group and part of our new public awareness campaign for our two North Carolina families. SOLOMON barked a bit at first seeing everyone come in, but as soon as people started greeting him, he was ok. He did a lovely demo and won a round of applause for turning the lights on and off.
Throughout the rest of the week, SOLOMON and I went to Target, the bank, the mall, a community pet store, Petco for a bath, and Candace’s classroom. He is so excited to go, go, go. He’s like a little kid who can’t contain himself. He forgets to heel (a lot) I remind him by stopping, saying “uh-uh. SOLOMON, heel” He’s like “OH! Oh yea, I forgot, sorry!” and he hops himself right back into place. His first trip to the mall reminded me of my first trip to New York City. When I got there I couldn’t stop looking up at all the buildings with my mouth gaping open at all there was going on around me. SOLOMON is like that. You can tell he’s just taking it all in, the store fronts, the people, the smells, the crazy noises-if his mouth could be hanging open in wonder at it all, it would be. Right now, the work is just reminding him about his job, which right now is heeling, focusing and being dignified! SOLOMON and I got to visit Candace and her class the day after they got their new playground. Candace has been working on grant writing to get enough money for this playground for quite a long time. This past fall, a huge grant came through and the playground was installed. Her kids have the best time on the swings! I can’t even tell you how happy and excited they are. Solomon got to join in on the fun-a great first day with Candace’s kids. He got to play ball, run circles around Josh and Katerina on the swings, give kisses, and listen to Shakira pay music-it was big fun!
Unfortunately, this past week I’ve been sick with the flu and have not been able to get out of bed let alone take SOLOMON out on the town. His social calendar is still busy though. Candace picked him up for two additional demos with the boy scouts (Candace says now she knows he can handle ALL kinds of crazy stress!), a teaching sorority, and play dates with his girlfriend, LANIE.
This week I am out of town from Sunday through Thursday night and will be back to update you about SOLOMON next Friday or Saturday. We love having him!!


Visit paws4people for more information about our Assistance Dog programs, and CharityRaffles.org for more information about our nonprofit fundraising programs.