The Oakville & Milton Humane Society (the organization that rescued Ray and spent 4 months getting him to be a potential candidate for adoption!) had a craft/antique sale yesterday which we thought that we would visit. Many of the OMHS staff and volunteers would obviously be there, and so it would be a good opportunity for Ray to mix in a setting that would be busier than what he usually finds himself in.
Of course, not wishing to miss out on any opportunities to promote him, his Blog and his book, I took some promotional cards with me!
Ray behaved very well, and received treats appropriate for his behavior. He let a little girl give him a biscuit which she had apparently made especially for this event. He took it really well (no grabbing), and I think it made her day! We met a number of people who were very taken with Ray (one guy even wanted to take him home!) and, much to Ray’s delight, he met some people that he knew including Heather (one of his favorite people – and dog trainer at OMHS).
With Heather was Genevieve, the trainer who orchestrated the Behavior Adjustment Training (B.A.T.) program which was so successful at getting Ray to be less intimidated by, and more social towards, other dogs. We simply expanded on the same technique to get him more accepting of people.
All in all, we had a lovely time wandering around and generally being ignored while Ray got all the attention…. and I was able to hand out all my book promo cards! Considering it was extremely hot and humid (I believe we hit 32C /90F), Ray survived. Needless to say that once we got home again, he crashed out (unless he heard something that could be food related!).
We are supposed to be dropping around 10 degrees tomorrow and he will no doubt love it! I won’t be complaining either! 🙂
Good thing you guys don’t have a competing egos with Ray and all the attention he receives (and deserves, I might add). 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually it is not a problem. So many people used to ignore me before we had Ray and, while their attention is now caught, they still ignore me and focus on Ray! Nothing much has changed from that perspective!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you took him there! Animal shelters and rescue groups always like to have visits from their “success stories.” Good for Ray!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ray has been visiting “his” Humane Society regularly for over 3 years now. He loves them……. and they’re always thrilled to see him! He was their “Calendar Boy” last year, and has featured in a couple of educational videos.
Calendar https://meandray.com/2015/04/01/2016-calendar/
Heartworm video https://meandray.com/2015/03/28/heartworm/
Rescue/Birthday Video https://meandray.com/2014/11/20/happy-birthday/
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved the birthday video! He is so handsome. I wonder what his background story was?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can never know. He was picked up us a stray with no physical signs of abuse however, he was fearful of pretty much anything that moved. He was particularly sensitive to sticks, brooms and any tool that had a long handle! He had clearly never been trained; had no social skills, and did not know how to behave in a home. He has come a long way in 3 years!
LikeLike
Poor Ray. Good thing he is not in Arizona. Our temps are in the 100’s. This weekend we are forecasted to be 118 degrees.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ouch…. but then that would be a dry heat wouldn’t it? No humidity??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right. No humidity. Very dry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be an important difference. I can recall (a long time ago) standing above the snow line in the Swiss Alps wearing short sleeves. Again, the Swiss “cold” is very dry. It seems that the damp feeling really aggravates how we react to temperature (reminds me of why I moved from England to live in Canada!). 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can understand that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The outing was lovely for you and Ray. Such a great way to show him off and promote your book all at the same time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly was a golden opportunity. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good job Ray. You have figured out what works.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lexi! Yes I have haven’t I…. I think… maybe… perhaps! Woof! Ray.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You must have felt like proud parents visiting Ray’s school. A wonderful story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lori: We certainly are very proud of what he has accomplished, but we still have to be very alert especially when small children are around. We are 99% certain that he will be okay, but cannot afford to gamble on that 1%! A 75lbs dog lunging and barking at a child would be quite traumatic for the child. On this particular visit, there were three young children all wanting to touch him at the same time. I had to intervene and limit it to one at a time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a cool (but hot) outing, R. I am glad and not at all surprised that you were a big attraction. I am going to a craft show next week with Mom. Last time I went, I was afraid of the homemade soap booth and she had to carry me past it. She is hoping I will do better this time. Plus not be a “weirdo.”
Love and licks,
Cupcake
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a good time at the craft show and, if you find a booth that is a little scary, just look at your Mom for treats! Works for me! Woof! Ray.
LikeLike
You took the best salesperson for your book! He is the poster child for adopting rescues!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He certainly is! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always a good day to see friends 😄 Glad you two had fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ray would agree with that (for mostly the wrong reasons!).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always feel for dogs in the heat. Maggie hates it, and you’d think surrounded by water, she’d jump in. It’s cooler today but we have thunder forecast, something she is definitely not happy about. Glad Ray had a good day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it was really nice for him to see his OMHS friends again as they clearly are important to him.
LikeLiked by 1 person