Poster: FoxFire ~ Jeannine
(see this users gallery)
got up this morning and felt really great for the first time in months! The sky is cloudy and it is nice and cool out.
I piddled around a little and then loaded up Apollo and we took off. We ended up at Roaring River National Park in the Mark Twain National Forest. There is a trout hatchery there, lots of trails to hike, a river to romp in.
It was great. We had a blast. Apollo played in the water of a wading pool they have for the kids. We hiked a short trail and then walked around the hatchery looking at all the fish in the stone tanks. Every little bit someone would stop us and want to pet Apollo.
Apollo was in rare form, a goofy boy today. I think he sensed that I felt good too. A church group came through and there were about 30 little kids. One boy about 6 broke from the group and came running up to Apollo. It was love at first sight. Soon, other kids were surrounding him and parents were snapping pictures. Apollo was a ham through the whole thing, but one little girl came up to see what was going on and screamed. Apollo laid down and crawled on his belly to get a little closer to her. Her parents said that she had been attacked by a dog and was now terrified of them. She looked about 4 or so. I sat down on the ground with Apollo and her dad held her and talked to her about Apollo. He knew she was afraid of him and he quit his hamming it up and was so still and gentle, watching her but not touching her. I was so proud of him. She finally reached a little hand out and touched his nose with the tip of her finger. Apollo didn't move a muscle, he just laid there, watching her with those big eyes.
That touch was enough for her, but she had stopped her crying and was at least watching the other kids with interest as they sat next to Apollo. I was amazed at how gentle he was, instantly. I love this dog so much, Jeannine. He makes me more and more proud every single day.
He can go from being the big dufus, to a gentle giant that senses someone's fear. Amazing.
Robyn Poyner
Jim-N-I Goat Ranch
Poyner Goat Company
SW Missouri
417-442-4970
www.balchem.com/encapsulates/animals/reashure.asp
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