Camp Dog

Some of the early arriving staff went out to play kickball. Olivia desperately wanted the ball and ran after it every time someone kicked it. I brought out her ball, which distracted her for a while, but then she decided it would be more fun to bring out to the middle of the kickball field because the staff would throw it and pay attention to her.

In the end, as camp staff are fabulous at doing, they circled up... and so did Olivia.

The first day of training began with 2 hours of games, songs and silly stuff to break down the staff's nerves and inhibitions and help them get comfortable with each other quickly. I brought Olivia (as well as her bed, water dish, treats and leash) out to the field with me, hoping she wouldn't have to be stuck inside all day, but prepared to put her in the house if she was naughty. This dog continues to shock and amuse me every day. She was patient and attentive, mostly just standing by, watching them play. She looked amused (as much as a dog can) and seemed to be enjoying herself. Each time we circled up, she did so as naturally as one of the staff, which they were all absolutely in awe of (as if I trained her to do so). When we played a game that required tagged players to sit down on the field, she went over to each newly sitting person and checked them out and then continued to make the rounds. Friendly, encouraging, overseeing everyone.

At the end of the games and songs time period, I had the staff do the "human knot" where they grab hands across the circle and then have to untangle themselves. Their arms and bodies were twisted and they were practically on top of each other they were so close together. Olivia scooted herself directly in the middle of the circle and each time someone bent down, she would be right there to oversee. Every now and then she would poke her head out of the sea of legs, as if to say, "still not done, but I'm watching..."

When she and I arrived to the opening campfire, most people were already there. She walked to each person, as if to make her "hello" rounds and then she sat down to wait for her s'more. Prior to bringing her home, I typed out a long list of rules about things she could and couldn't eat. Toasted marshmallows didn't come up one way or the other, but she has developed a taste for them and fully expects to be included.

After all of that, I should understand she is not just my puppy anymore, but an active member of the group (well, okay, a member who has to take naps midway through the day and sometimes gets put on time out for barking too much, but still, a member). But it didn't quite hit me until today when I had the staff do an activity where they had to stand in a line along a piece of tape and do a challenge. To start off, I said, "please take a place along this line." Dogs don't understand English, I know that (the Puppy School teachers all said it over and over again). But as soon as I gave the directions, the staff, and, without missing a beat, Olivia, took their place along the line. Everyone paused and leaned around and behind each other to look at her sitting there, incredulous that the puppy was on the line. We shouldn't be surprised at this point, but it is just hilarious and adorable. Camp dog... Officially.