Callie/Connor - Tucker

Tucker is precocious! He started his unofficial school therapy dog career just after his birth, with your photos forwarded to maybe 1,000 students whom I volunteer regularly with my senior therapy dog. They were posted on the big screen at classrooms, and it made for many good stories an further relationship building.

I am copying and pasting from another email as Tucker, (drum roll please), OFFICIALLY starts his school therapy dog career!

On Tuesday night Tucker got his S.T.A.R. certificate for puppies. He passed easily even though he was just four months old.

This morning he did his first school therapy hour outside with Washington elementary and Mrs. Stencil's class. I rarely get nervous doing something in public, but I knew that this was uncharted territory for Tucker with maximum distractions for both of us. 

Well, I would give him a ten on a scale of one to ten. The students were exceptionally good, but they naturally surrounded him a couple of times, etc. and he was always confident, sweet/goofy, and relaxed. 

At then after an hour which is a lot for a pup, they all wanted to pose for pictures with him. He executed a very solid sit and stay command for me for multiple photos. I felt overjoyed as all of our efforts of training paid off exactly as I had hoped.

Now for the really fun part-
I am titling the picture below Dumbo, (and I'm not talking about my dawg). ​

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Of course, I couldn't use the small slide as Mrs. Stencil suggested to come down. About half way down I realized that I was part of about 280 pounds of two hairy beasts accelerating full speed downhill, and I couldn't use my hands or even arms to brake. I mean, did I miss them putting canola oil on the slide before I got on?

Some one was going to have to take one for the team, and since Tucker didn't sign up for this, it had to be me.

My last memory was flashing back to a movie scene from Tommy Boy when he always said, "Ooohhhhh, this is gonna leave a mark."

So students I hope that you all learn from this that; "Mr. Mark made a VERY POOR CHOICE."

Fortunately the only damage was an large injury to my pride, which will always heal!