Zing has an interview

Written last night:
Dear Friends,

This morning Zing and I got to know another pocket neighborhood of midtown Sacramento — and I forget its name. It’s over by 17th and D; maybe it was on the edge of sketchy once, but now it’s just an unprepossessing spot with cozy old houses and apartments and here and there a big Victorian. It’s also home to The Grateful Dog, which you might call a canine warehouse (Capacity is 80.) or play space or (as they like it) Doggie Daycare. We decided to case the area before our 2:30 interview. 

Yes, Zing went for an interview. Like applying for a job or college. You don’t just show your medical record and get in this place. They want a good fit. I had to complete a lengthy bio, which Zing dictated: his birth, family, education, medications, hopes and dreams. Both Cassi and Karen, the UC Davis vet, recommended daycare as an alternative to giving Zing knock-out drugs when I want to leave. This place wanted to look Zing over before saying yes. 

We were escorted to a largish room that was empty except for a couch and a bed. I sat on the couch, rather invisible. The bed is where an employee sleeps and the floor is for dogs who stay overnight. Zing says he likes the place because it doesn’t crate the dogs. They run around with each other in big rooms and outdoors. That’s why they look dogs over before accepting them. They can’t be growling, snapping introverts. Zing hung around in the room while a small dog, and then a big one came in and played with him. Zing passed. 

But he’s not in yet. Now Zing has to go for a whole day (free) and they observe him and send him home with a lengthy report. It is possible that Zing will be found acceptable. Luckily, his anxiety issues only surface when he’s left alone. He’ll do fine here, and I’ll get some flexible time. In addition we have to work on learning to be alone, so I’ll do those exercises of inching gradually farther from him and eventually out the door. 

It’s hard work, trying to be normal.  

Love,
k