Dash's Day on the Farm

My mom's family owns a farm that has been passed down through the generations, my generation being the fifth. Now before you envision Dash cuddling up amongst cows and pigs, you need to know that the only wild animal living on the farm is Shiloh the Newfoundland - and he's the tamest wild animal you've ever met.

(Photo cred: Kelly Anderson, kraphotography.com)

So, no farm animals, but the fields are rented out to local farmers who use them to grow corn or soy or whatever else they fancy. 

For the majority of our family, the farm is not about work, but all about peace, relaxation, and a nearby getaway from routine life. Dash has picked up on this! He has learned that when we are at the farm it is almost no work and all play for him. And he loves it. 

A lot of people who are just meeting Dash as a service dog ask if he is working all the time. They wonder if he ever gets a chance to play. The answer always brings a smile: he gets plenty of time to play and also relax. 

As you can see, even when Dash is taking it easy, he has his toys ready to go. (Fun fact: Dash is known around the 'hood as "Dashy-two-toys" because of his talent and love of carrying two in his mouth at once. (Even more fun: riskier people call him "Dashy-two-balls" which is funny, but I refuse to say this in front of neighbors!)) When we are at home, Dash is free to roam the house and do as he likes, so long as he comes when I call. Truth is, he doesn't usually leave the room that I'm in - especially if we are the only ones home. While Dash enjoys just hanging around, he is always more than ready to get to work as soon as I need him. All I need to do is give him one of the 40 or so commands that he knows and he is happy to oblige. Often times, when we're just around the house and I need Dash to turn on a light or something, he can go right back to what he was doing once he has finished the task. One he hears the words "Dash, release," he knows he's off the hook! 

People also often wonder if Dash is only working when he has his service vest on. Turns out, his vest is more to let others know he's working. Dash doesn't care if  it's on or not! It's kind of like a uniform- it's how we recognize a worker but the person can do the job, ugly polo shirt or not!
But I digress - back to the farm! As is tradition, or family spent this past Memorial Day at the farm. As soon as we pulled in the long gravel driveway, Dash's ears perked up. It was that Ah ha! moment - realizing we weren't taking some long route to work, but that we were indeed at doggie heaven on earth!
Before I knew it Dash and Shiloh were romping around, sniffing everything in sight. Dash's day off had begun, but I did have one chore for him ...

Once our photo shoot was over he was off with a flash, taking in every moment of the day with delight.