UPDATE ON DAWSON

Dawson is doing FANTASTIC. He already has a fan club in Australia and is also getting special privileges in quarantine.

Dawson’s first quarantine chart entry was “friendly”. Now it says “very good dog.” (VISUAL IMAGE: big smug grin on my face that says “I am so proud of that little dog.”)

He won’t do his “business” in the kennel, so every morning he gets to go to one of the outside play areas for an extra hour. (VISUAL IMAGE: same as above only bigger and goofier..... )

Dawson is always thrilled to see me – running circles between my legs and squiggling all over the place. Same for me – well, that is – I’m thrilled to see him but I don’t squiggle and run between his legs.

Quarantine is almost an hour south of Perth in Byford. It is like a boarding kennel and really not as bad as it sounds. Visiting hours are between 11:30 – 12:30 because of the heat. They have 11 outside play areas. We spend the entire hour playing fetch, hide ‘n seek and training walk routines. (I think the other people think I’m nuts.) Last Thursday we saw a kangaroo on the other side of the fence!

It is quite interesting that they were very stringent on regulations for the dog to get into Australia and staying in for 30 days. However, it is very lax once in quarantine. There is a quasi check in process for visiting and all the kennel doors are open so anybody can go into any kennel. The outside play areas just have a barb wire fence between them. Which leads me to think: can I spring him out early? Will they notice? Will they know where to find us?

However, I am so lucky we are not coming from South Africa – they have to stay in quarantine for 7 months (yes, SEVEN MONTHS!) Surprisingly enough I have already met at least 3 from there.

I always leave my visit with a big grin on my face and feel so peaceful. Despite the long drive, it really is very pretty and forces me to get used to driving on the opposite side of the road. Speaking of which, that is going fairly well. However, I do hate to gloat about it because every time I do, well, we won’t go there…….

Bottom line, Dawson is happy, adapting well – and continues to expand his fan base.

http://picasaweb.google.com/frederick.linda/2008FebDawsonInQuarantine