[Dailydrool] Congratulations Gumbo

[Sabrina]

We adopted Gumbo in February from Basset Hound Rescue of Southern 
California. He was 5 years old and suffering from allergies. He came 
with an e-collar, an infected foot from chewing, prednisone, 
antibiotics, and meds for his ear infection. We got him on a healthy 
diet and allergy meds, and Gumbo and I started obedience class 
immediately. On July 26, after many classes and lots of hard work, he 
passed the Canine Good Citizen test. Then on August 16, Gumbo passed 
the test to become a BARK therapy dog. www.barkdogs.org  He's going 
to be a reading dog! In the beginning, we will visit libraries where 
children will have the opportunity to read to Gumbo. I was told that 
when a child points out that Gumbo is sleeping, I should respond that 
Gumbo concentrates better with his eyes closed. In the fall, we hope 
to be assigned a student in a local public school. The student is 
told that he/she will be helping to train the dog. We will read 
together for 8 weeks, and at the end the child will be presented with 
a book and Gumbo's personal bookmark. I love to read. What could be 
better than reading with my Basset?

Sabrina Nicholls, Gumbo & Ellie