They sent a cute little Rottweiler Pug(?) mix named Prince. The SPCA sent me a picture (via twitter! @sfspca) that he was looking forward to a "splish splash!"
He came for a short swim and got the privilege of swimming with both Susan and Ann! Susan said, "Prince is a sweet older man, strong swimmer! Prince did very well being handed in the pool and swam really well."
The volunteer who brought Prince, Deborah, sent us this lovely email.
Hello Cathy,
Thank you very much for inviting one of our shelter dogs to enjoy a Rex Center swim session.
When I picked Prince up at the shelter he was anxious to get outside and I took him for a walk to do his business. During the car ride down to Pacifica his energy was nervous and fidgety.
After the swim session, when I got Prince back into my car, he rolled around on his back in a very delighted manner then lay down on the back seat, put his head on his front paws and turned his head slightly to one side. His energy was so relaxed, contented and happy that it was contagious. He was a different dog.
When we walked back into the shelter he had a wonderful energy, not at all frantic like his usual energy. His walk was brisk and happy. I could feel his happy, peaceful energy. He seemed so content.
I believe the Rex Center experience is more than exercise. It is a nurturing healing experience as well. The positive encouragement, the soothing reassurances and affection he received from the two women who held him so lovingly, stroking him, kissing him was transformative.
The two women, I believe their names were Susan and Annie gave so much of themselves to Prince during the session and he loved all of it. Swimming between them in the warm water was meditative and soothing to his soul as well as good exercise for his body. They showered him with love, affection and reassurance.
The ambiance in the pool area was incredible. The music, the lighting, the mood, ever last detail was taken care of.
I will admit that on the way down, I thought, why spend 80 dollars to take your dog swimming why not just take him to the beach or a lake in the park but after experiencing the session at your center I would say that it would be money well spent and a great gift to any dog whether they needed the exercise or not. Although the exercise was outstanding, it was just so much more than that.
Thank you so much for giving this gift to Prince.
I am not surprised that he got adopted after his visit to your center.
Sincerely,
Deborah Heller
SPCA Dog Behavior Volunteer
(Pictures from Deborah can be found here.)
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