I did another stint at the local kennels in Casentino this morning. On Sundays you go a bit later from 10 to 12, a half hour later start than Saturdays. I'm feeling a bit less of a 'new girl' now and learning what to do. We work as a team of four, drawn from the pool of about 25 volunteers.
Good news when I arrived, one of the dogs - Wanda - has been adopted. I thought something had happened to her when I saw her kennel empty, but no - a happy ending! Surprising time of year too.
Anyway the routine is like this: first we let the female dogs out for their run in the woods and while they are racing about we clean the kennels out, put the bowls of food in each kennel and hose down inside and out. One of the females Beverley is desperately timid and has never been known to have her tail anywhere except between her legs. She can't run with the others but has to be put in a harness and taken for a calming walk around the fenced woods surrounding the kennel buildings. Once the volunteers have cleaned and done the food, they play with the first lot of dogs , talk to them and brush them. Like last time, I got Beverley and we went for a walk together while I chatted away to her quietly in English. Domenico is hopeful she will eventually be rehabilitated enough to find a new home. I hope so.
The females go back in after about 45 minutes and it's the boys turn! The same routine, but there are two shy boys - Bebo and Argo- who both have to go on harnesses. We let all the boys out and off they went in a glorious cacophany while we tried to put the harnesses and lead on the two timid hounds. Bebo was Ok but Argo took some time as he is he desperately scared - more of men that women it seems. I finally managed to get his harness on and then took him for another gentle walk round the woods. The woods are on quite a slope so although the dogs manage easily it's bit more difficult for people, still we managed, Argo and I. Once again I was left wondering what had happened to this poor soul for him to be petrified of everything. He is a lovely looking dog and it seems such a shame he will probably not be rehomed for ages.
My next duty is on the 'banchetto' (stall) at Stia market the day after Ferragosto so that will be a new experience!
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