LIGHTS, CAMERA, NO ACTION JAXSON

By Monday, July 30, 2018 6 No tags Permalink

Lights, camera – no action Jaxson! One minute he was ready to make a fun mini vignette about pet therapy…

LIGHTS, CAMERA, NO ACTION JAXSON

…and just that quickly – he did a 360 on me.

Could it have been Charlie the Mascot of the Charleston River Dogs Minor League Baseball team?…

LIGHTS, CAMERA, NO ACTION JAXSON

I think so – check out that stance…

LIGHTS, CAMERA, NO ACTION JAXSON

CHARLESTON RIVER DOGS –

The hospital and the Charleston team work very closely together. The organization hosts “dog day games at the park” for peeps and their pups to watch a few innings sipping $1 beers and munching $1 hotdogs.

Our Volunteers and their dogs love to hang out on those nights and share information with the hundreds of pet parents at the stadium. #recruitingtool

Recently I was asked to come up with two short scripts for their videographer to record, for the jumbo screen during home games.

We taped the first one today. A few volunteer teams, a “not-so-real” doctor, along with employees as patients. All of this was staged to demonstrate to their mascot how he could become a therapy dog.

I just knew Jaxson would be all about it – especially since he did so well during our live interview on ABC News 4 last week…

LIGHTS, CAMERA, NO ACTION JAXSON

Not the case. Not at all.

THE FEAR IS REAL –

Oversized costumed characters or people wearing masks can be scary to your dogs. A close encounter can raise his level of anxiety making the photo-op just not worth it.

When I noticed Jaxy’s hesitation, I immediately pulled him away and reassured him that everything was going to be alright.

I gave up our spot in the scene, and directed from the sidelines. #DoodleMomScorsese

After about 30-40 minutes, after watching the other dogs interact with Charlie, Jaxson became a little more relaxed near him, just not next to him…

LIGHTS, CAMERA, NO ACTION JAXSON

By the time we left the unit, he was fine walking close – not too close, but still in the same cluster. #pawgress

ADVENTURES WITHOUT HARLEY –

I can’t help but wonder how Jaxson would have handled meeting the Mascot if Harley had been present too.

Going to work with me, having to navigate lot’s of new “everything’s” all on his own is very different for him. Jaxson has had Harley to lead the way his entire young life. He’s watched Harley and trusted his judgement always.

He was quiet for a while when we first returned. Talk about the pawfect time to have a pet communicator on speed dial.

His therapy friend Pete, stopped by and laid down with him for a while…

LIGHTS, CAMERA, NO ACTION JAXSON

They shared some thoughts of the day #Ithink

How does your dog react to large mascots?

Wake up, hug a dog, have a good day ❤

6 Comments
  • All Things Collie
    July 30, 2018

    One or two of the collies are unsure about costumes, but so far no fear issues. Good advice in case we run into any mascots!

  • Emma
    July 31, 2018

    Poor Jax, working like a dog! Nice he has a friend to hang out with sometimes.

  • Shadow's & Ducky's Mom
    July 31, 2018

    To be honest, I’m not sure how Shadow would react because we’ve never been in such a situation. Ducky would probably go ballistic, especially if I were with her. (My 25-pound body guard.)

    I’m glad Jaxson relaxed some and got to chill with his friend for a little while. It’s hard work dealing with a giant dog that walks on two legs. Give the boys hugs and kisses for me.

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 5, 2018

      Jaxson was not feeling Charlie in the very beginning. He was not a fan. We’ve got another video this coming Wednesday with Charlie and a few of the baseball players. Hopefully because this is outside it won’t be as intimidating for him and the other pups. Hugs to your crew too!

  • Monika & Sam
    July 31, 2018

    I know what apprehension like that means. Truthfully team mascots scare me a bit too. Your pup is too adorable on the job-heck he’s too adorable 24/7!

  • Jan K
    August 1, 2018

    Jaxson is a brave boy to get used to that weird dog walking on two legs! 🙂 He’s been learning a lot of new things, and without his big brother to reassure him it must be tough. It’s nice he has some other friends to hang out and relax with.
    I’m pretty sure – no, absolutely sure – that Luke would bark at that mascot!