Handle Preference

 

I tried several different baskets with a variety of handles but the one he preferred was this soft fabric one.

"Carry!"

 Trip is a true "I want immediate gratification" millenial! After teaching him to bring the mail into the house in a basket, we moved onto carrying other things from place to place. When we go to PetSmart to buy his food, he chooses a treat, carries it to the checkout (where he drops it and begs for one he can eat right then), then carries his small purchase to the car. I have been trying to get him to carry other things and, although we are making progress, there absolutely has to be food involved to entice him. One day he was chewing on a hard treat that would take most of the day to consume and he insisted on carrying it on his walk - from leaving the house, walking a mile, and returning. I try to hold off on his mealtimes and walks, but his internal clock triggers him to annoy me for an hour prior to every meal time and scheduled outing. Yesterday afternoon, I finally had to take him for his evening walk before the sun set enough to cool things down a little. Generally, he walks in front of me on the way out and lags behind, panting, on the way back, always trying to prolong the experience. This time, he took care of business, turned around, and volunteered to lead the way home, He wasn't even panting, just prancing merrily along, in the lead. As we crossed the threshold of the house, I thought I heard a tiny squeak. If my TV had been working and I had left it on for noise, I probably would not have noticed the tiny sound. I leaned down to release the leash and Trip began prancing off to his man-cave. "Wait!" I ordered. Trip turned to look me straight in the eye with the gleam of happiness that shows when he has things going his way. "What do you have in your mouth?" I asked him as he continued staring at me and not volunteering anything. I moved to help him open his mouth which he resisted. Finally, I succeeded and......out popped a cicada he had captured and carried home to snack on. The little minx. I tossed it out!

I have been watching the large area of a resident's yard that was promising a show of wildflowers. Every year it has gotten better and this year conditions have been just right to produce a real show.....bluebonnets galore (Texans LOVE their bluebonnets!), followed by larkspurs and poppies. It wasn't just a one night stand - so far, it has lasted about 3 weeks.

BFFs - Trip & Mimi

Photographs were taken with permission and no wildflowers were harmed in the process. 

Gosh, has it been that long since the last post? Well, time does fly when you are having fun!
Yesterday was a prime example....

MFM and I were out for our evening constitutional and I saw something on the side of the road. I am always looking for interesting things....specifically edible ones. ...like earthworms.....

Anyway, MFM seemed to slow our pace as we approached the interesting object in the road. I watched it carefully and I saw it was moving! I edged closer for a better view. It must have seen me because it stopped! It lay there quietly for a moment, then lifted two front legs and tensed its body. I edged a little closer and it reared a little higher. I stepped away for a pee to provide a get-acquainted point. It did not follow suit but lifted a couple more legs on one side and tilted a bit - trying to copy my stance, I'm sure.

We eyed each other for a few minutes while I heard a frequent "Leave it!" directed at me and felt a tightening of my leash when I tried to move in closer. Finally, MFM announced "Vamanos!" and off we went. 

That creature was hot-footing across the street when we passed it on our way back home....all eight legs moving as fast as my four. "We don't bother tarantulas and they don't mess with us!" MFM murmured as we hurried past.

I See Red!

MFM went to Italy and all I got was this photograph!

Anyway, I was happy to have her home and get back to my regular routine. Not that I did not enjoy my visit with Kristi and Charlie. They were the best! I got so many treats in the kitchen that they put me on a "diet" before MFM got back.

Just to be safe, I keep MFM in sight all the time now. Don't want her to leave me behind again. It might have been interesting to meet that little red dachsund......

Here are a Few of my Friends....

 

I don't remember everyone's name but I know who likes to run with me!

Ginger

I am in front, Max is next, and we are joined by Max's bosom buddy. We are trying to get the attention of the big dogs on the other side of the fence.

These are a few that MFM managed to catch with her camera. Maybe I can get her to try again. Sometimes we have 25 dogs on our side. We get along better than most humans do.

Dog Days of Summer

 

Summer is not here on the calendar, but it is already hot outside! MFM takes me to the dog park most days and I manage to get in a couple of runs but I am so happy to get home and get cool.

The runs are a lot of fun when the weather is cool. All of the "little" dogs gather on one side of the fence and bark to entice the "big dogs" on the other side of the fence to run up and down. Sounds like a herd of cattle stampeding when we really get going. It is rather amazing that our soft paws can make so much noise when we want to. In the Fall, dried leaves swirl around us as we make the run. In the summer, it is just dirt flying and settling into our coats.

 

 But it is getting too hot to do more than just sit in the shade. My friends and I lie around listening to our owners share all the embarrassing details of our lives while the breeze keeps the heat, and mosquitoes, at bay. Are these what they call the "Dog Days of Summer"?

 

When I get home, I plop on the cool tile and cool down. Then I let MFM know I am ready to eat. Tummy full, I just relax and doze , with one eye open, so I can follow MFM around if she ventures out of my sight. Who knows, she might want to go somewhere. That means I either get to go along or get bought off with  a treat. I have trained her properly.

 

Now for a rest....sigh.....

My Rating Goes Up

I only had a "Predictable" rating as a therapy dog. While that allowed me into the nursing homes and participation in the R.E.A.D. program, it did not allow me to visit the hospital. Therefore, MFM signed me up for a refresher course in advanced dog training.

I excelled, of course, having never forgotten the first training. I have to admit to being a little obnoxious about my expertise and didn't feel I needed to pay as much attention as the other participants. I did, however, manage to contain my enthusiasm and pass the test with a "Complex" rating. The only hang-up was when I had to "leave it" and the object they put in front of me was a soft toy that I love to play with!

Now, to get the paperwork in and set up some visits. It sure is a lot of hard work to be able to volunteer.

I have continued my reading schedule at the elementary school and was invited to a brunch as a thank you. MFM had to go along to hold my leash. She was pretty surprised when I managed to slip out of it a couple of times. Didn't stop me. There were so many tidbits on that cafeteria floor that I wasn't going very far, very fast. People couldn't see the little bits of food, but my sniffer is exceptional and led me right to them!

Poop Happens

Life is not dull but I do manage to get plenty of naps in between outings.
MFM has been taking me out in public a lot so I can become accustomed to all the different noises and people. She took me for a walk in the grass before we went in to Home Depot the other day. As she shopped, I decided to deposit my little present in the middle of the floor. Someone ratted me out and MFM was not very complimentary towards me..."YUK!" she exclaimed several times. Sure, I know what that means.... I have accomplished my goal to embarrass her.

I promise, that was not my intention when we were in the garden center at Wal-Mart one day. It was just....well....those fertilizers were wafting a sweet aroma and I thought maybe that was the right area. MFM pulled hard on my leash and rushed me outside to a grassy knoll. We made it.

Can't a boy have any fun?

"Can I Read To Your Dog?"

Well, it is obvious I have some catching up to do so will get started now.....

We visited an Elementary School on 23 February as part of a reward night for math and science students. We had seven teams (each team being made up of a pet and his/her handler) and managed to see a total of about 200 children in two hours. The children were clambering for second turns when the school insisted on closing for the night.

MFM and I interacted with more than 35 children, which meant the readings were shortened so everyone would have an opportunity to join in. I was amazed at the different reading levels, but the children all gave it their best. Each was rewarded with a stick-on tag announcing which dog s/he had read with, a bookmark to encourage reading at home, and a "business card" to tell all about the dog. Now, we need to go back to the printer!

This school night was a rousing success and other schools are reaching out to us now. More teams are graduating in the coming months so we are going to be a strong force!

A Day at the Library



My first outing as a R.E.A.D. dog was to the Public Library. We did not have too many visitors but that will surely change as the children learn we are there. It is such fun to see the children come in. They run over and give nme hugs and pet me...a LOT! Then they choose a book and read to me. I have the best job in the world!

Delta Pet Partner Team

Yippeeee!! My letter finally came and we are now a registered pet partner team!
Pet Partner Teams can visit people just to make them happy. For instance - an older person living in an assisted living facility might have had a pet all her / his life but now it is not allowed. I can visit and bring some joy for a little bit of time.

We get a badge and everything. There is still more to do though.

 We needed this letter so we can register as a R.E.A.D. team. That means I can go to the library and the schools and have the children read to me. I am hoping to make the first big extravaganza on November 12th at the library. Just have to see if MFM is back from her trip because she has to take me. Also, there are more papers and things to fill out to be in that program.

A hassle? Well, a little bit but I am hoping it will be worth it.
I will let you know.....meanwhile, I am off to the dog park after we deliver a meal to a recuperating friend.

R.E.A.D.

Well, I don't know about you but I have been hot all summer!

It has been 100 degrees plus almost all summer and I have this fur coat attached to me. MFM had all that hair cut off a couple of months ago, but it grew back quickly. I like to stay indoors , where it is cool, most of the time. Sometimes I surprise her when I balk at going inside and just lie down on the grass and refuse to move. Then she tethers me outside for a little while and I watch the birds and squirrels running free.

It is hard not to be able to explore the country side on my own, but I have to admit I love the food and cuddles.

Now, it appears that I will be working for my keep. Well, not really "working." but "volunteering." We have completed all the training and almost all the paperwork, now we just have to wait on our credentials and badges so we can get to "work."

We plan to volunteer to visit people whose spirits need a lift and they are not able to get out much. We also plan to volunteer with the R.E.A.D. prorgam in the schools. I practiced with Kyah while we were in  in St Louis and I practiced with Abs when she visited me last weekend.

It was a really interesting book at first.

Abs showed me the pictures and I helped her keep her place.

I don't know who enjoyed it more.

It really was an interesting story and there were some nice pictures, but I was tired and there were no pictures of dogs....<Yawwwwnnn>

Burrrrr - It's Summer

Not only am I a "Scoundrel" with a capital "S", I am a burr-ridden Scoundrel!

How was I supposed to know that a delightful, free-living roll in dead grass would mean I was doomed to carry my weight in grass burrs? MFM has brushed and combed and picked at me until I rebelled, but there are still thousands of burrs caught in my hair.

My hair is not the kind that sheds and pulls out easily. My hair is one of the poodle traits I have and one that MFM wanted so I wouldn't be shedding all over. The down side is that I have to have it trimmed or it just keeps growing and I get fluffier and fluffier. That is a good thing in the winter but in the summer it is very hot and, as I have just experienced, it catches everything that passes by.

Woe is me. I an destined to be brushed frequently and de-burred constantly until they are all gone. I have an appointment at the groomer on Wednesday so maybe they can just cut all those burrs out.

I am off for a nap.....

Delta Test

I passed!!
It was so much fun! All those people wandering around, petting me, making noise, and I got a treat at the end.
Yippee! I can visit people who just  need to smile.....as soon as I can get all the paperwork done.

Comings and Goings

I am back home and catching up on my sleep!

We went to St Louis (STL) when Charlie and David A. stayed with us. I really enjoyed the attention and even more when we got to STL and met up with Kyah, Liam, and their dog, Fredie. They first named the dog Freddy and renamed him when "he" turned out to be a "she." We played chase, fetch, etc,. and I learned how to go down the big slide at the park.

MFM and I only spent three days when we returned home before we headed off to Colorado Springs to visit the military branch of the family and their dog, Sammy. I don't know why everyone was nervous about my invading Sammy's territory, he remembered me from last time and we spent the entire visit wrestling. MFM can't figure out why we prefer each other's food to our own, but I keep that tidbit a secret. Our entire stay was like the daily time I spend at the dog park!
MFM and Korin went for a hot air balloon ride that ended our daily walks for a while when the balloon had a HARD crash landing. MFM was on crutches for a few days and still has to check back in with the doctor.

We headed back home in time to greet our visitors from STL. Lots of children to play with and things to do. They were careful to keep their toys out of reach after they discovered I could macerate them in short order. I got to practice being a "Read Dog" when Kyah invited me to sit with her while she "read" a book to me. I think I kinda' like that,

Everyone has gone home now and MFM and I have been alone since yesterday. We are resting up for the next group scheduled to visit in a couple of weeks. Today is the big day - my "Delta Test" - to see if I get to register to visit nursing homes, shut-ins, and reading programs in the schools. I think I am ready.....

Training Session - Saturday Shopping

Here is a photo of some of my buddies and me in the advanced dog training class.  All in this group have passed the Canine Good Citizen test. 

Saturday we went to the local shopping area to practice our socialization skills in preparation for the upcoming Delta Dog Test. After we pass, we will be allowed to visit schools, nursing homes, or any place there is a need for people to dog interaction. Of course, it is as much about the handlers' control as it is the dogs' behavior. Apparently, there are other animals that can visit as well - cats, bunnies, and others. I just like to concentrate on my doggie friemds.

Have you ever wondered what things look like from our point of view? Well, here is a small example - plenty of feet wandering around in the shoe store. Well, thank goodness our humans have only two feet to worry about, Otherwise, it could be very crowded. Oh, BTW, we had permission to visit the stores and our people were very careful to see that we behaved appropriately.

This was my first time to see a mirror at my eye level. At first, I wondered who was trying to sneak into my territory, then I saw a friendly face. A pretty handsome fellow.

The shoes were boring since I was not allowed to play with them. I did steal a little kiss from the nearest girl.

Ho-Hum....the ladies were all excited about the shoes.....

We finally visited a place with pizazz.....the local Pet Smart. I got to look at the toys, but all MFM said was "Leave it!" I have to admit to a little bit of pouting.....

My second favorite part of the store is the aisle with food! I sniffed it all and sometimes, if I time it just right and scrunch way down, I can find a morsel or two right under the shelf.I didn't have my picture made at Office Depot. I totally embarrassed MFM by pooping on the floor. She was very quick, scooped it up with handy bag she always carries, then got tissues to finish the job from another doggie handler. MFM is now talking about having to revert to a "diaper bag" type device to carry more essentials.....Whoops. On top of it all, MFM bought a new "dinger" bell for me. She thought maybe the other one, from a game, was too hard to ring. She has decided that ringing the bell will be my "trick" to demonstrate at graduation since I am not learning to pick up my toys.....yet.

PS = Thanks to my instructor, NYRuth for the photos!

Memorial Day 2011

It is Memorial Day and MFM got me all dolled up to attend the annual ceremony. I even had a bath this morning but she couldn't get all the burrs out of my hair.

The annual Memorial Day ceremony is well attended in our community so we had to go an hour early and take our own chair. There must have been a thousand people there and most of them were veterans. There were probably 200 or so WWII Vets and you don't see these guys so much anymore.

I got to play with a little boy sitting next to me but he freaked out when I licked the nozzle on his camelback water supply. I don't know what all the excitement was about, he was licking it too! Fortunately, MFM had brought water and a bowl for me. I did not share with the boy.

I got a little bored with all the talking but I enjoyed the band and seeing the flags flapping in the breeze. I would have enjoyed chasing a few birds but I was not allowed. MFM keeps reminding me that I am in training to be a therapy dog. Seems like therapy dogs miss out on a lot of fun things.

One interesting thing I noticed was the color guards. They had 4 of each from the Fire Department, the Jr ROTC, and the county EMS. The ROTC carried guns, the Fire Department carried shiny new hatchets, but the EMS did not carry anything to protect the flags. I wonder....could they carry hypodermic needles?

I was well behaved except for a little whining when I got bored. MFM should have taken a chew toy / treat for me. I was very happy to get home to my cool house.

I greatly appreciate all the military people, and military dogs, who serve to keep our country free and the enemy away from our shores...... I certainly don't know of any cats that are helping out!

I Promise to Love, Cherish, and.....Obey!?

My new training class has started!Today we took a walk down one of the trails but it was no ordinary walk. I tried to put my nose to the ground and smell everything, as I always do, but MFM said I wasn't a bloodhound and I needed to pay attention. Periodically, we stopped and rested, had to "sit" for 2 minutes, "down" for a time, had other dogs and their handlers wandering in and around us, and other such chaos that I had to rouse out of bed early to partake in. Well, yes, it was fun too! ....and I got GOOD treats!!

NYRUTH, the instructor, announced in front of the whole class that I was not being the class clown like I was last week. HA! I wallowed in the loose dirt to show her that I was still very capable.

One of the expectations of this course is that we will learn a trick to perform at the end of the course. It has to be something I do not already know. I can shake hands, choose a toy, play fetch, am courteous about waiting to be invited into and out of the car and house, as well as the basic obedience commands. What more could anyone want? Well, MFM wants to teach me to put my toys away! That's no trick! The trick is to get them out as fast as she can put them away, and I have that mastered. We will see how this goes.

Beauty and the Scoundrel

MFM and I went to Houston Easter Sunday and returned home Monday evening. We stopped at the dog park so I could run and play, but it was late (about 6:30 PM) and none of my friends were there.

 The evening was stll bright and there was a cool breeze chasing the day's heat away. Surprisingly, a new dog showed up about 7 PM. Her name is Emmy and she was a real looker! She is a Labrodoodle with  fluffy, rich apricot-colored fur. OOOOhhhh....she is so cute. I taught her how to run and play because these were new surroundings for her. She will be taking Beginning obedience lessons so maybe I will see her in passing since I am in the Advanced Class. She is only four months old and already about my size.

Life is good.