Moxie Sunday.....

Yesterday - March 27th - Moxie's birthday...

even though this blog is all about "me" now (and Chester last year) you know that Mom can never let Moxie's birthday go by without thinking of her. And because of her, it was Mom's idea to try her hand a raising service puppies knowing how important we K9's are to the human world. I never knew Moxie of course, but in honor of her and my Mom... we want to wish Moxie a happy birthday...

It's pretty cold here today, so I played with Abbie and the other dogs in the house. Mom has to fuss at us sometimes, because we do get a little too rough in the house - but it's great fun just the same. I like being around Abbie, she isn't one bit "afraid" of us (dogs) and often will share some of her snacks with us....

Course, this is how Mom likes us to be.... but "quiet" moments like this... are few and far between....

And just for the record... not only is Sunday Moxie's special day.. but here in Maine, it's also "maple syrup day"...

AND, the day that Chester is finally going to meet Michael.....

so, we consider it all very special.... love, Ginger

NEADS day!!!

I find it hard to believe that here we are again... checking in with Dave at NEADS!!!! Mom says that we only go once a month, but since I am a puppy.. what does that mean?? I do know it's a fun day away from the farm and with my brother!!! (which is always good!!) This time, "T" joined us. I am beginning to like him, and he loves to play with Leo and me. While the humans talked about "our work".. we three puppies got to play in the big training room... that is always a good time. Then Dave had us do some of our "obedience"... and afterwards, we loaded back into the truck and....

headed into the "city". Mom says this isn't even the "big city" which I think we will see when the weather gets a bit warmer. But still, it's pretty big to me.. it was loud, and busy and cold!!!

We took a little time, just sitting on the curb watching the traffic go by. It is much busier here than it is on the farm, but nothing really phased any of us. We saw buses, trucks and lots of cars... there were a number of people too, but no one really noticed us.

And after we did that, Dave took us over to a "bus stop" and just had us sit there and watch all the going on's. The buses make a "hiss" sound when they come to a stop, which was different for me... but again, after a few moments... we all thought "so what". Dave tells us this is "all good", because he likes it when we don't really care....

Mom had Dave get this picture of us... "hanging out in the city".. just for the record... it looks much warmer in this picture than it actually was... because after this, we got right back to the truck.... we were freezing!!!!!

so, until my next adventure... love to you all...

Ginger

steak night

Hello everyone... it's me again... out on another "adventure!!!" Tonite I went with Mom and Dad, Sadie and Abbie to an event that they call "steak night". Every Wednesday evening, a group of friends meet at a restaurant and have dinner together. Now, because Mom works almost every Wednesday night, (and of course I go to "work" with her) we don't get to go to "steak night" very often. But this week, we could. I have to say that one thing about some restaurant's, it's hard to find a place for me, and I find that I have to squeeze into some really tight places. But, since I like to go and be with everyone, and Mom says, this is how it "might be in my future service dog work"... then I guess it's good practice, and I try really hard to do it well.

Course, there are always rewards for my efforts and this great little chap was just dying to come and say hello to me. I love it when Mom says it's ok, especially for the kids to come and say hello....

We still have plenty of snow around here. I love the snow, and have the grandest time playing in it. Mom keeps telling me that one day... all this snow is going to be gone...

and I do wonder, what that's going to be like......

SD workshop evening

Hello everyone.. well, tonite was the March meeting of the service dogs!!! We had a big crowd this month and Mom was so happy to see so many "service dogs" (some of us aren't "real" service dogs just yet). Each month, Mom is trying to come up with a main idea for the night, but this time we had two main ideas.... One being the tunnel. Teena (Freedom's mom) has this great little tunnel that is perfect dog size. It's a fun thing to work with and helps build our confidence. Here Rusty is being helped by his Mom Deb... he wasn't so sure about this at first, but once he got the idea.. there was no stopping him. I (by the way) loved the tunnel.. sadly Mom can't get pictures of me doing work when she is working me.. but let me tell you, I zoomed thru that tunnel several times!!! Now, the other "theme" of the night was --- DAD!!! I had wondered why he came with us, I mean Dad travels with us alot, but on puppy nights, it's just usually Mom, Camille and I. However, tonite, Dad got in the truck with us. And the reason we brought Dad along is because, he is a firefighter (a Chief actually).. but Mom thought it might be good for the puppies to see a firefigher in full gear. We started with just having the gear laid out on the floor and everyone got a chance to check it out. This didn't "bother" me, because I see Dad's fire gear all the time. but, for some of the puppies, this was all new to them.

Then Mom had Dad put all her gear on. He did this in front of all of us, so we could see that it was still Dad under those layers of clothes. He put on his big trompy boots, and walked around. And he offered dog cookies to anyone "brave" enough to come and take them. Logan caught onto that one quick, and a few of the "shyer" puppies, seeing Logan get treats, jump right on board. Course, I knew it was Dad along, so I didn't have any trouble getting those treats.

After that, Dad went into "Full" fire gear... and put on an air pack. Now I have to admit that was a bit strange, because is sounded so weird. That "sucky" sound really got our attention... but again Dad had cookies for everyone, and in time.. all the puppies would go up to him, and eventually, we began to play with other things and sort of forget he was even there. Which is exactly what Mom was working towards....

Course, there is always a part that is our "usual" obedience work... heeling, coming, sits.. downs.. stays....

the "boring" part if you ask me!!!! (I can do all this stuff... I want to "play" with the other things!!!!)

Then the humans always take a little time to talk. They love to talk about us, and tell each other all the wonderful things that we do... aren't we lucky dogs????

And before I knew it, the evening had come to an end and it was time to say goodbye to my service dog pals until we meet again. So, the humans got things picked up and packed up... and we were on our way home!!!!

Big news...

Although this is now Ginger's blog.. I just have to take a moment and make a big announcement. Chester, our "last year's puppy" has completed his training. He is now a full SERVICE DOG and has been matched!!!!! I will have the opportunity to see him once again and meet his new person the first part of April. I can't even begin to discribe the joy, pride, happiness..... whatever other words might fit...... with this news and the wonderful experiences I had having Chester in my life!!!! My dear friend, Kathleen was right... there is nothing like it in the world.. I am so blessed to be a small part of it.

On top of that, he and his new partner begin their team training at NEADS on March 27th... a very special date in itself. March 27th would have been Moxie's 14th birthday... it is partly because of Moxie that I decided to be a puppy raiser. What a God given gift, that I applied to be a puppy raiser on her birthday - two years ago - and "my" very first puppy not only made it to the this level of training, but will be with his owner on this certain date.

Happy (early) birthday Moxie girl... did you plan this from heaven????

spring graduation

Hello everyone, welcome back to my blog!!! This was a pretty special day.. even if it's so cold... Mom said we were going to "spring graduation". Well, I have no idea what "graduation" is.. or "spring" for that matter, but we were in the truck and on the road.. and for me.... that always means fun!!! Camille came along as well, so we're in for a really "big" day.








We met up with Kathleen and brother Leo.. and then... we went and got Rick too!!! So, I knew where ever we were headed, it must be special to have so many of our friends with us. And then, we got Teena and Freedom and I got the idea it must be a NEADS event.. because when this group gets together.. it usually mean NEADS!!!








This time, we didn't go to the campus. We went to a beautiful motel. There were lots of other people and dogs there.... including Deb and Rusty. Here's a nice group photo of all of us (except for Camille, she stood with Rick when he took this photo)...









and this was what all the excitement was about. Mom told me this is a very special event, and if all goes well... one day, there will be a graduation for me as well. All I know is that there were lots of great dogs and people, lots of applause and tears.. Mom says they are happy tears, but I was a bit concerned.

For Leo, Freedom, Camille and I.. much of this great event was spent laying quietly under the chairs. But Mom kept saying we were very good dogs.. so really, that's all that matters!!!!

NEADS is thirty five years old this year. Which means I am in line with a long list of other service dogs, both past and present. To celebrate this special year.. a new logo has been launched, and we were among the first to see it. Now, I know this is more of a Lab type dog.. but we goldens don't mind!!!!

After graduation, my favorite part came.. attention from many people. I love attention... and the more pats I got, the better I liked it.

As with any day we do NEADS things, it's a tiring day to say the least. So, by the end of the day and the ride home, both Camille and I were very happy to cuddle up together and just enjoy the ride home. So.. graduation??? ok, I've decided... I want to have my own graduation!!!! Now, back to work on it......

love, Ginger