visitng once again...

Hi everyone.. well, here I am "reporting from the road"... actually I am on a puppy swap and will be going to two homes!!! My first stop was with Kelli and Rick and the boxers. They have a pretty fun house... boxers know how to enjoy life!!! I had a good time staying at their house, and got to try a few new things that my Mom didn't think to do with me. I am being very good and sort of enjoy this overnight thing.

After a bit of time there, Rick took me to meet up with Auntie Linda... I have stayed with her before. She had such a nice time with me, that she asked Mom if I could come back again!!! We did all sort of silly things ... Auntie Linda dressed me up for something called Halloween.
Then we went to an event called a football game. That was interesting... lots of people, noise and a neat game to watch. it was fun.
I kept an eye on things for awhile. It might have been fun to chase that ball around!!!!

But, after a while, decided to take a little snooze. It was a great time with Linda, I went to work with her (where I am always spoiled)... played with Chloe and just enjoyed my time. I'll be going back to the farm in a few days.... my Mom misses me....

first snow

it's just for the record.... we have had our first snow of the season. It's too early for snow, and Ginger is away-- now staying with Linda... so the other dogs had play time without her.

We're hoping fall will return, we're not ready for winter!!!!

Ginger???

Hello... no I am NOT Ginger.. I don't even look like Ginger!!! I am Otis... and Ginger and I are on a puppy swap. Ginger has gone to my house, and I am here visiting with Sue and Ed on the farm. It's kind of fun (I miss my family).. but my brother Edgar is here, so I got to have lots of fun time with him. Course, Sue... she never lets you just "vacation" on the farm, and one afternoon she packed me up and took me shopping. (It's kind of boring, but she and Ed needed a few items) I sat quietly and waited.

Sue wanted to get a new pair of shoes, so when we went over the shoe area, she tried to make me "under" this tiny little stool. I did just what she asked, but you know... sometimes... you just can't fit!!! I did the best I could and she said I was excellent!!!

They have some pretty strange look creatures at this store (Cabele's) so Sue made me pose for a picture... that she sent a copy to my family. I again, was perfect... there's not much scary about stuffed animals....

I slept most of the ride home.. something about shopping that just wears a dog out. I will be here on the farm a few more days, and it will be back home with Kelli, Rick and the boxers... but all in all... not a bad swap......

best wishes.... Otis

another day at NEADS...

Hello everyone... this is Ginger!!! We have been having some very fun days here on the farm. Last Sunday, Mom thought it would be fun to invite everyone over and have a play day in the new fenced yard. Not all my buddies were able to come, but the ones that could... we had a great time!!!!








Brothers, Otis and Edgar love to be together (just like me and Leo) and they stayed together for most of the afternoon. The humans stood and watched us playing and seem to enjoy their own visit time.










Lots of "retrievers!!!" here we have me... Otis, Edgar, Stoney and then visitors as well, were Ranger (Stoney's friend) and Mindy....










After our playtime, the humans came in for some cocoa and snacks that Mom had for them. We were pretty happy to just chill out and rest together... Mom always say that "tired puppies are good puppies"... I wonder what she means about that....

I sure do like having so much company... I'm a party girl at heart!!!!!

Our friends went home, and Mom and Dad, with Kelli and Rick... took Otis and I and went out to dinner. This is a favorite place of theirs.. Mom says the food is good, but she likes "how they feel about having service dogs come to visit".....

On Monday we were on our way to NEADS. Turn in day is getting very close for Leo and I, so I guess we won't have too many more training days like this. And I also heard that it won't be too long before T will have his turn in date... puppies grow too quick.

It was such a pretty day, that we met with Dave outside. He likes to hear all about us, what we have done for our training, and if our people have any questions. Mom loves talking with Dave, even though she is a trainer herself, she says it's great fun to be a "student" once in awhile.

Since we had so much fun at the train station last month, we all wanted to go there again. There are so many good things to work with.. and like Mom said, we don't have that sort of thing on the farm!!!

We went out on the loading platform, Dave was hoping that we might have the chance to see a train pull into the station. Well, we didn't get to see a passenger train, however a freight train did go by. It had A LOT of cars... it sort of caught out interest at first, but then it was kind of boring. We just laid quietly and waited for the humans to have us do something else. Dave was pleased to see that.

We even went over to the hospital. Oh those elevators.. Mom says no matter how many service puppies she raises, she doesn't think she'll ever get used to elevators. However, looks like T and Leo have no troubles at all with them. (Leo is even looking out and enjoying the ride!!!!)

Course, at the end of the day... this is what we all look like. I don't mind it being a long drive home, when you're tired and can cuddle with friends, what could be better than that.

so... until I blog again.... all my love, Ginger!!!

it's called ... pickin' apples...

Mom and Sadie took Abbi and I on another field trip. This was called "apple picking" and since neither Abbie or I had done this, Abbie got careful directions on how this is all done. I only hope she heard everything correctly so we can do this right.....

Into the orchards we went. I was a little concerned about Abbie and kept her in my sight. She is little you know and I am a golden and must know where my people are at all times!!!!

I kept careful watch over her and made sure she was doing this apple picking thing right....

course, you know that Mom is going to make me pose for pictures... (I am such a pretty girl)

We were told to put the apples in these bags (so we can take them home). Even the ones that Abbie took bites out of were brought home.. Mom says she will make apple sauce out of them. I must admit, they smelled pretty good and yes, I took a bite or two myself....

A big hug at the end of the day.. Abbie said I was a good apple picking partner (you know I will take hugs anytime)

We "reported" back to the folks of the orchard.. Abbie was certain to remind everyone... "MY Ginger".....

Fall... it's a pretty time of year, apple picking, check that off the list...







Love Ginger.

just doing "things"

Here I am again... yes, that's me - Ginger, and I am now beginning to be the "quite grown up gal". There are changes happening around here.. of course our wonderful new yard, but I have noticed the trees are turning colors, and there are so many more leaves on the ground. The air is cooler and the sun isn't out as long. Mom has told me that bigger changes are still to come, she hugs me a lot (well, she has always hugged me alot), but now she tells me that our time together is coming to an end... course I'm not exactly sure what that means, but I do know Mom seems sad when she tells me this, and will quickly change the subject sometimes. She has always told me that this isn't my real home, but somehow I get the feeling that "it's" getting close.......


and then, there are things are that just the same. I still go to puppy classes every week. I like to help out with the classes, Mom lets me play with the other puppies, and then I go out on the floor and show them "what" their lessons will look like once they learn how to do them.










Mom says that I know my lessons very well and she is always so pleased when I do them well.

We are still taking all kinds of "field trips" together, on this one day, I went with Mom and Dad to pre-school. It was fun to visit with the children, but Mom also used the time to have me practice some of my stay work.

The kids were "worried" and thought that I had been sent to "time out"... but I knew that I was just being a good girl.

Mom still makes me practice riding on the floor of the truck. I try to tell her that I am too big to fit in this space, but we actually know better. I can curl up enough to lay on the floor when I want to.

We made a trip into a pet shop and I just loved watching the little critters scurry around. I know not to chase them or woof at them (afterall, I have guinea pigs at home).. but they were fun to watch just the same.

Pretty much, life is doing the same things again and again. Mom says there isn't much more she can think "to do" with me, and that it's time for me to think about moving onto to "college"... I think she is trying to prepare herself for the days ahead....

am I ready??? well, time will tell..............

Love to all, Ginger