another Thanksgiving

Do you know this little dog??? Well, that was me.. last year when I first came to the farm. I arrived a few days before Thanksgiving...


And here I am this year. A whole year has gone by... I am quite the big girl now, and Mom was (is) so happy that we got to have another Thanksgiving together.

She isn't so sure we will be together for Christmas.. so she said we're going to enjoy this holiday together as much as we can... time for college is getting closer and closer, so we love every trip, every outing and every moment together...

love Ginger.

more snow??

Look at this.... we got more snow!!!! Now, I know the humans think all this wonderful white stuff is a bit of a bother...... but doesn't the farm look pretty??











And come on.... isn't snow the BEST for racing in!!!! I couldn't wait to get outside in that cool, wet, fresh snow!!!!












On top of that... not did we just have snow.. we had friends too!!! Mom takes doggies in when their families travel and a lot of families were traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday.. so we had lots of friends!!!!








Edgar and I had the best time with friends.. snow.. and life...

it's all good--- you know, humans should look it at from a dog's point of view more often!!!!


love, Ginger!!!

festival of trees

This past weekend, Mom and Dad took me to a celebration called "the Festival of Trees". This is an event that only happens every other year, and it's extremely popular... so the crowd was HUGE. (which is exactly why Mom wanted me to go)....

Not only was it a fun thing for all the humans.. but, our dog club had it's own tree there, and Mom wanted to be sure to check it out.






It's kind of like a contest --- this Festival of Trees, where all kinds of groups (like the dog club, businesses.. families) bring in trees and decorate them. Then the folks that come and see the trees vote for the best one...

Course, we all thought that the "dog" tree was the best!!! Mom was hoping to get a picture of me beside the tree....

but the room was so crowded, so couldn't even get me close enough. People were excited to see me there, and asked lots of questions (like they always do).. but Mom can't be watching me, answering questions and taking pictures... so,even though there are no photos of me...

you just have to know that I did indeed --- go.

Mom said it was a very fun night - she got to see lots of pretty things, and said it was a great training time for me. There certainly were lots of different things... like this frog... there were models with small trains running about, and things that moved and made different sounds...

Plus there were also things that we had to be "careful around".. like these candles. With the crowds and not much room to move, we had to maneuver around all kinds of decorations that were just under foot. For lack of a better phase.. Mom calls it "tight space training".. she thinks it will be a good thing to know, in case I end up being in the city!!!

It was a pretty night, and any night that I get to be out and seeing the sights with Mom and Dad is a fun time...

Love, Ginger

Chester's official graduation.....

As we got into the car early this morning, Mom said it was going to be a very special day. She said that we were going to "graduation".. now I have been to one graduation already, but for some reason... she said this one was "important". Course, I'm not sure what that word means, but when we arrived.. I could sense that there was something - I could feel it in the air.








And then, we saw them.. and I knew why this was so important to Mom.... It is Mike's and Chester's graduation day!!!!Mom was so excited to see Chester again... she hasn't seen him since last April when she met Mike for the first time. She has been able to keep in touch with Mike, so she knew that he and Chester are doing well.. but to see them again...






Well, let's just say, she was really excited. I'm not so sure I like the idea of another "golden" in Mom's life. I always knew that I wasn't her only service puppy... but really I thought all those hugs belong only to me!!!!!










However, one can't stay upset too long - especially being a golden, and it wasn't too long before Chester and I had our own little cuddle time. Mom was so happy to see us together.. she said that for a graduate dog and an in training dog to be together like this --- it's a rare treat. Course, we didn't know what the big deal is.. but humans.. well, you have to give them a bit of credit....

After our hellos - Chester had to go for his official graduation pictures. That's him in the middle on the top row... Mom told me that she can't wait to see me in my graduation picture... but, that's still along ways (and a lot of work) off.

Mike was a little nervous with all this hub-bub... but Chester knew just what to do. He is good at his "job" and Mike loves him very much. (this made Mom cry and I had to do my work for her!!!!)

Besides Mom and I being there.. Dad came too, as did Abbie, Kassy and Nate....(Sadie had to work :( ) But everyone was there rooting for Mike and Chester. Abbie loves this service dog thing... she sat right on the floor with Otis and I until it was time for the ceremony to begin.

This is Gerry - he is the gentleman that is in charge of NEADS. Gerry gave a little speech about NEADS and service dogs... course I don't really know what he was talking about, but Mom seemed very pleased.

Abbie really didn't know what he was talking about either, so she shared a book with "uncle" Rick.

Chester just sat beside Mike and smiled the whole time......

and because I had started the day so early.. I took advantage of it all....and slept.

This is our friend Russ... I have talked about him before in other blogs... but today was Russ and Joe's graduation too. Remember, they had been in Mike's and Chester's training class.. that's where Mom and Dad met them. (and learned they live in the next town to ours!!!) Russ was nervous too... but Joe was right there for him.

Then it was Mike's and Chester's turn to go on the stage, receive their certificate and say a few words about being together. Mike did a great job and Chester didn't seem to understand what all the fuss is about. Neither do I, but for some reason all the humans seem to think we are amazing dogs. So, if everyone wants to think we are amazing.... we'll take it.

Mom was happy to get this photo too. Here is Mike, Chester - and that's Karen.. she sponsored Chester!!! and Karen's friend.. who's dog was Chester and that who "our" Chester was named for....

And then, the last photo of the day...more than likely, this will be the last time that we all together. Mike and Chester will head off to their own lives, and it won't be long before I take the next step in my future as well.

Graduation.. a wonderful, happy - sad, and tiring day.. but certainly one of those "gifts" in live...

and I send to all of you my love..... Ginger

11-11-11

Mom says that today is a very important day... Veteran's Day.. a day that we take time to remember all the men and women who have served (and are currently serving) our country... keeping it a safe place to live, and allowing us many privileges that other countries don't have. Dogs have served for us as well... so Mom just wanted to be thinking of everyone on this day.

She can't help but think of the NEADS dogs that are serving as well... dogs that have been matched for the veterans who have returned with injuries. She is so proud to work with such a great organization that offers these brave people some help when they need it. Becoming a veteran's dog is a very special thing......

Course, I don't know if I will become a veteran's dog, but I am hoping there will be a special job for me to do. In the meantime, I am just practicing as much as I can --- with Mom. And a few days ago, we went and "voted"... Mom says this is one of those privileges that the veterans have secured for us.. and it's important that we do that.

I don't understand "voting", but Mom said I did my part well.. by laying quietly in the voting booth while she did what needed to be. Ok, by me... I can do that. Of course on our way out, we stopped and chatted about service dogs, and people seem to like hearing about me. Mom says that with me, she never can go anywhere "quickly"... but she doesn't mind.. the more that we can talk about service dogs and how we give to mankind.. the better....

Happy Veterans day..... love, Ginger

puppy night at the mall...

Well, here we are again.. do I look bored?? Actually I am just tired.. after a very busy day around the farm, Mom packed me up and we headed out to the mall. "Puppy night at the mall" to be exact.. goodness, a service puppy has so much going on. While Leo and I wait for our turn in date, Mom and Kathleen continue to look for training opportunities. Since the weather is turning off cool, and the days are getting shorter, we have moved our work inside.





The mall was quite busy this evening. Mom was surprised... but she tells me that the "holidays" (?) are coming and it's to be expected. Which I have the feeling that I will be making a number of trips to malls and stores - Mom always likes to work in during "busy times". We had a good group join us for puppy night... our friend Rangley, Leo, Otis, T, Gem and myself....





This is Rangley... we started our night in the food court, under the tables while the humans had a bite to eat and chatted. Graduation is coming up and everyone seems so excited about that.












Our friend, Gem, is a prison puppy, but on the weekends she comes to stay with Lynn. Since Lynn has a house in Maine, she is part of the Maine Chapter as well. We don't get to see Gem that often, but let me just tell you.. she lives up to her name.. she certainly is a "gem"







We walked threw the mall, stopped and chatted with alot of people... worked around so many different things, and yes.. I even got Mom to ride the elevator. T and I think this is just fine (Mom thought it was too small.. and was happy to "get off" it).. I don't know, will Mom ever get used to elevators.... she should, I did!!!!!







Now, I know that we need to practice "everywhere".. but really Mom.. do you have to take a picture of "us" in the bathroom.... sheezzzzeee...


well, lots of fun things coming up, and of course, we'll be sure to share them with all of you...


Love, Ginger.....

Halloween and I won!!!!

Yes, that's me... can you believe it. I spent Halloween with Auntie Linda... and at her work, they were having a costume contest. Well, guess who got dressed up!!!! Do you know what I am... a hula girl!!! (because Auntie Linda LOVES Hawaii!!!)



Course, it wasn't all play... I still had to put in my work time (at least I can make the humans think I know how to run a computer!!!)

At first I was a little "unsure" about "Tigger"... but I soon learned it was just a friend dressed up... and then

I fell in love with Tigger!!!

And don't forget Pooh --- who I just cuddled with.

Unknown to me, there was a prize for the best costume, and it was a voted thing... well guess what --- I won!!!

Auntie Linda got me all kinds of new things with my prize money - and she is hanging onto my new things as a graduation next spring -- when I have finished college!!! Pretty neat, eh???