leap day..

Hey everyone... I'm back!!!! Mom made me "cool it" for a few days after my surgery, but I am up and at it again!!! Today, (from what I understand) is a pretty special day... the day is called "Leap Day", but even more than that... it's Sadie's birthday... her real birthday!!!!

So.. Mom and Dad thought it would be fun to take Sadie out to eat for her special day... and I got to come!!! I really don't know why I get so excited about that... because once we are in the restaurant, I just have to hide under the table. But I do like to go, and it's kind of neat to hear the comments when I walk into a restaurant.. I guess there aren't many dog that can do that. Come to think of it, I hardly ever see other dogs at the restaurants.. unless we go with the other service puppies.....

Abbie crawled under the table a couple of times, just to check on me and make sure that everything was going fine. She wanted to "sneak" me some food, but Mom said "no-no" to that... so we just visited quietly.

It looks like Sadie had a pretty nice day....

And then look what came back again.... nice new snow... I can't wait to get out and play.....

ready to go..... Norton.....

they checked in.....

Well, I don't know if I can really post much in my blog... because, while my buds checked in at NEADS on Thursday... I checked out... at the vet's. It was time for my "big dog" surgery and Mom said that it's none too soon. I'll admit, I think the gals are much better than obedience right now, and if I'm going to be a service dog, I have to get my head "out of the clouds and into work". So, the visit to the vet should take care of that. But Mom can tell you all about the day.... and I'll continue to rest and get back on my feet...

ready (almost) to go... Norton!!!

So, we arrived at NEADS for our usual check in. Because I had to drop Norton off for his "visit", Kathleen and I were running a tad behind the others. Dave was already going over question and answer time with Randi, Rick and June (Vickie's Mom).. and Bernice had come along for the ride as well. As usual, the puppies waited around while the humans talked. Since I was puppy-less, I did lots of listening and taking of photos. I miss not having a pup to work and already looking forward to next month, where Mr. Norton and I can be part of the team again!!!!

Before we headed to the city though, we had one stop and pick up to make. This cute little brown butt belongs to Monty!!!! Who is now the newest member of the Maine Team....

and Kathleen's new project. Monty is a four month old, chocolate lab. He is full of energy, fun and I just know he's going to be a great project!!!!

Once we had Monty all loaded up, it was into the city. Here is Randi and Stoney.... hard to believe (by the way everyone is dressed) that this is the month of February!!!! It was a warm, almost spring like day and made working quite pleasurable!!!!

Bernice and Rick.. ready to get to work. We made it into the hospital as usual, but didn't get into the train station this time around. I hope we will next month, because trains are one thing that the Maine group really doesn't encounter.

Busy city streets are a good place to practice calm sits. For some reason I felt the city was quite busy this day... might have been just the time of day.. or that the construction on the new building (across from the hospital) was in full swing, but it just seemed so loud to me.

Kathleen opted to stay out of the hospital with Monty. They were just getting to know each other, and that alone is a lot for a new pup. So, to prevent any "accidents" of one kind or another, they just enjoyed the sun together and got to know each other for a bit.

Sweet face of the future... who and what will you become Monty? Only time will tell... but you will be well loved in Maine!!!!

NEADS was busy as well. Since it was school vacation week, there have been a number of groups coming by to take tours. This was a boy scout/girl scout group that came to take a peek. Wished Norton could have been there to see all those kids... he would have been in love.

So, another wonderful day of good friends, dogs and things to work on. We picked up "my boy" on the ride north... stopped at our favorite Cracker Barrel for dinner, and headed for home. Another month's check in.... time sure flies by when you are having fun!!!

working, working, working .....

Hello everyone... it's me again. So, what to tell you... I have been very busy and having great fun. Here I am with Mom (#2) at dog school. Can you tell how much I love to cuddle?? (and do you sort of think we look alike - thought I am much cuter!!!) I am also excited to know that Lorna (Mom #1) and my sponsor, Susan are blog readers!!! so I want to send out a special hello to both of them~!~

Because Mom is the teacher at this night of dog class, we always go just a bit early and I get to have play time with other service puppies. This is my friend, Louie - he is a CCI puppy in training.. we have good fun together.

And here I am, trying to get Maggie out of the crate to come and play with us. I think Maggie is VERY cute - but Mom wouldn't let her out. Mom said that I wasn't being a gentleman around Maggie and she was getting upset with me. So, Mom put Maggie away for awhile... but I sure wished she had been with us.....

Here I am with Scott - he's Louie Dad... Scott and his wife Mary come and help Mom with doggie school.... so, add more new friends to my list.

In puppy school, Mom does this little game that she calls "swap the puppy" and all the humans take turns greeting the puppies and keeping us with them. It's funny how humans all greet dog in a little different manner, but Mom says that's the way it works, and even when doggies are being greeted differently, we are expected to greet each human the same.

I have to admit, this is a little hard for me. First off everyone thinks I am just the best, and second I love people. So, "keeping it together" as Mom calls it, can be a hard thing to do. I am getting much better, and Mom thinks this part of "my work" is really coming along. (but oh - these kids--- the best!!!)

And after a night of training, this is usually what I look like.... it's hard work...

but- that's a dog's life for ya!!!!

Ready to go........................Norton

new friends...

Aside from all the other things that I do.. going to obedience school is high on the list. I go two nights a week, one is my own class that Kathleen and Bernice train with me.. and the other I go with Mom and Camille and "work" as Mom's demo dog. (showing all the new puppies how to do their commands). Dog school is pretty good, course Mom expects great things of me there (which is sometimes hard to do).. but I am always meeting new dog friends.





One in particular is Rangley. He is studying to be a service dog as well. He's older than me (and was a good friend of Ginger's)...and at first he didn't quite to know what to think of me....











But once we got a chance to play, he thought I was pretty good.












And I am always happy to have a new friend and someone to romp with... so, for the next little bit, Rangley and I... we'll be buds!!!








ready to go..... Norton!!!

a new doo (for a doodle)

Hi again... Already I am having so much fun here on the farm. I live with all sorts of "folks"... my humans of course, but other dogs ( a lot of them sometimes) and cats, and some big farm animals. And I am making new friends of all kinds as well. This is Karen, and she is my groomer!!! Mom could groom me - she does the cockers - but her grooming table isn't big enough to hold me safely. And she also thought that it might be good for me to get used to a 'groom shop" because chances are, that is where I will probably go when I need a trim. I really didn't need a trim just yet, but Mom said my coat was in such good condition that she didn't want it to get "ahead of us"... so... here I am at Karen's. You know that we service dogs have to look great all the time, especially when we are out in public so much. And my hair was beginning to cover my eyes!!!

Mom left me with Karen and went off to do some things. I was an excellent pup for Karen, and she had me all done within a few hours. I know how to behave on a table!!!

and I can tell that Karen and I will be good friends. Mom says that I will see her once a month and that way I will always stay in perfect condition.

Thank you Karen, for making me look so good, I love you!!!!

ready to go...... Norton!!!!