going to work...

One thing that I have discovered.. is my Mom "works" a lot of different places. She is always "busy" around the farm, taking care of us.. and she teaches dog classes, and Camille and I go with her. But she also works at another place... called the post office. Now, I haven't been there, but one afternoon, Mom said... "it will probably be quiet there today and you can come"

So, we put on my working clothes, and I went to work at the post office with Mom. It sounded exciting, but really, my job was to lay quietly under the desk. Even when people came.. Mom told me to "stay"... It was kind of "strange" being there, I could hear people coming in and out, sometimes they came to talk to Mom and other times, I could hear the sound of little doors opening and closing, and Mom said that people were picking up their mail.

Mom was happy to have my company there, and said it was good practice to come and be quiet. (I also have to do that in church)... I didn't find any of it "hard to do"... but it was rather boring - except that I got to be with Mom and Camille had to stay at home. So, i guess, I am "old enough" to go to work now.. and since I like to be with Mom... it's all good with me....


life with .... Rylie!!!!

Thanksgiving...

My Mom says that today is "Thanksgiving"... my very first. And though I don't quite know what she is talking about (do I ever know what she is talking about??) I can tell you that the house is filled with excitement and wonderful smells. I watched Abbie this morning help her Mommy in the kitchen.. Abbie told me she was "cooking"... (and had to wear her fairy wings to do so!!!)

And then I watched while Mom, "set the table" and was very busy pulling out all sorts of pretty plates. I sort of got under foot following her about as she did this, but she only told me to "move"... which I did.....

Then, later in the day, the whole family (well-- most of the family) arrived. The house was filled with sounds and smells. Everyone was happy to see me, they tell me I am getting bigger... and then, while I "rested" in my crate, they all sat down together and ate a wonderful meal. Sadly, I didn't get any of it... but neither did the other dogs....

After dinner, they went out to barn and hitched up Duke. Mom wanted to take everyone out for a little cart ride. I would have loved to go to the barn, but when Mom is busy with the horses, she doesn't let me go....

Maybe one day, I'll get a ride in the cart.. Mom says I have to be good enough to "sit still" while "she is driving"... I think I could do that....

But the best part of "Thanksgiving", for me anyways, was when Naomi and I got to play together.....



Happy Thanksgiving everyone...



the life of... Rylie!!!!

my first graduation...

We were up early this am, went to get Rick and Moxie, and on the road. Mommy says we are going to "graduation" (guess I will find out what that is).. I was happy to see my pals... here is Kathleen, Linda and Linda!!! There were lots of other service dogs, puppies in training and people. It was fun, there was lots of excitement in the air....

And then, we saw Pastor Jane and Ginger!!! Mom said this is Ginger's graduation.. her official recognition of being a true service dog... her official title is "ministry dog"...Ginger was very excited to see all of us...

This is the first time that Ginger got to see Rick... Mommy had already seen Ginger when we all went to her church.

We got to visit for a bit, and then it was time for the graduation ceremonies to begin. Mr. John Moon opened the ceremony.....

And both Camille and I knew just what to do when the humans got seated and were listening... we just settled under the chairs and slept while we  waited. Mom is very pleased when I do this, she says it's important I know how to do this... (I really don't know what the big deal is, I think it's easy to "sleep")

There was a guest speaker, whom Mom enjoyed very much (Nick Trout).. and then it was time for the graduates to take the stage. When it was Ginger and Pastor Jane's turn... Mom and the other puppy raisers were so excited. Mom told me that one day, if I work really hard... I might be up on that stage....

After graduation, we all got to visit again -- and take lots of pictures. Even though Mommy will have the chance to see Ginger... in someways, this is good bye. It's time for her to go on to her work... good thing Mom has me to worry about now!!!

When it was time to head for home, Ginger gave Mom a hug....

But, she went right back to her Mom. Ginger knows who is who... but it makes me think that one day I will have a new Mom or Dad...hummmm, do I like that idea??? Well, no sense in thinking about that just now....

A good bye kiss for Rick too... and then we were packing up and heading for home. So, I have been to my first graduation, and with luck.... there are more to come!!!!

and we're back again!!!

This is my friend Moxie... she's being very good, and very quiet.. because we are in church!!! I was so happy to see her come threw the door and sit with us, I wanted to play so much, but Mom said we can't...

We're in church and we need to be good. I am beginning to understand that in some places, I have to just lay quiet and wait. Course it's also a good time to take a little nap, and that's never a waste of time!!!!

After church, we did have a little play time, and then we were off. I knew there had to be an adventure somewhere.. there usually is when Moxie and I get together. Today we went to watch a graduation of another service dog organization. I don't know anyone here, but the Mom's all did....

And one person in particular. This is Teena, her dog is Freedom and they are today's graduates. Teena was very excited to see all our Mom's (and Moxie's Dad) and she was so pleased that they came to support her.

As usual, we got a lot of attention from all of the folks there. Monty really schmoozed it up with a few folks.. he certainly knows how to turn on the charm.

But, I was asked to sit in on the graduation photo!!! Mom thinks it's because I'm still the baby of the bunch... but she thought it was nice to be asked.. so she said I could... (that's Teena and Freedom on the far left)...

You can see me in the front -- the blue vest -- I showed them.. I might be a baby, but I know my manners. So, when they said to sit and stay, I showed them that I could. I think everyone was quite impressed with my manners.. certainly my Mom was!!!!

A few days later, Mom and Rick took us to a "luncheon" and then a "talk" about NEADS. It smelled so good there, Mom said that the folks were having a Thanksgiving meal. Course, Mom and Rick were invited to eat, but Mox and I had to (yup) lay quietly under the table until it was time to do the talk. Ya know, there's a lot of waiting around when it comes to this "service dog" thing.. I have decided.

but after that, we talked with the people who were there. Everyone seems to like us so much... and I guess that's one of the parts that I like best.

And the next day..... we were back at NEADS. It's our check in date once again. I'm getting used to this routine now and know just what to expect when we have our day out. I like going, I like to see all the folks at NEADS, and I think the city is pretty exciting.

While the Mom's and Dad's met with Dave and talked over how "things are going" Marv and I snuck in a few quiet words ourselves. I find as long as we are quiet, no one minds if we visit together.

 

 

my very first ......

Just when I think that there can't be something new for me to do.. Mom comes up with yet another idea. This is me on my first visit to church!!! It really isn't any different from some of the other places that we go, except that Mom said I need to be nice and quiet and stay "under" the seat. OK for me, I'll just take a little nap.

The people at "church' seemed very excited to see me. From what I understand, once they knew that Mom had a "new puppy" they have been asking when will I be there. Mom brought all her other puppies to church, so now it's my turn. I loved saying hello to all these new folks...

I got lots of hugs and pats... and even worked on my "lap" command. I like church, I hope I get to do this more often.

I did have to wait quietly while Mom had coffee and talked with her friends, but I am learning how to wait and be a good girl.

We popped in at the vet's office as well. Mom likes to have me weighed on the scale. This is the easiest thing to do.. just jump on and sit still.. I can do that....

Course, I always get a lot of attention there too. I don't mind going to the vets.. sometimes, I need to get a shot or two.. but overall... it's no big deal.

After we went to the vet's office, Mom took Camille and I to the pet shop and did a little shopping. Camille knows where all the good things are and I just followed her lead.... I like pet shops too......

But then, the most amazing "first" thing happened.. Mom called it snow.. and my goodness was it ever wonderful!!!! I had a little trouble doing "better go now".. because I was too busy just checking out this wonderful stuff....

I love to run in the snow!!! Mom laughed to watching me run big circles around her in the yard...

And stopping once in awhile to eat a big mouthful of it. I wanted to do all, run, eat, roll ... I couldn't make up my mind what to do first or when. I was happy that Mom spent so much time outside with me...

And then she let me go out with all the cockers for more snow time. The older dogs don't seem quite as excited about it as I am.. guess they have seen it a few times before. We came in cold and wet, but it was such fun!!! I hope there will be more snow to play in....

Abbie was just as excited about the snow as I was... she did pretty much the same thing too.. ran in it....

eat a little of it, and roll around and made snow angels... so, I guess I did all the right things when it came to the snow!!!!





and more things in the life of ....Rylie...