A couple of days ago, Mom and I went to see Dr. Nakitias, I have just found out that when we go to NEADS in a few days... I'm going to be staying there. Dave feels that it might be good for me to try some time at "college" and my sister... who's name is Hope is going to come home with Mom and spend some time on the farm.
I love Dr. T... she is so good to me (to all the animals and service puppies!!) My Mom just can't say enough of how much we appreciate all her good care... and the fact that she does this for free..... because of her, and the generosity of the vet clinic.. my Mom can continue to raise service puppies....
I'm not so sure how I feel about going to "college".... Mom has told me that going onto college is a wonderful thing, and it's why I was chosen to be a part of the NEADS program... but... just the same....
So, this morning as we were getting ready to leave.. Abbie came down bright and early to give me a hug and wish me luck. Actually she said that she was going to miss me (and I am certainly going to miss her)...
We all piled into Mom's jeep.. since there were just the four of us... Marv, Moxie, Murcery and me... but it was pretty crowded... the humans like to ride together to be able to talk... but I think next time, they will go back to using two cars!!!!!
So, it was the usual routine... we all meet together, the humans talk about us... how we are doing, when we might be ready for turn in.... etc.etc. etc..... And we have to lay quietly and listen....
At least it's a good time to take a nap!!!!
But, really Mom.. can't we "do" something.. this gets boring after a while.....
We did learn some news though... it has been decided that Moxie really doesn't want to be a service dog... she would much rather be Rick and Kelli's dog... so after much thought by all the humans... it was decided today that Moxie can stay will Rick and Kelli. She seems pretty happy with this decision....
After we (or rather they...) chatted a while... Dave brought sister Hope out to meet Mom and me. We were pretty excited to see each other... and I had a few moments to tell her that she is going to have a good time on the farm......
As we were getting ready to head to the city.. a group of folks came by to visit at NEADS. This happens quite a lot and it's always nice for them to see puppies in training. So, our group stopped to talk with everyone and tell them about puppy raising and all about us.
Then, Dave came up with this "idea".. and instead of leaving for the city right away, he had everyone go up to the training room, and pick out a "piece of equipment" to work with. So, each human picked out a wheelchair or a walker, and practiced with us around the training room.... and then outside....
Mom said she knew this would be hard work, but she appreciated getting an understanding of how hard it could be...... I was ready to help in any way that I could....
Just when everyone thought Dave was done with this lesson... we saw him packing all the things into the van. Our humans were going to have to work with the equipment and us ...in the city!!!!! Boy, were they surprised.... Dave said the "rules" were.... to practice as though it were real....
And that actually proved to be harder than thought. There's a lot to working a service dog and think about everything else.... it was a really good lesson for all our humans!!!! (and yes, us too....)
They did "everything".. including getting lunch at the hospital. Everyone got a really good "work out"!!!!!
I kept my eyes on Mom....
They even had to squeeze into the elevators...... good thing I know how to squish into a corner and make room.....
It was fun, but a very long and tiring day... everyone was happy to get back to NEADS... well.. almost everyone... see today, along with all our work and the fact that I am having to stay for a short time.... Marv is here to stay now "forever". He and his Mom Linda, had to say goodbye, because it's time for him to head into college for real......
Mom said these hugs are the hardest... she had to give me a hug too, but at least I know we still have a little more time together.... with some "luck" Marv will see his Mommy again at graduation day!!!!
Off to the kennel... to a brand new adventure... good luck Marv!!!!!! And then I was taken in behind him... so I had to say goodbye to my Mommy too. But Dave will have Marv and me be kennel buddies for a few days until we are moved to our "colleges"....
So, sister Hope was brought out to Mom, and Linda.... she was introduced to her new charge.....
Say hello to Ravyn..... welcome to the Maine group.... and your adventure has just begun....
with love, the life of... Rylie!!!!
OK.. so I don't get it... a few days ago, we had snow, and it felt like winter. I was playing outside with my friends... and now, just a few days later... my friends (well most of them, have gone back to their homes) and the snow is gone and it's warm (sort of again). Mom says.. that's what it's like in New England. The horses have been happy, Mom has been putting them "out in another spot" and they are beginning to find some green grass (they're favorite)
And the guinea hens have been released from their coop and they are out... looking for bugs to eat. (Mom says they eat ticks... which is a very good thing) And I know, from my training, that you never can chase after the guinea hens!!!!
Mom and I haven't been on too many field trips. She is so busy right now, but I did go into work with her a couple of days. I was very good at the post office, and just laid quietly while all the humans did whatever it was that they have to do. (Humans always seem to be so "busy" to me!!!)
Mom had my practice my "unders"... and learning to be as "small" as I possibly can be. Several people came in and went out again, and never even knew I was there.
It's beginning to be a busy time on the farm... Mom says they are getting ready to plant the garden and do all sorts of things. One day Daddy came home with this big piece of machinery... they call it a manure spreader. He used the tractor and went and filled it with all the manure that the horse had made....
And then started up this big machine (it made a huge noise) and began to spread all that manure around the field. Let's say it had an "interesting smell" but Mom said that will make the field grow better for the horses.
So, maybe now I can officially say... it's spring on the farm... and my very first spring too.... I think there will be lots of new things to see and do....
the life of..... Rylie!!!!!
Mom told me that "spring" had arrived. I have to admit, the air feels warmer and the snow is -- well was --- mostly gone. I have enjoyed seeing the grass again, and the earth smells so good... and then today... ice!!!! When Dad went out to put wood in the furnace... ice hung from it...
And the farm looks like this... sort of a mixture of both ice and snow. And it's cold again...
However, I have to admit, that I really don't mind what the weather is. And to make it even better, we have lots of friends who have come to visit while their humans are away... I have lots of play mates!!!!
Snowy, cool weather... good friends, and a big yard... now really, isn't life grand!!!!!
Sometimes, Mom had a hard time getting us to all come in when it was time (though not me, I ALWAYS come when I am called). But it's been a very fun week.... I love it when we have so many friends around!!!
life of.... Rylie!!!!
Everyone met bright and early this morning, the humans all going to breakfast. The mood is light and happy and I hear that it's the NEADS spring graduation!!!! Mom says this is such an important time for both humans and k9's... I went to a graduation last fall, but I was pretty little and not so sure I remember what it's all about.
Course, while they all had breakfast, what did we do.... "unders"... there were four of us at breakfast... me, Moxie, Marv and Otis.... the other people in the restaurant were so surprised to learn that there were four dogs under the table. We were all very good and quiet.. invisible as Mom calls it....
A couple of blogs back, I shared that Linda.. our chapter leader is going to get a very special award at the graduation today. We have kept it a surprise and she has no idea.... the puppy chapter folks got her some gifts, which I had to sit with. I have kept the secret and we were excited to see it all happen....
And here we all are, the Maine puppy chapter at the graduation... from left to right there is Kathleen and Mercury, Linda and Otis, Me and Mom and Camille... Rick with Moxie and Linda with Marv...... it was a nice spring day...
This pretty much sums it up......
And we're off....
This is the graduating class. Everyone was all together up on the stage. This is a different spot from the fall graduation and Mom thought it was a better location.
Last summer, when Mom was out with one of her other puppies, they had met a family who were on the list for a NEADS dog... Mom and everyone else was so excited when they saw that the young man had finally been matched. He wasn't too excited about having to sit up on the stage for so long, so decided to just take a little nap with his new partner until it was his turn. Mom was so happy to see that he and his dog have already built a bond... Mom often wonders if I might be dog for a young person.....
The guest speaker was excellent, we really enjoyed hearing from him. His "team" does alot of volunteer work for NEADS and we loved to hear all about all the things they do and the hours they have given.....
Then came the time for Linda's award.. she still had no idea what was coming and just thought that the Maine chapter was being honored for their volunteer work.... Gerry came down and talked about the chapter and then began to talk about Linda... she has been the leader of Maine for 20 years!!!!! So many puppies have gone threw the Maine chapter and there will be many more to come!!!!
Linda was completely surprised when she realized that she was receiving the award.. she hardly knew what to do... and here is it.... a beautiful crystal vase.. engraved with her name on it!!!
Even after graduation, she was still surprised, and what was even better... her family was there to see her receive the award.. and all of it was kept an complete secret!!! Our humans really pulled it off!!!!
Ginger and Pastor Jane came too... Mom is always so happy to see Ginger and reminds me that I need to be a graduate just like her!!! Who knows, come the fall graduation, it could be my turn, but before that... there are many things to come..... so I will just say it was a grand day....
life of .... Rylie!!!!
Yes, that's Dad... and yes, he's in the hospital!!!! On Easter, he told Mom he wasn't feeling too well, so instead of going to church, we went to the hospital. Turns out my Dad's heart will go out of beat, they call it "a-fib" and when that happens, Dad doesn't feel very well at all. There are a few different ways that the hospital people deal with this sort of thing, one is to keep you at the hospital and give you special meds, that takes longer to work, but Dad thought it would be the best way.
So, each time Mom went to visit, she brought me along. She said she liked my company - so does Dad - and you know my Mom, she is always looking for that "special training situation".. which she said the hospital certainly was. Personally, I didn't find it any different from any other public place, go, be quiet, use your manners, and sleep while you wait..... No one even knew I was there.... even the nurses were surprised to see me quietly laying beside my Dad...
Kassy came on this visit too, she brought little Reagan, and Abbie was with us too. Dad said it made his day feel better, and the meds are doing their job too and are beginning to work. Mom misses having Dad at home, and she wants him back as soon as possible!!!!
After a nice long visit, I was just dying to give Dad a hug and let him know everything is going to be fine, and I am there for him. He was so happy to give me a hug and says that of all the service puppies that have lived on the farm, I'm his favorite.
If I could speak "human" I would have told Mom that I will just stay here with Dad until he is all better. But, since I can't talk, I just had to give lots of hugs until it was time for us to head home.
Abbie and I took a little snooze in the back seat on the ride home. I love to be able to sit close to her when we are traveling...
She looked sad when Mom told her that Dad (who she calls Papa) was going to be at the hospital for a few more days.... but, while he's away, Me and the cockers... we'll take care of the family....
life with... Rylie...
