And we're off.. on another adventure. That's what Mom and I do.. take adventures everywhere that we can, she says that she "has to show me the world" so that I can become a good and steady dog. I like adventures, so I am always ready to go....
I think one of the best parts about them, are meeting new people. Everyone seems to want to talk about me (Mom says it has to do with the vest that I wear) People are so interested in me and in the work that I do.... I am proud to be a NEADS puppy....
Tonite we walked threw an amusement park. There were so many things to look at and check out. I wasn't afraid of anything and Mom seemed so pleased about that. She even had me do some of my obedience work and practice some "stays" (so that she could take pictures....
I even did a sit/stay in front of the "haunted house"... "it" made all sorts of strange noises, (that's why I didn't pay attention when Mom took my picture)... people walking by were so impressed that I could do a sit/stay even with all the things going on around me... I'm one smart puppy... that's for sure!!!!
After we left the amusement park, we walked down by the beach. Oh how I loved that... the ocean smelled so good and the beach was so big and open. I would have loved to get off the leash and just run, but Mom says that can't happen... she said there are "laws" that don't allow it, and she said it isn't safe... so I had to be happy just walking along....
I'm a good walker.....
A few days later Mom took me to a dog event. It is a "show" that her dog club does each year. There were a lot of other dogs there, some of them I knew... and there was a big crowd of people that watched too.
After the show, people wanted to come and see us dogs. I was a big hit with the kids - as was Noble - a friend of mine who is also training as a service dog. If you look closely, I am in this pile of children that just couldn't get enough of Noble and I.....
I love kids......
And I had another vet visit too. (I am the busiest girl). I sat on the scale (I weigh 28 lbs) and got to see my favorite doctor. I had another couple of shots but was very good when they gave them to me. Everyone at the vets just loves me....
Course, Mom is always thinking the "training thing" and she had me practice a few "unders" before we left. A couple of other doggies came into the clinic and no one even knew that I was 'hiding" under there.
It's been a busy run of days... but this is "what" it's all about...
these days with Debbie!!!!!
It's the middle of summer here on the farm. Everything is so pretty and the days are perfect. I like being out in the warm sunshine and playing with the other dogs outside in the dog yard. The field flowers are in full bloom and since my Mom is also a bee keeper she is very happy to see "a good food source" for her bees....
Abbie comes to play with me as often as she can. We have a good time running out in the front yard. Today she was wearing her fairy wings, and wasn't very happy with me if I tried to grab at them. Mom says that she is teaching me how to play nicely with children...
but I do hear... "no Debbie, leave it" quite often... Abbie isn't afraid when I get rough with her and she knows how to say "no" too... guess I have a bit to learn about playing with kids.....
It was a busy weekend here at the farm..Sadie (Abbie's Mom) got married. Sadly I didn't see much of the wedding.. the humans were so busy doing many other things.. but Rick was there, so he came in and took me out for lots of breaks from the kennel. It looked like fun and there were lots of people to visit with... Mom said if I had been a little bigger she would have had me out more.. but puppies need a lot of watching.....
The next day (Sunday) was more fun.... we went back to the beach and met up with Lee (a puppy raiser from New York) and the humans had a big cook out. They used these special pots to cook the food....
And that's my Dad... who was in charge of the cooking......
And this is "what" they cooked.... Lobsters!!! My Mom really likes lobster and will eat as much as she can ...Dad isn't a fan of lobsters..... I think they are kind of strange looking, but they did smell good... though I didn't get even one little bite....
It was such a fun afternoon.... most of the puppy raisers were there... plus the puppies of course.... this year, I am the baby of the bunch.....
Abbie came with us.. and she tried to explain it all to me... I'm not so sure what she meant about everything, but I was just happy to be there with everyone......
I got to play with her and the other puppies.... (I know ...I shouldn't be biting... she told me that).....and that's Moxie in the picture as well......
this is Zuzu (the poodle).. her Mom, Bernice raised a puppy and now helps out with the group if ever we need to do a puppy swap. Beside her is Linda.. she is raising Rayvan.. and of course, there is Abbie and me..... our group likes to get together a lot, so you will see these dog and people in the blogs to come... we know how to have a good time....
Tom (from new york) said he was going to "steal me away"..... but I wasn't worried.. besides, I like being a Maine/farm dog... so I think I'll stick with Mom and she was she has to teach me...
and that's this "day with Debbie"......
Hi again, it's me... Debbie.. and that's my friend (aka Auntie) Kathleen... my Mom doesn't waste anytime when it comes to puppy raising, and I find myself in puppy school. That's OK, because I like to work and learn new things (and get those treats!!!) so puppy school is OK with me......
Because Mom teaches the puppy schools that I attend, she is always looking for other people to do the class work with me (then she works with me at home.) On Mondays, it's Kathleen, but I understand that as the other classes come along I will have other friends to work with. Do you see Noble - the big yellow lab - he is also a puppy in training with Mom's friends, Mary and Scott... Noble is a CCI puppy, and one day, I hope to be a big dog like him.....
While Kathleen and I were working together.. another puppy (Tuka) wanted to show how smart he was (is)... but I'm quicker and did my sit right away... Mom says I am a very good girl and she thinks I have the "right stuff" (what ever that means!!!)
I have this sit thing down packed!!!! and I know there are many other things to learn about.... sounds good to me!!!!
A few days later, it was time to check in and meet the people who will be taking care of my medical things. I see the great folks at Down Maine Vet clinic.. and they have taken care of all the puppies that Mom raises. Mom is so grateful for their gift of medical care..without them helping, it wouldn't be so easy. Abbie and Sadie went with us to see the doctor.....
Everyone was so excited to meet me.... This is Tammy, I had a big kiss for her.....
And Donna thought I was cute enough to "eat up"..... I loved everyone there.......
First stop... stand on the scale and be weighed.... I am 16 pounds..... just right is what I am told....
Then it was time to have my exam. I didn't mind one thing about that either... except that I had to stay still.... that was a little harder to do, so Mom had to help me......
The doctor had to look at everything!!!! My goodness, I don't think he missed one part of my body.... oh, and then I had to get some shots. Those were the most fun, but a cookie afterwards made it all fine....
And this is Dr. Spahn.... he (and Dr. T) will be my vets for the next year.... (and we can't thank them enough for supporting the Maine puppy chapter with their excellent care of the puppies!!!!!!)
As we were leaving another yellow lab came to see the vet. Both Abbie and I were pretty excited to see another puppy that looked a lot like me.... he was a little older and bigger, but we had a nice visit. So, I am a good a brave girl, and not one bit scared of going to the vet office... Mom says that is very good and we will be seeing them a few more times over the next month...
but for now... that is "the day with.....Debbie"!!!
It's me again. I spent two night with Kelli and Rick at their house, and now I am back again with my Mom and Dad... and goodness have the days been busy. I have been meeting new people and doing new things... it's hard to remember all of it. But I want to show you my new "dog-mother"... Deb!!! (yes we have the same name!!!) This Deb is Nate's Mom... Nate is married to Kassy, and Kassy is my Mom and Dad's daughter. This Deb was so excited to meet me....
And we will see alot of each other over the next year. She was happy to be my "dog-mother" and she loved the kisses I gave to her. It's so nice to know that so many people will love and support me in my journey to service dog... I'm a lucky dog!!!!
Now, I live on a farm. There are so many other animals who live here too... there are four cocker spaniels.. they are Camille, Hunter, Trevor and Tazzy... plus there are other pets in our family and in the extended family, and I will have the chance to meet each one. Every morning, Mom and I walk up to the barn... today, I had a little talk with Mona, she is one of the cats that live here. Mona likes dogs, so she was a nice one to talk with...
There are several birds which live around the barn.. there are chicken, turkeys and guinea hens. Mom says that I must never chase them, and basically ignore that they are around. I think I can do that, if I look at them too much, Mom finds something else for me to do. But, my nose tells me there are more to meet....
This is a horse!!! there are five of them that live here... this horse is named Tonka, and he was very curious to meet me. Mom held me up so I wouldn't be afraid, but I wasn't. He's a very sweet guy and was happy to meet me. I'm going to like horses, I can tell.....
And this is Abbie, she is Mom and Dad's grand daughter. Abbie likes dog very much and she told me that she really misses Rylie. Well, I am going to do my best and help her love me and not worry so much about Rylie......
This is Naomi... she is Mom's niece... she likes dogs too. I am beginning to understand that everyone in our family really likes all kinds of animals. This is going to be a fun place to grow up....
Abbie loves to run and play with me. She doesn't worry if I get too rough... but Mom says that is not a good way to play. So, i guess I will have to learn to play differently with little girls than I do with other puppies... there is much to learn.
The fourth of July came, it's a holiday.... and my family packed up and went to "camp"... (which isn't that far from the farm)... camp was great, it has lots of room (well the farm does too), but even better .... it has a lake!!! The weather was very hot and everyone was having a great time in the lake... I wanted to go too.
And.... I learned to swim. I sort of knew how --- I am a lab afterall, but it took a few tries for me to really catch on. Once I got it though, there was no stopping me.. Mom says she'll have to keep an eye on me when we are around the lake... I swam until I got tired, and even though I didn't want to... Mom made me get of the lake and rest.
Once I was back up on dry land, I realized I was pretty tired and had to admit that Mom made a good choice. I laid in the warm sunshine, got dried off and took a good nap....
Hunter was doing the exact same thing. I thought he was just being an "old" dog.. but actually he had the right idea all along.
So in the past few days, I have spent the night away from home, met all kinds of farm animals.. learned some new rules, and have been very busy.
and these are the days with..... Debbie!!!
Hi again... it's me... Debbie..... I am here at the farm and just getting settled in. This is my new Dad, his name is Ed, and he likes to have puppies in his lap... that's good, because it's the one place I like to be. I will tell you, one place I don't like... the Crate!!!! Oh my goodness, do I make a fuss when I have to be crated. But my Mom just smiles and walks away, and says that I need to get used to it. I bark my head off until I get tired, and yet, it doesn't change their minds. I wonder "who's" going to win....
Though I know that Mom will win. She has raised five other puppies, so she knows what to do....
But, I hear tell that I am going to Kelli and Rick's for a couple of nights. My new family is going away and they won't leave me alone for that long. (well, I wouldn't be alone, there are four other dogs that live here).. but I can't be crated for that long. So Rick will take care of me.... and I heard Mom tell him that I sometimes bark for a long time... he just smiled... guess he knows about puppies too. I will have to tell you more about being on the farm when I get back here...
and these are the days with ....Debbie
