Today is Moxie's birthday, so I can't let it go by without thinking of her!!! This is a photo of our last show that we did together... what a grand day it was... placing first in the class and picking up yet another obedience title. Knowing the relationship that she and I always had, it what made me want to raise service puppies... I know for a fact, how a dog impacts one's life.... We have been apart for five years, but she will forever be in my heart!!!!!
Oh Mom!!!! I "hate" it when she "tests" me like this!!! I'm getting out of the jeep, already to jump down and she says "Wait".... so of course I immediately stop and "wait" just as she as has asked....
trouble is... how long does she expect me to do this???? Fortunately, just long enough to take a couple of photos (for you all to see) and then she says "all done"... I hop out, and get a big hug!!!! Which made it all worth while!!!!
So, Cappy here... and today I have a little visit with the vet..Down Maine vet clinic... can I just say they are the very best!!! First thing, on the scale to see just how much I weigh.. and a good place to practice a sit stay!!!
Then, while we wait just a few moments to see the doctor... it's lots of hugs from the great staff that is there. They love the puppies, and we love to see all of them.
Camille came along as well - she has a "sore" ear that Mom has been treating, and since I had to see the doctor... Mom wanted them to check Camille's ear and make sure that things are looking better. I had fun snuggling up to her while we waited....
Dr. "T" checked us both out... I had to have a couple of shots (which wasn't any big deal) and Camille's ear is doing OK... so it was a very good visit.
The weather continues to be cold and snowy.... we don't like it much when it's so cold, because Mom won't let us out to play much. She is worried that we might get too cold playing outside for long periods of time...
The thing is, we feel a bit cooped up in the house... we get to do playtime in the cellar, and Mom gives us bones and things to keep us busy... but we would rather be outside racing about. Mom says that warm weather will come again one day, and for now, we just have to muddle threw....
At least we get to go to puppy school, and that helps. We get to visit all our friends there and have some fun playing and training all at the same time.
A very special day is coming up.... Spring graduation at NEADS... and it's Rylie's turn to be graduating!!! One of the reasons why Mom likes us to keep this blog is... yes, it tells everyone about the things that we do... but even more, it gives Mom the chance to share with our future partners "what we did when we lived on the farm".... then, Mom prints a book of this blog and gives it to our "new person" at graduation time.....
Rylie's book has come in the mail.... all printed and ready to give to Rylie at graduation. Mom (even though she helps us write this blog and knows it well) spent hours today, looking over Rylie's book and remembering all the fun things they did together. I guess that means that one day... "my" blog will be made into a book as well.....
Livy and I have been having such a good time together.... and another cold day meant playtime in the mudroom......
Mom says that we are so cute together and that she loves to see us playing and having such fun..... because she says that one day, we won't be together like this. That sounds kind of sad, but I think I'll just enjoy playing for now ....
and that's another day with Debbie
and caption from Cappy!!!!
Today was a field trip for Cappy and Mookie.... Mom and Kathleen thought that they should be getting out abit more, so it was off to the hospital......
First stop... the elevator. Both the puppies didn't see any big deal in that, and in fact, just sat and waited for the treats to arrive. Silly babies... I used to get treats too, when I was much younger... now, Mom says that "good dog"(and treats just once in a while) work for me....
After playing on the elevator, everyone moved to the stairway. Now all of us know how to do "stairs", but Mom and Kathleen really like these because the hallway echos, and the stairs, being tile can be a bit slippery. Cappy thought this game was quite fun!!!!
And watched carefully as Mookie made his way up the steps. What the Mom's work on are things like going slowly... taking one step at a time, stopping on the stairs (both going up and going down). And waiting to not move until they are told. Sounds easy, but really, it takes time and practice....
And what was I doing while the puppies were off working??? Sitting in the front hallway, greeting people and being with Wanda. She got to answer alot of questions about "why" we were all there, and about the work that we are doing.
Mom never tries to miss an opportunity... and here Cappy got to practice "under"......
After our trip to the hospital, we were all off to puppy school. That's Cappy, Mookie and Livy, greeting all their puppy friends....
Puppy school is always fun, so many friends to meet with, Mom says it's good that we learn not all the puppies in the world are labs.... course Cappy and I know that, because we live with the cockers... (and horses, guinea hens.. cats.... etc.etc...)
just more.. "days with Debbie" and "captions from Cappy!!!"
Do you know what this is???? Mom said that we were going to go and watch Craig "play"... I know what "play" is, but this isn't what I was expecting.... though I will tell you right away.... I love SLED HOCKEY!!!!!
Craig is a dear friend of the family, he is a young man and when he was in Iraq, he was wounded, and lost one of his legs. But, Craig isn't the kind of person that let's that stop him, he does all kinds of neat things, and sled hockey happens to be one of his favorites.
The ice arena was cold, Mom brought a blanket for me, thinking I would lay down while the game was going on.... what was she thinking, this has to be one of the most exciting things I have seen, and I sat right up the whole time and watched the whole game....
That's Craig... number 77.... and let me tell you, he plays a "mean" game.... (he won't say, but I will.... he's one of the best!!!!)
The game is super fast, the players fly by on their sleds, chasing after that little round "puck" thing (I would like to try and retrieve that!!!)... People yell and cheer..... and you can feel the excitement everywhere....
Mom and I were so busy watching the game, that we didn't realize for quite awhile that people were watching me too. Everyone was smiling and pointing and enjoying how much I was enjoying the game....
Craig's team is in the lead.......
and then, if the game wasn't exciting enough.. the gentleman sitting in front of me, pointed out something else....
Would you look there.... another service dog!!!! waiting in the 'box" while her handler is out playing on the ice.......
And over in the other "box" for the other team... another service dog!!!! Two service dogs.. who get to watch sled hockey all the time... are they lucky or what????
Craig's team won.... and after the game... both the service dogs got to go out on the ice and even though neither person needed help, both of them helped bring their owners "in"
I could do that!!! I could be a service dog for someone who likes to play sled hockey!!!!
I was hoping that we might be able to get on the ice (with the others) but Mom said, no ... it wasn't allowed. Too bad, I would have liked to talk with those other dogs....
But, all was not "loss"... I did get to meet two friends of Craig's (one plays on his team).. they both that I was pretty nice and asked Mom all about me.
and as we were leaving the rink, we met up with this little gal, who knew all about NEADS... and wanted to give me a hug and have her picture taken with me.
This was such a great adventure, I'm hoping that maybe we could go to another hockey game before I have to go... but, only time will tell. So, I will just keep this as a great memory... and chalk it up for
another day with Debbie!!!!!
This is a very special day!!! (well, actually, I think all days are special, but today we have a special adventure for sure. ) It is little Reagan's first birthday - and we are going to celebrate... Mom says I have a birthday coming up soon, will I get a party too????
Everything is so fun, I noticed right away there is a lot of food (which as a service puppy I know I can't have!!!) but it sure looks yummy....
And there are alot of people too... by now, they are all very used to seeing me with Mom, and they always smile and ask "how is she doing" and/or "when does she have to go back"..... (Mom doesn't like the second question.....)
And you know my Mom, anything that can be used as "training" I find myself right in the middle of.... like a little pool filled with balls....
and even though all the children can pick up the balls, play with them...toss them about, I'm not suppose to touch them... (not fair, but I can do it!!!)
It was a fun time, lots of food, folks and I even helped little Reagan open gifts...
well... sort of... I mostly watched and made sure it all went well.... he loved all his new toys and things.
Afterwards, and as the party started to calm down a bit, Reagan and I played together on the floor. He drove his little trucks around and I just watched over it all....
It was such a nice day, I loved being with all the children and a part of all this... (by the way, do you see that Caroline has a plate of food on the floor right near me)...
so, I want to say "happy birthday, little buddy"..... and I know you had a great day...
and that's a day with Debbie!!!!!
