Friday, June 27, 2014

we're back!!!


And we're back again!!! I feel like we come to neads often, Mom says that we do... at least once a month anyways. Today, Abbie got to come along for the trip, she is very curious about "puppy training in the big city" and has asked many time if she could come along. I was happy to see that today was the day. After we got there, and said hello to everyone, we headed into the conference room, where Dave likes to talk about how the training is going. As we stepped in I noticed another black lab... who was very quiet. Abbie laughed and said "Danny, he's not real".. and then she walked right over to "him" to show me. 



I knew he wasn't "real", but I couldn't let Abbie think that she "wasn't helping".. so I went over and sniffed him. She then found "another dog" and brought him over to me.. saying "this one isn't real either Dan!!" Then she told me what I good boy I am for being "brave"... Mom, Dave and the others talked a while and then we packed up and headed into the city. 
Abbie was pretty excited about the whole trip. I don't think she has seen a place as big as this is, and she had lots of questions for Mom. Every chance she could, she would hug me and then say "he's doing really good here"... I must admit, it's very different from our life on the farm, but I was happy to show Abbie all around. 
The humans stopped for lunch at the big hospital. Here is Dave and Noah... I know that they are talking about our training and the things to do for the upcoming month, but I have to say, I can tell that they all have a good time just being together and talking "dog" (as Mom puts it) And where am I???  under the table, snoozing... taking a little break!!!!
I don't know if I ever said, but one thing I have learned is that my Mom does not like elevators.. and until she began raising service dogs, she would not get on them unless she had to. She does OK with them now, but it's still not her favorite things to do. However, not so with Abbie, she was so excited to hear that we were going to ride the elevators... look at the smile on her face...
These elevators at the hospital are glass!!! and Abbie and Sasha had the best time watching out the window as we rode up and down. 
Me??? well I watched for abit, and then decided that it was better just to take a little break. I've been on elevators before, and really one way or the other is fine with me. 
We hiked over the train station afterwards... I did some "unders", Abbie climbed around the bench above me. 
We watched the freight trains move some cars around. They're pretty loud., banging and crashing about.....
And then we waited for the passenger train to arrive. I have to say that Mom was a bit nervous having Abbie so close to the trains, but she loved them and watched (with me) all the people getting on and off. 
Ah yes, snooze time again. I just don't see the "excitement" in all of this. Dave says he so pleased to see how calm I am. I didn't think there is any reason to get all "worried".. it's a fun day, but really what's the fuss. 








Sasha feels the same way about it too. Dave says this is "just what he's looking for" Puppies who enjoy life, but take things as they come. Is that what I'm doing.. taking things as they come!!! sounds good to me. 

So, after the train, we headed back to neads. Got out things there, and headed for home.  It was such a fun day in the city, but I have to say, this trip, I think Abbie was the one who enjoyed it the most...

and that's another day in the..
year with Danny Boy!!!!

Saturday, June 21, 2014

special visits....


This has to be one of my favorite types of days..... I always know when one is coming up, because we doggies get a bath a day or two before... but, I just never know exactly what we are up to.. until we get there. So this morning, we met in the parking lot and I knew that we were here for one of our special visits. 

Course our first visit is with each other.... this is me... Livy, Camille and Moxie... having a quick hello before we go in to visit our other friends.

My human friend, Bernice was my partner today.. Mom took Livy and Camille with her.. 

Linda was there with Sasha... who was (is) being such a good dog. Look at her sitting and watching her Mom so closely...

All of us love visiting our friends... they smile and laugh when they see us. We get lots of hugs and kisses, and what dog wouldn't love all of this attention. Livy got a little tired and had to take a break, but she was soon back visiting again....

smiles...



Here I am, getting a nice neck rub from my new friend. These doggie visit are just the best... Mom says they're good for us too... not so sure what that means....

The time goes by so quickly.. and even though we are tired at the end of the visit...there is still just enough to have some play time out in the parking lot before we say goodbye. 

but afterwards... once I'm back in my crate, it's nap time!!!! (and it doesn't take long to fall asleep).....


Early summer on the farm... there seems to be a lot going on. Mom says it's time for the hay to come in, and so we head to the field. There are alot of people here to visit too, but everyone seems busy loading all the hay onto the wagon. 

With all that help, it doesn't take long to fill the wagon to the top and we head to the barn to put the hay away. 

Using the elevator, the bales go up into the loft, and is all tucked away for the horses to eat all winter long. Mom says she "feels better" knowing that the loft is full again. 












The ponies get a chance to try this years hay, and from the way they gobbled it up, I think they approve. I, on the other hand, would prefer my kibble....





a year with Danny Boy!!!!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

outings.....



Whew!! can I just say this has been one busy week!!! I think that Mom and I have gone somewhere almost every day!!! Today we are at the garage ... getting the "oil changed in the jeep" (whatever that means). All I can say is that when we arrived there, everyone said "so this is your new one!!! We have been waiting to meet him"... I guess Mom has brought other puppies here..... but now, it's my turn...

It was fun - at first - meeting all the new people.. walking around the garage (lots of strange sounds and smells)  but then .. we had to wait. Which meant, it was time for me to settle down and be good.....


and can I say, as a puppy, being "good" isn't always easy. I would much rather move about, visit, explore... but my Mom.... says that sometimes a puppy just has to "chill"...

so here I am... "Chillin' "........


On another day, we were off again. This time Mom said she had to get her hair cut, and the girls at the salon where also waiting to  meet me!!!  I am thinking that a lot of people knew I would be coming to the farm. 

This is my new friend Sherry... she cuts Mom's hair. And not only does she love puppies, but she really loves Labs... because she has two of her own.  She made quite a fuss over me, and I have a feeling that I will be seeing her somewhat often while I live at the farm. By the way, I had to sit quietly here too while Mom had her hair cut, but it didn't take as long as it did at the garage!!!!

And on another day this week, we were off again. Mom said that this was called a "therapy visit" and we would be seeing some very special kids... but can you see how happy I was when I found out that many of my puppy pals were there too....

Our humans let us all play together a little bit before going in to see the kids. They said it would help us get the sillies out!!! Everyone was there, I just kissed them all and wagged my tail as fast as I could!!!!

Today, Bernice is going to work with me... because Mom brought both Camille and Livy along with us, and she really can't manage all  three of us at the same time. That's fine with me... I love my aunties..... (Bernice and Kathleen!!!)

We went into the school and were greeted by the staff.... then everyone was "assigned" to different class rooms and away we went. It was such fun visiting with all the kids, and for the most part they seemed pretty happy to see all of us too.....

Camille is a therapy dog, and Livy is learning to be one. I'm not sure if I will do something like this or not, but Mom said it's good for all of us to meet new people. I'm a people puppy... so I have to agree!!! It was a super fun day, but like the city, it gets pretty tiring at the end.....

The last big outing of the week... pay a call to the nice people at the DownMaine vet clinic. These are the wonderful people who take care of all our medical needs when we are at the farm. Mom says they are the best folks in the world!!! First stop, the scale.... I weight almost 30 pounds (heavier than any of the cockers).. and Mom says this is just the start and no wonder she gets tired carrying me!!!!

Hunter and Tazzy had to see the vet too, so we all went at the same time. Neither one seemed too anxious about being there.. Tazzy was a little nervous, but not too bad..... Hunter and I just laid quietly and waited our turn...


oh.. and leave it to Mom... she sees this nice bench and says "Danny, let's practice an under"... OK... sure Mom, whatever!!!!












I had to have a couple of shots, and that pinched a bit, but the doctor gave me dog cookies right after, and that made everything OK. I only have to see the vet a few times while I am here, but the work that they do for all of us is amazing.. and Mom always has a huge thank you for them!!!! 

so, it's been a great, busy, fun week.. but chalk up another one in...


the year with Danny Boy!!!!

Sunday, June 15, 2014

hold the day..



My first family cookout... from what I understand, once the "nice" weather comes, this family of mine gets together often!!! Today they were celebrating Father's Day.... and there are alot of people in Mom's family when they all come together!!!! Boy all that food smelled good, but course, none for dogs.....

So Livy and I entertain ourselves and shared a stick!!!!


Good friends can share everything......














Mom says this is "summer"... all I know is that it's fun to be outside, to be a part of all the things that are going on.. and to have a pal to share it with.... I have to say, I am a very happy puppy!!!




a year with Danny Boy!!!!

Monday, June 9, 2014

a pre-school graduation....



Today is a very special day... and I got to go!!! My little friend Abbie is graduating from pre-school. She was so happy and excited to see us walk in.... (she waved to everyone )....

This is Abbie with all her school friends. They put on a show... sang songs, told stories, showed of their art work and received awards. People clapped and cheered for them....

I laid nice and quiet and watched everything that went on. Some people noticed that I was there, but for the most part, they were far more interested in the children... Mom was happy about that. She said it was nice to go some where and not have too many people interested in me!!!


While she watched Abbie, she had me practice staying out of the way. We figured a great place to "hide" was between Mom's feet. 

After graduation, we took lots of pictures of Abbie and her friends... but I was pretty excited when Abbie said... "Let's take one of me and Danny together"... I think she thinks I am pretty special... and that makes me so happy....









Reagan was there as well... he likes me too.... I think that kids (especially "my" kids) are the best!!!!




a year with Danny Boy!!!!