We were up, bright and early this morning. Another beautiful day, it seems like Mom and Dad just have to be out on days that are so pretty. I love going with them, even if it does mean we are on the road early....
But, as you can see, we were hardly the only ones up... Today we went to an event called "New Hampshire Run for the Fallen".. a road "race" in honor of the men and women of New Hampshire that gave their lives for our country. It's a long race... 12 miles... some people run it, others walk, but it's all to remember these special people.
And, part of my family was doing the race!!! Nate and Kass.... Lauren and John.... (Reagan isn't "racing"... we're going to watch him while his Mom and Dad do the course).....
And... they're off... with a lot of other people as well.....
While the course was being done, I hung out with Mom, Dad and Reagan.... we had a little time for breakfast and to enjoy the beautiful park where the race began. Mom talked with a lot of people about me and NEADS (she always seems to do that when we are out and about).....
A memorial area was put together ... it showed the names and pictures of the fallen soldiers.... set up near the sea, it was a beautiful spot. Mom, Dad and I walked threw and read all the names.....
I don't exactly understand it all, but I felt very happy that I could be there.....
A special photo that Mom took....
There were great walking paths around the park, so we took Reagan out on them. More stroller practice Mom said....
And even threw some tight spots... she said I was very good working with her....
A bit before the runners were due back, some gentlemen came to play the bagpipes. My Mom and Dad love hearing the bagpipes, I had never heard them before, so Mom said this was going to be another good "experience for me"...
When they began to play, I hardly noticed... Reagan (on the other hand) noticed right away... I think you can tell from the look on his face... he wasn't too impressed.
I sat and listened. I can't say that I love the music as much as Mom and Dad does, but it was alright.
Then I heard everyone clapping and cheering, and when I looked, here came the runners.... many carried small flags with them.
And then went to certain places - where pictures of their loved ones were - to place their little flags on their memorials. This made my Mom cry - along with other people, and the surprising thing... it was so quiet when this was being done. No one spoke, the music stopped, and everyone just watched and quietly paid attention.
Afterwards, people starting talking again, hugging each other and sharing a special time together. A lady came around with small pins and she gave one to my Mom to place on my vest.
Another lady came around and talked to Mom a long time about me. I could tell that she was a little upset, and when she asked if she could hug me... Mom said, absolutely. She gave me a long hug and I cuddled right in and gave her as much comfort as I could. She seemed to feel much afterwards, and said to Mom "thank you for the information, I'll be passing that along"....
It was a nice day, but tiring and I was happy when it was time to head for home. Mom said that we had to make one stop... at Kass and Nate's house, to "pick up the beetle" and bring it back home. I know the "beetle" is a car... and Mom said I would be riding with her....
With the top down!!!. Fine with me, the sun was out, it was warm... and I really enjoyed the ride. Mom said I can add that to "my list of things to know"...
riding in the car without a roof....
and that's just another "day with Debbie!!!"
Looks like we're off on another adventure!!! Today - Mom, Dad and I went to a model jet show... it was a beautiful day, but very windy... which I guess isn't good when it comes to model planes.... however, there were many planes to see and many people there to see them.
There were also model cars, that were racing on this track. I thought those were pretty neat, and if I could have... I would have run and chased them. But, Mom said "no" that would be a very bad idea.
So much to look at and see.... I think it's all so interesting, and Mom liked that I was curious...
Despite the windy conditions, some of the smaller planes could fly. They did all sorts of different patterns in the sky, and the crowd clapped and laughed watching them.
Me... well, I just took a little snooze in the warm sunshine and on the warm pavement. People all around us kept commenting to Mom how "calm and well behaved" I was.
Dad was especially sad to see the big planes being "put away"... it was just too windy to fly them, and from what I understand, they are expensive to build, so no one wanted to chance them crashing to the ground...
We spent most of the day there, walking around and seeing all the different things. As we were leaving though, this caught my eye.... a ribbon flying in the wind. I just had to check this out.....
It flapped around in so many directions, I was fascinated....
And then I just had to catch it.... which I did several times....
Mom let me play with it for awhile.. she said that one day I may be taught to tug on things like this, so she didn't mind me being silly with this ribbon....
And there was one more stop before we got in the car and headed home.... seems like I am always waiting on Mom, one way or another....
and that's another "day with Debbie".....
Poor Mom, she does try and keep my blog up to date, but sometimes we are so busy, just doing all sorts of things, that she falls behind in my stories. So, here we are trying to catch up on all that's been going on. As you know, Mom is always looking for new things for me to try.. trouble is, some of these things are sort of "new" to Mom, and often they are things that she isn't so fond of herself. Take bridges for example, my Mom is really quite afraid of them, but one nice afternoon, she wanted to me - and Camille - and walk across this nice new bridge. She said that many of her dog students talk about "walking the bridge" and she thought that would be a very good idea. So, here's the bridge...
We walked up to it, it's brand new, it's big, the sidewalk is huge.. the day was beautiful.. Mom had Camille and I sit for a photo (I guess to prove she had done it).. but after the photo, she took a few more steps, and said "sorry girls - this isn't happening today"... I looked at her and asked "really -- really Mom you can't walk across this nice new bridge??" and no -- she couldn't!!! so, we got off the bridge, and that was that. She thinks that she needs to go back and try again sometime.....I don't know why she doesn't like bridges, but maybe I can work her threw it!!!!!
One thing she does like to do, are the farmer's markets... and we go to as many as we can. There are all sorts of good things there, and I have to be on my best behavior... no sniffing the goods!!!!
I am very good there, and people often compliment on what a good puppy I am. They can't believe that I'm only about five months old, and often I hear, "wish my dog would behave like that".. course Mom and I know that all dogs can... it's just takes a little time and effort....
We had another weekend at camp. I love camp, there's always so much going on there. I like to be outside, running about, swimming, or just seeing what everyone is up to... Camille --- she would rather sleep on the couch (which I am not allowed on!!!)
One evening, we decided to leave camp and to go to a town not too far away. This town is on the edge of a big lake, and there are all kinds of shops, restaurants, and the like. Abbie, Kas, Nate and Reagan came with us. They had supper at an outdoor cafe, the table was very small, but I squished under as tight as I could. Thankfully, Abbie couldn't get her feet to the ground, so I had a little room under her.......I was so good, I didn't bother with any food that had been dropped, I didn't bother any of the people around us....
However, I can't say that the duck cared about any of those rules... she went all over the place, begging for food, gobbling up anything that was dropped.... and quacking. Mom said that was a very good "distraction" for me.. and I was pretty patient until this silly duck actually stepped on my tail!!!! Let me tell you, I jumped at that.. the duck was scurrying off (and the people around us were pleased about that) and then they couldn't believe how good I had been with a duck walking around!!!!!
It was fun walking about the town. I saw lots of neat things. People asked to pet me, but I am beginning to notice that Mom is now politely telling them "no"... that I am working. I used to be able to visit everyone, but it seems now that Mom wants me to be a bit more serious about being out.... wonder what that's all about....
Anyways, we had a good time watching the boats, (and the ducks) and just enjoying a summer evening out and about.
Kass and Nate... wanted to explore some of the little shops... Mom said for them to go right ahead, so while they were shopping, Mom and I took Reagan for a little walk. Mom said that this was good "stroller work" for me... it's really pretty easy.... stay beside the stroller, watch out for the wheels, and just walk nicely, like I do when it's just Mom and I.... no problem!!!!
As we were thinking about heading for home (or rather back to camp).. some children came and asked if they could "pet the helper dog".. Mom said that would be fine. They thought I was cute and they asked some pretty good questions about me..... I like kids!!!!
The ride home was kind of squishy, because we all rode over in Daddy's truck. I had to ride on the floor.. which at first I wasn't too excited about.. but Mom said I had to... so, i got as comfortable as I could.. and even feel asleep. I like outings but they certainly make me tired!!!
The next day at camp, Mom and Dad hosted a big cookout. Lots of friends and family came.. which also includes many dogs. My family certainly are dog people and mostly where they are... so are the dogs... it's really neat.
They fried a big turkey, and let me tell you.. didn't that smell good when it was cooking. All the dogs - not just me - would have loved a bite of that.....
All the humans enjoyed it, that for sure.. along with all kinds of other foods too.... we dogs just hung out, some of the "pet" dogs got a taste, but no us "working dogs" (do you see my friend Noble there????)
But I like going to camp... it's fun. Mom said though time is coming and we won't get up there anymore. She said that in the winter, we dont' go to camp...
Winter??? wonder what that is...
but for now.. it's just ...
the days with Debbie!!!!
Mom said this morning that we were going to camp. I know camp.... I love camp!!!! and I can't wait to go. Camp is very close to our farm, so when we got in the car, and the ride was a very long one.... I began to wonder... "where's camp"..... and why is this different from the times before....
It's a very nice camp.... but I soon discovered it's not our camp... can't wait to see what this is all about.
Turns out that this is a camp for veterans who have been wounded. It's a very special place and the veterans can come here with their families.... and many do. Some come just to have some quiet time, others come to have some healing time, and some come... just to see what they can get from coming here.
It is peaceful, restful and encouraging. And we have come to talk about service dogs and answer any questions that the veterans may have about getting a service dog..
Our guide took us all about the camp, she told us about the different activities that were there. Rayvan and I had a good time together (I think we both would have had great fun in that lake) but Mom said we were working...
As we were going along, Mom noticed this dock.. it's different from the dock at our camp, because this one floated on the water. Mom asked if we could give it a try - stating that it would be a different texture for my footing. Our guide said sure, so out we went on it. I thought it was fun the way it moved about.....
Rayvan and her Mom tried it too..... as always... our humans keep their eyes open for "training opportunities".....
I didn't tell you who was on this adventure... Mom and I of course... Rayvan and Linda... and then Otis and Linda and Rick and Moxie.....
We got a lot of attention, and did a lot of exploring... and me, still being a puppy... I pooped out... People were just going to have to pet me while I slept....
Rayvan just waited patiently while her Mom talked to people. But my Mom would say that is good service dog practice too.....
There were a few other dogs there as well. This is Grizzley... he is a therapy dog, and actually belongs to the lady who was our guide. Grizzley is there to help make people feel better, he's very cute and very good at his job. The people who were visiting the camp talked alot about him.
We also met three working service dogs.. and one happened to be a NEADS dog... just like us. He has been matched with his handler for three years now, and he is greatly loved and worked by his owner. All the humans had great fun talking together about service dogs that are working and the puppies in training......
It was a very special day, at a very special place. Mom seems to think that a few of the veterans might one day be seen at NEADS... time will tell I guess. But, we did a good job and had fun letting people know that NEADS is there, and that a dog - like us - can truly change a life....
