A new month (5/2/14)

Well another day here on the farm, and one thing I can tell you, there is always something fun, new and exciting to do... I've only been here a little while and I'm already learning and doing so much. A lot of this is due to my little buddy, Abbie, we have such a good time together and she loves to be with me.  She like to do the "training" as she calls it... here we are working on a word that she calls "touch" 

And then she gently rolls me over, so she can "handle" me... actually, I think the belly rub is kind of nice!!!! She always smiles and says that I'm being a "good boy".....

This word is called "come" and the best part of that, I get to run as fast as I can to her, and then I get a tasty little treat. I'm thinking that "come" (with that treat) is going to be my favorite one to do!!!!











this command is "better go now".... though I have to tell you, that once I have "gone".. it's Mom that cleans up after me. (Abbie won't do that part!!!)

Almost every morning, we walk up to the barn and help Mom with the "chores", as she calls them. I like these morning walks..... it's a great way to start a day.

We check in on the horses - this is Silver - and feed them their breakfast. Abbie and I put out food for the chickens and the barn kitty too.... then it's time for my breakfast....

Abbie has even taken me into the hay loft... Mom throws down these bales for the horses, but Abbie and I like to climb on them!!!!

This is my first night at puppy school!!!. My Mom is a teacher, so I get to work with Kathleen while Mom is busy. But first I got to meet up with my new class friends. This is Mary, she raises service puppies too, so she is always happy to see a new puppy....

Mary's dog is called Peace... she's older (and bigger) than me, but she is very nice and we are going to be good friends....

There are lots of other dog friends as well. Mom says that I have things to learn, but puppy class is also a place to play. I have no doubt that this is going to be a good time....












And now, it's time to get serious... Auntie Kathleen and I take our seat and think about learning some of our "commands"...

it's a busy time, a busy life.. but I'm loving every moment...


a year with Danny "boy".....

my first farm days...

 April 29th....

So, the first thing I can tell you about being here on the farm (and my new Mom) is.. we don't waste anytime. Mom has the idea that "this is how it is, and let's get going". Today I got to look around the farm and it's really cool. I can tell that everyone here thinks I'm special and I feel so loved....

And aside from having Livy as my very special buddy... there is another .... this is Abbie.... she is Mom's grand daughter and right now she is staying at the farm with her family. Abbie loves "all the puppies" that come here and she couldn't wait to get me outside and show me around.

She tells me that I look like "ry-ry"... who I have learned is my half sister and also spent time here on the farm. Abbie says that she would like me to meet Rylie one day  ..OK... but right now, these woods have all sorts of fun things to smell....

We also met another little "grand" (as Mom calls them).. this is Reagan... and he's just over a year. I wanted to talk with him, but he was pretty happy playing with his tractor (he's learning to walk)...

So, I just followed behind him and chased him about. I get the feeling that there are quite a few "babies" in this family and I think I will feel right at home with everyone.

He's kind of cute, and he has dogs too... so, he's not one bit worried about me getting close to him....

And my buddy, Livy.... there are other dogs here too... (I'll have to share pictures of them).. but we have Camille, Hunter, Trevor and Tazzy... plus there are some big animals that live down at the barn....but since everyone already likes me.... I like them too...

its a year with Danny Boy.....

"O Danny Boy"

April 24th.....

Hi....... my name is Danforth... I'm 11 weeks old and the newest member of the Sweetgrass Farm family. My new Mom says that I'm training to become a service dog and that we have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time.  Right now, though, I am meeting all the others here on the farm... including this cat who I understand is called Mona and thinks that she is the number one "person" here. 

She seems friendly enough, and I have the feeling that I will want to stay on her good side.... "nice meeting you Mona"....

So, Mom... what's next.... it was late by the time we got home tonite, and it all seems very good, but I have a feeling there is much to see....

We went to bed fairly early.. I get the feeling that Mom had a long day... (something about leaving Debbie "behind" and me coming back instead).. but the next day, I got to meet other members of the family.  This is Livy... she's a cocker spaniel, and she isn't much older than me....we hit it off right away... she's fun, she likes to play (and tells me the "older" dogs don't play much)

Oooo... they keep a nice big water bowl here... 

Oh yeah, I can swim in this!!!!  Though I quickly heard Mom saying.. "ah ah Danny.. not for swimming!!!" 

So, this is my first report.. Mom says that we will keep a blog (funny word) of our year together and that we'll have many great adventures... hope that you will be reading a long... this is going to be a fun year.. with...

"Danny boy".....

and the chapter closes......

So, here it is... the day that we say goodbye to my beautiful "yellow dog". Before we head back to NEADS.. we stop to shot the "farewell photo".. which I have done with all my puppies... sitting out by the old mower, with the farm in the back ground. 

And this little country girl is headed off to great adventures and into advance training....

"how do you give them up"... with lots of hugs, tears, and many good wishes...

Our day at NEADS goes as usual. When we arrived everyone knows that it's Deb's turn in day and I have such love and support. Deb seems "quiet" to me... she knows that something is up .. they all know

I smile on the outside, but not on the in... and for all the times that I have taken puppies back... it's not ever "easier".. and in many ways I find it harder to do... 

But this little gal has become very special to me. i think it's because she is most like the personality that I would pick in my own personal dogs. I have always loved her "drive and spirit" and have secretly thought that if she doesn't make it, I would like to have her back. But, we don't talk about "not making it"...

We meet with Dave and talk over the past month. (notice where Deb chooses to lay).... Cappy is talking about in great detail...

and it is decided that Cappy will have another month with us, and will go to Kathleen's and see how she does there. She is such a sweet baby, and a bit immature, so we feel another month in a home will suit her much better. 

We head over the local mall to see the puppies work. Linda and Sasha work with Dave on the stairs....

Dave's son has joined us today, and right away hits it off with Debbie. I don't find this surprising, for the past year, I have watched how Deb can work her magic on people....

And I take a few moments and step back, just to see her work ... she does well, but I notice that she watches for me... which is endearing, but I hope won't be a downfall when she needs to be working with another.

At lunch, she tucks under the table, just as she has been taught.....I eat, but knowing our time is coming to a close, I don't have much of an appetite

Back at NEADs.. everyone gives us those moments to ourselves. It's such a pretty day.. we head outside for some pictures....

I think that just a year ago, I met this beautiful girl at this very spot... threw the tears that I was crying for another... and now, here we go again... the chapter is closing..... the future looks bright, I again go into the "waiting for the good report" mode....

And meet my next little buddy.......

beginning to say...... "good-bye"

I have a feeling that change is in the air. Mom has been talking a lot about my leaving the farm and heading off for advance training... I sort of had an idea that this is how it all works... I know that I am not the first puppy in training that has lived here, but it seems like the time has gone by so fast... Mom thinks so too. 

Cappy is going too.... so Mom just wants us to have the most fun week that we can. Lots of play time outside in the warm spring sun.....

We race and chase, and I notice that Mom seems to enjoy watching us... and taking lots of pictures. 

We have also been making trips to the places that I know. Cabela's being one of these spots.... Mom tells everyone that we are here to say goodbye.....

and I get lots of hugs and kisses, and wishes of good luck. People seem happy and sad at the same time.... I'm not sure how I feel about it all....

But at each spot, I know how to work and be good all at the same time. Mom tells me that she has loved all her puppies, but that I have become her favorite. We are very close, and I have a feeling that we are both going to miss each other....

Our last day on the farm... Mom takes Cappy and I out for a walk in the woods... just to enjoy some quiet country time before things begin to change....

so much fun... to sniff about and "just be a dog"... it was a great day. 

Livy and I have been having a great time together... and tonite, Mom let us rough play as much as we wanted (and never told us to "go easy")

She's been a great little friend.... 













Mom even let me ride in the front seat (something that is never allowed!!!) She said I have been a great co-pilot and that I am her best "yellow" dog...


tomorrow... 



and that is the last of... "the days with Debbie".....