what's a groundhog???

Mom says that today is Groundhog Day... and that if he comes out and sees his shadow, winter will soon be over. I have enjoyed the snow, but I do wonder where all the green grass has gone, and if Abbie and I will be able to run and play outside like we did .... Mom says "yes", that the grass and warm sun will return.

The ground  hog predicts an early spring.... I have to wonder if he really knows what he is talking about, but since it will be my first spring, I guess I will have to wait and see...

the life of ..... Rylie!!!!

and, it's back to work....

Oh my goodness.... now, I don't know how to read what the temperature is.. but let me tell you... it's cold!!!! So, when Mom and I got into the jeep this am and headed out to meet everyone else for our trip to NEADS... you can be sure we had let the jeep warm up some before heading out.... and because I know that you can read... here's what the temperature was!!! yikes!!! But I guess that's what winter is about....Now, we haven't been to NEADS in a long time.. since before Christmas and the trip we took to Washington.. so we havent' seen Dave!!!!

Needless to say, Dave did not take us into the city today... it was too cold to be working outside. So, after our humans talked some at NEADS, it was off to the mall. Dave asked a lot of questions about all of us, and took our pictures for his files.... Marv is certainly happy to pose for him....

And that's Vega (from New York) and Jackie joining us to day. We had to wait nicely while the humans grabbed a bite to eat.... (nothing new there... they always stop for lunch!!!)

And then it was off to "play". This mall was  kind of neat, it had almost "everything" (so Mom says)... first stop.. the elevator. This one is glass like the ones at the hospital... I have ridden in so many elevators now, I am a pro at it. You just step on when you are told... move quickly to a corner spot to make room for everyone else.. and ride quietly until the humans think it's enough....actually I like elevators, because we don't have to "do" anything in them!!!

Then, Dave asked everyone to switch the dogs around. He wants to be sure that we can work with any one of our humans, and that we really know our manners and can do them for anyone... (which of course, we can!!!)

We worked on the stairs, going up and down and stopping where needed. Stairs can be a little tricky at times, but I am always ready to give it a try...... (that's me and Kathleen waiting at the top for our turn... and that's Linda and Moxie doing their work)....










This mall even had an escalator.. which we are not allowed to ride on. Moxie and I saw plenty of them when we were in Washington... so, again.. this wasn't anything new to me.... but, Dave made us go near them to be sure that we are worried about how they look or how they sound.....

That's me... I am really paying attention to Kathleen and ready to do just as she asks. Mom loves it when I work like this, she says I am the best when I pay attention... and since I like to make everyone happy, I pay attention!!!!!

We did some walking around the mall too.. just looking at all sorts of different things, and walking on different kinds of floors. Course we get a lot of attention from other people when we are working together like this... but, we need to think about our work and not get caught up in the all the excitement that we cause.....

I have to admit, though, when this little guy came over to say hello to  me.. it was all I could do to hold my down. I really really like kids, and they all seem to like me too... notice that Moxie is watching her handler... but ... not me... I just had to watch that cute little boy.... oh well, I'm still pretty little myself, so I can't be perfect all the time!!!!







And what do you think about that scary lion.... we didn't even notice him... who is afraid of a fake lion. But Dave seemed to think that was pretty great that none of us were even the little bit worried about him. Silly humans... were they afraid????

As usual... our day of training went zooming by... (Mom says it looks like a lab convention!!!)... we said our goodbyes to each other and to Dave... but one thing has changed for me.... I'm not nearly as tired as I used to... Mom says I'm growing up... and doing really well with my work. That's good news, I like to hear her say happy things to me... and so until next  month...


the life of.... Rylie....

I know "Tuesday"...

I am back home from my puppy swap at Auntie Linda's.... and Mom has me "right back to work"... actually it really doesn't feel like work, it feels like "being able to go to very special places"... even if I do have to practice good down stays!!!!

Last Saturday, I went to a baby shower!!! Now, I didn't really know what that was, but I can tell you, it turned out to be great fun. The shower is for Kassy, because she is going to have a little baby in March... and there were lots of presents, people and food.

The people came to wish Kassy good luck and bring her gifts, but because most of them know me too.. I got a lot of attention. And when Mom was busy doing shower "things", I hung out with other people. See what good "unders" I can do, even with food on the table... Mom says I am a very good girl!!!!

Yup, that's me "hiding" under the table. Many of the people didn't even know I was there, and they were so surprised, because they would say to Mom "where's Rylie, you always bring her with you".. and Mom would answer --- "look under the table!!!". Maybe that's what a service dog is, "someone who gets to go special places because they can be so good"... or at least that's the part I have figured out!!!!!

But last night, we had a very special adventure. First off, it was an extremely cold night, and usually (unless Mom has to teach dog class).. we stay in on nights like this. However, not tonite.... we went to a place called Planet Dog.. which was really neat... it's a great dog store. However, that isn't why Mom brought me there......

We were here to meet "Tuesday" and his owner Lois Montalvan... they have written a book all about service dogs. Mom has read this book and said it's very good, and so she was very excited to think she would be able to meet them. Mom says that if you have never read this book.... you should!!!!!

Lois had lots of things to say to all the people that had come to see him. He talked about how his Tuesday saved his life and how service dogs make such a difference. Course I could tell you that, but some people don't know and it's good that there is a book to tell them. Mom really enjoyed hearing Lois speak.....

Me???? well, I just waited quietly, like I am suppose to......

Afterwards, Lois met and talked with everyone...... and since it was such a cold night, there weren't too many people there. He also signed copies of his book... this is Mom's friend Kathleen and her service dog Brutus.....

And when it was Mom and Dad's turn to talk with Lois.. they even got a picture taken. Mom has been writing to Lois for a few months, so he seemed very pleased to meet her in person.. and me too of course. (And I know.. Mom and Dad look like twins in this photo - they actually do this quite often!!!)

We weren't the only puppy folks there, Kelli,Rick and Moxie came... and so did Bernice, Steve and Zuzu.... Lois was so happy to meet the Maine chapter. Rick brought a very special coin to give to Lois, he was so surprised.....

And then another photo opt (I snuck in  on this one too.....)

Tuesday is used to all this public attention, he and Lois travel around the country and talk with lots of folks. Moxie and I were getting tired, it had been a long evening....

I probably won't even become famous like Tuesday.. but, one day, if I do become a service dog.. I promise that I will do the very best job that I can.....

Life of ........ Rylie!!!!!

off with Auntie Linda..

For a little while now, Mom has been saying that it's time for me to go on a "puppy swap"...she explained that it's important for me to go and live with someone else, just to be sure that I do really know my manners and so I can learn how to get along with others. Well, that doesn't sound too hard. And so, we met up with Linda (our chapter leader) and I went home with her for a few days. Being at Auntie Linda's is neat.. for one thing, I have a new friend... Chloe, who is Auntie Linda's golden. She's a great gal and we got along just fine.

Then I discovered that Auntie Linda has the BEST dog beds!!! She works at Cabela's and can get all these great things.... I loved this Cabela bed!!!!

But, my time there wasn't all play. I was dressed and ready to go to work with Auntie Linda at Cabelas. Now, I have been there before with Mom (when we went to see the wreaths), but "working" there and "visiting" there are two different things.

I at first, met all the folks that Auntie Linda works with. They loved me right away and it turns out that I'm not the first puppy that has gone with work with Linda. Most of the Maine puppies go with her... the humans say it's a good experience for us... (and with all this attention, I have to agree). However, I am the puppy at Cabelas right now!!!

I met lots and lots of people.. some worked there and others are people who come there to shop. I like people, so greeting them is never any trouble for me!!!!

I have to say, there are some mighty strange looking things at Cabela's... but I soon found out, they're not alive... some do look kind of scary, but I know they're not real... so they don't mind me at all.....

One thing for sure, all this "work" and fun, sure makes a puppy tired. But I will have lots of things to tell Mom when I get back home!!!

the life of...... Rylie!!!!!

bye bye old year

Mom tells me that today is the beginning of a whole new year, and in the early summer (June) I will be a whole new year old.... but that's still a little ways away.... but today, we are having a party to celebrate the first day of the new year....

I'm always happy to have people come to visit.. but Trevor seems less impressed. (he can be grumpy sometimes...) but I will have  a good time for certain...

The house soon filled with people... everyone was all excited... Mom says this is another holiday....

But not just humans came... doggies did too... Moxie was here (she looks about as excited as Trevor did)....( I think her Daddy told her she had to be good!!!)

Banjo and Charlie came too... they love to come to the farm, because their Daddy (who is Nate)... can take them outside to run and chase the ball.... Banjo couldn't wait to do that.....

The weather has been very cold... so Mom doesn't let us outside for very long (she says we'll freeze)... Abbie and I have been playing inside... I love playing with her....

She got a doctor's kit for Christmas... and she is always giving me check ups... she says I am very healthy and that I am good dog to do my check ups!!!!



so, onto a new year, and that's the life with.... Rylie!!!!

a very special visitor...

After the snow that came the other day.. this is what the farm looks like...

The snow is pretty deep and I love to play in it... sometimes I have to almost swim to get from place to place. Mom says it might get even deeper as the winter goes on..... that would be fun...

The only trouble is, it's very cold right now, and Mom doesn't let me stay outside very long. She says she is afraid that I might "freeze".... and that's ok too.. I like being inside near the woodstove....

Today, Mom had a surprise for me..... do you all remember Ginger??? she is the second service puppy that Mom raised.. and she came for a visit!!!!! We all went to church together (everyone at church was so happy and surprised to see Ginger again!!!!)

Mom is always so happy when she can see Ginger... I like seeing her too... and Ginger seems so excited when she can come back and visit here at the farm...

Pastor Jane told Mom about all the amazing work that she and Ginger are doing together. Mom is so proud of them.. and tells me that she hopes I can have the same sort of opportunities.... I don't know, I guess I'll just keeping working hard, and maybe one day... I will be a service dog!!!

But for now.. I'm just Rylie.... living the life....

a snowy, blowy day....

The day after Christmas, my Mom wasn't feeling good at all. She even had the rest of the family taking care of us dogs and the other animals... I have never known Mom not to take care of us, and I tried to stay very close to her. There was also a big snow storm on the way... the sky was dark even in the daylight, and you could tell that it was coming.

While Mom stayed inside and rested, the family got very busy.... my family heats the house with wood.. and Dad built this woodshed last fall, but they didn't have the chance to get all the wood inside. So, with the big storm on it's way, everyone decided that the wood must get under cover. They spent the whole day getting every piece inside.

I got to spend the day playing.... Mom put Max, Sandy and I outside and let us enjoy the snow. It was great fun running in the snow with friends.....

Towards supper time the snow came in with a great wind.... I love the snow, but I have never seen it like this....It was very blowy and the snow was alot....

We couldn't even see the end of the driveway.... Mom called it a "white out"..... Dad went out to plow, just to try and stay ahead of the snow..... it was a little scary and fun all at the same time.

Mom was feeling a little better at supper time and she and Dad went down to the barn to take care of the animals there. Annabelle - the barn cat - was all snuggled in her bed... she knew how to stay warm and dry in a storm.....

The horses seem to like the snow too... they have great thick coats and they like to stand out side. When Tonka came in for his supper, his feet were covered in the snow....

The big barn doors were closed.... and everyone was inside, warm and cozy to wait out the snow.....

Just before bed... Mom put us out again for one last run.... the snow was getting  deep, and I think they next few days are going to be so much fun running and playing..... I think I like winter!!!!

The life with.... Rylie.....