More Graduation Pictures

Hi,

Click here for more Graduation Pictures.

Randy & Deegan's Graduation

Today was a graduation party for our second guide dog puppy, Deegan. He is now with his forever partner, Randy. It was a long ride there and back, but well worth it to see Deegan again and to watch him work.



















Here is Randy & Deegan walking the last block to the restaurant
















Here is Randy, Deegan and myself & Randall.

There are more photos here.

There were a lot of us at the party. Puppy raisers & friends & family of Randy. We all had a good time.

Travelling Mentor

The Christmas holiday results a in huge change of routine for our dogs. Sleep and feeding schedules are erratic and exercise is minimal. Most of the days have been spent riding in the car where Deegan has gotten much better at lying down when the car is moving. Neva enjoyed the trips more than usual as she shared the back seat snuggling with her mentor, instead of lying on the front floorboard.

To celebrate the end of our holiday travels, we took a long walk this morning. Then they played with their Christmas presents, two rawhide candy canes. Though they are identical, the one not in their possession is always more desirable, so they trade off repeatedly.

Deegan acts as a mentor for both good and bad behaviors. He has helped her move freely around the neighborhood and traverse stairs without trepidation. Although gentle indoors, he plays a bit rough when outside. He is possessive of toys and, worst of all, will consume his own "presents".

Last night, they "went to bed" in the same crate, so we simply locked the door and let them be until morning. Neva is going to miss her mentor when he leaves.

Monthly Vet Visit

After three weeks with the UTI it was time for a visit to the veterinarian. In the meantime, our puppy, who just received a bordetella shot two weeks ago, seems to have picked up a mild case of (exercise induced) kennel cough a week later. To these ailments, we added her missing teeth and lumpy cheeks to the vet's list.

The UTI turned out to be a minor infection, but she has a lot of crystals which may be more diet related. We did get some antibiotics to treat the urinary tract infection, but the only treatment for kennel cough is cough suppressant. The cysts on her cheeks may be related to incoming teeth.

Neva's loss has been Deegan's gain. All of these maladies left the door open for Deegan to visit the dentist, hair salon, supermarket, drug store, and library. Except for being a little "creepy" Deegan behaved well on these outings.

Tip: We recently corrected her loose stool by administering probiotics.

Revenge

As mentioned in earlier posts, Neva is relentless in staying close to and tormenting Deegan. He has proven to be extremely patient and tolerant with the little black beast. How would you like to have a 24 x 7 shadow with teeth? We occasionally find him in his crate searching for some peace/quiet and alone time. Eventually Neva locates her "big brother" and cozies up next to him.

Deegan is a high energy dog and is always ready to go outside, and walk. He is disappointed when he realizes that we are only out for a potty break and not a walk around the neighborhood.

To accomodate him the last few days, we have taken Deegan and Neva to the high school football field to run around in the snow and let him be a dog. He transforms from a mild mannered guide dog into crazy canine. It is surrounded by fence, so he can't escape.

This also provides Deegan with an opportunity to exact revenge on the little black beast. He gets his revenge by either holding her down in the snow and biting her limbs or by running full speed at Neva, only to veer off at the last moment. When Neva guesses wrong, moving into his path, she is sent rolling head over tail in the snow. She then gets up and chases after him until he turns and repeats the scenario.

Bodyguard

Three days into his "vacation", Deegan has adjusted to our routine, we have learned how to work with him, and Neva has taken on the role of bodyguard. She apparently thinks that Deegan needs assistance in his new environment; she shadows him every where he goes. She is either lying on him or biting him (lip,leg, ear, tail), not a very good bodyguard.

As usual Saturday started with play time at The Dog Den (new website). Neva was a very active participant, however, Deegan was relegated to observer. He watched the puppies from the penalty box and was just minding his own business when a puppy came up to the fence and urinated into his area. Lisa had to clean it up even though it wasn't her fault.

Near the end of play time, I took Deegan into the big puppy play area where Neva was terrorizing the other canines. Deegan appreciated the break. He remained on leash as we practiced SIT, DOWN, and STAY with puppy distractions. He did good given that fact that dogs seem to be his most difficult challenge.

What's worse than Christmas shopping on the Saturday before Christmas?
Shopping the Saturday before Christmas with two dogs in tow.

Actually it wasn't that bad. We stopped at Mounds which took at least thirty minutes to pick up a bag of food and two leashes. Our dynamic duo accompanied us to Target for a few gifts and household items - in and out in less than thirty minutes. The crowds weren't bad, just a lot of puppy greetings.

Our final stop was the veterinarian's office for a weight check. Neva weighs 32 pounds and Deegan tipped the scales at 69 pounds, well under the seventy-two pound threshold for a doggy diet.

Broken Rule

After releasing Buddy for adoption, we have had a rule: Only one dog in the house. The rule lasted less than a year. We acquired an additional canine guest on a temporary basis.

We are dog sitting Deegan for the next few weeks, while his trainer is out of town. He has completed puppy training and is essentially on vacation prior to formal training and assignment as a guide dog or companion dog. He will be officially evaluated by a trainer after Christmas.

We picked Deegan up at training class in Janesville, expecting a "perfect" dog. During class, he seemed to be very close to perfect. However, after having him home for (a brief) twenty-four hours, he is not as perfect as we thought. He is not comfortable and is testing us or maybe we are being tested by Marlene. I am ready to send him back. His discipline has evaporated and his house manners need work.

Only one of us wants to keep him. Neva enjoys having a big brother around. Not so sure that the feeling is mutual. The pesky puppy is constantly following him around, licking his face, and biting his cheeks/paws. Deegan has been very patient and earned a few more days.

Community Daze

Woof Woof,

Today I got to see a bunch of pals. We went to the Boston Store to trade books for green paper. Lots of green paper! We had some pups, Maddi and Finley there who helped attract petters to Deegan and I. We got lots of luvin'




We all really liked one small human - she sat down with us and got kisses!

and just like a kid, my half sister Maddi burned brightly and then faded quickly while Deegan and I kept working....kids!

Then we went for a car ride and something got in the car with us, but I was in the back seat and try as I might, I couldn't get a good look....mystery.

Slick

Maddi Goes Shopping

This afternoon we spend 2+ hours at the Boston Store selling the Community Day Coupon Booklets. Maddi was joined by her sister Finley and half-brothers Slick & Deegan. The babies were very good people magnets and we sold quite a few booklets. The two little girls played hard for an hour or so, then Finley had to leave to go to a homecoming parade.


Finley ran out of the picture at this point.



Then after all that hard work of greeting people & visiting with her brothers & sisters, Maddi fell asleep


Then, when we got home, we opened a gift bag from the Who's New in Madison group and let her play with the toys that they donated to her and she is also sporting her new bright pink collar from the group. Thank you to all that donated.

Pool

Here's another picture from the Janesville Pool:

Divit, Banjo, Degan, and Envy

Run Run Run

Wooffie!

What a fun day!

I met all sorts of girls who liked to oooooh and aaaaahhhh over my canine friends and I.



Today was the Delta Gamma 3 mile run/walk on the University of Wisconsin campus.



Of course, there were some male humans that were oooohing and aaaaahhing as well. I really liked one male human (he finished the run first), who laid down on the side walk and gently petted my tummy. That was heaven. He seemed to know exactly what I liked. I wonder if I will ever get to see him again…




My brother Deegan and my friends Geyser, Reggie, Banjo and Divit attended the event..




After the walk, we hung out on the Union Terrace. Some of the humans purchased Babcock Ice cream (Yummm). But no food for us!

Count me in the next time OccuPaws goes on campus!

Your friend,

Slick

Graduation

Woof, Woof!

Congratulations to Tino and Lilly. Friday Night was a graduation party in Johnson Creek for the newest CVCD team. All the humans had a good time. I got to see all my old friends there...Lilly and Moby and Deegan and Promise and Bodie plus some new pups I didn't know.

Everyone stood around and blah blah blah...boring for a while. Then they got to eat worms!!! Mmmmm but none for us. Then the lightening started. Everytime the people stood up and smiled...flash flash flash. Talk talk talk, flash flash flash, clap clap clap....yawn. Silly humans. Did I mention the humans also got cake!!



They took pictures of humans who donate dogs (Lilly)

and pictures of the humans who raised puppies (Lilly)

and then it was time for all the humans to get in the picture!!

and finally here are the three graduated teams.

and my gall, Miss Lilly!!!

All for now,

Slick

Busted

Woof!

OK now humans. Figure dis one out. There we wuz, Me and Marley just coolin' our heels, relaxin' under a tent on Sunday, when all of a sudden, da Coppers shows up and starts grillin' some a my crew...Big Mikey, Fast Mama and Diamond Jeff. Sumpthen bout Me and Marley and some grass. Well I told him we wuz no potheads and to buzz off.

He don't believe me. Can youse believe dat? Me, an innocent pup wit a face of an angel thinkin' dis flatfoot got some bad 411. He heard it through da grapevine dat my brother wuz dealin'. Dey busted him, but when dey finally chased him down, he ate all da grass - no evidence right!!

Well riding in Boss Mar's paddy wagon he gives up da stash...again and again and tells da fuzz his bro Deegan is da mastermind of da Pack so here I sit....busted!

Well I finally gets my phone call and a course I makes it to my main man, Donny (the enforcer) Becker who is a miracle worker. He takes care a binness and tells em it was grass, green grass dat we was partakin' of, not dat other kind and soon I'm a free mutt, relaxin wit Donny and chewin' dat fat. He da man!!!

Well, gotta go on lamb wit my crew now so see yas later!

Deegan Dog

PS: Wow, what a dream :-)

Little People

Arfff!

Deegan reporting!

Today was Jacob’s (age 9 months) last full day with us.


He stayed two nights and three days, while his mom and dad cavorted.


Jacob liked to crawl on me and occasionally pulled my tail (He liked the feel of it in his hands.).


Being 9 months old, the tail pulling was no worse than a slight puppy pull.


I also went out to breakfast and then to the Copp’s grocery store in Middleton. At Copp’s, I met some really neat kids, one of whom was visually impaired. I hope I get to see them again as they giggled a lot.

That’s all for now.

Deegan

Playtime

Hi there,

Deegan reporting.

I had a blast today. My friend Evan was over. He carried my bones for me all over the house.

He would pick them up for me, pile them up, and then carry them. Once in awhile he would let me have one (only if I was good).

He was a lot of fun.

Today Jacob comes over to spend 3 days here. I wonder if he is walking yet?

Deegan

Where Oh Where

has my buddy gone....

Slick left for a car ride last night without me and when Mom and Dad came home I was ready to play. I ran outside and no Slick...didn't he want to play with me any more??? Sniff. Oh well, time to attack the border collie.

At least we had a good breakfast together.

Deegan

PS: Mom says he'll be back home after he has his "chickentest", whatever that is? Maybe he gets to chase some???

Sunny Days

Hello fellow pups!


Did I have fun today!


I hung out at the Madison Farmer’s Market with my friends, Deegan, Canya, Geyser, Reggie, Marcie, Kathy, Theresa, Chris and my people Mark and Barb.

Mindy and Dan also stopped by with Jacob.

What could be better than be pet by all sorts of kids and adults, drink water, lay around and talk with my friends?

Ecstasy.

Slick

Short Humans

Hi there fellow pups!

Slick here!

Mom and dad have been taking my friend Deegan and I to our usual places, restaurants, parks, and Nikki’s house.

I went to a class at MATC with Nikki and Dale. I was asked to be very quiet for three hours while the class was held. After class, I got lots of pets from the other people that were taking the class. I did not listen very well in class, but the class was something about getting grants, giving grants, getting money,,, I did not quite understand all the human blah, blah, blah.

While at MATC for some reason I decided that elevators were sorta scary. I had been in them when I was a pup, but I think I have forgotten that the floor vibrates and doors shut me in. So mom and dad have been taking me to all sorts of different kinds of elevators. In and out, up and down. Deegan, my old pal does not seem to mind them. I think have decided once again that they are OK. But, mom is going to continue to ride on all sorts of elevators to make SURE that they don’t bother me.

My friend Evan has been holding onto my harness and walking with me. I have to make sure to walk slowly as he does not walk as fast as mom does sometimes. Deegan walks with him too.

Yesterday Jacob was over. He does not walk at all. But, he is fun to say “hi” to.

Deegan and I like to lay next to him while he pets us.

Mom says that if it is not quite so hot, we might to up to the Farmer’s market the 15th. I hope we do, it is a lot of fun.

Your friends,
Slick and Deegan

A busy week

Slick here..

Our family has been so busy running us about that we have not even had time to write to you ‘all.

They have been taking me to "Bike Nights" all over the place and handing out those flyer pieces of paper things and making me do lots of STAYS.



Next of all, I did not have a chance to tell you about “Hogs for Guide Dogs”. Some people with motorcycles came and visited my favorite place, Shelton’s.


There was music and something where people picked tickets out of a hat.


Mom and dad said that they wished there were more participants, but it was a good time anyway.

I was sick for a few days last week. I threw up all over the place one day, and I kept pooping. One night mom and dad could hear my belly sounds from across the room. My tummy sure hurt! So mom and dad did not feed me (because it would come up anyway), and gave me lots of pink awful tasting stuff. After a day they took me to visit Dr. Dave. (alias Dave Williams in Mt. Horeb). He gave me a shot that made me feel better almost immediately. He also poured more “pink stuff” down my throat. My tummy felt much better and I was able to eat the next day.

While I was convalescing, mom and dad went to visit Lilly and Valentino.




It seems that they are now officially a “team”. Mom and Dad talked about having a big party for them. I think they called it “graduation”.


I, Slick, have been walking around with Evan while he holds my kids harness. I am so proud of Evan, he walks along just like he is supposed to, so I walk very carefully and slowly with him.


My friend Deegan also had a chance to walk with Evan. He is very careful too.

We have been going to our usual breakfast spots and getting lots of attention. Sometimes when Deegan and I both go it gets a little crowded under the table.

We had another day on the square. We received lots of pets and were walking “advertisements” for OccuPaws. Chris came with Reggie and Divit. At one time all four of us received pets and loves. Chris is so proud of Reggie and Divit. We are proud of Chris, she is doing a great job training them to help blind people.

Mom took me to a big room where people were playing poker for the humane society. Everybody there said that I was very well behaved. They compared me to their dogs. We even had a chance to talk to a Humane Society worker that talked about some poor dogs that had been left in cages all their lives, and how he was trying to socialize them. Poor dogs, can you imagine being locked in a small cage for years and years? It reminds me how lucky we are.

Sunday was a day off for me as mom and dad went to help train new people for the therapy dog program, “Pet Partners” thru the Delta Society. Stitch and Reggie got to go! I didn’t realize how good my house mates were!

Deegan has been getting himself into trouble. It seems that he likes to pull clothes off of the hangers in the closet and then lay on them. I have told him that there are plenty of doggie blankets already on the floor and he does not need to use mom and dad’s clothes. Mom and dad are not happy when they find their clothes on the floor. They have been reminding him not to do that. He is getting better, but he still does it once in awhile.

I get to go to the nursing home today. The people there just love our visits. AND I gets LOTS of pets.

Slick