Why We Do What We Do...

Received these two Thank-you letters from Kaitlyn, (who has CVCD Slick) and from Hannah, her sister and wanted to share them with everyone.



(a scanned image - the note is in braille, with the text also printed between the lines)

Dear Occupaws,
Thank you for all of your hard work you've put in to set up the picnic. It was great.
From,
Kaitlyn
P.S. Slick is great

(scanned note written on pink paper)
Dear OccuPaws,
I loved the picknick. I loved it a lot. And I liked the dog game.
Love,
Hannah
(at the bottom of the page is a drawing of a dog head)

Kaitlyn and Slick Graduation Photo's

Click here for more pictures from graduation.

Slick

Slick & Kaitlyn's Graduation

Today we went to Kaitlyn & Slick's graduation in Waukesha. It was a very nice time and at least 50 people attended. We had all of our Children's Visual Companion Dog teams in attendance.

Here is Maddi patiently waiting for something to happen besides talking.



You can see here that Kaitlyn really loves Slick.


Here is the whole family after the formal presentation of Slick and Kaitlyn's certificate.

On the First Day of Christmas

Slick sent us a picture of some of his new family - Kaitlyn, Slicker-Doodle, Jasper and Hanna.

He also wrote - All is Well! :-)

PS : and said to say Hi Sophia.

Hi Sophia

I saw Slick today at Brookfield Mall. He stayed overnight with Kaitlyn and he told me he has a real cool house in her room. I practiced walking and guiding today with Kaitlyn's sister - she's a good trainer!!!

Here is a picture of Slick and Kaitlyn and Hanna in his crate - it's so big all three can fit.


Roxy and I miss him, cuz he played so good. He said his new friend Jasper is almost as good a player as me. You can see some more pictures of them here.

See you soon,

Timber

Who's New

Woof woof

This is Slick filing my last report from Cross Plains. My old pal Mr.s Snow is back - but TOOOO much! My footsies are froze! and the snow is tooo deep.

Yesterday I went with my pals Timber (Hi Sophia) and Dale to a Country Club (am I moving up the social ranks or what) for a luncheon. What Mom forgot to mention is I had to wear sleigh bells and shiny booties and poor Timber wore a Santa hat. I'm not sure who was more embarassed.

Then we all posed for a Christmas picture. We were all good, but Maddi kept wanting to move around and look at us handsome boys :-)

It was a fundraiser lunch for Maddi and Sonny put on by Who's New! There was even dog treats sold there, but they were gone before I got Mom back to buy them...bummer. At least we got lots and lots of petting and hugs.

Mom and Dad are packing up everything I have - my blankie, bones, harness, even my food (I made sure they didn't forget that!) for my trip to Kaitlyn's house in Waukesha today. I'll miss Mom and Dad but I KNOW I'll have fun with Kaitlyn!

Love to everyone,

Slick

Kaitlyn and Slick Graduation Celebration

Celebrate the success of the newest Children's Visual Companion Dog team on December 27. Lunch will be served at 3 pm.

Country Springs Hotel
2810 Golf Road
Waukesha, WI 53187

Closer

Greetings Kaitlyn!!


Well, my dream is coming true. Yesterday I walked Kaitlyn home from school. We got along great and I think she likes me...a lot!




Later on, her dad came home so off we went on another walk. How come human girls giggle and laugh so much???




Then we came inside for some cuddling and to meet the other dog Jasper. He didn't like me much at first, but now I think we're going to be buds. We even started playing inside, but he will need to learn to share his toys. I would share mine!

Kaitlyn is learning how to take off my harness so I can roll over for a tummy rub.

All for now. Later on I'll let Timber tell you all about his visit to Sophia's house. It sounds like all is going well and he might be moving to their house in the next few weeks.

Bye for now Kaitlyn,

Slick

Getting Closer

Arf Arf!

Well fellow pups, this is to be my second to last entry to the "puppy blog". It looks very likely that I will be picking up stakes and moving east to Waukesha. The parents of my new human Kaitlyn are undergoing training to be able to go to work for me. :-)

They spent some time with my pal Pam learning to be a "sighted guide". I watched while they learned to use a cane with a blindfold. I decided Kaitlyn is much better at it than they are. Kaitlyn moves like a streak of lightning so that I can barely keep up with her. She is very, very good with her cane and hopefully I can help make her even better!

While one parent was working, I spent some with the other with them teaching some of the commands I think they should know. We worked on sit, down, stand, heel, side, front, stay, come, get it, leave it, etc. until I got bored. They seem to know what they are doing as I hardly ever got a correction.

They were even pretty good with trimming my nails and using a drummel. Soon I'll have them fully trained. Mom and Dad said I would probably have them trained well enough to move this weekend.

I'd better start packing my food and bones and food and blankets and food and leash and food and collars and food...did I mention how important it is NOT to forget my food!!

Here is a picture of both sets of my Moms and Dads - new and old. I wonder if my old Mom and Dad will miss me?

All for now,


Slick


PS: Hi Sophia - Timber told me all about you and he will write to you soon!

Malls & Queens

Hi Sophia!

Slick and I went to the shopping mall today. We walked all over the place watching the humans spend that green money stuff. While they shopped, I got loved and pet. I really, really like tummy rubs. We met some nice girls who just couldn't stop petting us. Everytime they tried to leave, they would come back for one more petting.

Then Slick warned me about the moving rooms and the moving stairs. We went into the moving room and the humans pushed buttons and the doors closed and the floor shook. I didn't mind and neither did Slick. I bet Harley would be scared though.

Then we went up and down the moving stairs. I guess I didn't mind those either - just keep walking.

Then the humans decided we needed to go back in time to medieval times and visit the Queen. We watched jousting and sword fights and they all shouted and clapped. Then they came to see us. I liked the one who smelled like a fox...yummy. It was wrapped around her neck.

All for now,

Timber

I'm not THAT noisy!!

Hi Sophia,

I did some more work on my "find heel" today. I really want to sit at an angle so I can see the teacher better, but they insist on me scooching right up next to them. I don't like it there so I'm not gonna do it - nanny nanny boo hoo...so there.

Then I did my puppy pushups and exercises so I got a reward - playtime with my pal Slick. This was our last playtime on this soft warm green stuff - I think it's called grass.



I heard the humans blah blahing about some white stuff coming. I barely remember what that was - I was just a pup the last time I saw it. Slick is older and says it's really cool and fun to play in.


Then we went to a classroom at Badger Kennel Club. Slick, Promise, Harley and I got to play for a while. The pictures didn't come out cuz we were moving too fast. It was fun!!!

Then I got some more "training". It's torture if you ask me!!! I had to sit QUIET in a crate while everyone else got to run and play...bummer boo hiss. That was no fun, and I let them there trainer humans know I was not happy. But I did learn that if I was very very quiet, the door would open.

All for Now,

Timber

My New Job

Woof Woof my Pals,

I just wanted to let everyone know that my days as a blog writer are numbered. I met my future family for the second time, this time at their home, along with my first meeting with their dog. While I tried and tried to get this pup to play, he just wanted to growl and snap. Finally with lots of play bows, helter skelter running and a little correction from Nikki, he agreed to play with me. We chased each other and ran with toys in his back yard.

When we settled down, I met my new pal Kaitlyn and her sister. After I got a lot of loving and hugs, Dad put my harness on me for another test drive. Off we went, with Kaitlyn walking beside me with pauses only to give me a hug. She likes to move fast so I got to trot with her :-) and she is very, very good with her cane and didn't touch me with in once!!

We finally had to stop cuz it was getting dark and cold, but while the humans went on and on with their blah blah blah, I got treats and gave kisses and body rubs. I was sad to go, but I think Kaitlyn was even sadder. Fortunately, Pam is going to do her Mom and Dad's sighted guide training and then I'll teach them some obedience stuff. I have to make them think they are controlling me, but we all know we dogs are the real masters!

Then old Mom and Dad will teach new Mom and Dad everything they need to know about working with me and Kaitlyn as a team. I think we're going to try and finish up their training in the next few weeks so I can go live with them forever before Christmas (what a present I'll be). Then I overheard some blah blah about a big graduation party for us on the 26th or 27th so all of Kaitlyn's family that is in town can come see her graduate. Cool huh?




All for now. I'll be turning over the blog reins to Harley soon.

Slick

New Arrival

Arf Everyone,

I guess it's time for me to introduce myself, now that I have been a good boy and did NOT mess up my crate and only got up once in the middle of the night to go potty. I must be all grown up now!!!

I arrived at my new home on Friday after Momma Marlene got me and Hailey all spiffy. I smell soooo sweet. I got to meet Slick and Timber and Roxie and Reggie and Stitch. They all like me cuz I'm cute and don't bite hard (usually).

I'm part of the Labradorks crew now, I guess.

Aww, Timber loves me so much he's smiling while I bite his elbow.

You can see some more pictures of me and Timber and Slick here.

Harley

School Daze

Woof Woof!

I've had an exciting few days. Last week I left home to spend a few days with another human, Pam who is a teacher. She spent some time with Mom and Dad learning how to have me guide children, go through doors, all of the commands I know and to give her a chance to see what living with me is like. What I didn't know is she teaches the very kids I hope to help some day.

I got to go to all the different schools she visits and meet all the children she helps.




I got loved and pet and cuddled and tummy rubbed!!! It was pure heaven for me.



Then each of the children got to walk with Pam and I just like they would if I was their special dog. I got to visit classrooms and Pam told the children all about me and what I do.

Then after I came home for a couple days, we drove for a long long time to someplace with a quad-zillion people waiting in a room real real quiet. Then all of a sudden Uncle Lou walked in and everybody yelled surprise and clapped and shouted happy 'irement or something like that. Everybody kept squeezing his hand and hitting the poor guy on the back. Maybe he was choking on the big cake or something?

Slick

Pet Fair

Sunday was the Dog Fair at the Alliant Energy Center. All the puppies in training were there. Of course when they first got together, they played hard and had a lot of fun.


Here is Maddi, Sonny, & Timber being puppies.

Then we did a demo with all the puppies to show what the babies have learned and how far the older puppies have come.
Nikki's daughter showed how the children's program works. Great job Brooklyn & Slick!

At the end of the day we finally had some pooped out puppies!

Community Day Sale NORTH

Woof Y'all

I had a great adventure this morning. First I went and taught Pam and her hubby some of the basic commands I know and then I took them for a blind-folded walk around East Towne. All my humans said I was a good boy.

Then we stood in from of the Boston Store and traded white books for green paper. Everybody seemed happy about the trade. My humans had a table to give other pieces of paper and stuff to people.






My old pal Jacob came to visit, he just ignored me and went right for Sonny. He grabbed the leash and just took over Sonny's training I think. The words were kinda hard to understand though.




Eventually there were so many people there, Jacob had to share Sonny with a bunch of other little humans.





Last year I thought my bunny ears were embarassing until I saw poor Super-Dog Dale wearing all sorts of red and white human skins. He took it like a gentleman though and trouped through the crowd like a manley canine (even in tights).

After a while even the youngsters got tired out and could barely move.

You can see more pictures here on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/occupaws?ref=profile#/album.php?aid=7452&id=100000188795858

Slick

Quite the Pair

Quite the weather change, apparenlty Banjo was cold. He was found louging on the sofa three times which was not preparing him for the Dane County OccuPaws Training Session this evening. Weather kept us all in the house, so Banjo was a little stir crazy - never good for training.

Three puppies attended along with one guide dog, four trainees, and Toby. One of the puppies is Banjo's replacement. Neva took to him right away; Banjo could not care less.

First, the older dogs practiced DOWN STAY while the puppies attempted to provoke a response that would get the big dogs in trouble. After their teasing, the puppies were put to the test, as much as a ten week old puppy can be tested. It was more like "Follow the Treat".

Guide dog Dale looks on as the puppies (Neva, Sparta, and Sonny) are put through their first training class. View more photos from the training session.

Banjo impressed me tonight. I dropped a treat right in front of his mouth. Without a verbal LEAVE IT or NO, he didn't touch it even though it was right in front of his nose. He actually got up and moved away. Now if he would only leave the trash cans alone.

When the training session concluded, dogs will be dogs. Banjo showed Neva how he really felt about her replacing him at our house. The spunky little girl is a fighter and fought back hard. Her teeth searching for ears, lips, paws, or tail, but catching mostly air.

Lisa experienced Neva's bite first hand and says that she "Bites Hard".

Who's New Hike

Greetings and Salutations,

Queen Mother Roxanne here, but please feel to call me Roxie...all my subjects do. Today was quite a delightful and invigorating luncheon and stroll with some quite lovely ladies from the "Who's New in Madison" organization. They held a walk in support of two of my youngest babies, Sonny and Maddi. Also in attendence was my son Slick and old friend, Dale.




Typically I leave these excursions into my realm to my children, but being such a wonderful day, I decided to join them. I'm working on my figure after giving birth and hoping to get back to a perfect size 2 prior to the holidays, so it was perfect timing for me. I even allowed several of the group to hold my leash, but being such a refined lady I scarcely needed one. I was in my element, mingling with my subjects and engaging in small talk and kisses.

Ahh, what a glorious day for an outing. I feel wonderful.

Well Ta Ta Everyone,

Roxanne

Queen Mother

Boston Store - part deux

Woof Arf,

Neva has finally let me back at the keyboard. She went back home with Marlene after the Boston Store visit. She will become a wheel circle pup thingie, whatever that is.

We had a wonderful time meeting people and selling the Community Day coupon books. I received many "mercy" pets, as the puppies, Maddi and Neva, brought the crowds and after the humans got their fix of puppy breath, they felt sorry for me laying there quietly. They came over and gave me a pet and hug too.

Some children were especially happy to see Neva and Maddi.





They had a good time playing, growling and attacking each other. They played a little quieter with me. Maybe because I didn't get quite as excited.

I tried to maintain control as best I could, but they were wild at times...but then all of a sudden, both would just flop down and sleep. That's when I got the most attention!!

All for Now,

Slick

Wheels wheels wheels

Woof pups and puppettes!!

Neva here. Slick and I got to go to a place with lots of people who race chairs with wheels. Some have to stand up with their racers - they must be the fastest cuz they have tennis balls on the bottem to keep from going too fast. Anyhow I got to go in a big room and run from person to person while they laughed and clapped. Not sure why - don't all dogs bounce like a lamb when they run??? It was hard to decide where to go - everyone was calling me. I finally got tired and just sat and chewed on a foot thingie.



Then I finally slowed down and a nice lady who didn't have a race chair picked me up and hugged me. She kept sniffing my breath...crazy humans.

When we finished there, we went to Lukenbooth's in Black Earth for a visit and humans only breakfast. I got to go inside and visit and kiss some of the people there. They wanted to sniff my breath too - go figure. Slick had to sleep under the table but I got to sit on the seat like a big girl. The only problem is just when I got comfortable and a little sleepy, they kept taking me outside to go "potty". I guess that's good cuz no accidents.

Neva