New Gal Pal

Woof,

A wonderful day in the neighborhood.

Yesterday started off as a real bummer. Mom and Dad left yesterday, without me!!! What did I do wrong, I've been a pretty good pup. As I waited, contemplating my fate, eventually I heard them come home. When the door opened, I saw a black streak come by me and what did I see. Lilly came to visit me!!

Mom told me it was for another rotation, but I've been watching and she hasn't rolled over once yet. Maybe they need to teach her to roll?? Anyhow, finally someone came to visit that knows how to play in the snow with me. We just ran and ran for a while, covered in snow. Then when we were real tired, Reggie and Stitch came out to play and we got our second wind - playing and running.

Today wasn't quite as much fun. After getting a good run outside, we came inside...well most of us. I knew if I came inside all the playtime would be over, so I burrowed down in the snow and hid - for a while. Eventually I did come in.

Then we went off to West Towne and we practiced being good under the table - Mom said Lilly was better at ignoring food on the floor than me...hrumph.

Then we walked around and saw another service dog and I really wanted to go play, but Dad made me lay down and stay while the dog was sooooo close. Mom said Lilly was better at ignoring the other dog than me...hrumph. When my torture was over we went to some benches and I practiced backwards "unders". Mom said I was better than Lilly at backward unders...nanny nanny boo boo.

Finally it was time to go home. Once I finally got the blanket arranged well in the back seat I laid down and Lilly had a nice pillow. She smells nice and I like her. After teaching her the secret handshake I admitted her officially into the pack.

Slick

Moby Hates Hockey

I took the dogs for their individual run through the park this morning. It was our only chance to exercise. By the way, Moby loves the snow.

After a paltry breakfast, only one cup, we headed out for Moby's hockey day. He was so patient waiting for our tickets to arrive from Tomah.


Once we got in, we found seats in the front row. Moby was not overly excited about all the action during warm-ups. He was a little nervous. Not sure if it was the helmets or what, but he eventually settled in. During the game he rested and during the intermission he met people.


We even met one of our loyal blog readers. My apologies for not getting a picture. My brain was too busy focusing on the dog in my left hand and the child that was temporarily in my right hand. One lady thanked us for the entertainment during warm-ups. She was sitting across the ice and said that watching Moby react to the action amused their whole group.

After the women's game, we stopped for dinner and Moby patiently watched us eat. After dinner, more hockey and Moby learned to hate hockey. Leaving the game, early because the Badgers didn't show up, he saw an order of french fries on the floor and walked right over them. Good Job Moby.

Dog House 2

Echo is not going to have a happy ten month birthday. Trouble at his third puppy raiser's house. He has shown aggression toward other dogs when food/empty bowls are present.

A return trip to "Marlene's Dog House" has been prescribed.

Double Bath

Our day didn't start too well. We waited ten minutes before Moby peed and then we went for a run. Quick stop as we entered the park to potty - nothing. Well it must have been two minutes later that he pooped. I am guessing because I didn't see it until the way home. He didn't stop; he just dropped poop for thirty yards. I knew it was his because he needed a bath when we got home.

We tried the food dispensing toy again today. Moby just doesn't understand the concept. He always wants to carry it or chew it.

The day included trips to the grocery, bank, post office, and another grocer. Moby met many new people and received pets and praise from young and old. Crossing paths with the same children, as we traversed the aisles, resulted in repeated outbursts and pats on the head.

Before the walk and on the way to the park Moby refused to potty. He pulled the same stunt as the morning with the exception that Lisa was more observant and was able to accommodate our house guest's wishes. At the park he met the newest pack member, a four month old puppy that kept attacking him and Buddy. Moby became a little agitated, deservedly so, but behaved well.

Lisa decided that another bath was in order tonight. He loved the water and walked right into the tub.

Missing You

Moby had his first encounter with the food dispensing toy. We thought that he would completely enjoy the experience. Wrong. All he wanted to do was pick it up and carry it around. He eventually just left it lying in the hallway, half filled with food, which Buddy completely enjoyed.


We have been working on having our dogs potty on command, as opposed to when and where they want to go. This is the most frustrating exercise because they just don't understand.

It started on Monday after I removed his cape and "asked" Moby to potty three times on the way to the park and he refused - too interested in the sights and sounds. Thirty seconds later he was veering off the sidewalk starting to squat. I made him wait five minutes until we got to the park. Last night I stood outside wiith Buddy for 25 minutes waiting him out.

Moby says that he misses his puppy raiser. He also misses being up on the sofa.

Shake

Moby finally got out of the house for an adventure. He went to the bank and drug store. Nothing important at the bank, but he did get a dog treat from the Pharmacist.

At the drug store checkout Moby met Echo's human friend, Al. Initially Al was disappointed that we didn't have Echo. In Echo's absence, Moby gladly accepted his shortbread cookie. Al's disappointment turned to glee when he asked Moby to SHAKE (not an official guide dog command) and he complied which earned him a second cookie. What Al didn't know is that Moby constantly SHAKEs.

Good Boots

Arf Arf,

Well another fine day...Mr Snow came back so I don't have to search far and wide for a potty place - life is good.

This morning Mom and I went to Piggley Wiggley in Cross Plains for human food (nothing for me by the way).

Then Walgreens (yeah for drive through dog treats!!)

Then we went out to Black Earth to visit Patricia McConnell and get a bunch of pieces of paper stuck together. I liked it when she had me sit and gave me some treats.



Then a bunch of human blah blah blah - boring. But not to worry fellow canines - my nose knows. I was being good and being "dog people" they let me explore and guess what I found. A pair of her boots with smells of Lassie and Will and sheeeeps!!! It was heaven.

Then Denise and Andrea from the office pet me - I was a very good dog - no jumping...just a couple small kisses. Then when we were leaving, Mom said something to Dr. McConnell and she took those pages thingies back and scribbled all over the first page. Don't know why she did that, but Mom was happy. I guess ruined books with scribbles are good...humans - so silly.

Then we came home and we got boxes of human stuff for the raffle thing. I think they need to stop or the bed will break.

Nite,

Slick

Unfortunately

Unfortunately for Moby, we were travelling all weekend. His first two days were spent around the house. He walked through the high school traffic without incident and he met some canine pals at the park. The human members of the pack wanted to know when we started using Saint Bernards as guide dogs.


Unfortunately for Moby, tonight was biweekly nail trimming. He didn't
really need it, but we use it as an excuse to touch their feet. He didn't seem to mind too much.


Unfortunately for us, Moby is not as lethargic as we were led to believe. We were expecting an easy week of lounging; we needed a restful week. Well Moby is an active dog and loves to walk. He and Buddy literally tear up the turf when we let them play. For a dog his size he is quite nimble and fleet of foot. Moby enjoys chasing Buddy and Buddy loves being chased.

Dog House

We were informed last night that Echo would be urgently removed from his second rotation. An attitude adjustment under the direction of our puppy coordinator has been prescribed. Echo is in the dog house.

The report is that Echo becomes wild and uncontrollable after bolting out of his crate. He was then racing around, biting, jumping, and even leaving bruises. We were first shocked and embarrassed, then upset with the little beast.

After apologizing profusely to Tina, we learned Echo's problems began after extended periods in the crate. He has always been high energy and has spent very little daylight in the crate. This is the reason that we rotate the puppies. They are tested to see how they react to different circumstances and different people.

Echo has spent time recuperating at Camp Morga in the past. However, his current stay will take place in "Marlene's Dog House".

Our New Dog - Moby

Divit made the two hour trip to Neenah on Saturday, sharing the back seat with Buddy. He was very accommodating of his elder, settling for a third of the space. I think that Divit might be more accustomed to and preferred riding on the floor - he would have had more room.

His weekend adventures included a two hour dinner/nap, Assisted Living visits, van rides, and meetings with new dogs. It's hard to tell the AL residents that they can't feed the dog, so Divit had a little snack. He gently accepted food and only showed apprehension around the vacuum.



We were sad to say good-bye to Divit. He was such a good boy. Never sure what surprise Marlene has in store for us. Tonight she dropped off Divit's brother, Moby, from the same litter. We thought that Divit and Buddy looked similar. Can you tell which of the dogs below is Divit and which is Moby?












Hint: Moby on the right

Texas Dolly

Woof,

More visits yesterday. First we stopped in to see Micha at the Monona Bank and picked up more human toys for the Raffle.

Then we went to Nikki's house to model some of the stuff from doylesroom.com and to take Nikki to WIBA-FM to see about doing a story on OccuPaws.

Then for supper we went to Nitty Gritty for the humans to eat and me to be cute. They gave me some gift cards for the raffle. I tried one of the cards but they don't taste very good, so humans are not that smart I guess.

Then when everyone was asleep I put that camera thingie on timer and tried on a hat for myself . If I play poker do I get one too???

Slick

Snakes and Dogs

Did you know that snakes and dogs are natural enemies? According to Divit the answer is "most definitely".

We have black and brown "snakes" throughout our house tonight thanks to our canine house guest, Divit. We found out that he is seriously afraid of belts. Every time he sees a belt he cowers and slinks/bolts away. We tested all kinds of belts to determine if there was any other explanation.



Not finding any other probable cause, we began a desensitization program. I have placed belts strategically around the house - in every room so Divit cannot avoid seeing them. He was avoiding them at first, but after a few hours he is doing much better.



Next step will be touching them. Hopefully by Sunday night, he will be wearing my belt around his neck. Either that or he will break down the front door trying to get away.

SalesPups R Us

Arf!!

Well, we stopped by Shelton's this morning - I got pet, Mom and Dad ate...maybe we could switch roles tomorrow??? Anyhow, the humans were blah blah blah about poker and a Lion is going to run the tournament and people gave Mom money today and she was happy. I'm so confused - how does a Lion deal cards with those big paws???

Later lots of boxes came with hats and books from doylesroom.com (isn't that the governor or something).

Then off to Fed Ex Office where a nice lady pet me a lot and she gave Mom a box of papers. She called them flyers but I don't see how a big box is ever gonna fly!

Time to sleep.
Slick

Game Over

In the morning, Divit and I went for a run to the park. He met a few new dogs. Using the flexi-leash, we found ourselves on opposite sides of a few poles. The command for the day was FIX IT. We kept practicing and by evening he was much better.

On the evening walk, Divit met even more dogs. He seems a little apprehensive when first meeting new canines, raised hackles and an occasional bark when approaching, but no aggression.

Divit and Buddy were soaked and mud splattered by the time we got home. I dried them both off as best I could and removed their collars to dry. Initially it was hard to tell them apart, but without the collars we picked up on their behavioral differences. Divit's tail is a giveaway, it is always moving back and forth.

For some mental stimulation, we filled the food dispenser for Divit. He pushed it around by himself for a couple minutes until it was nearly empty. To test for food aggression I let Buddy out, Divit picked the dispenser up and took it to his crate. Game Over.