Archive for September, 2007
Monthly Archive
Wednesday, September 19th, 2007
Protection Dog?
John decided this morning that Mac would have made a
good protection dog–don’t know about that, but I
think he would love the sleeve. His life has
certainly changed since you started us on the tugs.
And I just had two more rounds about getting on the
counter, since the last note.
No Comments » - Posted in Life with Rafe and Mack by Julie
Wednesday, September 19th, 2007
Counter-surfing for toys
Mac and Rafe are definitely interested in the toys
today. Mac has been over standing up on the counter
multiple times. And just before I left for exercise
class I had another round with Rafik, who had taken
one of the tugs again. He just wants to shred them.
Does that count as excitement?
No Comments » - Posted in Life with Rafe and Mack by Julie
Monday, September 17th, 2007
Hal and Bob
Congratulations on earning your herding Instinct Certification Sunday Sept 16th.
Hopefully a picture will follow?
…
No Comments » - Posted in Barq's by Julie
Monday, September 17th, 2007
Congratulations Karen!
Congratulations Karen on your recent win with Banner! VP3 out of a big class and one ear down that magically popped back kup for the picture. …
No Comments » - Posted in Allie, Barq's by Julie
Monday, September 17th, 2007
Tina and Kanga
Tina’s Australian Shepherd earns his Herding Instinct Certification. Congratulations!
…
…
No Comments » - Posted in Barq's by Julie
Sunday, September 16th, 2007
First Car Show
Hugo attended his first car show today. This is a show on campus which is held by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Only about 40 cars, not too scary for a first
time. I decided to leave his service dog jacket off so that people would want to approach him. I’ve been doing this periodically to give him an opportunity to get friendly with a variety
of people. After all, he will be used for pet therapy at the hospital when he gets to be about a year old, and I wouldn’t want it to be overwhelming.
time. I decided to leave his service dog jacket off so that people would want to approach him. I’ve been doing this periodically to give him an opportunity to get friendly with a variety
of people. After all, he will be used for pet therapy at the hospital when he gets to be about a year old, and I wouldn’t want it to be overwhelming.
Hugo hadn’t ridden in my show car before, but as soon as I placed his dog bed in the back, he knew exactly what to do….lay down and relax. When we arrived, we walked around a
bit and sure enough, many people wanted to pet him…perfect ! I was parked next to a guy with a 4 year old, and the kid instantly bonded with Hugo. He followed us around, petting Hugo
along the way. He even took out his Transformer’s for Hugo to look at and asked if Hugo could come over some time…lol !
bit and sure enough, many people wanted to pet him…perfect ! I was parked next to a guy with a 4 year old, and the kid instantly bonded with Hugo. He followed us around, petting Hugo
along the way. He even took out his Transformer’s for Hugo to look at and asked if Hugo could come over some time…lol !
Very cute.
The show area was adjacent to a soccer field where about a hundred students were having a cook out, others were playing flag football, and others were playing volleyball in a sand
pit. I made sure Hugo got to see all of it, plus walk in the sand. I figured it’s a rare opportunity in MI. Again, more people wanted to pet Hugo, including several
children.
pit. I made sure Hugo got to see all of it, plus walk in the sand. I figured it’s a rare opportunity in MI. Again, more people wanted to pet Hugo, including several
children.
I noticed two guys heading my way with an 11 wk old Golden Retriever. pup and a large Great Dane, so I asked if they would mind a short play session. They agreed and we
found an area that had been fenced off for a football party the previous day. Unfortunately, the little one was too young for Hugo to really play with, and the Dane wasn’t interested, so we
went back to the show.
found an area that had been fenced off for a football party the previous day. Unfortunately, the little one was too young for Hugo to really play with, and the Dane wasn’t interested, so we
went back to the show.
I place Hugo’s dog bed in a shady area and we enjoyed the day relaxing, periodically walking around to look at cars and visit with people.
Hugo took a nice little nap and had no problems with the distractions.
When another dog walked past, he looked up, then went back to sleep.
It was such a nice day.
No Comments » - Posted in Hugo - Service Dog in the Making by Julie
Friday, September 14th, 2007
Second Day at the Big House
Hugo’s second day of school, but a bigger challenge than the first. I had a study group that lasted several hours and I decided to take him along since he had done so well yesterday.
Five students crammed into a tight cubicle, so Hugo had to fit under the table. We were the first ones to arrive, and I had to tell each of the other students to be careful not to step on
him. He was so quiet under the table, again settling right in, so I knew they wouldn’t realize he was there otherwise. Although many feet were within reach, Hugo didn’t bother
anyone. Four hours later, we returned home for lunch and then headed out to KMart for a few items. Hugo is doing well at figuring out where to stand in relation to the cart. For
some reason, KMart has floors that really shine and they have been a distraction for many of my dogs in the past. Hugo was only slightly interested in the reflections, but instantly refocused
on the task at hand. I typically make a big loop around a store, even if I’m there for only one or two items. I always hit the toy isles and push all of those annoying noise makers for
the puppy to hear. The holidays are usually the best for those types of things, so we have something to look forward to.
Five students crammed into a tight cubicle, so Hugo had to fit under the table. We were the first ones to arrive, and I had to tell each of the other students to be careful not to step on
him. He was so quiet under the table, again settling right in, so I knew they wouldn’t realize he was there otherwise. Although many feet were within reach, Hugo didn’t bother
anyone. Four hours later, we returned home for lunch and then headed out to KMart for a few items. Hugo is doing well at figuring out where to stand in relation to the cart. For
some reason, KMart has floors that really shine and they have been a distraction for many of my dogs in the past. Hugo was only slightly interested in the reflections, but instantly refocused
on the task at hand. I typically make a big loop around a store, even if I’m there for only one or two items. I always hit the toy isles and push all of those annoying noise makers for
the puppy to hear. The holidays are usually the best for those types of things, so we have something to look forward to.