Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Such a Busy Life!

Wow, folks, we're not in OHIO anymore! My life in Kansas is full of fun events!

OK, well. As you can see, I received my first Kansas bath. Imagine! There was running water and everything! Who knew? Mark and Deb were so pleased with how it went. They put this little mat where I like to take my naps in the bottom of the tub so I wouldn't slide around. The water was just right, and I got to eat kibble too! I was like ...Cleodogtra!

I got out, dried off, and Mark and Deb were so pleased with themselves. I had to take them down a peg or two...so while they were high-fiving, I, uh...relieved myself on the floor! Humble Pie!

Yesterday, I was boarded with one of Jeb's friends, Mona...she happens to be a vet. I'm a little young, but CCI gave them permission, because it was a big day. Deb was coordinating an Assistance Dog Exhibition as part of K-State For All! Disability Awareness Week. ALL of my CCI friends got to go...Donner, Cassio, Rona, Fala, Fancy, Santiago, Brie, Benita...did I miss anyone? Some of the humans were there, too, of course.

I guess it was a BUSY day. They arrived at the Student Union at 10:30 or so, and did a meet-n-greet from 11-12. Then, Santiago, Rona, Fancy and Fala got to strut their stuff on stage with a real program from 12-1. Everyone ate at Salsarita's, and then some folks went to do a radio interview and some folks did television interviews! I hang out with such famous folks! Anyway, you can read more about it:

http://www.kstatecollegian.com/news/service-dogs-provide-support-companionship-1.2207237

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3701304&l=7cc092d5e8&id=134274491590

Deb said she'll post additional items, including the interviews and such when they come out.

I can't wait for tomorrow!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Check out my work'n duds!


Superdog!!

They Must Really Love Me...Already

I mentioned that stairs are scary, right? But, I'm gonna have to get them eventually, you know...it seems the entire Sellers' place is made up of stairs! Two concrete ones into the garage; two wooden, open ones up to the front door; and a deck off of the back (which is where the restroom is) which has several, wooden, open ones! Well, I just couldn't quite get my back half to sync up with my front half all of the time. And, the Sellers kept saying how they couldn't carry me down the stairs forever--what kind of assistance dog needs assistance getting down the stairs, anyway?

So, the big guy built me a ramp. It worked ok, but I kinda half-slid when I'd get halfway down. So, the big guy attached a rug. Now, it's perfect! I can get to the restroom up and down without help! They must really love me...already!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Who Am I?


Who am I? A hint: Jeb used to do this too--to perfection! Ok, Ok, another hint: it's another breed of dog. What? You still don't get it? Think: wrinkly dog!


In addition to perfecting really important assistance dog skills like how to impersonate a Chinese Shar-Pei, I visted the vet today, just to say hello. No shots or anything! We walked on the floor, sat on the scale (BTW, I am now at 23.9 lbs!) and said hello to a client or two. From there we took a long car ride to Emporia, KS, and stopped at three or four stores. I didn't go in, but I got to practice riding in my kennel in the car, and Deb got me in and out at each stop while Mark did some shopping. One or two people happened by, which got me really excited! Deb said we have lots of control work to do--whatever that means!

Oh well, got to go--Mark said he wanted to practice my greyhound impersonation next! I'll be the talk of the kennel at turn-in time with all these advanced "skills" that I'm learning!

Friday, March 26, 2010

My Family

Thanks to a CCI friend, I have some information and pictures of my family!

Jill, a yellow lab, is my Mom.









My Dad is a black lab named Lawrence. My friend described him as "stunning"! That's a lot to live up to, isn't it?








One of my half-brothers is Mike, aka Micah. Here he is taking a jacuzzi! He is 10 months old and also an intact male for breeding.









I have other "A" brothers (3) and sisters (3). There were 7 of us in all. Way to go, Mom! They are: Alpha III, Angel V, Arch II, Amanda IV, Anna II , ME!, and Aries II.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Just woke up


Well, it's Tuesday morning and another sunny Kansas day.....finally! Got up this morning with Deb, went out, had some breakfast and then took a short nap. Me and the big guy went outside for a nice long walk. When we got back we worked on those pesky steps at the front door.....those things are scary, but I finally decided to get the better of them!

After all that, we went back inside and did some play time and then I crashed for a couple of hours. I like sleeping by the back door while the big guy works at the kitchen table.

Chow, for now.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

It's been hectic.



Here it is, Sunday morning. I just woke up from my early morning nap and thought I'd post.

It's been a busy weekend so far, the tall guy put up a fence for me yesterday, so I could run off some energy. Too bad it snowed along with some ice and gusty winds while he was working outside. I've been working on my house training (only one slip-up so far) and have playing quite a bit.

Looks like the sun is out, maybe it will warm up and melt the snow and ice. I have discovered that snow is quite the tasty treat!

Friday, March 19, 2010

I have arrived in Kansas


It's been a long day; I was crated up early this morning and off to the airport we went. Boarded the plane and we headed off for Kansas, but first I had to change planes in Atlanta.

I arrived in Kansas City early (I don't know why the humans complain about flying) and was met by my new handlers, Deb & Mark......they seem to be really nice people, only time will tell!
We ran around and they were petting me, it sure felt good to stretch my legs. After 15-20 minutes of that, we got into a car and traveled some more (I slept most of the way).

We arrived at my new home just as the weather started turning cold and it started to sleet after we got back inside. I heard Deb say that there will be snow tomorrow.

I've noticed these springy things on the wall, they jump around when I bite at them! I heard Deb call them door stops....whatever, they're fun. Time to go, I hear my nylabone calling. I had Mark take a pic of me so everyone could put a face to words, I'm pretty good look'n for a 22lb pup, huh!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Wooo Hooooo, I'm head'n to Kansas!

I heard the humans talking this afternoon, I'm heading to Kansas tomorrow morning (Friday).

I can't wait to meet my new handlers, I hope they like me. I will admit that from what I've heard it's going to be a long flight.....I hope I can "hold it" till I get there.

I have visions of acres and acres of grass to run through and new places to explore. I can't wait for tomorrow to get here. All these visions and excitement have wore me out and I'm heading off to puppy dreamland, will post again when I arrive at my new home.


Chow.......(get it, chow.......maybe I'll get placed with a comedian)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Hi there!

My name is Ansel III, but you can call me...Ansel. I'm a CCI puppy and I currently reside in Delaware, Ohio. For those that don't know, CCI stands for Canine Companions for Independence, which is a non-profit organization that breeds, trains and then places assistance dogs with those with physical and/or mental disabilities.

I was born January 1st, 2010 and am waiting to be placed with a puppy raiser. I'm pretty laid back, and am a nice yellow-coated Labrador. It's kinda lonely here in the kennel as my sister recently left and now I'm here by myself.

There have been some rumblings going on late today. I keep hearing "We've got to get the flight arranged and the paperwork completed, pronto." I've heard Council Grove, Kansas mentioned too. All of us puppies know that the infamous CCI facility dog, Jeb, did much of his best work in that part of the world. I've always considered him as a canine to emulate...a type of mentor, if you will...anyway, not sure what all this means, but it sure has the humans going crazy!!

That's enough for today; I'm pretty tired from watching all of the bigger dogs go thru some rigorous training. Maybe I'll get my hands on a camera soon and post a self portrait......after all, I do have a pretty famous first name!