Thought we'd try out the latest puppy raising tip!

Today it was HOT, something around the temp of the Sun HOT, so we thought we'd try out the latest tip to come down the pike. We filled Ansel's pool up and practiced sits, downs, stands and walking through. It was too small to work the side and heel commands, looks like that'll wait for the lake.

I think he rather enjoyed it and when we "released" him, he plopped down and just laid there!!

My First Day

Well, it happened...it really happened! SWMBO said that I did so well at puppy class, that it was time to start acclimating me to the work place. So, we loaded up this morning and went to campus! SWMBO said I did really, really, really, really well. I met lots of folks--most of them were friends of Jeb--so they understood service dog protocol and let SWMBO explain proper protocol and such. I'm still working on my licking (I should say everyone else is working on it as they did good about removing themselves when I'd go to lick a hand or finger). I didn't even have many excitable greetings!


It WAS a little sad leaving TBG this morning, though. Goodbye Yoda!


At least I had a place to take a nap.


But, I got bored after a while and had to find something to do.

Puppy Class Round 2

Well, here I am, back at puppy class! The new class started up tonight in Manhattan. Met some new friends; there were 5 Bichon Frise that were all litter mates, and boy were they cute! There was also a Shih Tzu, Jack Russel and a (female, wawawah) Golden Retriever.

I had lots of distractions with all of those younger pups around so Deb practiced my commands quite a bit. I think I did pretty good most of the time, except when the Golden was trying to get my attention. Did I mention she was a cutie?

Here's a pic of me and the Bichons.




One was fascinated with my tail!




SWMBO (Deb) handed out my business cards to all of the Bichons, so they could see these pics if they wanted. Boy, that is kinda embarrassing, ya' know? But anyway, the web site for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is http://www.CCI.org. Learn more about me, if ya wanna!

Run-Shunga And All That

Woke up and headed into town for Run-Shunga! That's a 1.5 mile walk that TBG (The Big Guy) and SWMBO (She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed) signed up for as part of WaShunga Days in Council Grove. We arrived in time for the flag-raising ceremony, and I was able to listen to the band, complete with tuba! I met the cutest little guy there--a toddler--and he was all over me! I did ok, though. TBG and SWMBO saw lots of friends there, and I even was able to say hello to one of my all-time favorite humans, Mona--my vet!

Did I mention it was hot, even at 8am?

I managed the entire 1.5 miles. The only thing that tripped me up--no, it wasn't the runners, or the baby carriages, or the other dogs--but a rubber mat that was covering up some electrical cords. It had holes in it and it kind of looked like a grate. I don't know why it scared me at first. Anyway, SWMBO and TBG wouldn't let me just jump over it, which is what I wanted to do. They made me go over it and over it and over it until I realized it wasn't a big deal! We conquered that, but it did mean we lost the rest of the pack and brought up the rear!

After the walk, we rested a bit and then walked up and down Main Street with all of the food stands, supersoaker dunk tanks, etc. We were supposed to leave before the parade started, but we got caught. The humans didn't think I should be at a parade, so they turned the air conditioner on inside the car and I got to rest in my crate while they waited out the parade. I was glad too, because I was TIRED.

You'd think that would be enough for one day, but we went back into town in the afternoon for the Duck Race. We didn't know it had been canceled because the river level was too high due to all of the recent rain. So, we just walked around some more and SWMBO bought a nice cool lemonade and I got an ice cube or two.

We met so many people and the humans were talking non-stop about CCI and handing out my cards. I hope some of the new friends that I met are reading this! Howdy!

Last time I open my Yapper

Well, I came to a realization tonight. That would be to keep my mouth shut if I get excited about something!
If you read my post earlier today, I was pretty excited about receiving my "real" cape, that show of exuberance came back to bite me in the rear. TBG (The Big Guy) and Deb decided that it was a GREAT idea to take me with them into town to pick up the registration packets for tomorrows big walk.

What an evening that turned out to be! We started off at the Dairy Queen where we sat at the outdoor tables and watched the traffic pass by. I was pretty good, but noticed it was rather warm out. We then headed downtown past the river walk and to the stores. We met up with Matt and Sarah, who were having a dinner date on Main Street.
We then started out and met TBG's Chiropractor and his girlfriend. After that, it became a blur of kids, teens, strollers, dogs and adults. I've never seen so many people. There were oh so many wonderful smells of waffle cones. elephant ears, corn on the cob and corn dogs..............sorry, I had to wipe the drool off my mouth.

We finally made it to the registration area and picked up our paperwork. Headed back to the car (which I was glad to see) and TBG fired up the AC for me. I think I'll turn in early, it appears I'm gonna have a long and fun filled day tomorrow.

We met so many people I didn't have time to take any pictures, so I had Mark take one of me as we walked back to the car. You'll notice the tongue hanging out, did I mention it was HOT?

The new cape is here, the new cape is here!!

Look what the postman just brought!

My new cape came today, just in time too. TBG, Deb and yours truly are doing the Washunga Days walk for charity tomorrow morning in Council Grove! I'll be a "hot" dog sport'n my new duds. We're going tonight to pick up the registration packet and check in, then tomorrow we have to be at the start by 8am.

Should be a lot of fun, Deb says there will be a gaggle of people there. Anywho, here is a pic of my new duds......John Travolta's got noth'n on these threads :^)

Hey, TBG: My Wireless is Down Again!

Sometimes the wireless is just down...you know what I mean? No? Well, I didn't either, at first, until I realized this was code between TBG and SWMBO for "Ansel's brain is stuck again." NOT that this happens very often, you understand...

The reason I bring this up is because we went to a CCI Chapter Meeting last night, and my wireless was certainly NOT down! I did pretty well, considering it is a two-hour drive and then a lot of "down" time. We had a neat training exercise where we all took turns being in a down when one of us walked around everyone and tried to distract them. I also got to be the 'walking dog." That was harder!





















I did get to see and play with all of my buds: Cassio, Chloe, and Raj...well, Raj didn't exactly want to play too much! That's OK; if you don't want to run with the big dogs, stay on the porch! (That's code for "Raj is just a little puppy and a lot younger than the rest of us so he was probably smart to stay apart.").


That's me and Cassio sitting together, nicely, and me and Cassio and Chloe playing together (I think CHLOE'S wireless is down in this photo!)

Track Day at Heartland Park Topeka

So I wake up this morning and TBG is all excited, today is a track day and the best part.........I get to go!!!!

Deb and I loaded up and headed to the track. We arrived and immediately headed for some grass (if you know what I mean). TBG was at the drivers meeting so we went into the trailer to wait. All of a sudden there was lightning and thunder and the skies opened up. It was raining cats and squirrels, I've never seen so much rain and it was coming down hard! It let up for a couple of minutes and TBG comes flying around the corner and into the trailer. He slipped on the wet ramp and almost busted his butt. It was pretty funny and I laughed pretty hard!

We stayed in the trailer for a long time, gave me some practice time for my down stays. Actually, I was relieved that I didn't have to walk around. Deb took me out for a long walk this morning and I was still kinda tired.

After the rain let up, a couple of TBG's friends came to the trailer and I got to meet them. Real nice guys and Skip was there with his cool new Parnelli Jones edition Mustang!!

Here are a few pics of the rain.

TBG had me check'n for leaks (instead of taking one)



That's just a sprinkle.......get that car on the track Geezer!




TBG looks real happy doesn't he!





I hope I get to go next time, I really want to show the old man the fast way around the track!

Went to work today

Well, it was actually where TBG does some of his work.

We loaded up this morning in the blue bomb and headed to Manhattan. Got to the lumber yard (the owner was gracious to allow me inside) and checked out the piles of lumber, cement bags and tools. Met a bunch of people (downstairs and upstairs). I sat in on a meeting that TBG had with the big wigs and laid there quietly until I couldn't "hold it" any longer. I gave TBG the signal and we headed out for some blessed relief!

We then loaded back up and headed to St.Marys where they have their wood shop. Now THAT's a cool place! I got to check out a CNC machine, an edgebander, case clamps and various tools. I got to show off my "stay" abilities while TBG went down to get my lunch. Had a great time at the shop and as we were leaving, I walked by a huge dust collector on my way to relieve myself. I don't know why they make such a big deal about me being around equipment....it's nuth'n but a thang (some redneck lingo TBG's been teach'n me).


Sorry that I couldn't get any pictures, I had to really concentrate while I was around those machines. Too bad, TBG made me wear eye protection and a hard hat...something about OSHA regulations.....whatever, I looked like a dork.



Since everyone likes pics with these posts, here's one from Sunday where me and TBG conquered the last set of stairs....down to the basement. It was scary at first, but I used my experience at puppy class to help me past it. I've finally surpassed Jeb (I heard he didn't like the basement).

Went for a hike today

The humans were going skiing today, so they decided to give me some exercise before they went. We headed out from the house and down the drive.



Here's a shot after we turned onto the "main" road.



Here are a couple pics of my spread....well, not mine actually, but there aren't any neighbors!





This is where we turned around, Deb and Jeb used to walk to this same tree.....before the power people cut it down.



A couple of me and TBG walking back, jeez he has some chicken legs!








I thought this was a cool flower.



Finally, TBG let me have the camera so I could take a few pics!

My view of the terrain



Here's a pic of TBG, what a goof!



and the best for last.........self portrait. Look deep into my eyes!





All told, we walked about 3 miles. I was pretty tired and actually thankful they put me in my kennel when they went to the lake. Nothing like a little R&R on a Saturday afternoon.

The Flying Puppy!

Have you ever seen a puppy fly? No? OK, well, how about fly...down a slide? Check me out!

I thought this was outrageously fun. I couldn't wait to slide down, run up the stairs, slide down....the other folks at the park thought I was hilarious too!