Facility Dogs ARE Cool!

Good thing I caught up on my reading about facility dogs the other day at K-State. On Saturday, SWMBO (She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed) took me over to the Council Grove Health Care Center for the first time. This is where Jeb did much of his work...and was well-loved, as became obvious when we stopped and talked to folks. I heard again and again about what a great dog Jeb was, how special he was, and what a difference he made in people's lives. It was inspiring! I loved meeting these FOJs (Friends-of-Jeb), although I became a little distracted by the birds. Meeting Pretty Boy was a hoot (get it? A hoot? I still slay myself!)


Me and Pretty Boy


Little Birdy...Why Do You Fly Upside Down?


Staff FOJ...She Loved Jeb So Much!


Resident FOJ...What It Is All About!

Ready for Football

It's Deb's birthday today and we just had dinner and watched her open up gifts and cards.

I've been listening to her and TBG talk about the upcoming Gator football season and lo & behold....I get a present too. Kodiak's humans (one of Jeb's buds) sent me some game day gear.

All I can say is Tim Tebow who?

Went to town

We went into town and did some walking/training. TBG says I don't get enough distraction work. Well, there were lots of cars, people and joggers and I think I did pretty good with my work.

Deb was explaining some of Council Grove's history.




We worked on up and jump on top of this wobbly bench. It was scary at first, but I got the hang of it.





They promised me some coffee and donuts, but when we got there it was closed. You can tell I'm giving Deb a piece of my mind in this pic!

Owlet Alert!

Long-time friends will remember that the humans here invite owls to take up residence in their barn.

SWMBO has had some inquiries about the status of the owls this year. They're back and we're watching three young ones in the nest. Mom now leaves them alone during the day. TBG had a bright idea, so he stood on a ladder, reached his hand over his head, snapped these two photos, and then scooted off the ladder lickety-split! Serves him right...those young owlets started hissing at him, and the hair on the back of his neck stood straight up...(yes, owls hiss!)...good thing he wasn't looking at them at the same time too, or he might have fainted!

Say hello to my little friends!

Went to town with TBG today

TBG did some damage to his back working in the garage yesterday, so he called up his favorite doctor and made an appointment.

Much to my surprise, he starts out the door and says "lets go" to ME!! Woooo hoooooo, a car ride.

We arrive at the office in Council Grove, I don my working gear and we head in. I got to check out the reception area while TBG was signing in and then the Doc came in and took us into a smaller room. TBG was whining about back pain and such (he's such a baby). I kinda looked up and thought "just shut up and get on the table".

He laid on the table and Dr.Jeremy worked his magic. When he was finished it was if he exchanged humans. TBG was no longer whining! I had him take a pic of me in front of the table. I tried to get my own "adjustment" but TBG was having none of that.




We said our goodbyes and headed to the grocery for a quick in & out for just a few items.

I got to meet a very nice lady that knew about "my type" of dogs. I was very relaxed and gave her a firm handshake. TBG has reminded on more than one occasion that when you shake someones hand, make it a firm handshake. I think it's some strange "man" thing! I practiced a couple more "ups" and we headed home.

Funny how such a short road trip can bring on a nap.

Caught Up On My Reading

I spent Friday with SWMBO at K-State and had an opportunity to catch up on my reading again!





Facility dogs are cool!

Thanks for Being My Friends

Friendship IXX by Khalil Gibran

And a youth said, "Speak to us of Friendship."

Your friend is your needs answered.

He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.

And he is your board and your fireside.

For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;

For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend, you grieve not;

For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.

And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.

For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.

If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.

For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?

Seek him always with hours to live.

For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.

And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

RAJ


CHLOE


PUTNAM


SUPER CUTE PUTT-PUTT!

Went to the Grocery

The cupboards were bare so the humans decided to take me with them to the grocery store last night.

I got to meet a number of people and some little kids too! Did I mention I like the kids? I got to work on my non excitable greetings and my desire to lick. I think I did pretty good, but I soooo wanted to just run around. I had lots-O-energy and needed to burn it off. Deb could tell, so she worked me a lot as the big guy was pushing this giant cart.

As we were leaving Deb decided to work on "up". I think I've got this one!



After we got home we all went out back and I got to burn off that energy with some full bore runs! It felt good to stretch the ole legs.

The heat was on today!

We had a whale of a storm blow through last night. Knocked the power out around 8pm and they finally got it fixed around 4pm today. Those power workers get 4 paws for their outstanding job in this summer heat.

TBG and Deb decided to take advantage of the power outage by taking me into town to work on my distraction problem. We packed up the blue bomb and headed into Council Grove.

Our first stop was at Katy Depot. The shop owner was gracious enough to let me come in and check out the cool stuff he had. There were all kinds of antiques and memorabilia. I came across Santa AND Mighty Mouse!





TBG saw an opportunity to practice "up", so we worked on that!




While I was up on the counter I noticed a sign on the wall. Thankfully, the owner said it was OK for me to sniff around....but only sniff!



We thanked the owner and headed on. We went into shop after shop and if I do say so myself, I was rock'n the commands today.

We stopped in at the Chamber of Commerce. Who would have known that Council Grove has so many historical places and sights to see?



We stopped in at Saturday Morning Boutique where the owner was very nice. Lots of neat items there, but I was careful walking around. TBG (Mark) said if I break it, I buy it! I think he had some heat related brain fade and forgot to take any pics, what a doofus.

We continued walking around town and wandered up to the Cottage House Hotel. What a great place that was. Lots of history there and it had a giant front porch to get out of the sun.



We went inside and met the owners and enjoyed some cool A/C. I found out that they are pet friendly and have a room just for those traveling with their pets! I give this hotel my 4 paw rating!!




After all that action Deb decided that I'd had enough work for one day, so we packed back into my ride and headed home. We arrived at the house, took care of "business" and I went inside and tried to hog the fan. I was like, hey....I got a fur coat on in the middle of the summer, back off dude!



After I cooled down a bit, Deb and I took a siesta by the fan. It was a nice long (deserved) nap and I felt much better afterwards. Thankfully the power came back on and it's cool once again.




My final picture is for my buddy Brie's owner, notice what's in the background???

Congrats to Me!

I passed the AKC S.T.A.R Puppy test! In addition to my certificate, I received this awesome medal!

Do you think the medal makes my butt look big?



I think I have a gourdhead in this picture...hey, this could be my impersonation of JT! (Love ya, man!)

Don't Care How...I Want it Now!

The humans took me to this magical place called Roy's Apple Market. There weren't any golden geeses there, but there were lots of interesting smells and people to see! However, the humans and I got into a bit of a tussle. It went like this:

Ansel: Hey TBG, I want my dinner.

SWMBO: Here we go again!

TBG: All right, Ansel-Dansel, all right, TBG will get you your dinner as soon as we get home.

Ansel: No, I want one of those...
And if I don't get the things that I'm after, I'm going to bark!

SWMBO: Ansel, you can't buy cigarettes!



Ansel: I want the works, I want the whole works...
SWMBO: Ansel, chocolate is dangerous for dogs!



Ansel: And now, don't care how, I want it now!
SWMBO: Really, Ansel, this behavior is quite inappropriate for a Puppy-in-Training!



Of course, I WASN'T AT ALL INAPPROPRIATE, but quite close to perfect during my first trip to the grocery. Just havin' a bit o' fun with ya!

And, if you didn't "get" this post, it is time to watch Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (NO! Not the one with Johnny Depp--Geez! Gene Wilder is the only Willy Wonka that counts!) If you don't have time to watch the whole movie again, well, thank goodness for YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU7nG3KvZDA

A Tribute to Bruno and All of Our Departed Friends

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.



When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

(Author unknown)

Went swimming again today

After the "Generals" finished with their yard/house work, they decided that since it was so hot, we'd go to the lake to cool off. No boat this time, just the 3 of us and a few floating toys.

I've really come into my own with the swimming thing. It's fun, it's cool and I'm outside. What could be better than that?



and just to show that I can "hurry" on command....anytime....any place....anywhere......I think I set a world record for length of time too!

New training equipment

TBG was watching the training DVD again and decided to build me a couple of training tables last night. These will be great for working on jump, off, under and up. The tables will also make it easier for them to give me my beauty treatments.

I think I might ask to have my kennel remodeled!

Mr. Ansel Goes to Topeka

Today was like a movie...and I was the star!

SWMBO had a meeting in Topeka today, for work. One of her colleagues there has been interested and supportive of the whole puppy-raising thing, and, very kindly, went to the extra effort of getting permission for me to come today! Isn't that cool?

We arrived a little early for the meeting, and SWMBO and I were taking a stroll around so that I could do my business. To our delight, we happened upon the downtown Farmers' Market! There were so many people, smells, booths, tents, and things to see...toddlers, business people, and teenagers; people using electric wheelchairs, baby carriages, and grocery carts; buses, trucks, and bikes; squirrels running in the park; talking crosswalks; I could go on!

Here I am at one of the booths where I met some really nice people.



So many people were interested in me, that SWMBO and I were almost late for the meeting even though we arrived 30 minutes early!

We entered the Curtis State Office Building and boy, is that impressive!



I had to navigate this beautiful floor (no problem!) and an elevator with other people on it (that NEVER happens at K-State!).

I did ok in the meeting, but whined a bit on and off...SWMBO couldn't figure out why, especially after she took me out to do my business and I didn't. It wasn't until after the meeting that one of the attendees told SWMBO that she was petting me with her toes under the table, and it seemed like I started to whine when she stopped...well, wouldn't you? She was a VERY nice person, and I liked playing footsie with her!



After the meeting, we walked over to the car, and SWMBO took this picture with the dome behind me...the country dog visits the big city!

Another comparison

Here I am at 11 weeks



and again at 4 1/2 months



and today at 7 months, 52 pounds



I think I'm looking more like a dog instead of a pup, doncha think?

Went hiking this morning

Went out for a 3 mile walk this morning. It started out cool, but got hot pretty quick! We worked on some commands too. I will admit that on the way back I protested a little. I mean come on, it's freak'n hot out there and I couldn't even see the house.

I came up with a little tune to pass the time, it went like this:

*Sung to the great tune of the late John Denver*

"Take me home, Country roads
To cool air and my bone
Morris County, Central Kansas
Take me home, Country roads"



I know you'll be singing it on your next walk!


Did I mention it was HOT?