Lassiter: On Location

Lassiter here,

Thanks to my buddy Ansel, I now know there is a spell-check option! The following is my report for Wednesday, July 20th, 2011.

We were up at the crack of that big yellow/orange thing in the sky. Had breakfast, went out and took care of business, then took a short rest while Deb and TBG (now I know why Ansel refers to Mark that way...he's a little chunky). After they finished eating, we geared up and went for a looooong walk. I got to meet more of Ansel's friends. The cows were already milling around near the fence, then we came upon these two GIANT animals. Ansel said they were called horses; I just called them Gigantors!

Here's a couple shots of us checking out the big guys (hey...kinda like TBG).

Say, Chief...can I go for a ride?





















Seriously, can I??




















After meeting the horses, we headed back and spent the day working on being quiet and staying in my "downs". I think I'm getting better about not springing to action quite so quickly!


After dinner tonight, Ansel and I were run through our commands and TBG said something about working on "lap". It took a little while to catch on, but once he broke out those high-value cheese sticks, I was all over that command!




































Then we worked on "jump" and "off". I think I did pretty good with those!













































Enough for today, see you next time!

Great pictures of the swim date with Hosta and Spark

Just thought I'd add some pictures from last week's swim day with KSDS pups Hosta and Spark. Hosta's puppy raiser Lisa took some really great shots!


Here was Hosta doing his impression of a frog.




This one is just mystifying, Spark is hovering in mid air!




Here's Ansel's impression of Gene Simmons.






and finally, the BEST picture of Ansel...looks remarkably like Jeb.

Trip to the Grocery

I decided to take my new bud Lassiter to check out some small town grocery action tonight. We loaded into the blue bomb and zipped into town (OK, TBG did the driving). Once there we donned our work'n duds and went into the air conditioning. Got to introduce Lassiter to my peeps and everyone enjoyed meeting him. They kept going on and on about how calm we were and how we just sat there getting some good rub'n!

Lassiter got some close and personal "cart" time and boy was I happy about that. I'm not a fan of walking behind those things...they block the view!

When we finished, the checker was short handed, so I grabbed Lassiter and tried to show him how to bag the groceries. Who knew that he didn't know NOT to put the heavy items on top of the bread?? ROOKIE!





Afterwards, we loaded back up into my ride and headed home. With the bags of groceries in the car, it left little room for two pups. We did our best and found a way to get situated. The humans were pretty impressed!




Finally, I showed Lassiter how to take self portraits. Not bad for his first try!



Time for a little play time and then some well deserved nap time.

My first post

Here are a few things I've lerned so far at TBG's camp.

1. Cows smell.

2. Dogs CAN walk on gravel rowds.

3. Not everyone cuts there grass.

4. Country life is NOT laid back!

Here's me and Ansel on the "Gauntlet"

Sorry for any missed spelling, just lerning how to tipe.

VPRs Do More Before 8am...

...then most people do all day!

Has it ever been busy! Yesterday we loaded up and headed to KC. We stopped to see one of TBG's friends and then went on to see the "big dogs"...that is, Suzanne, the Puppy Program Manager and one of the other trainers were in town and led a puppy workshop. All my buds were there, including some new folks that I didn't know. I will say this...humans sure can talk!

Afterward, we all went to Putnam's pad and had a huge rumpus and celebrated the three of us getting turned in next month--me, and Raj and Chloe.

Here's the human cake--thanks Charon!


TBG and SWMBO kept a pretty close eye on me as I was the only, uh, intact pup. But, I was on my BEST behavior and just romped and played like a regular guy (well, except for the fact that I had to stop every so often to mark my territory...).

Now THIS is how puppy play time should be!


Then came SURPRISE #2! Remember that? Well, get this--Lassiter, my dear friend and fellow pup-in-training--came home with us! His VPR had a personal situation come up so he is staying with us indefinitely. Now, the ride home was a bit of a challenge, but thanks to Hosta, I learned that dogs can actually ride in the floorboard.

Hosta trained me well!


It's been a hoot having Lassiter around. The humans took us out for a 2.5 mile walk this morning with lots of training. We even introduced Lassiter to the cattle in the pasture and the coyotes calling.

Here we are after the walk.


Then we had puppy play time--all before 8am!

After puppy play time.


Can't wait to see what we'll get done before lunch!

One Surprise Completed...One to Go!

Yesterday was Surprise #1...and it was a blast! KSDS pups-in-training Hosta (http://ksdspuppy.blogspot.com/) and Spark (http://intrainingtohelp.blogspot.com/) came to my neck of the woods and we spent the day together. Hosta isn't really a pup--he's older than me! But Spark is just four months old and fearless AND tireless!

We did the in-town thing (statues, the old post office, jail, and depot) along with the stores on Main Street. Folks were friendly, as they always are, and cars stopped for us when we crossed the street. This kind of mystified and surprised the city folk!

After that we went to the house for some lunch and relaxation...only there wasn't much relaxation to be had! Next, we headed to the lake and did some dock diving and then went for a boat ride. We took turns jumping off the platform. I was going to show these guys "how it's done" but they both outshined me...especially Spark! No "introduction-to-the-water" for him. He just followed the big dogs and jumped right in and swam and swam and SWAM! We watched SWMBO ski, just to give the guys the full experience of being out in the water. Hosta didn't care, but Spark insisted he was next! He was quite hilarious--and amazing! He was like the energizer bunny and just didn't want to stop. SWMBO predicted he'd sleep for 24 hours!

OK, OK...geez! (SWMBO insists that I put this part in). Let's just say I wasn't on my best behavior...my "maleness" took hold and I had to be in time out on and off throughout the play time. Geez! What is this...true confessions?

Anyway, here are some pics. And don't forget...Surprise #2 happens today!

The reason we are Puppy Raisers

The question was asked, so I thought I'd post up the answer for those that do not know. For those that knew Jeb, sorry if it brings tears.


Deb and I were lucky to have received Jeb, a CCI facility dog back in 2000. Deb worked with him everyday at various locations; nursing homes, home visits, schools, etc...in Kansas, Oregon and even Florida. Jebster was a well traveled lad! The things he could get people to do, the smiles he brought, the things we learned from him will never be forgotten. He was always happy and always willing to work and meet people. Sure he had his "special" friends...you know, the kind that would spoil him and just let him be a dog; Uncle Bob, Paula, Candace and CP all were great friends of Jeb (sorry I can't name each and every one). There are more stories of Jeb and his impact on everyone than I could ever type at one sitting, so I'll leave it at that.

After Jeb died in December 2008, Deb and I decided that there could never be another Jeb. We gave away all of our dog "stuff" and decided to not have any more pets. Jeb was the 3rd dog we had had and lost in 11 years and to be honest, just didn't want to go through any more loss.

Deb went back to North Central for the February graduation in 2010 (her 10 yr anniversary of team training with Jeb) to hopefully put a bookend on that part of our lives. It was a sad event and happy at the same time. As she was leaving, Suzanne stopped and talked to her, asking what our plans were. Since Deb no longer was a practicing therapist, a service dog would no longer work out. Suzanne asked "why not be a puppy raiser"?

She came back to Kansas and laid that option out for me (one that we had NEVER thought of). With a lot of thought, we decided that raising a puppy for CCI would be the BEST way of keeping the memory of Jeb alive. Not much time went by after that until we picked up Mr. Ansel at the Kansas City airport. Thus, the new chapter with CCI began.

Here are a few pictures of the Jeb Master, the first one epitomizes his personality.














Jeb was a special dog, but what we've come to realize is that all these dogs are special. We were just fortunate to be with one for 8 great years.

Dear 'Anonymous'...

Do you know how much we love you and miss you?

Slippery floor training

I wasn't able to attend obedience class tonight due to work constraints of the humans, so TBG and I did some home training instead. After going through all of my commands, he decided that we could have some play time...mentioned something about me never being afraid of slippery surfaces or some nonsense. Anyway, he grabbed one of my favorite balls (thanks Aunt De) and we proceeded to get each other fully winded!

I'm pretty sure I never read anything about this in the Manual, being an "approved" puppy play time item, but TBG said he'd take the heat. It sure was FUN though!!

Party on Garth!

Save the Date! September 24!

SWMBO is helping to coordinate a Human-Animal Bond Conference at K-State (live and webcast and FREE!) and she asked me to help publicize it to all my buds! It's called Natural Disasters…. What about the Animals? and they have speakers from Louisiana State University, Washington, DC, and also K-State folks. They'll be talking about lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina and the Greensburg tornado, and you can learn how to be prepared for a natural disaster as it relates to your own animals.

So please go to this link to read more about it:
http://www.vet.ksu.edu/CE/2011/human_animal_bond.htm

OK, so NOT a natural disaster exactly, but you get the idea!

Sunday is a Day of Rest

After two straight days of nonstop swimming and little kid interaction, Ansel and Deb decided to take the day off and recharge (a busy week is ahead; surprise #1 happens Friday!). As they were napping, I happened to notice the, uh...particular position of Ansel's paws. Let's just say Deb awoke to the smell of puppy feet! Anyone interested in a report, please contact her...just don't tell her I posted this!

Practicing for next Friday's surprise

We went out to the lake this afternoon so I could get some good exercise. Instead of putting the boat in, we just went to one of the empty ramps that had a dock and played there.

Let me tell you, jumping off the dock after the tennis balls is a major rush!! It's also very tiring! We were out there for an hour and a half. Time sure flys when chasing those little yellow critters.

Needless to say, I'm pretty tired and think I'll kick back for the rest of the evening. Here are a couple pictures and a video of the fun times.

Pay close attention Hosta and Spark...this is how you jump off docks!







This was me after an hour of swimming.

Just a tad bit of size difference!

That dang dog...I told him NO POSTING until he practiced all 30 of his commands. He must have snuck onto the laptop without me looking!

Anyway...

As we were going through our pictures of Ansel (to give to CCI for turn in) we came across these 2 shots. The first is when we got him in March of 2010 and one just a few weeks ago. He's grown, just a little bit!

I Love Surprises; Don't You?

A great surprise is...just wonderful, don't you think? You get all silly when you think about it. A strange, small smile finds its way to your face and you don't even realize it. You are just bursting to tell everyone, but then it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?

I HAVE TWO!

Yep, two fantastic surprises that I can't wait to tell you (but I will). However, I am not really cruel. So, I have posted two items that have something to do with my surprises. See if you can figure them out!

SURPRISE 1
http://ksdspuppy.blogspot.com/

SURPRISE 2

Time With My Peeps!

It's 4th of July Weekend, and I appreciate that most folks are busy with cookouts and fireworks. As a pup-in-training, my focus was a little different.

I went to the nursing home and spent time with my peeps! Here are some photos of me with a FOJ (Friend-of-Jeb) who has taken me under her wing and loves to have me practice my "laps". I am happy to oblige!





I love spending time with my peeps!

Went to the movies

TBG, Deb and I went to the movies today, we saw Cars 2. As you can tell by the picture, I was MOST excited.





NOT!!


What a lousy movie that was! I can't even type some of the remarks TBG said about it. Suffice it to say, I give Cars 2...4 paws DOWN. I will admit that the graphics and animation was superb, but the story itself almost overcame the Pepcid, if you know what I mean.

Hope everyone enjoys the holiday weekend. Me, I'll be watching the explosive festivities from the comfort (and quiet) of my front porch. Living on top of the hills has its advantages!

I think Ansel misses his Mom

Went to obedience class last night

Me and "scratchy" went to Emporia last night for his weekly class. It's always a good time since it's outside, in the park with lots of dogs and kids playing. There are plenty of picnic tables which gives us a good place to work on back, jump, up and under. The playground area has a nice see-saw and a climbing platform.

The obedience classes are put on by the Humane Society of the Flint Hills. You can find out all about them here: http://www.humanesocietyflinthills.org

Fun day at the lake!

TBG here,

Ansel is completely wiped out (meaning very...very tired) and cannot post about his adventure at the lake today. I'll try to describe it as well as Ansel would.

We started the day at 8:30am with Deb and I skiing and Ansel watching. It's so funny how he will follow us as we ski back and forth across the wake! Once we had finished our runs, we anchored close to shore and let Ansel get his fun time.







Here's a video of Ansel patiently waiting for his turn.




We also had some friends come out and had a lot of fun teaching them to ski. The youngest to ski today was 7 years old! No pictures of the little ones skiing, but here's one of them tubing.

We won, we won!!!!

Deb was reading the local paper yesterday and saw that we (Kansas City Chapter of CCI) won first place in our group for the Washunga Days Parade!! I knew we would kick some tail. All of us pups performed really well during the parade even with all the noise and distractions. There will be $100 heading to the Chapter for our efforts!

Here are a few videos TBG took during the parade. The first one gives you an idea on the noise level.