A GIFT FOR MOM

Look what Dad and I got for Mom -  do you know what it is?  It's a crying hankie stamped with my CCI Matriculation date on it, so that mom will always remember me and this important date.  Dad and I have been talking about how upset mom has been about my leaving for college and how she's going to be crying when I leave home.  So we bought her one to use during the ceremony.  Pretty cool - huh.  Here is a picture of it.

Just wanted to share it with everyone.  Until next time -  remember your commands, and "don't lick".

COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS !!

Last Saturday mom and dad took me into the vet for my BIG final checkup, (the one from nose to tail).  All the girls at the vet's office gave me big hugs and said they were going to miss seeing me each month.  The first thing was my weigh in, I have lost 2 1/2 lbs this month, ( I am down to 75.3 lbs. - the diet is working !!).  I have never had so many places checked, prodded, poked, looked at, rubbed over and lights shined on before in my whole life.  But the vet said my teeth looked good, my ears, heart, eyes, lungs, EVERYTHING was very good.  He said that I was one of his best patients he every had and he was going to miss me.  He signed off on all the papers for mom and dad and wished me good luck on my next journey.  The girls all gave me more hugs out in the office and told me I was such a "sweetie".  This Saturday will be my last puppy class before we leave for Oceanside, California next week.  Every couple of days, mom keeps telling me to remember the 4 most important rules:
1.)  Always remember my commands - they are so important for the rest of my life
2.)  Always remember my manners - people don't like ill mannered doggies
3.)  Always remember I have a very important mission ahead as a CCI dog for someone special - I was born for this important mission
4.)  Always remember that she will always love me no matter what, and she will always be my mom - she always gets teary eyed and starts to cry when she tells me this rule, and it makes me a little sad to see her start to cry.

Well - only 13 more days till we hit the road and start out for California.  I will try to post some photos of our trip and let you know what the college looks like before mom and dad have to say their goodbyes at the dorm rooms.  I know mom's gonna' have a rough time, but I'll sneak in a couple of good licks to cheer her up, and then she'll say what she always says  "don't lick !!"...  and dad will laugh.

Until next post, don't lick and keep your tails wagging high and proudly.

TURN IN PACKET

Look what mom got in the mail !!  A packet from CCI !  And it had all my paperwork for turn in for my professional advanced training in February.  It's official !  I have been accepted into CCI college.  Mom has alot of papers to fill out, I have to get a complete check up from the vet and all my original vet files, and lots of other forms that mom has to have filled out and back to CCI not later than February 8th.  Boy is she going to be busy getting me ready. 

I went to the vet on December 27th, for my annual shots, annual checkup, and monthly weigh in.  I now weigh 77.8 lbs.  The vet said that for a "pet", I was a good weight, but for a service dog I need to lose a few pounds before turn in date.  So he told mom to cut my food portions by 1/4th.  Can you imagine THAT !!  1/4 LESS FOOD !!   Boy am I ever hungry, ALL THE TIME.  I went from 4 cups of food to 3 cups of food per day.  Did I mention that I am HUNGRY !!  But I must admit I am already starting to look very slim already.  Those boy dogs at college will be wolf whistling at me when I walk by, (what ever that means - that what mom says).  By the way - did I tell you that I am always HUNGRY !!  Mom told dad that if they cut their food by 1/4 they would be hungry all the time also.   Boy, the things a dog has to do for the betterment of mankind.

Well, our household is now counting down the days.  We are driving to California and mom sometimes gets a little teary eyed about the upcoming turn in.  I just look her in the eyes for a few moments and then when she least suspects it - I give her a quick lick.  I know I'm not supposed to lick, but I can't help myself.

Until next post, wag those tails, watch where you step, and don't lick! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS - 2011

I just want to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.  And remind you to keep those tails wagging, (and don't lick - that's what mom always says to me !).   Anyways until next post, hope your holidays are merry and bright. 

SNOW DAY !!

 On Saturday, (Nov 19th), WE GOT SNOW !!.  Oh how I have missed this stuff.  It seems like forever since I've been able to roll in this glorious stuff.  I LOVE SNOW.  I love to run in the snow.  I love to make tunnels in the snow.  I love to chase my ball in the snow.  I just love, love, love the snow!!!

Even though we only got a little bit, it still felt good when dad opened up the back door and let me run loose in the back yard.  Then after I rolled around in this glorious stuff for a while, he threw my yellow ball and told me to go find the ball, I thought "YES".

One time, dad threw the ball and I had to do some real good digging to find it - but I didn't come up empty handed.  I always return with the ball!!

Mom and dad always get a good laugh and my white beard whenever I am done playing outside.  One of the best things about playing outside is the good rub down with the warm towel.  Oh, it just feels so good on my body to get rubbed all over with the towel, and mom gets between my toes real good to make sure I don't have any ice hidden away in my foot pads.  Then I get a little dog biscuit for being a good girl.  Snow Days are always the best.  Hope you've been enjoying your snow days as much as I have mine.  Until next post, keep wagging those tails high in the air.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

THE LETTER CAME !!

Mom and dad got my matriculation letter !!  I go back to CCI in California for my advanced training, (aka - puppy college), on Friday, February 17th.  Mom had a few tears, dad gave her a hug and said it would be OK.  Mom had a long heart to heart talk with me and told me that I only have 5 1/2 months to get my act "together" and that we have to start acting like we know what we're doing, or I'm going to flunk out of college real fast.  She reminded me that I need a college education to make it in the real world.  My trainer reminder her that there were other options for me, (like; search and rescue / companion training / hearing training / facility training / drug sniffing).  The trainer said there's nothing wrong with being a "change of career" dog.  But mom said not to listen to them.  I need to do my best and graduate as a CCI service dog.  So - I guess I need to buckle down and try a little harder.  No more lease pulling, no more picking up objects when we go for walks, less distractions and more focus.  Boy it's gonna' be tough, but I think I can do it.  Keeping my paw pads crossed.  Until next post, keep those tails poised high.