tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42281651275001922842024-03-13T20:43:25.442-07:00Dakota's TailsThis is a blog about a dog...a guide-dog-to-be. For the next 3 years we will follow Dakota through the trials and tribulations of becoming a guide dog for the blind.Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-7329593244416151462009-11-23T19:07:00.000-08:002009-11-23T19:28:32.295-08:00To Be Continued<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQRnhI7uhNmWhDzKMcD4dVpuzSbx27iDdXbnkxGRS5xM2AhhqY2NLrvww9K1AD36DdBxegw0mptx9pSEF7rzGiEtLvhzm9YPkiF1vwqIpTkEHawLNBWfbtenJpyP_dsEklG9YPsRJsUG2/s1600/IMG_7398.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407503767008785618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQRnhI7uhNmWhDzKMcD4dVpuzSbx27iDdXbnkxGRS5xM2AhhqY2NLrvww9K1AD36DdBxegw0mptx9pSEF7rzGiEtLvhzm9YPkiF1vwqIpTkEHawLNBWfbtenJpyP_dsEklG9YPsRJsUG2/s400/IMG_7398.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjZCnFFoLnhGmx2fQcOIn3N4z6fgShHcLcmvyNEYodtWEwQoMGSqpyJL7KT1-FvZ-YkodvOv_4WVSgipNvuziQqMAq1FY8z2EQdXocGIdc_XGl9LAqNzoMNoEiqhdh2iSFVdZqWgmKxSf/s1600/ben+and+duck+day+5+014.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407505195136136914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjZCnFFoLnhGmx2fQcOIn3N4z6fgShHcLcmvyNEYodtWEwQoMGSqpyJL7KT1-FvZ-YkodvOv_4WVSgipNvuziQqMAq1FY8z2EQdXocGIdc_XGl9LAqNzoMNoEiqhdh2iSFVdZqWgmKxSf/s400/ben+and+duck+day+5+014.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>How do you like these fun "before" and "after" pictures of Duckie? He has turned out to be quite a dog. But really, Dakota's story has only just begun! You can follow the further adventures of Ben and Dakota at:</div><br /><div><a href="http://dakotastails-thenextchapter.blogspot.com/">http://dakotastails-thenextchapter.blogspot.com/</a></div><br /><div>They are so awesome!</div><br /><div>...And, is anyone just a <em><strong>teeny</strong></em> bit curious to see who our new puppy will be? Well, it's...</div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>(Drum roll please!)</em></div><br /><div>...Wait, you don't really think I'm going to tell you <strong>right here</strong>, do you?! Of course not! Because I want all that pent-up curiosity to force you to click on over to:</div><br /><div><a href="http://alphinisworld.blogspot.com/">http://alphinisworld.blogspot.com/</a></div><br /><div>So hightail it on over there! Update your bookmarks, become a follower, leave us some comments. We're just like our puppies: will work for praise! </div><br /><div>Tail wags to all, and thanks for being such a terrific audience!</div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-17131595227649506072009-11-19T16:48:00.000-08:002009-11-20T12:33:20.010-08:00Then and Now<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405981994122403362" border="0" alt="Dakota and Ben by a truck with Dakota's puppy photo on the door" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjb8igdDsxGuxCFtGLkPDStP8Wh-XO74On0b9gadGTA2zcDvQL1EPi7DPveKr7xlfHCoCKWv4hd6r93tCO4F9nX66vnzoeEOfENnbEJ9m_iSr65e9aaG9B5MUplGr11ek0VRxitQPVIt8/s400/ben+and+duck+day+4+002.jpg" /> You gotta love this...Dakota as an 8-week-old puppy (above, on van) and now, an all-grown-up service dog.<br /><br />He & Ben have been hard at work lately. <br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405983306775865954" border="0" alt="Ben grooms Dakota" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5H4TSi3jjnnRMzfZuj-hgd8DWdTyla36nO56ygDVj5wq496Pm9afKrX1z8lBbJsRAzVloL5Q6_IRrfXGUlQa7fnUbsSXsdhyphenhyphenv8sM92iH7nef7byRUv5Z9VqZ8g-OYCszaTX2soDGMnyN/s400/ben+and+duck+day+2+004.jpg" /></div><br /><div>They've practiced going all kinds of places together.</div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405982676461852242" border="0" alt="Ben plays Wii while Duckie watches" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBDuMCdPKybrinuBZeUJcIm7_XFN3KS6Ekc8THj5E988FkK9RmCi9ZWkC0jGh9LGHCqhSRkZn_exLpxRZCKMZb1NYUXPVpuLXbukSGdxMgdeOxXXcF5DIk50YlX9c79EJEAWgoRXyBKiu/s400/ben+and+duck+day+3+005.jpg" /></div><br />...Actually, that looks like fun!<br /><br />Keep on wishing them well as they continue their training together!Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-5632731017076078372009-11-17T08:58:00.000-08:002009-11-17T09:50:59.785-08:00Off to a Great Start!<div><div>When we puppy raisers turn in our well-trained (we hope!) dogs at the end of our time with them, there's a pretty normal phenomenon that they seem to go through to one degree or another...we call it "regression." The dog can seem to go backwards in his training, as if he's "forgotten" what he had earlier done so well. As I understand it, a lot of this is due to the stresses of the transition, and the dog being a situational learner just takes a while to get back up to speed. So, to be honest, although I was confident that Dakota "knew his stuff" I didn't really expect to see much out of him for a bit...it seemed only realistic that he'd take a while to transition to his new handler & new surroundings.<br /><br />Now you know why you could've knocked me over with a <strong>feather </strong>when I got a call from Michelle early yesterday afternoon saying that within 20 minutes of being handed over to Ben, his new owner (yeah! I got permission to tell you his name!), Duckie <strong><em>accurately alerted him to high blood glucose levels. </em>GO, DUCKIE!!! :-) </strong>I was literally choking back the tears (of joy!) in Wal-Mart (which is where I was when I got her call)...I'm sure everyone thought I was a bit odd but hey, I'm sort of used to that by now! I thought I couldn't be happier until...</div><div><br /></div><div>...later in the afternoon, I got the email that...Dakota did it again!</div><div><br /></div><div>...AND...a note later on that he'd done it again! Can you say WOW?!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I know that as a team they've got a lot of work to do, and I'm sure Dakota still has much to learn. But you really can't ask for a better start than that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Michelle & Ben's Dad have sent me a few photos & said they were OK to post so...meet Ben!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405123321302876850" border="0" alt="Dakota and his new owner, a young boy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRRnmyBYAVWgcjwVGNIKR-g34YGeyJJ-pTt9JaC8BIVlUQPOESduwOhLqLhz0vI3yOsIGpinyvM0rNuApcjfZm-33brFVZSJtcjdrduOxY4tdcShX8nnO26h9TAcxEIyCnBHsUJw9m9Zx/s400/b&d1stwalk.jpg" /> What a great team, don't you think? Yeah, I think they were pretty much made for each other. Duckie needed his very own person to look after. He's going to get to go to school with Ben & everything. Way cool! Here they are getting ready to go on their first walk...</div><div></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405124161348971746" border="0" alt="Ben bends over to give Dakota a pat as they begin a walk" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ihlxB7WdRvQ49KkBVNuBM9IUMOLexjMQcKh8xgd4uF_cTukVD7LmszyxyUmIoYbBUq4yjGkeRi5JE_uK65KASNtT1TNeZQon8OsPjYjYbsPgGrfdxoUbN9xVWMY4MqLBIFUcaJ8M7YlQ/s400/ben+and+duck+day+1+001.jpg" /></div><div><br /><div>Notice the awesome reflective tape on the chest piece of Duckie's jacket. I love it! </div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405125021798718050" border="0" alt="Ben & Dakota, who is wearing service dog jacket with reflective chest piece" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLedKjo-zLLjxRam_d-GB7fFPP_xudAG-AzOohf163BswzXav733AJ_yRsVU3D2Sn2glP2MvCS7wFs_bzqMLw-qsDxAd6bb1zq4-odCpiNXq9PXOapLx0l3Nwutk5Dk_31qwxkXWu-y84E/s400/ben+and+duck+day+1+004.jpg" /></div><div align="center">...Just chillin' , waiting for the day's work to start...</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 356px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 363px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405126677669870626" border="0" alt="Dakota and Ben relaxing on the bed together" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5SqI2jLPIRtUlNyxKoEEEYaXCWmPFBw7tLO-VWMsmtIuYiuEgwtsSb0haWYQ5i3SWNKuyzGtGNx-MxjEPVRN27iH4wQi2-dWFTk8bkpa5FQZIQBEpyxQPUjuSMId8AwnLlUebNClh3H3/s400/chillin+(2)b.jpg" /><br />I think Dakota has finally found his niche. Keep up the good work, Ben...you guys will do great!<br /><br /></div></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-65410420315571379752009-11-15T15:20:00.000-08:002009-11-16T18:24:57.319-08:00Gone...Never Forgotten!<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">Fittingly, the day we gave Dakota back to GDTx for final training with his partner was November 14, World Diabetes Day. We are so excited that we were able to prepare him for his career as a diabetic alert dog and look forward to hearing about his progress (more on that later!)<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404512712760552754" border="0" alt="family photo with Dakota" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfWZW58jziSTGb1fN4IwdKijP7HwVP9IteTdgu8wK22pnNH3kOn0tPoiP2zhMCqLmzH_6iOzUI6pb10Ju3dbnwwUNvChOPpwLu7HeNNEjyYaamYPkDUV5bVXyTvnw3tHT1J8heBje_tST/s400/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0108b.JPG" /> <p align="center"><em>This has definitely been a family effort!</em><br /></p><p align="center"><em></em></p><p align="left">Our last week with Duckie was pretty relaxed and normal, and we made a last visit to many of our favorite spots.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaShpCeKroSsE6VefU8Qhk3YS4SlBaH8osrupqEMzRQc2Z3EhezVt0Ej2hbGTKmtto0ekdhzjS7Jp4YqRT-bIYVuIpdhTSXqo424YBbWGh9TotTPJ-Y-Tk6q_4HNhaUVz_xfxTU5D0TvFv/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0036.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404477397529603298" border="0" alt="Dakota smiles from behind a big tree stump" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaShpCeKroSsE6VefU8Qhk3YS4SlBaH8osrupqEMzRQc2Z3EhezVt0Ej2hbGTKmtto0ekdhzjS7Jp4YqRT-bIYVuIpdhTSXqo424YBbWGh9TotTPJ-Y-Tk6q_4HNhaUVz_xfxTU5D0TvFv/s400/2009_1112woodswalk0036.JPG" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaShpCeKroSsE6VefU8Qhk3YS4SlBaH8osrupqEMzRQc2Z3EhezVt0Ej2hbGTKmtto0ekdhzjS7Jp4YqRT-bIYVuIpdhTSXqo424YBbWGh9TotTPJ-Y-Tk6q_4HNhaUVz_xfxTU5D0TvFv/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0036.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center">A walk in the woods is fun this time of year!</p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaShpCeKroSsE6VefU8Qhk3YS4SlBaH8osrupqEMzRQc2Z3EhezVt0Ej2hbGTKmtto0ekdhzjS7Jp4YqRT-bIYVuIpdhTSXqo424YBbWGh9TotTPJ-Y-Tk6q_4HNhaUVz_xfxTU5D0TvFv/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0036.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKEFGHQ2axWeN5UcP-iV5yWbO80CB3F5HUtDfdZfKDX261309JxVgUe8JNPadJkXpY_SF0G-wLcUGrSWnCP942RhIF2dexLY3_Ki3U1dsW-mbYcTv0YcaMb0ztM2ZKgEZeUZUtWYB358I/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0030.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404476870055964530" border="0" alt="kids with Dakota and some flowers" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKEFGHQ2axWeN5UcP-iV5yWbO80CB3F5HUtDfdZfKDX261309JxVgUe8JNPadJkXpY_SF0G-wLcUGrSWnCP942RhIF2dexLY3_Ki3U1dsW-mbYcTv0YcaMb0ztM2ZKgEZeUZUtWYB358I/s400/2009_1112woodswalk0030.JPG" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center">Just hanging out with the kids...what could be better?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKEFGHQ2axWeN5UcP-iV5yWbO80CB3F5HUtDfdZfKDX261309JxVgUe8JNPadJkXpY_SF0G-wLcUGrSWnCP942RhIF2dexLY3_Ki3U1dsW-mbYcTv0YcaMb0ztM2ZKgEZeUZUtWYB358I/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0030.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaShpCeKroSsE6VefU8Qhk3YS4SlBaH8osrupqEMzRQc2Z3EhezVt0Ej2hbGTKmtto0ekdhzjS7Jp4YqRT-bIYVuIpdhTSXqo424YBbWGh9TotTPJ-Y-Tk6q_4HNhaUVz_xfxTU5D0TvFv/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0036.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaShpCeKroSsE6VefU8Qhk3YS4SlBaH8osrupqEMzRQc2Z3EhezVt0Ej2hbGTKmtto0ekdhzjS7Jp4YqRT-bIYVuIpdhTSXqo424YBbWGh9TotTPJ-Y-Tk6q_4HNhaUVz_xfxTU5D0TvFv/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0036.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKEFGHQ2axWeN5UcP-iV5yWbO80CB3F5HUtDfdZfKDX261309JxVgUe8JNPadJkXpY_SF0G-wLcUGrSWnCP942RhIF2dexLY3_Ki3U1dsW-mbYcTv0YcaMb0ztM2ZKgEZeUZUtWYB358I/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0030.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaShpCeKroSsE6VefU8Qhk3YS4SlBaH8osrupqEMzRQc2Z3EhezVt0Ej2hbGTKmtto0ekdhzjS7Jp4YqRT-bIYVuIpdhTSXqo424YBbWGh9TotTPJ-Y-Tk6q_4HNhaUVz_xfxTU5D0TvFv/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0036.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404478004434014882" border="0" alt="Dakota and Beth in the fork of a large oak" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYrcwoIH0lQhLzZMDU2xOzfFaIEg82g1ZlNhiXbTNfMC7N3tHXdM0QpMfUaJePu_sLGXlFd6ZfV-0qAKHWvM0ThG-1OefsrsZa13wldM6s_gAn3OfHyhdZObeqBN0_tPZYa0caz9T1eND/s400/2009_1112woodswalk0045b.JPG" /></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjV4cDx8sBnOvwoMOXeF4j8vBrM2vfRXSCrguiWheXg2xPoW1gZROqed44SECRDL6Q6u-CquFUidwCkP0k1xg3r8_UB5pJgH9khn5Y8u7oaNPYwoWoQ3_rmXQ_xNO80xLuz7K2BSsoW3-F/s1600-h/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0002.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404478777623515250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjV4cDx8sBnOvwoMOXeF4j8vBrM2vfRXSCrguiWheXg2xPoW1gZROqed44SECRDL6Q6u-CquFUidwCkP0k1xg3r8_UB5pJgH9khn5Y8u7oaNPYwoWoQ3_rmXQ_xNO80xLuz7K2BSsoW3-F/s400/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0002.JPG" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKEFGHQ2axWeN5UcP-iV5yWbO80CB3F5HUtDfdZfKDX261309JxVgUe8JNPadJkXpY_SF0G-wLcUGrSWnCP942RhIF2dexLY3_Ki3U1dsW-mbYcTv0YcaMb0ztM2ZKgEZeUZUtWYB358I/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0030.JPG"></a><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="left">Of course, Duckie had to help me run some errands and do a little shopping, just like always.</p><p align="left"><br /></p><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404479410193217426" border="0" alt="Dakota looks up at Beth as they enter a store together" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qneYcmodd5hx4duwIi8FelvheD_tWfbt0I9IsBCMRlcfXuIRjPOTEtgcmgSScEvOWDZya-YjWqgTdL8oNnrDcG1fPJ5Vx4aJNFZnPf2PuBsEIpamZZL8tqtt97jvE4eY3vSunKdcGjlA/s400/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0024.JPG" /></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7E9y2J7oVm4tb8XLAHzlkt_YhrNGkRl_zVjE2XBjjLZoNzvknlS1B_MJJoHgdGc86ymDAl0yi40cjZZIyef_2WZaFeBA6zXhysgiKpAI3mi-sHD1Jn2U-wx9rn8xZO3ht3optd4piYon/s1600-h/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0040.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404480286909895778" border="0" alt="Dakota watches while I pick out stuff at Hobby Lobby" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7E9y2J7oVm4tb8XLAHzlkt_YhrNGkRl_zVjE2XBjjLZoNzvknlS1B_MJJoHgdGc86ymDAl0yi40cjZZIyef_2WZaFeBA6zXhysgiKpAI3mi-sHD1Jn2U-wx9rn8xZO3ht3optd4piYon/s400/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0040.JPG" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKEFGHQ2axWeN5UcP-iV5yWbO80CB3F5HUtDfdZfKDX261309JxVgUe8JNPadJkXpY_SF0G-wLcUGrSWnCP942RhIF2dexLY3_Ki3U1dsW-mbYcTv0YcaMb0ztM2ZKgEZeUZUtWYB358I/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0030.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaShpCeKroSsE6VefU8Qhk3YS4SlBaH8osrupqEMzRQc2Z3EhezVt0Ej2hbGTKmtto0ekdhzjS7Jp4YqRT-bIYVuIpdhTSXqo424YBbWGh9TotTPJ-Y-Tk6q_4HNhaUVz_xfxTU5D0TvFv/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0036.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjV4cDx8sBnOvwoMOXeF4j8vBrM2vfRXSCrguiWheXg2xPoW1gZROqed44SECRDL6Q6u-CquFUidwCkP0k1xg3r8_UB5pJgH9khn5Y8u7oaNPYwoWoQ3_rmXQ_xNO80xLuz7K2BSsoW3-F/s1600-h/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0002.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaShpCeKroSsE6VefU8Qhk3YS4SlBaH8osrupqEMzRQc2Z3EhezVt0Ej2hbGTKmtto0ekdhzjS7Jp4YqRT-bIYVuIpdhTSXqo424YBbWGh9TotTPJ-Y-Tk6q_4HNhaUVz_xfxTU5D0TvFv/s1600-h/2009_1112woodswalk0036.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><p align="center">Just a dog doing his job!<br /></p><br /><p align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYxuDLN1V6Nuhnug2gZqJ5jEYEiMhRpTvUEAdN-lRJiGrJvCzK0u73Uujziw09NBjrHE1P904o69yw9_JmT2_7ZwKTzXd9E4ofYqvfPDsgeDJooYdaKHCXENi0ttxTdrEOx0mz2rtedSA/s1600-h/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0051.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404480985213129026" border="0" alt="Dakota & Beth in front of the shopping cart" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYxuDLN1V6Nuhnug2gZqJ5jEYEiMhRpTvUEAdN-lRJiGrJvCzK0u73Uujziw09NBjrHE1P904o69yw9_JmT2_7ZwKTzXd9E4ofYqvfPDsgeDJooYdaKHCXENi0ttxTdrEOx0mz2rtedSA/s400/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0051.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Dakota loves to "find the counter" when it's time to pay for our purchases. 95% of the time he also finds me the shortest line -- what a talent! I think that's because he's aiming for the counter itself and just wants to get me as close as possible...he certainly doesn't mind waiting as much as I do!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Of course, we spent plenty of time just relaxing at home and playing with his favorite toys <em>(yes, Julia, he still loves the tire!)</em>...<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404504244525590674" border="0" alt="Dakota with a tire toy in front of a green bush" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQOc2obM1VFt3OtkD0AkEzw4uWjXiq-PqIoKLXWPBdGP-vfvrppUCZMVgH4w1WmUeVdklZ8OLigkKYCpjIE7yqCEp086Pv5rkrqu41oWZtBsdu521aY-sZ9jqj-oFtYPLL3Miyi1-l-Km/s400/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0077.JPG" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-1tB8V630OhnAogo3SB9jb2fjW6X0ONqloxzPrs57xdZaeMYWRbyUgskHiAFlJsv2w1eEjyZekJVEdnKV7vVKddZLGSW2gkSPR7_xbKiniDHWlPOSaf4ndh3K-W0eekvC5pfOeKYIilQ/s1600-h/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0115b.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNTkWCEIj-qb_h8hT8q2KME9f2h4HbQM8V7w_hExdcfKVpV13Pr3MIvMQKP6NQf5SFcwPv60LLIyZU0p-9plmYf-UaD0VhKOHnvcouAvosddtck5TR91ovlZDMNZDbDfNg2UHHo3Hm74c/s1600/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0098.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404504885675609826" border="0" alt="Dakota giving Beth his paw" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNTkWCEIj-qb_h8hT8q2KME9f2h4HbQM8V7w_hExdcfKVpV13Pr3MIvMQKP6NQf5SFcwPv60LLIyZU0p-9plmYf-UaD0VhKOHnvcouAvosddtck5TR91ovlZDMNZDbDfNg2UHHo3Hm74c/s400/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0098.JPG" /></a> Guide dog puppies are NOT supposed to "shake hands"!...and, I <em>promise </em>I did not teach him this! I mentioned it to Sarah, Willie's trainer, once...she said, "Oh yes, all our doodles have done that! We call it 'the paw of love.'" Then she gave me some helpful tips for how to discourage it. After all, if you couldn't see, you really wouldn't want your dog doing this randomly. He could spill your drink...knock you off balance...who knows what. But eventually, when Dakota left the guide dog program, I just gave up. So here he is, giving me his solemn pawshake that he'll do his best and make us proud!<br /><br /><p></p><div align="center"></div><p>Probably the top question/comment that we puppyraisers hear is, "But how do you give them up?" or just flat, "I could never give them up!" Of course, they're right, it's no cakewalk. But honestly, how many worthwhile things in life <em>are </em>easy? The people who eventually receive these dogs are amazing individuals who have decided not to let their physical setbacks define their lives. They inspire me...and I am so happy that I can help!</p><p>We'll definitely miss Dakota, but I'm not the slightest bit sad for him. He's got a fabulous, loving home, a family who needs him, and a job he loves. He'll do great! It's bittersweet. But we're so, so very proud.<br /></p><p>When Michelle came to get him he was ready...brushed to within an inch of his life and all bursting with excitement.</p><div align="center"></div><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404511236453008994" border="0" alt="Dakota looks out from Michelle's car, fur shining in the sun" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoE3kTss8Dg9Qg4qwOZjMFUvu2EwpQsh4bXvewRQb1OfMoEDBMQp9Vjcgxorkr1raR-jEIRUL7BF7JEDi0RjUZMhhreNbEBnqr7h2ohpXw3OH5V8oVUy6hHcK1JwcAeRxFTI0ta1unM-Y/s400/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0116.JPG" /></p><br /><p align="center"><em>"OK, Michelle, what are we waiting for?"</em><br /></p><p></p><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404513267886842386" border="0" alt="Dakota enjoys a last friendly pat as he waits in the car" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieomHu0JF9Ja0bEgGYjoZdpwixezs_ZQeR8gYliPVc-Y-yZUCmA-r9GRGYnjuzg34b7pkyn9xkt3T2Dm9GBerD8Xno9u9SCwXWbzleeqrXRxDI78ul_-h62wLHy9n1rFdYQxY57U13Kze9/s400/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0118.JPG" /></p><br /><p align="center"><em>A last pat from Katharine...</em></p><p><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404511844979332178" border="0" alt="Dakota smiles to his family as Michelle gets ready to drive away" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZ2oxgX5xCZ2BQFWrOcLFZ2186WkljHlkF_s4CkiPOYrpWDTK_AXj7QPRUeZX7bXYUQtTYGiEyySLTb4_2DSabBCEsxji8vvJuwlgX-zP60SpH3bxh1Ks0OGjoQe1NVzEouMuAAVxstE6/s400/2009_1114goodbyeduckie0120.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"><em>...and he's off! We love you, Duckie! </em></p><p>Starting Monday the 16th, Dakota embarks on a 3-week intensive training program with his new handler. The first portion is in residence at the GDTx center. Then they'll move on to work in his home and daily routes. </p><p>I've withheld personal information about Duckie's new family in order to respect their privacy...BUT...there is a rumor going around that his new partner might be starting a blog of his own!! If so, I will most definitely post a link here so that you can keep up with them. They'll be quite a team, that's for sure!</p><p>Also, Michelle all but promised me a few photos from their training, so you certainly need to keep checking back for that also...</p><p>...AND...of course you'll want to stay tuned for new doodle puppy updates!</p><p>And so life goes on. The house seems empty and I miss the squishy doodle nose in my face every morning. But I wouldn't have it any other way, and Dakota's doing what he was born to do. That's what it's all about!</p>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-89064375039995693442009-11-10T11:11:00.000-08:002009-11-10T13:54:36.917-08:00Improvise<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjA5KJyHlwqwisDrKtf-juJJ9YGMm2-Nm7vU5tmsliJvCCxxf7k9hoUKunDnarXlslAB1NrvfEgQGq8kBxeDi8HPD4RvAqWkwY297NpylfvIdVBlWNdXaiMxJKeOeoUjIzMIs5osnmOil/s1600-h/2009_1109busride0012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402590395620985618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjA5KJyHlwqwisDrKtf-juJJ9YGMm2-Nm7vU5tmsliJvCCxxf7k9hoUKunDnarXlslAB1NrvfEgQGq8kBxeDi8HPD4RvAqWkwY297NpylfvIdVBlWNdXaiMxJKeOeoUjIzMIs5osnmOil/s400/2009_1109busride0012.JPG" /></a> <div><div><div><div>Improvise, roll with it, go with the flow. Pretty good mottoes because, let's face it, I have yet to meet the day that turned out just as I thought it would. Case in point: Michelle had asked me to take Duckie on a bus this week for one of our walks, as his new schedule will include regular bus rides. No problem, we know the drill, so I just went online, grabbed the city bus schedule, drove downtown & parked near a bus stop where we'd be able to catch a familiar route -- a convenient loop. Of course, assistant trainers Charissa & Katharine were along just for fun. </div><br /><div>But alas, on arriving at o<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAWcxI8I0CPktQmBvwKZlpSdVghjnmoSUqw-0IvnXBUXVxgFQnMgcv7MJ-VNppB2kINDlgoSX9BJ7vtqusNUE2QkVJBlrYkjkjJj7U4AELrS5lR4TggSd9T5ZSEPNAMkb-5Ymdg91bO3x/s1600-h/2009_1109busride0008b.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402588503031987986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAWcxI8I0CPktQmBvwKZlpSdVghjnmoSUqw-0IvnXBUXVxgFQnMgcv7MJ-VNppB2kINDlgoSX9BJ7vtqusNUE2QkVJBlrYkjkjJj7U4AELrS5lR4TggSd9T5ZSEPNAMkb-5Ymdg91bO3x/s400/2009_1109busride0008b.JPG" /></a>ur stop we saw a sign that bus schedules had been cut back, and the one we'd planned on taking wasn't running til the evening. So, yeah, those online schedules aren't all they're cracked up to be! Not to be so easily deterred, we figured that as long as we were downtown, by george, we were going to ride a bus. Any bus. After all, it's not like we were actually trying to get anywhere! Here we are, 3 people and a dog who are all fond of walking, so I just decided we'd get on one, ride it as far as we were willing to go, then walk back to the car if we had to. And that's just what we did. </div><br /><div>Duckie was bursting with eagerness to board, and once we'd found a seat he tucked in nicely. People's reactions to him were interesting. As usual he created quite a sensation, which as usual he ignored, settling in for a relaxed ride. Good dog! The guy across the aisle struck up a long, and I <em>do</em> mean long, conversation about service dogs and other assorted topics. Amazing how with Dakota along, I never have a shortage of people to talk to! In the end, though, I was just ready for a break so finally at an opportune stop I nodded to the kids, stood up, and we all exited.</div><br /><div>Serendipitously, it just so happened that we got off right at Chipotle, one of our favorite places to eat. Couldn't have worked out better if we'd planned it! </div><br /><div align="center"><em>Who, me, bring a dog in the restaurant? What dog?</em></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402587183710648802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWc1GkbrFgPH3efIN7YO_10N-ACie6I3TCsaP1VETDoCNx0FP1h9-xOt8H9f-7L2j42wg4-7ZaEuP4lSIwKyAN6QLyRC39_pEEdPOHpxpmguI3YdMukDzgcqiz3xtR8OGClTI80Efxh4Kz/s400/2009_1109busride0016.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"><em>Oh...<strong>that</strong> dog!</em> <div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402586604096475202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv6xiaqVNnihrSdXxIxJpQLIXN8CfxcCmJ7Lb4aGCp06UYYpzI5wWy7vPhYnhx1Quf783ktaOG_1V0yDwp4M8He1DIYHM5xl76R3wsfX0LqX3d4pQv_IlxnZl_IW38R111xeXK305w6HL/s400/2009_1109busride0015.JPG" /><br /></div><div>Fortified by chicken tacos, the girls and I were ready for the long trek back to the car. Busy traffic, a construction zone, folks walking their pet dogs, and of course the random person making silly noises at him...Dakota took it all in stride. All in all, it was a very fun day, and a good exercise in improvisation.</div><br /><div>Dakota is due to leave our home for the last time this weekend, and then it's on to official classes with his new person! He's definitely more enthusiastic about his scent work than ever. When he alerts he gets very excited and proud, more so than with anything else we've taught him. I know it'll take time to transfer over from working with scent samples to real life work, but he's ready for the transition.</div><div></div><div><br />And it probably doesn't take too much to figure out what the next step is for our family. Of course, another guide dog puppy! We got to meet these six <strong>adorable</strong> puppies at Dixie's Doodles for their 5-week test last Saturday (forgot my camera, can you believe it?!) Here's a link where you can see them all...which one do <em>you</em> think is volunteering to be the next guide dog? </div><br /><a href="http://www.dixiesdoodles.com/2009_chessy_october/2009_chessy_october_week5.html">http://www.dixiesdoodles.com/2009_chessy_october/2009_chessy_october_week5.html</a><br /><div></div><br /><div>We won't know for sure which one it'll be until after their 7-week test. But if all goes well, one of them should come home with us after Thanksgiving! We are <strong>so</strong> excited. I'm sure the new puppy will have potential and personality all its own for us to discover. I have a feeling we'll have plenty of new opportunities to improvise!</div></div></div></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-91769348117906327582009-11-05T09:21:00.000-08:002009-11-05T12:47:45.666-08:00Hi from Dakota<div><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400674855418293378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnkEi6sZpH18Jf9OuR5J4vlfmMw7PQJp-zguZsUu04QXvrkl1JoFXn2xqsXLllUTReMQuLPuZTA1z5KXtjvvY6P2nme5OApzOftFcp9yWqGG41R58XLeB5angxMAK9VRG85s5xVmsZc1r/s400/2009_1105fallvacation0247.JPG" /> So, everybody, what have <em>you</em> been up to lately? Whatever it is, I bet I can top it! First off, I spent a day working at the training center with all the other guide dog puppies. We had to do a bunch of obedience work and training exercises to help us pups get used to doing our work even with other dogs around. Mom said I was way too excited and needed to settle down...and I (eventually) did! </div><div><br /></div><div>The first game was kind of like musical chairs, only with hula hoops. We were given a limited time to go from one hula hoop to the next, trying to ignore all our doggy buddies, and get ourselves sitting politely before time was up. Tougher than it sounds, believe me!<br /></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400686536731882322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xwtD6ZrLkt1ECfSW8y2Lp83tXRVKmQLkWyzInEoYATFLAUXndocqb6Y-GatisB2yJrCpfiBoAeiTHaQDq6qmwfaDlRqlpugKpaDj4c9qBxSU_gBVpVnqCtFp9Do-sm4W_7I2ByKzJZwn/s400/2009_1105fallvacation0022.JPG" /><br /><div>Next we had to practice "tucking in," like service dogs have to do in buses and other tight quarters. It was a lot easier for me than some of those big guys, but we all did it...even giant Jethro!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400687008073783714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55qaRF_EUO_VlRMXEPZ-Hoa5cm8VyL60TE6bxrS4Kexnwhs_6hXXiWrBQKtosxvQX0MNILrKxtHPy93T54v_ioIOYfHd7vknScDmhLqukduNnEzN2lpPrpZdPU2zUNXJHZqCw3rngIjlH/s400/2009_1105fallvacation0035b.JPG" /><br /><div>We also practiced getting on and off a "bus," which was really just chairs set up in close formation. Other than poking the person in front of me with my nose (for some reason people don't like that, go figure!), I did pretty well.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400689258697167538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjMxy1VO4V1yXcceSZ2UVobLWKL6b1q4FlLvZjgA5VzPR0EqYvLfUm8U9dxiJSYfnhVJ0H6hXRDemLQlUJll-OwpRo3UGHRo44uuYVErwYtzUwkhZ-2JdYx-mjfR7HtZSUFF6zQTph0UV/s400/2009_1105fallvacation0065.JPG" /> The most challenging real-life situation was at lunchtime, when the puppy raisers had to go through a buffet line and fix their plates with one hand, while keeping us dogs under control with the other. When I saw Twist on the other side of the table, I was tempted to just make a grab at her, but Mom was pretty determined that wasn't going to happen. Oh well!<br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400690905181604802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dYFREU3WCsMAN0u5e92KJWQ17edatBw4if889pAmBWDyjujaOqVUWrfuKC8f4gTa_8lgdgOolvr7c9yGGftw5jtn6ynOedaaBxqSjXj_QM4POXLyCyWPoViMIY0GicG8OtCO6g4jG4Wk/s400/2009_1105fallvacation0038.JPG" /><br /><div>The other pups got to play when we were done, but since I start class with my new human in just a few days, there was NO way our boss, Michelle, was going to take a chance on something happening to me. I had to sit out. As if those dogs could even catch me! Believe me, I was pretty upset about that. But I forgave her when she gave me a bunch of new treats. She says they're supplements for healthy joints, but she's gotta be confused...they're definitely dog candy!</div><br /><div>Look what else is new...I've got a brand new designer outfit! Since I'll be doing diabetic alert work instead of guide work, I've got a wardrobe of tan jackets that say "GDTX SERVICE DOG" on them. Pretty awesome, don't you think? The webbing is a nifty desert camo print, and a chest piece is being designed to go with it that will say, "I'M WORKING." Plus, since they're custom-made for <em>me</em>, I've<strong> finally</strong> got clothes that fit! I used to embarrass my family by scratching at my old jackets in public...but you would scratch at your clothes too, if they were made for someone twice your size! </div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400678742823461362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXy53kPhqhFDfJuo2mlNGzPFzYCzUiXRvuWNxdBKBi9j9ElGSl2-krluqkPd7nObp0tv8OhJMLArn-iolH-KgGZHS46WlcW5VNjD0zVrH00U9n6hnh-_mTPochvmXFSxXToveb7tzUSH1y/s400/2009_1105fallvacation0004.JPG" /> <div></div>I don't have any pictures of the whole next week, because my family went on vacation without me and I got to visit different people while they were gone. I started off at the good old Greenwood School with my friend Tracy...she doesn't have a guide dog puppy of her own right now so I filled in as best I could, helping her stir up -- wait, I mean look after -- all those cute little munchkins who come over every day.<br /></div><br /><div></div><div> </div><div>Next, it was off to Michelle's house. Let me tell you, that Michelle lady works...hard! It was go, go, go all the time. She really kept me busy. We had work, and walks, and meetings, and I even got an "assessment" from our head trainer (I couldn't tell it from a regular walk, but they seemed to think it was important!) Then, when we got home to her pet dogs, I had to take them all in hand and show them who was boss. A tough job, but someone has to do it! By the end of each day I was really exhausted. Fortunately someone must've given Michelle the memo that I sleep on people beds now, so I didn't have any explaining to do.</div><br /><div></div><div>Michelle is a very discerning person -- almost as smart as a labradoodle, I'd say. She finally figured out what I've been trying to explain to my family all along...I much prefer eating from a plate! Sensitive doodle ears like mine HATE annoying noises, and the tinny jingle of my kibbles rattling around a ceramic bowl is just like nails on a chalkboard to me. Who can eat with all that racket? One night she just poured my food out on the floor and I ate it all up and even wanted more! So now I get to eat out of paper plates. They're nice and quiet, and my ears don't touch the sides. Finally, someone who understands me!</div><br /><div></div><div>But let me tell you, it was<strong> great</strong> to get home yesterday and see my family again. I've got one last week with them before I head off for my new work and new people. But first...</div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400718570611108578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaMrgulIz7CwXPZXdCVznzBLHcztotQU7DrKu_yRiCYr1I2QWshH3msiCQXJPhr06sgB2ZW1sTVu0sh6Jdao_bCoL5yYxNR3u-iJ17anWSy45xGYRKDbcywgZleRiMYyxUcEN0C1_JOku/s400/2009_1105asleep0003.JPG" /><br /><div></div><div>...time for a looooooooooong nap!</div><div></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-90943618549684076832009-10-17T18:51:00.000-07:002009-10-17T20:01:23.087-07:00Counting Down<div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzypk3co-1OmscbPwaGBrJhi0cbS4spmaRan_PqhyUu8bEwkBR4JLXWgcvo3z_NCMLyhPKVf6x_vI0AW1WiKgvSS7eU0yHKcZw6pDNDhb_-es0d5G5V5wUJ_TeatoJLmaR8TgfMi4NH2S/s1600-h/2009_1017Oct170029.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393760803546346578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzypk3co-1OmscbPwaGBrJhi0cbS4spmaRan_PqhyUu8bEwkBR4JLXWgcvo3z_NCMLyhPKVf6x_vI0AW1WiKgvSS7eU0yHKcZw6pDNDhb_-es0d5G5V5wUJ_TeatoJLmaR8TgfMi4NH2S/s400/2009_1017Oct170029.JPG" /></a> Just a few more weeks to go until Dakota graduates from our house to join his new family. They'll train together at the GDTx center, followed by more customized training in their home location and daily routes...just like any client receiving a guide dog! I'm so excited about that.</div><div align="left"><br />I'm <strong><em>less</em></strong> than excited, I'll admit, about the actual goodbye! Dakota's last week here will probably be the first week of November, and since we have some family travel planned between now and then, his time with us is even shorter. It really seems to me that the more ups and downs you share with a puppy, the more invested you are in his future and the tougher it can be to turn over the leash. We've been through so much with this guy...remember back when he was a guide dog puppy? That just seems ages ago now! In the last couple of months our lives have changed so much as we've researched Type I diabetes, diabetic alert dogs, and scent training. We've learned a lot in such a short time, kind of like Dakota! </div><br /><div align="left"><br />But despite goodbyes, I'm so eager to see him at work in his new job that honestly, I'm looking forward to it too...albeit with butterflies in my stomach! And while we're counting down here, I imagine his new handler is counting down too. I can't imagine what that must feel like!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393767739145493490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GYqDTvKpJNLdNDZkhgLnDy7zYAlzuYfHGjM_cFGVYEwLf43uCoKl6KEBFJS4lftCPw_j6aDzhYN5SLY5ElH1lOXzIrq0DvKjejvILe7YoyQ7Giy7cBibKq7NScVwg35Hxzr15DTcZ-is/s400/2009_1017Oct170023b.JPG" /> <div align="center"><em>It's a bird...it's a plane...no, it's </em><strong><em>Super Duck!<br /></div></em></strong></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-51562184796730605702009-10-13T08:42:00.000-07:002009-10-13T09:39:44.764-07:00Distractions<em>**Sorry, no pictures this week -- our photographer is on a trip. We miss you, Charissa!**</em><br /><em></em><br />It's a cool, cloudy evening and as shadows begin to close in, people gather at the shopping complex. Small children run squealing through the playscape as their parents sit chatting. Pet dogs are there too, and an occasional bark rings out. The mouthwatering aromas of food pour out of restaurants as couples stroll toward dinner. On the patio, rowdy cheering erupts as people root for their favorite teams on the big screen. But we're not here for any of that. "Team Dakota" is on a mission!<br /><br />So far we've gotten Duckie to alert us to the scents associated with high and low blood sugar, giving us a distinct signal for each one. But he needs to practice this work in a real-world setting. Will he still be interested in playing our little game when he's surrounded by all his favorite distractions? This is the perfect place to find out.<br /><br />I wait for the kids, Dakota at heel, to disappear around the corner and then I open the cooler with its containers of scent samples. Grabbing one from the "low" jar, I stuff it in a pocket and head off by a different route to meet them at a predetermined spot.<br /><br />As I arrive, it's clear that we've accomplished our first goal: Dakota is definitely distracted! He's so engrossed in the antics of a large golden retriever that he scarcely acknowledges my arrival. Charissa practices obedience work with him and he cooperates, but you can see his focus isn't really up to par. We circle around, chatting, and still nothing from Dakota. So we decide to sit down at some picnic tables...<br /><br />...when all of a sudden, Dakota's head snaps around, sniffing. As if magnetized to that special scent, he leaves Charissa's side to snuffle loudly at my pocket and then he just STARES at me. Still, I don't do anything, waiting for him to give a definite alert. He looks at me as if to say, "Hey, I know, and you know I know, so what's the big deal?" I suppress a laugh and attempt to act like I haven't noticed anything. "Oh, all right!" you can almost hear Dakota say. He rears back on his hind legs and deliberately plants both forepaws on my leg -- our signal for "low." "GOOD BOY!" I praise him, probably much too loudly for public decorum. I'm sure this looks really great to other people...here I'm actually praising a dog, a<em> service</em> dog no less, for jumping up on me?! I just hope I don't have to try and explain this one! But we're elated. It's a definite success!<br /><br />Dakota gets his well-deserved liver nugget, but I think he's equally excited about all the fuss we make over him. As he prances around happily, he seems to be glancing about to see if anyone's noticed how great he is! Probably a bit disappointed not to be the center of the world's attention, he settles back in to people-watching...and we get ready to repeat the whole procedure.<br /><br />We practice a couple more times, varying the type of scent and where it's hidden, then meander to a nearby movie theater. Again, the Friday evening traffic, crowds, and popcorn work as strong distractions. Dakota's definitely interested in his surroundings...but time and again, he shows that he loves his work too and enjoys doing it in various situations. His reaction time varies but he never keeps us waiting too long. The more we play, the more alert he seems to get...we're making progress!Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-72702348607542405552009-10-05T17:45:00.000-07:002009-10-05T18:56:39.743-07:00More Museums<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnyI8fRdmns1GmxDFcV1z9DFUwVTF6E6x8LdxaIzPI5K3CWzIlAL9QUZx2BBUg2_w9GR8x1hfxfOfgBq6fR-Saz7mo43ekDr8mGeoE0jUhhPyJ4NNSd5JKd9NQAzRhr7OqCVQsK2cNYsi/s1600-h/2009_1005Oct050017b.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389284196692625250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnyI8fRdmns1GmxDFcV1z9DFUwVTF6E6x8LdxaIzPI5K3CWzIlAL9QUZx2BBUg2_w9GR8x1hfxfOfgBq6fR-Saz7mo43ekDr8mGeoE0jUhhPyJ4NNSd5JKd9NQAzRhr7OqCVQsK2cNYsi/s400/2009_1005Oct050017b.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This week brought a special visitor: Grandpa! It was a great excuse for the whole family to get out and enjoy ourselves a bit. We spent a day visiting the Texas Natural Science Center at UT.<br /><br /><br />A whole museum full of bones...for a dog, what's not to like? We all had a good time. I like this picture of Dakota and the dinosaur bone.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389286960945096578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoR60NICUPlGXXNOT7nCjXWR1ppiUR9ZAUP2zJR_w2-JV4S0uLoiXfMUBUm0ZuFIFlyH276R9UpoFn014KVvunP2TcbqLtqqy8dpwjNfbkahK__6RZfaovyXF1mW6blg9n214QHlnopAW/s400/2009_1005Oct050022.JPG" /> <div align="center"><em>"Why don't they come this size at Petco?"</em></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389288733255835234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTugLu4d_PjmT4NFVODR7jE6KP-3mf2uyHV9pVpAItXDlvzjTekLAjTQ6fwI4qi6JKd3XHoYu-8fbGWMkDv95xzL25MgPuxbRiXZofuZQQ8fRN6je30TrBFo4DML38bb-QvbN3c_ZlsOOu/s400/2009_1005Oct050045b.JPG" /> Outside, there were even seats made in the shape of dinosaur vertebrae. Duckie & I thought that was funny!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389297199892373138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgeFXvYEdLkwB_aNE8IvQQ24KaWJPThikp0fDphJV0SUIjvXEpXzvHYRSo-ULcQe1-h6AtgcqeW7S2EUSZk18Od5A42JDNzivtkCIx6mQ2bfL1K0Iw3zO8xiYHSD24LvaBVAOHiuYvrWy/s400/2009_1005Oct050047.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">Big sabertooth kitty only <em>looks</em> fierce...we're not scared!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">...And back at home, we're playing a lot of scent-related games for Dakota's diabetic alert training. They're so much fun for him, though, I've never quite broken it to him that this is actually "work"! In one of our games, I secretly hide a scent sample somewhere on my person while someone else distracts Dakota by playing with him outside or in another room. When he returns, he has to first of all <em>notice </em>the scent without a command from anyone; then <em>alert</em> me appropriately. Today I've hidden it in my pocket. He's supposed to alert by jumping up and placing his front feet on me (something he is not allowed to do under other circumstances!)</div><br /><p><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy9djZy0z8B6zq8rjiZB_T32Z6i2LSfKU9Er9bWDfk9UFw72AqdeBIXcIRs60CKebmzeNl5XbTrJD49FOZpeA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p>Making progress! This is a big job, Dakota's far from done, and there's <strong>lots</strong> for him to learn...but I think he's come a long way in a short time. He has definitely gotten wise to my sneaky ways of hiding scent samples while he's gone and now he's gotten suspicious...he'll usually come "check" me as soon as he comes in the room to make sure he didn't miss anything. Of course, I'm sure that's exactly what his new owner would want him to do, so maybe that's a good thing!</p>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-84505030542555461992009-09-28T10:23:00.000-07:002009-09-28T11:18:50.038-07:00Busy Days<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TfKoY9GYZwvrz2_JsZ_khMBeO1W_zfZd7rCJ8r7_Me38kgsvzxwQb-iNegpIHcXRJ58kcMy4Y53_mf4jHddPWsyOmMM706sGxLruNFbckWITcWEAArT877Df_saNh5MBUFi4GrcqkZxW/s1600-h/2009_0829aug290003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386582215986818162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TfKoY9GYZwvrz2_JsZ_khMBeO1W_zfZd7rCJ8r7_Me38kgsvzxwQb-iNegpIHcXRJ58kcMy4Y53_mf4jHddPWsyOmMM706sGxLruNFbckWITcWEAArT877Df_saNh5MBUFi4GrcqkZxW/s400/2009_0829aug290003.JPG" /></a><br /><div>As we've been introducing Dakota to scent work lately, it's occurred to me that his guide dog experience is a terrific basis for the new work. Guide work, even just the basic work that we puppy raisers do, really teaches the dogs to think for themselves. Guide dogs know lots of commands, but what really sets them apart in my mind is that they do the bulk of their work "on their own" -- they must make appropriate decisions <em>without</em> commands from the human partner. Sitting at curbs, slowing down for changes in footing, avoiding overhead obstacles -- it's all up to the dog to negotiate using his own judgment. </div><br /><div></div><div>In the same way, right now we're teaching Dakota to recognize the scent associated with "high" and "low" blood sugars, and linking a distinctive alert to each one. But the key is that eventually those scents will become their own cue for an alert -- he'll have to decide to give the alert with no command from his handler. Having seen his ability to handle basic guide work in this way, I know he's got it in him...it will just take lots of work and practice. I'm really thrilled that we get to be involved in his basic training and we're extremely excited with his progress!</div><br /><div></div><div>In the meantime, we're keeping up lots of obedience work and socialization, as usual. With October just around the corner, Halloween displays are everywhere. Dakota didn't know what to think of this sinister-looking character. He was <em>so</em> curious and wanted to sniff her, but...what a scary cackle! </div><br /><div></div><div> </div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx61pUsHaSKDmV3wLXjbZtPuka8SxZUzfB70TF8U5AvpIU4MIhlj9N9DTI_M0aNOpr0OkvDKXEZlGMH748Mpg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-41014640277452035762009-09-21T17:53:00.000-07:002009-09-21T17:53:54.725-07:00Art Appreciation for Dogs<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dakota's scent training for diabetic alert work began this past Thursday, and we're thrilled with his response. He's naturally curious and eager to please, and so far we're also impressed with his nose...keep up the good work, Duckie!<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaTpcQJXlGdlj2m0B4qSMEfhl_iOwnx4w8xeWsBpf4kVjhuub3a4sNWpOmyMUrdkSZTvW3EA18nVFL3z7ll_EenvM1YjPXHpwj5qY_FoW9NJufNkG6Uit1Qf9AnWOPUJhpYZUIqR7p6P3/s1600-h/2009_0920Sept200113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaTpcQJXlGdlj2m0B4qSMEfhl_iOwnx4w8xeWsBpf4kVjhuub3a4sNWpOmyMUrdkSZTvW3EA18nVFL3z7ll_EenvM1YjPXHpwj5qY_FoW9NJufNkG6Uit1Qf9AnWOPUJhpYZUIqR7p6P3/s320/2009_0920Sept200113.JPG" /></a>Switching gears a little...Dakota celebrated Austin's "free museum day" by going along with us Sunday to Austin's beautiful Blanton Museum of Art. The folks at the Blanton were very welcoming of him as a service dog and radioed ahead so that none of the docents would be taken by surprise when we walked in. We enjoyed the wide array of exhibits while Dakota sat politely and people-watched. He pretty much ignored the two-dimensional art, but the sculptures fascinated him. His favorite was a larger-than-life piece entitled, "Dying Gaul." The subject had apparently gotten the worst of a skirmish with Roman forces and was kind of lying on one side, arm outstretched, on a platform that put him just above Duckie level. Put yourself in Dakota's paws, though, and he was...<em>obviously</em>...trying to reach out and give a tummy rub! Dakota got quite excited and wanted to sniff and lick his hand...I had to discreetly walk away into the adjoining room! Overall, though, Dakota did just great, especially with all the crowds. I was pretty pleased with him.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This particular piece of "art" was <em>not</em> featured at the Blanton, but it's so quirky-Austin that I just had to get a picture. It's designed to encourage responsible dog ownership, as you can see! Apparently the pile of dirt in the background represents the amount of waste generated daily by Austin dogs...wow....<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">"Hey, I always have clean walks, it wasn't me!"<br />
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</div>Have a good week, everyone, and wish Dakota luck as he continues his new training!<br />
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</div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-82982185412477672402009-09-21T08:52:00.000-07:002009-09-21T08:52:57.888-07:00Dakota's a Winner!<strong>Thank you</strong> to Erin & her crew ( <a href="http://gdfpuppyraiser.blogspot.com/">http://gdfpuppyraiser.blogspot.com/</a> ) for this fun award! Took me quite a while to figure out how to post it, so I don't know how much of a blogger I really am. If you like great pictures of adorable dogs, you've really got to check out Erin's blog featuring the escapades of two dachshunds and an ever-changing array of service-dog-in-training sidekicks.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Way to go, Duckie, we always knew <em>you</em> were a winner!<br />
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</div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-13926017168590944982009-09-11T19:18:00.000-07:002009-09-12T12:50:28.673-07:00Career Change?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSLFDNn0wrC3VElWtjXawnDh96uzGB94RlH7inRrgxrhqGGrMRKHZJzNo5dl4xlU8LYT88CdID2tKAS0pDNOMza-YEY4vwUIYJ3Dzb_9HStTdLCpa9f90HK2WyCrp3sq10dIqNqeNWHSz/s1600-h/2009_0911Sept120102c.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380666601808013266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSLFDNn0wrC3VElWtjXawnDh96uzGB94RlH7inRrgxrhqGGrMRKHZJzNo5dl4xlU8LYT88CdID2tKAS0pDNOMza-YEY4vwUIYJ3Dzb_9HStTdLCpa9f90HK2WyCrp3sq10dIqNqeNWHSz/s320/2009_0911Sept120102c.JPG" /></a> Yes, Dakota's had a change in his career path. Kind of like when you start college and switch majors midstream, it means some retooling and extra work, but it's all worth it in the end! The family he met last week thinks he's a great match so all systems are go. Now, instead of training to be a guide dog, he's training to be a diabetes alert dog.<br /><div><br /><div>I can hear it all the way through cyberspace..."A <em>what?"</em> Since I've been answering that question about Dakota all his life it just doesn't faze me any more. In fact it seems almost fitting! (Passerby: "He's a <em>what?"</em> Me, for the thousandth time: "A labradoodle...")</div><br /><div>Dogs have this amazing sense of smell, as I'm sure you know. In fact, guide dogs use their sense of smell for some of their "finds" ("find the trash can, " "find the boys," "find the girls" -- for the men's and ladies' restrooms). I remember my surprise when I was working Willie at a new strip mall and he suddenly "lost" his ability to find me a trash can. Later I realized that since it was new construction, the trash cans had no trash in them yet and he just didn't recognize them without their characteristic scent! </div><br /><div>At any rate, Duckie will soon be training for a new scent "find" -- only this time he'll be using his nose to detect a drop or spike in his partner's blood glucose levels. He'll then learn to give an "alert" to his person, who can do a quick test and take appropriate action to keep the levels in the target zone. To the uninitiated it might almost seems superfluous to have a service dog for this purpose. But what I've learned is that many type I diabetics can become unaware of the physical symptoms of their "highs" and "lows." These swings can be fast and dangerous. In these cases, specially trained service dogs can be a real life saver, as they can often learn to alert long before the situation reaches a critical point. Think Dakota's up to it?...Yeah, I do too!</div><br /><div>So far, we've had to retrain him in two areas. The first one was teaching him to walk at heel (right by my side), rather than in guide position (a little ahead). That took...well...all of one walk. He really seems to get the idea. <em>I'm</em> the one having trouble remembering! Old habits die hard, and I guess I'm older than he is, so there you go!</div><br /><div>The second (get ready to laugh): we had to teach him to sleep on the bed! Again, this is much harder for me than for him. We have never ever <em>ever </em>let him on the furniture...AT<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjNK5VQX238KobuAypF6Hqf44AfJcREFQgKoc12oCq3XXb6OL3KGCwXwFosWKs1ZvYCAYYo8cxwm0qn_VebYd6yajqKX51HJuEBckh1JHepOCcmrjVzXJsOUKgxuycWYlSXOuJ2_ogPJM/s1600-h/2009_0912Sept12b0006b.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380666014095896626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjNK5VQX238KobuAypF6Hqf44AfJcREFQgKoc12oCq3XXb6OL3KGCwXwFosWKs1ZvYCAYYo8cxwm0qn_VebYd6yajqKX51HJuEBckh1JHepOCcmrjVzXJsOUKgxuycWYlSXOuJ2_ogPJM/s320/2009_0912Sept12b0006b.JPG" /></a> ALL! Guide dogs don't <strong>do</strong> that. However, one of the times he'll be needed most will be nighttime and we want him close to his new person, should a blood sugar drop occur in the middle of the night. SO...(and I can hardly believe I'm saying this)...he's been getting to sleep with Katharine. Of course they both love it! The first time we asked him to get on the bed he dashed around it 2 or 3 times, like, "You're kidding, right?!...Oh you aren't?...well, here goes!" ...and with one leap he was up. He's never looked back, and seems to feel it's only his proper place now. So all you puppy raisers out there, let this be a lesson to you. All those months of careful training can be undone in just about ten seconds! Thankfully he's smart enough to get the difference between a bed and the other furniture and has never attempted to get on the couch or anything else. And here's the funniest part: the very next time I told him to "Go to bed" (our normal command for him to go to his <em>crate</em>)...guess where he went? That's right, the <em>people </em>bed! He just looked at me like, "Well, this <em>is</em> my bed now!" Funny dog...perhaps a bit too smart for his own good...</div><br /><div>We may call it a career change, but to Dakota it's nothing short of a promotion!</div><div></div></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-46559053187817495352009-09-05T15:27:00.000-07:002009-09-05T17:35:50.444-07:00It's All About the People...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1cRoFmRodgQE5flrFfah8GUgut1citCafux-0_EBgxUkL3D-chc8WXO9thPy05Gqa-BAmPGNgSbcm5LhJvatfF7ukhOKhL743Ie26_CGoTK3bl9-nqF_B12P1Kw7EPuuf6qzZTv8F7-Y/s1600-h/2009_0903sept040034.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378143036462602690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1cRoFmRodgQE5flrFfah8GUgut1citCafux-0_EBgxUkL3D-chc8WXO9thPy05Gqa-BAmPGNgSbcm5LhJvatfF7ukhOKhL743Ie26_CGoTK3bl9-nqF_B12P1Kw7EPuuf6qzZTv8F7-Y/s320/2009_0903sept040034.JPG" /></a> Dakota's such a people-focused dog. While we're working, his eyes and ears are on me. If we go out to eat or something and he's under my chair, he always positions himself so he can people-watch. But when the jacket's off and he's actually allowed to <em>socialize</em> with people, he couldn't be happier. Well, the jacket came off and he got to meet some wonderful new people on Thursday!<br /><div></div><br /><div>It was what we call the matching visit, where a potential client and service dog meet for the first time, get to know one another, and get a feel for whether and how this whole thing is going to work out. Normally, puppy raisers don't get to be a part of this at all, so I was thrilled that Dakota's prospective new family wanted to visit him in his own home. We were <em>so </em>excited! I can't say much else yet, but things did seem to go well and for Duckie it was obviously love at first sight (first sniff?...first lick?) </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>And really, when all's said and done, that's what this whole puppy-raising thing is about: the people. At first, it <em>seems</em> like it's about the dogs. After all, that's the side of it that we work on -- transforming our adorable but totally uncivilized little puppies into well-mannered, highly skilled guide dogs. But seeing a guide dog at work with his partner (especially when that dog was once <em>your </em>puppy!) truly reminds you that it's about the people. There's a synergy, a bond between the two that is quite amazing. Any disability just seems to melt away and all you see is a confident person getting on with and enjoying her life...with the help of a very special dog. It's a great feeling to know you've been able to contribute toward that cause.</div><br /><div></div><div>Although Dakota will be a different type of service dog, that's essentially what his life will be about too -- his person. And I don't think he could be any happier! We're excited to see what the future holds for him and his partner.</div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-15938162285001523362009-08-29T17:21:00.000-07:002009-08-30T14:37:53.350-07:00What's Your MPH?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT9SPavAYHxzE0S_BO0vtGo7LGBByiusB71Zm9gVFC6lYWRxPKKhV41zdVeLDkv1pGJciBkuGMQjFK6DJqCy7VK3wJe8rClXHyqXzg_5SeY8R4UiB4PzUP0DG47m-E848i6d6_o_ZDSbr/s1600-h/2009_0829aug290067.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375870705433163506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT9SPavAYHxzE0S_BO0vtGo7LGBByiusB71Zm9gVFC6lYWRxPKKhV41zdVeLDkv1pGJciBkuGMQjFK6DJqCy7VK3wJe8rClXHyqXzg_5SeY8R4UiB4PzUP0DG47m-E848i6d6_o_ZDSbr/s320/2009_0829aug290067.JPG" /></a> No, we're not talking about miles per hour! It's just become a family joke that Dakota gets very low mph, or "miles per hug." A big cuddler, he needs (or at least wants!) constant refills of hugs and pats to keep him going. Of course since no one seems to mind obliging him, I guess you could say it works out pretty well!<br /><div><br /><div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm86xvYQ8Ln2JWFfzaDKNg27-emT5qsnqu4Ak-6V9IoAaFxGnNBCaAibPvE1HMuCngvEjcgXqG7O664HyZyZ3aS9KriKEXso8o6IxmDvJ0LQzZjnx0C0m_rIVRsZdIawz3swdUzS-iyVqv/s1600-h/2009_0829aug290072.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375871342718132962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm86xvYQ8Ln2JWFfzaDKNg27-emT5qsnqu4Ak-6V9IoAaFxGnNBCaAibPvE1HMuCngvEjcgXqG7O664HyZyZ3aS9KriKEXso8o6IxmDvJ0LQzZjnx0C0m_rIVRsZdIawz3swdUzS-iyVqv/s320/2009_0829aug290072.JPG" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>After a hectic week accompanying us everywhere from the orthodontist's office, to the mall, to the grocery store (and all points in between), Dakota got another brand new experience on Saturday: attending a GDTx speakers' workshop. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>No, we're not teaching him to "speak" -- that will be my job! There were at least half<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfKe0PLnPmjtilm1WThP8pGrWv44J-9d9MjUF3n5RMiqp1kUinD3GntHng_SNI1daAYdh8h5WptBgto_t3NBP2QE2EGjDsuR2FvMe8c4AFhg-qmugrr0AKE6YjyGP4khbgw67XXLQ2kzj/s1600-h/2009_0829aug290185b.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375868046627954930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfKe0PLnPmjtilm1WThP8pGrWv44J-9d9MjUF3n5RMiqp1kUinD3GntHng_SNI1daAYdh8h5WptBgto_t3NBP2QE2EGjDsuR2FvMe8c4AFhg-qmugrr0AKE6YjyGP4khbgw67XXLQ2kzj/s320/2009_0829aug290185b.JPG" /></a> a dozen other dogs in the classroom when we walked in -- all working guides. Dakota was so excited that he began to pull and whine and even barked a couple of times. I took him to the back and we did a little obedience work together, which helped to settle him down. Then we found a seat, and he was really quite good for the rest of the two-hour meeting, apart from a little more whining at the start when a guide dog and his person came and sat right in front of us. But he settled in with the help of occasional reminders from me and a few well-timed pieces of liver! Afterward, his reward was getting some hugs and attention from several of the folks who had come to the meeting. It was fun to see some of our GDTx friends and get to know a few new people as well.</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375867651751810306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmu7r66hGaXJuolt6rnJKFsRzSqxZvIMtntWiIGidVJ6cGRO0NWzAoZFd-UC5NBpUOzfCmpogtMBp2mSgZrii-HznlS4Q6eI1garkXscOjN2fd23bOyOIAjntyWiVP4U9JiOvXSvWNIlcx/s320/2009_0829aug290191.JPG" />One more picture for you to enjoy...just look at the beautiful GDTx vehicle with all those handsome guide dogs emblazoned all over it!<br /><br /></div></div><div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375865599728007298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RbifZmlb6blHjLiYryQIuCRf99WyluMATiynKRcuZ0TeM8LOPyPB8zgYgr8UN5ZJC-76R57AFk72M2cQLYqcagbPY8kEmsl945Vm2Mul0TKzvW4V98iTojtncjsn2UpHuGy_1oY_2jLw/s320/2009_0829aug290182.JPG" /><br /><div>...and who might that be, larger than life, right on the door in front? </div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375864437164002850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtZ7kMD29_GskjzZUraWx7xIjo5K5Nu74FzlxY1qShjDqzKNLNaLF1xYemt0lJcco4i4Z1vHxquXWIxPF5GOmuUjQXLYCsaSDbob8iJJNahK-AewMawhrmTIz823SPwTNcHRNImDQmczZ/s320/2009_0829aug290184.JPG" /></div><div>You bet, that's Dakota! He was a pretty cute baby, you have to admit. Of course we got a huge kick out of seeing OUR puppy driving up! Hopefully this vehicle gets better fuel economy than Dakota's famously low "mph"...although Katharine <em>has</em> pointed out that to make up for it, Duckie's mpk (miles per kibble) is extremely high! </div></div></div></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-33235272556646794042009-08-22T10:45:00.000-07:002009-08-22T15:04:57.661-07:00Dog Days of SummerWell, the weather news says we've logged somewhere around 60 days of 100-degree-plus weather here in Central Texas, but hey, who can keep track any more? After a while it all just runs together in a sort of feverish blur. Here are a few tips from Duckie on keeping cool: <div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>#1: Pant. Pant a lot. </div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372904443523054898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUc5RdFTFOWGkXjNmDhkuueOy_0eLL5wmltw7k3jXzkk1TbcBrJypgRuDErAhg6KJAdsGYXaFfere_j_LSwNZlePOVn-8smNesNgQuvSRFwmL78MBxqBqcPzWihk1bZyCEwkG-C8VofolT/s320/2009_0814bbq0002.JPG" /> </div><div>#2: Find a cool place to lie down and rest.</div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372907359094474290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVTXNQfpiLM33tIOekbOvpf7-fpjg3SAyHItL506Puz-LrZCQGEztRhoksJa4OgJsKI2HAm4OhxS6uUEvj9soIxZ5ZHJ-T-NwBgmGIl9_ZiOCK82UfPMVB1EZl_2GK6p_mvcP_pirRlcZ/s320/2009_0820aug210056.JPG" /><br /><div>#3: See #2. (This is Dakota's patented cool-down pose, "The Roadkill.")</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372910412212716258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC4o9C-qfeuEG1O1WzK-ARtg7T8Bu8NUrDCiCwCGvi_5NblUE-97mStn6B5LheNCm0InRErxSPET1udv_VpqeZXCAU8QBGVlGj-qwihCQoFboNAUc4NBILNxIZv30bclLeMBDxO9x4jKD/s320/2009_0822aug220005b.JPG" /><br /><div>#4: Try to stay in air-conditioned places. The dairy aisle is great.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372906418467296690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULNtblCPZ5afWORgTAJqHMT4kfv5pdvApRUYcGEOh-VlUztvoen5aAN8f3SfTS3I7DdTVe37oW2cVEhyL8r9WYRIjkYUjgRELIqGuHph7myVu49bdRSrAWWOGLQtGPfJryb_pdn7ALmX3/s320/2009_0806dakotashops0059.JPG" /><br /><div>#5: When your people are looking the other way...sneak out and run under the sprinkler! With any luck you'll get a bit muddy and they'll have to hose you off before bringing you back inside...heh heh heh!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372908222274762946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrTNJoo8tKlhFgEIRLN3m7LC3H7UUgDrPzS3GLNYpIGSxJXZjtgorKomQTGkmFK9cdWTiy7f66O4dc5Xv9rKhmJrS7CIapOZDgxdc4VfW_pWisILM0U1hv1SpLf_sv0MqRqNYl-xpA7ho/s320/2009_0820aug210050.JPG" /><br /><div>Happy dog days, everyone!</div></div></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-88151771665931842252009-08-16T13:15:00.000-07:002009-08-16T14:07:32.760-07:00"Is He Real?"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPEguS7nWuLZpQsZtW6vtBb5Szhyphenhyphen6XrYDogiG3THVEXZGfcBgmXA3R91kekIFEguyRlavCVeoPx6GxQCh3Aiesr1iRqJn8S_18UN3NUYwbeLzH51OEaOt0mirsGILrsN18WV-9Xmcni_F/s1600-h/2009_0814bbq0028.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370663631177431682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPEguS7nWuLZpQsZtW6vtBb5Szhyphenhyphen6XrYDogiG3THVEXZGfcBgmXA3R91kekIFEguyRlavCVeoPx6GxQCh3Aiesr1iRqJn8S_18UN3NUYwbeLzH51OEaOt0mirsGILrsN18WV-9Xmcni_F/s320/2009_0814bbq0028.JPG" /></a>...that's the question I keep hearing from people. You'd be surprised how many times we hear it, from both kids and grownups. In fact, just this week three different people asked us that. This is not a question I ever heard while raising Willie (yellow lab)...not even once! Apparently, Willie was "real." Dakota? Hmmm, that's another question!<br /><br />I always just answer, "Yes," (I mean, <em>obviously!) </em>but to be honest I'm a bit puzzled by what they mean. I should just ask them next time. Here are some options the kids and I came up with -- feel free to leave a comment and let us know what <strong>you</strong> think!<br /><br />1) Is that a real <em>guide</em> dog? (Or, are you just dressing up your pet?)<br /><br />2) Is that a real <em>dog</em>? (Or...I don't know...a very convincing stuffed animal?)<br /><br />3) Am I seeing things? Is he an optical illusion? (Maybe there are some really philosophical types out there!)<br /><br />And now, something we were glad <em>wasn't</em> "real"! One of the new places we visited this week was a sports store. I was looking for some exercise equipment. We rounded the corner and came face-to-face with...<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370664388454191746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq9kiTPOdrncGz0KsT8tYUFqJYYHWaXgqgqDyC7G_YqkD2GL6MXyR3ZzmmE3mDd4jkvYyzCtvn7WIWZsjeYKDusnDajRQ1a4VQ66lbTFTVbazhqZgZs9zNGrkXNy_3TjwiTjekMn_2QI6/s320/2009_0814bbq0221.JPG" /><br />...possibly the meanest-looking man Dakota had ever seen! Dakota was really put off by the angry look on his face (a bit hard to see from this angle)...at least, that's what I think it was. Mannequins don't normally throw him for a loop, and I don't think the missing arms had anything to do with it. When I touched it and showed him it was all right, he consented to sniff it but you could tell he was still suspicious. I gave him a treat for being brave, but as you can see in the picture, he ate it without ever letting his eyes off that guy. Finally, as we were moving away, some little boys came up behind us and started punching another punching bag...and then the "mean man." Dakota looked back as much as if to say, "There, see? They <em>agree </em>with me! That guy is dangerous!"Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-30837908805999630622009-08-11T08:52:00.000-07:002009-08-11T12:08:01.461-07:00Moving On!<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMt_rckUV5DcyUc-V8HftMiN2-1w4d-h8sZAc9EwNDgnrFvNnZwie8hutZ-YDpOlO7lfOy0XDCz5X9_jvQUdwVZcjwDhWSQyFytTNaO4vjkq8pQ50tUgRwTW9dSixqCXQci6rJvxDj1nW7/s1600-h/2009_0803backyard0017b.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368774196121091026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMt_rckUV5DcyUc-V8HftMiN2-1w4d-h8sZAc9EwNDgnrFvNnZwie8hutZ-YDpOlO7lfOy0XDCz5X9_jvQUdwVZcjwDhWSQyFytTNaO4vjkq8pQ50tUgRwTW9dSixqCXQci6rJvxDj1nW7/s320/2009_0803backyard0017b.JPG" /></a> The great thing about going through a tough time is that you realize how wonderful friends can be. Thanks to all the friends and family who've been so sympathetic about Dakota's situation. You're the greatest!<br /><br />Meanwhile, life moves on, and we're happy to move on too! I have to say that the more I learn about Dakota's prospective new service dog job, the more excited I am about it. I really think his temperament and training make him very well suited to the new work. And while some of his guide-dog-specific skills won't be needed, all the obedience training will really pay off. He already knows so much about being a service dog, and working in public in all sorts of situations. He'll have to adapt to a new handler and new skills, but I'm sure he'll enjoy the challenge. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GiY_sgj9wCYYWjflPjHdofg4YIel-a69Ygw2GCErvV7EXm0cxqLJbn22FozasEOu3LUmGG1N6PnE0iMeGPNAanZtJreMHYoV8YEKlGyftk3xKXvusJUcwVoazoNFwpo0_mHZbTIHNv4G/s1600-h/2009_0806dakotashops0049.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368769074636631986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GiY_sgj9wCYYWjflPjHdofg4YIel-a69Ygw2GCErvV7EXm0cxqLJbn22FozasEOu3LUmGG1N6PnE0iMeGPNAanZtJreMHYoV8YEKlGyftk3xKXvusJUcwVoazoNFwpo0_mHZbTIHNv4G/s320/2009_0806dakotashops0049.JPG" /></a><br />Since we've still got Dakota for the time being, we're keeping up with his training and our routine is pretty much the same as usual. He still goes just about everywhere with us, and enjoys it immensely. He's matured a lot. This is the fun part of puppy raising, and it goes by way too fast...getting to enjoy the nice, well-behaved dog you've worked for all this time! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />Okay, everyone loves a funny story, so here's one from this week. Saturday morning, we headed to the airport to pick Tim up from a business trip. I saw him walking out of the terminal from a distance, but Duckie's view was obstructed by a low wall. Motioning "shh!," Tim sat down on the wall, very still, back to Dakota, so that we'd walk right past him. When we got up by him, Duckie was being so good at paying attention to me that at first he didn't notice Tim at all. Fighting back a chuckle, I told Dakota to "sit," and all of a sudden his little nose started twitching overtime! He jumped up and started wagging his tail in circles (that's what he does when he's <strong>really</strong> happy), still not looking up, just<em> sniffing. </em>I let him turn around and he followed his nose until he ran--<em>bam!--</em>right into Tim's legs. Ooh, he was excited! It was pretty funny to watch!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368770085962194962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nX5WvZU8BnhpPUgoYJ2nkTz9pYXx6RkAHNTSL4usTVXj0b01HJeejFiEdSuLKMCAV0N7E6K5KJqRyOkSd-FTjkgWymaKuzl2m0NYSIz_xWNHbt6nFO7CW_DNIsYHxlt3lrH9Y3mq1hPw/s320/2009_0730greatoutdoors0161.JPG" /> <p align="center"><em>Not sure if they were laughing <strong>with</strong> me or <strong>at</strong> me...but, hey, who cares?<br /></em></p>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-17503228051500708392009-08-03T08:48:00.000-07:002009-08-04T10:05:27.272-07:00Heartbreak...and HopeAbsolutely nothing could have prepared me for the news we received on Saturday.<br /><br /><div><div><div>Michelle came over and tried her best to break it to us gently;<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInWz9CQTg5MnS-zCsJeK6d21sDhn1n7YEPSGbfIhn26vhgUHC3jX8MigyCYQvoVLD1QsNPoDG_7VsVtfT1Vug2zEdWWBbm-6O6qvAtXAWHl244hdSvMHmXH9nkNt9YOQsRed2hm9ilS-D/s1600-h/2009_0803backyard0021b.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366147412574057122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInWz9CQTg5MnS-zCsJeK6d21sDhn1n7YEPSGbfIhn26vhgUHC3jX8MigyCYQvoVLD1QsNPoDG_7VsVtfT1Vug2zEdWWBbm-6O6qvAtXAWHl244hdSvMHmXH9nkNt9YOQsRed2hm9ilS-D/s200/2009_0803backyard0021b.JPG" /></a></div><div>but there is really no way to soften the blow delivered by the<br />news that your wonderful puppy has just completely failed his </div><div>hip x-rays. There was nothing borderline about it; Dakota's </div><div>hip scores were way beyond the acceptable tolerance, putting </div><div>him at high risk for developing dysplasia. Guide work in harness </div><div>is a physically demanding job and it would not be fair to expect </div><div>him to do this.</div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vbH9j5NfwtHEywpW2Dre5dk-KwFUj69cNrmmpRjU-CzvV68Zm6VSK1cUP-Dwv8Dp7afFzggiYYYx1uX2kfkgKxmYVNCLMf2n2I5R2bGl3gNpZ5-YtbUc82b1Yar3EMCSxFWJF2RvYamP/s1600-h/2009_0803backyard0009b.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366153443623058642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vbH9j5NfwtHEywpW2Dre5dk-KwFUj69cNrmmpRjU-CzvV68Zm6VSK1cUP-Dwv8Dp7afFzggiYYYx1uX2kfkgKxmYVNCLMf2n2I5R2bGl3gNpZ5-YtbUc82b1Yar3EMCSxFWJF2RvYamP/s320/2009_0803backyard0009b.JPG" /></a>Utter disbelief was my first reaction. I had to be assured that there had been <em><strong>no</strong></em> mistake -- in fact, multiple opinions had already been obtained from specialists around the country on his results, and no, the lab didn't mix up his films with someone else's. But it still seemed implausible to me. After all, Dakota has never exhibited any of the lameness or stiffness associated with hip problems. He runs like a deer and is one of the most agile and athletic dogs I've seen! His breeder goes above and beyond what many breeders consider the standard requirements, thoroughly testing all breeding dogs for a variety of inheritable disorders -- hip problems included. But sadly, human knowledge can only go so far. Despite everything we've done to stack the genetic "cards" in his favor, Dakota just chanced to draw a poor hand. It can happen, and it's really nobody's fault. Now it's up to us to help him make the most of what he's got.</div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><div>It really is, for me, a kind of grieving process -- a sense of loss. There just aren't words to express how I feel! Dakota is such an exceptional dog and a real joy to train. He's quite good at what we've trained him to do, and so of course it's sad that he can't do it. But the main thing, to me, is just that I don't want anything bad to happen to him.</div><br /><div>As it happens, however, this exceptional nature may be the ticket to his fut<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46o3W_4skQnkyC7nADqbk-CEFaHC-QiMMICwdhP5rbZam1ZHre6RINRGKllyqTmGD9ay8bqghll80JWj0QqTSIQGUmnhtZRz-c-HmB9eRslyMZUs2oAPSrX8yZx5w8VaBI-wdoQJrrnVw/s1600-h/2009_0803backyard0001.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366154534513394178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46o3W_4skQnkyC7nADqbk-CEFaHC-QiMMICwdhP5rbZam1ZHre6RINRGKllyqTmGD9ay8bqghll80JWj0QqTSIQGUmnhtZRz-c-HmB9eRslyMZUs2oAPSrX8yZx5w8VaBI-wdoQJrrnVw/s320/2009_0803backyard0001.JPG" /></a>ure -- a very different one than what we had planned and prepared for, yet a good future all the same. Dakota's natural abilities combined with his extremely easy-going, people-centered personality make him a prime candidate for different, less physical, service dog jobs. He is currently under consideration for this type of "career change" and, since everything's still in the very beginning stages, I can't say any more than that right now. But it's pretty safe to share that, should he succeed in his new task, he would be <em>at least</em> as highly valued and indispensable to his new family as a guide dog is to its partner. With proper veterinary care, a loving home, and a job to do, I think Dakota's future can still be a bright one. Who knows, perhaps he is the answer to someone's prayers!</div><br /><div>In the meantime, someone forgot to forward to Dakota the memo that he has bad hips. After working very hard to cheer me up Saturday afternoon (I'm sure he wondered what all the tears were about!), he blew off some steam by going on one of his high-spirited racing sprees, tearing around in giant circles, leaping over obstacles in a single bound, coming back for a quick pat, and then charging off again.</div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366145645542580386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S0BP8xz6VcHz4j8KsjqIVgQaMXDdHW0nOjD_T0UOz7TQNdLjqi0O8YZNOhSa7DU0y6NoR_08gC04GvVcH2MmLlg3iShWR2B6hrLU6JUPxbwwjhh_0bdY8psNJ6oOgjx_KCSB96Y7UFiQ/s320/2009_0803backyard0030b.JPG" /><em>"Do I look like this is gonna stop me?"</em></div></div></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-22664383073400175742009-07-31T19:04:00.000-07:002009-07-31T20:39:25.645-07:00At the Garden CenterWith an afternoon cool enough to contemplate an outdoor walk, I thought it would be fun to take Dakota to a nearby garden center. Here are some lessons we went over...<br /><div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><em>No matter how good things smell, I'm still expected to focus.</em> </div><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364821395118811522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgDBDoAQaObUhkDQ7EvHa_Im2zPQ0Sx-QgBET-XLiHECcZPF-3DE28bM-uS_YestpRq-zwNMCxVycY9gvhv9t3Yi7a6EhFJP0nio2SI5_xXPH904Us4FzC5ZwOn_PSKIY8eaCXjqyKQ-M/s320/2009_0730greatoutdoors0054.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="left"><em>Wind chimes are annoying, but okay. </em></div><br /><div align="left"><em></em></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364821914075635250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yyaAwJ6S4ZoyTs8q0ecPMoD3Saa3JT6f_r-drrjxyrP1x8ZaUqfKx0uWzSb5Xqq9paYIjGCDsp-uykkGGkVDAw8fkZD7eYe4zkZJFuMiH9RoyJzuq-uUSdbUGiH8swPy4UVvaeOjaxs2/s320/2009_0730greatoutdoors0057.JPG" /><br /><div align="left"><em>Not every container with water in it is for me to drink out of.</em></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364822789432818642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJghFwXXM0MpXsv2rR0SfMh_0WJt6PJI1W3LbUHjD2Ie49rmzkPh0IPacUc5N96LnkRnLi0JEM0HnbZfHNJQaFa1WNPkeXiQOUZX1871Isfd44DK8JHVDuzF_Ll-SMqB3NwWFpC9kGPMj/s320/2009_0730greatoutdoors0059.JPG" /><br /><div><em>Trying to walk faster than Mom is pointless because she <strong>never</strong> seems to get tired of making me "heel"!</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364823796368513602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96CE4VWfES3rjDPtW9-YcMXc_m7aKaS8g7MB499TqHHO6qAXiVdsM6oPpouQ9BI16iGYVmflCFsuQUqGMD_e2AskueYB6HTDzJ5Lp1Wh9kj95QGX-e20BAn8GwVkRZsl0-I0nogekcZlg/s320/2009_0730greatoutdoors0185.JPG" /><br /><div><em>I may be the guide dog, but she still gets to decide where we go.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364825000887077602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-7-2UakT7lEBsmTSn2_DOyGFVRTtX7Uerl_C7gqtJ8fW6eq-xVnoUFZ2T249c1k40F3wWrrRYdvLE5TqNPrLWHMezSPmX5Dh4bLIqnIrpk18KWMm0VtQK1NtzoKGZDn0R7irjNxkkdWm/s320/2009_0730greatoutdoors0184.JPG" /><br /><div><em>No matter how big a noise it makes falling over, a potted plant can't hurt you.</em></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364826247335222450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjULkmGKbTiSpa0f3Q0rhaxHLm-tVGgb-ZnE9qQshdyqTScISfsonyATZybjrkpKjCtOXB0AE4YkIFbLmXBJ9phpPwQrAu8sTCsrzVGUlCWfSih1tPkvqaRnH_BRiBDA9fs9peTXCtQcgb/s320/2009_0730greatoutdoors0146.JPG" /><br /><div><em>Work is fun!</em></div><div> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364827185159864434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Tk9mixP-uHvx0wscq2_Tz4n8J-wLHNv8409wxpezbiKfqIdqXiLqQeYhBmIoFRCsH37P8y6jBW70fnDpOzGZgTP-BWX4Meg3yyYjGbPdmu1PXVPzUU-JiPwDUJiLnhfkXSNnX71r9UDy/s320/2009_0730greatoutdoors0152.JPG" /></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>And, to finish up, here's one Dakota has really mastered:<br /><br /><em>At the end of a day's work, the best place to relax is with a friend. </em></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364831558294729970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzt0zng6_vDZMafIH1cUnpWVoxeTx96Ls6FsYsDxwPaMAn31rkyc6nINJxNo-GDOK6PMl_LzSRRF6WdenWO89bF-SSTqRaQdTZg1W9IOvYL-p8aZnPT_tYwNZ7ZS3SfbMdgwtlg4MWKL-/s320/2009_0730greatoutdoors0238.JPG" /><em></em><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-64855188267169453302009-07-25T09:23:00.000-07:002009-07-25T11:28:34.205-07:00It Takes All Kinds<div align="left">Just like people, dogs have such interesting personalities. That's a big part of what makes puppy raising fun. And, just like with raising kids, you find that one size definitely does <em>not </em>fit all when it comes to training methods and motivation.</div><div align="left"><br />Dakota enjoyed having his friend Twist over last weekend, but stayed very busy making sure that she understood <em>he's </em>the one in charge around here! Dakota is quite submissive to people but likes to be top of the pecking order when other dogs come to visit. This is the opposite of the lab puppy we raised, Willie. He didn't care who was top dog as long as they would play with him! Duckie doesn't let his smaller size bother him, and in fact, sometimes he uses it to his advantage when playing with someone bigger. Twist didn't know what to do about this clever little tactic:</div><div align="center"><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwn0FQljVSS1P1pe93WY8sDVDP-i4Ye_wuDNHUmYL_wM2sPNQ1DFbPH-y_yt8VA53nGb4mYpw9JHvX_nCgJMA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">The picture below is cute, but the funny thing is that Dakota really didn't want to share Tim's lap with another puppy. He's accustomed to posing for the camera so all was sweet and quiet until the picture was taken...but as soon as the camera was put away he chased Twist off! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362453566944951922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VBNf4QEqsFVlefRXnJYGfQJ5z-_SoMxlgdUzedA_0ww1PK4BRF3gu0Nx2pbUuey8seSC_xV1mp_tWGGCrXt3PgwLWqvcQ9swzvFgr8PIgB8QiQuMcCoqn1bvhbsqnPf8csRHrYe29hoL/s320/2009_0714vectrex0126b.JPG" /><br />We got a new box of dog treats last week, the kind with a bunch of different flavors. Dakota is very funny with them. He'll take one from your hand ever so politely and delicately, then retire to a quiet spot where he can sniff it and lick it. You really wonder what he's thinking: <em>Hmmm...bacon again? And here I was hoping for chicken! </em>If we have another dog visiting, he'll eat the treat right up. But on his own, he's much more leisurely about it. He'll carry it around the house and play with it as if it were a toy for quite some time before finally eating it. The one below lasted from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Pretty amazing! Twist, on the other hand, has been known to swallow these treats whole. So again, it takes all kinds!<br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362454942541532386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZ2tKfQwcjOXLJwlHz20lRTDhfRNk3PZyHI-G3YzHD32CvvDMgGt24ZGw1lQmnCCVAGUxUR0REOJjeMrNe91U7b78-KDvDSN375FV7gdGjkkGRmpUX9W9MtCDBefDoaDNYwwGLM6Ed2Rr/s320/2009_0724downtownplus0001.JPG" />Well, yes, we <em>have </em>done more this week than lie around the house eating milk bones and playing! One of our more interesting outings was downtown. We worked on all kinds of things: going up and down stairs...<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzqWGxD-W3mPVBsTSXfT-bw4Kg11dLpXtH7wFW3qk5JssxDqKIku-B9eFyd01ZLzLcVLzCRMK9uvaXi5X0e' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="center"><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyg6cweGdIKZCOvYSF_sqdHk4FRrP2vxlpp_QoTBL0NIKk-ljCgTgNgNJfkKaU9PbnvKMq_NYk981GlMlinnA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></p><p>...practicing "finds"...</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362458923432250754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTikASvVoFhDavWZJHXjmExkLQmcclrtG2pxJqzpADOdkA64N-XB9qA6_xMpQT5HyyYlKkDklu606Y6i5yhBsIHPmFQNEEx_M7qz0k384daToveswfFUter40aaqeeD0EmzEV0mYy-8klJ/s320/2009_0724downtownplus0233.JPG" /> <p align="center"><em>"Do</em> <em>I get bonus points for finding you the <strong>shady</strong> seat?"<br /></p></em><p align="left">...not to mention all the quirky little unforeseen obstacles, like this steep ramp that dumped us right into a crosswalk. It was a good place to practice "steady," and was tricky to negotiate even <em>without</em> having a visual impairment! </p><p align="center"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxECLToUDqvrbQAWa6BjkA8yp3PFK2JI_FbeXDTmcpl5Jt7xprmm_-DwdNHahDTwIoPa_8PEsJDFgYz63iVUA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></p><p align="left">Distractions ran amok. The sound of sirens, brakes, and engines filled the air. Pigeons flapped around. Enticing smells poured out of the shops we passed. But, as usual, Dakota's biggest distraction was all the passersby. Although many people understand that he's working and leave him alone, many others try to talk to him or pet him. We just have to work through it as best we can. Practice makes perfect, or at least, that's what I'm counting on! </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8um9McFI8qh6zrM8IAu6lbxTiUmyZfyx2MOsSAkUn-0h6YOq5RBo5MpU_Qzcp7yRWKygbiSFu0Ndm5HzcDJNwg1HJtyjWxKxvPsQhll-iPi-fSrasGvX40fiU5nanaO4tFgjn-jypA_u/s1600-h/2009_0724downtownplus0199.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362462897992927410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8um9McFI8qh6zrM8IAu6lbxTiUmyZfyx2MOsSAkUn-0h6YOq5RBo5MpU_Qzcp7yRWKygbiSFu0Ndm5HzcDJNwg1HJtyjWxKxvPsQhll-iPi-fSrasGvX40fiU5nanaO4tFgjn-jypA_u/s320/2009_0724downtownplus0199.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM43KOChu1eFROUgMkGC8zMPKad1EEHyBnCdMDBue0yYrFBmmEnT3PPjlRMfITbG2aBtrj5N0nbVvWCvY9PhopNQRb4DQppO1InlWDBDwlcIdQd9a85Af2FAXGLYN-bxK75nn62v1qj0N/s1600-h/2009_0724downtownplus0206.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362464018464041074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM43KOChu1eFROUgMkGC8zMPKad1EEHyBnCdMDBue0yYrFBmmEnT3PPjlRMfITbG2aBtrj5N0nbVvWCvY9PhopNQRb4DQppO1InlWDBDwlcIdQd9a85Af2FAXGLYN-bxK75nn62v1qj0N/s320/2009_0724downtownplus0206.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Keep up the good work, buddy!</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-13067302699596851842009-07-17T13:59:00.000-07:002009-07-18T08:30:49.567-07:00On the Road AgainYep, Thursday's training walk involved a road trip. We drove down to meet Michelle for some work at a San Antonio mall. Dakota was very happy to get going...perhaps too happy! When excited, Duckie tends to get ahead and also go "wide." Once he's settled down he does better. Here, he's gotten ahead of me and I'm bringing him back into position with a "heel."<br /><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359602625007850322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0Saq6awWb4cEvGUD2qLdnG_SN0ev7HJXagzbc0WHqSBrYxAxseZHCD-QHaj9u29MecmAU6SWqWTLrnvxrB8W5PgDwJJNZyxCSauSU6Qhuihj61I5-HYj8gX8qrEqXJR8NgUAH1dAR5Ca/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0041.JPG" /><br /></div><div align="center">That's better!</div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359601024620047490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0zsdx9e0vhSPBBpFgX6x5VaLLz4-yX_6fQaQ9odAXJo2EvpvmFRW2bJsX4tMFudWQgCHO3Gfop4ZQLgDOZ25xOCf1N7fu2HWPYrM1k_uzHS_nhIWm-vNYh-UWTOUnlFUAGlnoi7qzGts/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0042.JPG" /><br /><div>Nice job on the stairs, buddy! Dakota indicates a "down" step by sitting.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359599840907224562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JB3PdMTdmOrc56FSVZHGYGwSVmPL3rTHEm6EAcPBMlUdJb88x1CkdDgn9DJzVsLp8Knox5JvrribEMCP9SkRqli0sK_L9mL3CmYimXG8KpCKct2h4WL7n8KYWN5eXMA0G6N-FbbqOlfC/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0045.JPG" /><br /><div>Next stop: a little tour of Build-A-Bear. This is a great place for Dakota to practice manners and self-control around crowds of kids. There's a birthday party in progress, as well as several families shopping, so it's crowded.<br /><br /></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359596278658762642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NHJs3LApDm1zTx05fuyS7V3nwAobgSEpHQZOYTLWfywg1JGr_c3NOjQnc2Gb7-EiZkgmszdr_DeJiygH2-0RIa7kEs3z2IQE3FeZbH_xyjXF0vl1s56LLz5Tz1u6-oe7jRy9YHWeU_jP/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0047.JPG" /> <div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ICHo2yOsaCvgko7G7F6R8Psx01zE_uL2c2Np7Zo7pvkxDmg5cMfoUn6LuRDACS-ji4JKMfl_yNkP8_7JnLVgzoVI4ABxk_WDxB3DIh8vaMem94-6igx5vHVtSzTpuALwHrzrRjfegd3U/s1600-h/2009_0717northstarmall0059.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359595113037010194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ICHo2yOsaCvgko7G7F6R8Psx01zE_uL2c2Np7Zo7pvkxDmg5cMfoUn6LuRDACS-ji4JKMfl_yNkP8_7JnLVgzoVI4ABxk_WDxB3DIh8vaMem94-6igx5vHVtSzTpuALwHrzrRjfegd3U/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0059.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Whatever they're doing over there, it looks like fun!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37snlZ9QbpCUPffpJ5s3ENLIQKJC8an4IHLBRtDVz4eRnuK0xRBF958cnbiIraAZvmRFJ6NW5j6qHwQIzv0fmJkBleJx7ZFJmjL2nlkqBMnBu-Ck6tBrHi-G83GZqf16XVyMNkzJoXCTn/s1600-h/2009_0717northstarmall0054.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359597875644437554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37snlZ9QbpCUPffpJ5s3ENLIQKJC8an4IHLBRtDVz4eRnuK0xRBF958cnbiIraAZvmRFJ6NW5j6qHwQIzv0fmJkBleJx7ZFJmjL2nlkqBMnBu-Ck6tBrHi-G83GZqf16XVyMNkzJoXCTn/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0054.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3A8q6yf6R3s2qaDY2WBxWxuCpgfQ76P7qcoZxuMfnUXlXZfU3UXMOFpoZRt3YeKq5eQ_3pejFa6dQ7cY6gRZVu9awvKQgjsYn4p8YEk1J0hrbqtiIA1bt8Qv_IThMRw1W-zcp4XE_1Vk/s1600-h/2009_0717northstarmall0075.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359593489663753010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3A8q6yf6R3s2qaDY2WBxWxuCpgfQ76P7qcoZxuMfnUXlXZfU3UXMOFpoZRt3YeKq5eQ_3pejFa6dQ7cY6gRZVu9awvKQgjsYn4p8YEk1J0hrbqtiIA1bt8Qv_IThMRw1W-zcp4XE_1Vk/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0075.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div>After hanging out for a while, it was time to go. Nice work, Dakota!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Moving on, we reach some "up" stairs. Dakota's demonstrating good form by stopping with his toes on the edge. His partner will be able to feel from the harness how high to step. Way to go!</div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359583020539597922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwsYXmrLeULVUEKM3-Ni3incuY4DTsFqOSv3hnM3J7lwWToGtQgYB8474pbDy5M7lWOeMlEvDyO3glMemB6MJlNn8T17wagIdLlBs7yL87spk0ArIBOwGbVlzHLG1IPBmrH-ARZHaxotV/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0077.JPG" /> Coming around the corner, we had a little surprise planned. Guide dog puppy Jethro (Twist's brother) was relaxing at Starbucks with his handler.<br /><div><br /></div>All the excitement was a bit much for Jethro, who gave in to a little barking fit. After all, he's only 16 weeks old! Michelle settled him down, then settled down the security guard who had come to investigate. After that we carried on with the walk, taking turns leading and following. Dakota much preferred leading.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359579254595587058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaXI74zh2EL6IPUDqBfpYsxtebSXFxuLYcLCff0ri40B6RRMH_RwkEgce1dOfzV08PdIUvDx3VeIs27SO2PF7tqLqrF_yayf11skcp-7fbJ0t8XciWkZRXG4kbiozaOY0IZ3SSrYBo8hm/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0097.JPG" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2CTl7q5agHtKTwEiUhAuzISB3iB2ua0E-tEeGmX8vHk1N7H9NTBa7gphFr-MQe9Vkp7jZ9iBMGR_W3NIVjdL0SwPwZI9u_GGXHcoq4DBscfbAUnRdYsY8blJq32fgg2VpYEwATCcR4dO/s1600-h/2009_0717northstarmall0145.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359570227442665890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2CTl7q5agHtKTwEiUhAuzISB3iB2ua0E-tEeGmX8vHk1N7H9NTBa7gphFr-MQe9Vkp7jZ9iBMGR_W3NIVjdL0SwPwZI9u_GGXHcoq4DBscfbAUnRdYsY8blJq32fgg2VpYEwATCcR4dO/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0145.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>Open stairs like these can be intimidating, but Dakota took them in stride.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>He's also quite calm about walking near the edge of a 2nd floor overlooking ground level, like in this photo. He seems to know that he's safe and doesn't have an undue fear of heights.</div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359567609227725986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlSWVSiDXnlrboGS1uOF6IFUsoabibQNFfcMwr0u8uB_ozWWBHEvqhnYKc2yXEe524ir58C_dWdP8mT3aUskhMVRHyd7o2JUolU5t39X7Uwnts_1nmfHoqs8V-YfyUaZ6NJ0ljt3T8tf5/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0151.JPG" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-tPqsRYS-rixWDdw1SoeCLj3dJopdvXwCVG12zaBSNo0Qn5GWlkml4sKeJ1FCpA9bJQcxGhibP3G46THOK-kf89Ts3JCyz0_CRU-2J4maUAhUlNMWv80ufC2ZbkNdjhHiIEKe_5A8pwl/s1600-h/2009_0717northstarmall0180.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359566400428622274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-tPqsRYS-rixWDdw1SoeCLj3dJopdvXwCVG12zaBSNo0Qn5GWlkml4sKeJ1FCpA9bJQcxGhibP3G46THOK-kf89Ts3JCyz0_CRU-2J4maUAhUlNMWv80ufC2ZbkNdjhHiIEKe_5A8pwl/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0180.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I saw the sign for the restrooms and wondered if Dakota could "find the girls'" for me in a strange mall. Sure enough, he went straight to it, even though it was around a corner and down the hall. Scent finds seem to be the easiest for dogs. I don't know about you, but I'm sure glad <em>I</em> can't smell the restrooms that far away!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Jethro sits calmly just a few feet away. Isn't he a handsome boy?<br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359580769875463090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkxApTrRxQZzQNijpBv38nAv9TNZ7n00CpYn446KuH8QgnzAIKWnUi83Poead5Rc0QkTTxcZRWARqNH2yiaFIrhME1MCRBZM5lPLwCUm9FqPWmshsRetwOJxbqjEbIgpy4UFN8fHsCO75/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0174.JPG" /> Finally, with both dogs tuckered out, we headed outside. Dakota and Jethro got to sniff noses but by this time they were so worn out they didn't even try to play. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIgTHJRMnO3gfF9W0antAC9KNg8CniiyumenmTzcYCO93hENDuyfBCSwl7OGE5JYg5snS0-FXOJQIwDjVvM3VIMIJs5eR3Jj8-8jOF3TEIBfS4tWki_Ajebsqa0sgFopuwKCbsO3-Fvio/s1600-h/2009_0717northstarmall0214b.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359564951511781058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIgTHJRMnO3gfF9W0antAC9KNg8CniiyumenmTzcYCO93hENDuyfBCSwl7OGE5JYg5snS0-FXOJQIwDjVvM3VIMIJs5eR3Jj8-8jOF3TEIBfS4tWki_Ajebsqa0sgFopuwKCbsO3-Fvio/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0214b.JPG" /></a> <div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMvzWU1xDzxziLvc8-dKllYUU_6YLcqVeA0VbuIa98A4kjlj3Lwqwbd4jqzykVc8brKO1o080Ud2UjVxBLhyphenhyphenAbEQsFf5MkgZfQebiO9qHUIE4Pp1_4uglqoDptyC1dbZX_FYK2KexAJ0r/s1600-h/2009_0717northstarmall0215.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359564258937463666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMvzWU1xDzxziLvc8-dKllYUU_6YLcqVeA0VbuIa98A4kjlj3Lwqwbd4jqzykVc8brKO1o080Ud2UjVxBLhyphenhyphenAbEQsFf5MkgZfQebiO9qHUIE4Pp1_4uglqoDptyC1dbZX_FYK2KexAJ0r/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0215.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Dakota talked his new friend into giving him a little tummy rub. Funny how he always manages to do that...</div><div></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359563210287201314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wgfbiIo9I7csBfQYDtF5TWNg0sisP97gZH8yiA3PD8f0IMZr3skBaXhKKECf5whg772hcBk_Ic5HSD41e7BXijCvBvZp3_HhinpjY0OrbC6gaqsaspGiEBzJa_8odkKQbuekxwM52QtH/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0211.JPG" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNsvwA9gxjM7tDggJ2EJDukKxhuvRQR1IbFf4IvHjGhXh0S19EZXKRz3ENwQhWsrH13TnlXmATCiFnK1UfwsIIZO1a_mDM2BwMAnuzYBLYjrczXC-n-mpizNqApuXWSkQy-S8xN4kyGse/s1600-h/2009_0717northstarmall0228.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359562229963539106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNsvwA9gxjM7tDggJ2EJDukKxhuvRQR1IbFf4IvHjGhXh0S19EZXKRz3ENwQhWsrH13TnlXmATCiFnK1UfwsIIZO1a_mDM2BwMAnuzYBLYjrczXC-n-mpizNqApuXWSkQy-S8xN4kyGse/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0228.JPG" /></a> But there was more in store for the Duck today. Before getting back on the road to Austin, we had to stop off for an appointment with Dr. Bonney, an ophthalmologist for dogs. He had to dilate Dakota's eyes and screen him for any eye problems. Of course, Dakota took the opportunity to make several <em>more</em> friends. I promise, you could never hope to meet a more friendly dog than this one! </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />The receptionist wondered what color she should call Dakota on his records. His original puppy chart says "red," but the color has really lightened up since then. I suggested "caramel," but I'm not really an expert. What do you think? At any rate, the appointment went well, and Dr. Bonney gave him the "all clear." Cool!<br /><br /><div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359561056940854002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmXl_kMRhVO82ZXsq3yCF8Qoap3JvN7eZLm90vdQySBltrdm9vk0Eb3B9bsOowT00AwdyZg_xNNbtIyWARowKQk-m8QCLt4oKCL_M3A6AV4XHCL_x6y5gMgF7Awkcy8bku6g94zjfdF_A/s320/2009_0717northstarmall0221b.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"><em>Nothing wrong with these eyes!</em></div></div></div></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-53512358939187739152009-07-10T07:39:00.000-07:002009-07-10T17:58:28.112-07:00A New Twist<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsGm8waNLTy-N32OmzM-m61pR_NsczsCkSmopPi-FUB-NC0Cq9p9SGqw6P_r6RR7_tIJK57tSts_8PPQIM9tyThaUDF4tLsTSrgKmToWesvml9PDRRB-s96-SOBlTYlbrKs_TdcO0Kl28/s1600-h/2009_0710duckntwist0010B.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356999925925725314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsGm8waNLTy-N32OmzM-m61pR_NsczsCkSmopPi-FUB-NC0Cq9p9SGqw6P_r6RR7_tIJK57tSts_8PPQIM9tyThaUDF4tLsTSrgKmToWesvml9PDRRB-s96-SOBlTYlbrKs_TdcO0Kl28/s320/2009_0710duckntwist0010B.JPG" /></a> It's been an eventful week. Wednesday evening, Michelle came to pick Dakota up and take him down to San Antonio. He had an x-ray screening scheduled for the next morning, one of several tests all guide dogs must pass to ensure they are physically sound enough for their career. As the test involves some pretty serious joint manipulation, dogs get an IV with anesthesia for their own comfort. Remembering how sore our last puppy was afterward, I was naturally concerned for Duckie -- but I needn't have worried! When he bounced back into the house on Thursday afternoon, he was as spunky and lively as if he'd just had a day at the spa. What a guy! Official results won't come back for quite a while on the x-rays, but I don't anticipate any problems. Now Dakota sports a funky new 'do on his right foreleg where the IV went in.<br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356864405296235346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgYrxuCYwXXHh45eFAAD3gk0iQlC0nm8wze5pchhajW63G_5ufWkijugNU3-OapI5auxhD_j1n9jxOCINd8mdxiOf_dDv2iIGMI0XoVum43P5W6QNTnPPjl5VsUP1QDAdBmz_3IR9awzn/s320/2009_0710duckntwist0046.JPG" /><em>Thank goodness hair grows back, right? </em></div><br /><div align="left">He brought back a new pal with him too..."Twist," a beautiful 16-week old German Shepherd. Her puppy raisers needed a sitter, so Tracy and I are splitting puppysitting duties between us. Twist will be in and out of our house a couple of times in the near future. She's sweet and bouncy, with the most adorable little "worry wrinkles" on her forehead. </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356867954746253410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCsN-Vaboukz0T6BeVfAj5JeyWqOU5uUvWouaK77p97nmuVd4_JjX0c45ky7-wzhlj_TBK_h6QwiB0Bhe2WQ23MCfGghmq-BivBN9thI9L6hF_rFZXwYyt82ybxcIDeUw3JMtrVbBeWfb/s320/2009_0710duckntwist20012b.JPG" /> <p align="center"><em>Everything's more fun with a friend!</em></p><div><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356865370715313106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyS3yMbXKQvEIX9W03DuidFulk5iTiSGgS_1gBnd5HM-SWe0V370qhWPsxXhih0ijBW16PgeLmjPx1agcx4twwMTNahnOcM-qjZtdDscYHm1-PWiaM1TQ4A_LXG9ZZr2rPxlhkEsNmvdq/s320/2009_0710duckntwist0021.JPG" /></em></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-38066463259795699002009-06-30T11:51:00.000-07:002009-07-04T19:34:55.612-07:00Life With Dakota<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">Dakota's loving work, as usual. He's never been a big fan of the jacket, but he loves what it stands for: a walk! He used to roll around on the floor when we put it on, but now he kind of does a happy dance interspersed with...well...what would you call this?<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzC6AD9FghHU6SE5Epj806APWw38UJQ3pd5haR72ZUM5hJR2udV9KyycPhdfRfz_3v6jdx9JovgwvKXyixPFw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">Pretty funny! I don't know if we're actually supposed to let him do this or not. But usually he stops in a couple of minutes and runs to sit nicely by the door and wait for me. If I don't get ready soon enough, he gets a bit depressed, like in the picture below.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354780380805556786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudDXgu8vHA8zXoeakvEGeyeipTHwMqKi0a-5hCSqNSEC1WXv5No5CG5lBY8VTGRbbQylIhM5q1TnRRl7WFs9PAJ5HsHINW2WgHoY780gdRALZQpAaRnjOfq4fzS6iHZ_II-UJSxi4c3Vo/s320/2009_0703passport0027.JPG" /><em>"Aren't we ever going to leave?"</em></p><div align="center">In other news, Duckie got another haircut. Poor puppy was just way too hot. I'm not the best doodle trimmer but his jacket covers the little mistakes! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354781770064433154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23UIsl4LQh41tj_z2dXxol61sCJ_looLQ66Jjm5wrJgFw6Bns0gwoBhc2K2EgTUJEqdfBPBvmzIDBGh2_S0F4xrTSE0Rokp-HQK-HrgoXdND0RffzOa8sW-7UCStF4DDxFoFUrsKl4EC7/s320/2009_0703passport0021b.JPG" /><br /><em>"I don't need much fur to be cute!"</em></p><div align="left">I had a proud moment this week when we had to go downtown to wait in line at the passport office and Dakota accompanied us. Actually it was more than a moment...more like an hour and a half or so! It was a teeny little room jam-packed with people and Dakota was a trooper through the boredom of the wait, resisting the urge to lick toes or play with kids. We had the chance to chat with quite a few interested (and no doubt bored!) people. The presence of a well-behaved dog seemed to distract folks from the frustration of the wait and I actually think he had a bit of a calming effect on the room! Comments were interesting. "He looks just like a teddy bear!" seemed to be the consensus. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354785583048342450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj290gQevN2qxjmd7J1izSKFa3KgL_CJS_0H14TBTDPe9NJYiL1Grs8b-MWI2Ki4Q4cUXl4yCX28zcmxCIc9BkiKHq1CtgSlw8wEKQqcFLhU2FYn33bTUQBIPOkqyystGfh8BmyRKCaUWHm/s320/2009_0703passport0049.JPG" /> Hope everyone had a great 4th. With it being Independence Day, it makes me happy to think of the increased independence and mobility Dakota will one day bring to his new partner!</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354793402694083746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjUXdRUfF2IgWY3-1ehL37uZATHv3oQfraQBnzJh71vEnbT7B7VhJK39g7Lw7KD_Mg_VE20KmmyxyK-XP-a60sqz2Z3yUnkGBPQxaPhx9sYm9yM5MvPI-ruC1kQCPkMZud7Lar9OnhJw8/s320/2009_0703passport0020b.JPG" /></p><p align="center">Happy Birthday, America!<br /></p><br /><p></p><p><em>P.S. When I posted this blog, Duckie must've been eavesdropping. He heard the "ready to go for a walk?" from the video clip and rushed up in great excitement. Poor guy, he's a bit disappointed now!</em></p>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228165127500192284.post-79254107331703698402009-06-25T14:01:00.000-07:002009-06-25T19:18:13.503-07:00Summer SchoolWell, folks, the word is that Dakota's slated to head in for advanced training sometime around the end of this summer! Like an anxious parent with a kid headed for college, my mind is full of questions. Is he ready? Has he learned what he needs to know? What holes does he need to fill in between now and then? <div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>With the weather so incredibly hot (we've had 13 days in the triple digits so far this summer), Dakota has been getting plenty of indoor training...shopping malls, big box stores, office buildings, and the like. So, naturally, I'm concerned that he also gets enough work around the distractions of neighborhoods and city streets. To cover those bases while avoiding heatstroke, you pretty much have to be out walking before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Today, we're out in the evening.</div><br /><div>After indulging in his usual "Oh-we're-going-on-a-walk-I'm-<strong>SO-EXCITED!</strong>" rolling and snorting all over the living room rug, Duckie calms down enough to wait by the door for me. I get my liver treats and i.d. badge, and we head off. It's nice to have such an enthusiastic student!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CvHO0Wwd4_GgWD538x2U739PwKfL4_oonX6PMqVSbJomipsbYk3CBKN2smnya45-oHNyJvMngk5rkR31vmlbyYRDRXJwycQU5G8d4dYcnr86xQSrKT6d7mKtVth6kElugcO4_qeW-AR3/s1600-h/2009_0623homewalk0013.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351374952033877570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CvHO0Wwd4_GgWD538x2U739PwKfL4_oonX6PMqVSbJomipsbYk3CBKN2smnya45-oHNyJvMngk5rkR31vmlbyYRDRXJwycQU5G8d4dYcnr86xQSrKT6d7mKtVth6kElugcO4_qeW-AR3/s320/2009_0623homewalk0013.JPG" /></a></div><div>Right off we have a bit of overhead work. Duckie doesn't yet reliably stop for overhead obstacles, such as these branches, on his own. But he's quick to stop, sit, and "watch!" when I point them out. Sometimes I get the feeling he thinks I'm a bit compulsive with pointing out branches all the time. </div><br /><br /><div>"I <em>know</em>, Mom, I've seen that before! Let's get on with walking!"</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now we're back on our way. I'm happy with his relaxed attitude and responsiveness. </div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351375633889141538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUX_JHg8oLdzMLcTjaLpt58-GjFhOKvLvwHjTwkGoTTY-pvbYG8Ounn9doU5qRvKN_pgQT0QJCdLDVmkszq-alcgc6HUukYywjK7pUeO9M-5Bsswr1D2qPic_0NiHAW-pbbCzdi8DWQQ4q/s320/2009_0623homewalk0020.JPG" />What was <em>that</em>? A loose dog across the street playing with a bunch of kids is a huge distraction. We practice "sit" and "down" (left, below) until I know he's listening to me again. Then we move on. He walks nicely, but you can tell in the picture (right, below) that his head is still pointed toward the group across the street! Well, as long as he's behaving, I guess that's okay.</div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcelKSgm3K_lRGFAnZqO5vPtSZ_HC42bF31Eb8wOR3c2bswesEH74xoRzR6t0eMqvVIbgLkcDa64pxsQeMm4xCujgc3Os4wkkO2mZ60lJ9iY_NiqnR5HqRyc2Y7sAtP-Kr_FXt0vW7uX-/s1600-h/2009_0623homewalk0023.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351437969500173234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcelKSgm3K_lRGFAnZqO5vPtSZ_HC42bF31Eb8wOR3c2bswesEH74xoRzR6t0eMqvVIbgLkcDa64pxsQeMm4xCujgc3Os4wkkO2mZ60lJ9iY_NiqnR5HqRyc2Y7sAtP-Kr_FXt0vW7uX-/s320/2009_0623homewalk0023.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgQq-_cVVX4UQty0rXBnUyFgNh9ycCk4PPxdPQQo56MdQqXEIBlJZK95lk8-tm9g6ZQL6urH8YhpqsOiu9xfw1HIoHz3wSGPv9CjfcyhF6_KdIe8fe_TjR_plqwwQ19GWcR1iJ3IUB6sF/s1600-h/2009_0623homewalk0024.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351439314376522210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgQq-_cVVX4UQty0rXBnUyFgNh9ycCk4PPxdPQQo56MdQqXEIBlJZK95lk8-tm9g6ZQL6urH8YhpqsOiu9xfw1HIoHz3wSGPv9CjfcyhF6_KdIe8fe_TjR_plqwwQ19GWcR1iJ3IUB6sF/s320/2009_0623homewalk0024.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Next obstacle: a car parked at the end of the drive, blocking our path. Of course Dakota knows we have to go around. There's not enough room for both of us to the left, so he goes right. Good move.</div></div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351441487601961090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSREWn-D0EnQDyGlDABFlZNdGFHUEC8qymYjp7AcsLdN_j4UkjBUaBp_E-6YDpsmqVxXDAF1N95RuRkQwwVJAZRMZ2j0QBZXpdEC7fVButvHiH4ixwXazzv2HBntc2tYzLjjV44Zwa-O4/s320/2009_0623homewalk0026.JPG" />As we get around the car and head back to the sidewalk, Dakota remembers to wait with his toes on the curb for me to step up. Good dog!<br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351443159463798594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXd90-5WWadskdIm4Em2zlBLwOKgHksWjyCggJxV64XIogursEKwBabToTBnOhrmlMeIz-txy0Unw7Dzv-HSuMAWerqdMBxJyoaQj2yQMOwvsLPYkc6iatGjd3yVz6XkaPCz18S33REbU/s320/2009_0623homewalk0027.JPG" /> We reach the end of the street and turn on a busy road. It's important that guide dogs be able to take traffic in stride, and I think Dakota's doing pretty well with that. He doesn't love the noise or anything, but it doesn't alarm him. We practice more obedience with cars, trucks, and buses whizzing by.<br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyf3JpfzzUFAdAduKl8h8WSzU2HhatcLJSLlqvO4JyJyH8pLzBB2SKaoqldEtYM8qHFn1hyphenhyphenrBv-JDdScogIjg8mwVqkndVz20cI56tTgkwGo2qa4lDNm6X9gCUPlagEvaiUWtRzd6JFLG8/s1600-h/2009_0623homewalk0035.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351446215270442786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyf3JpfzzUFAdAduKl8h8WSzU2HhatcLJSLlqvO4JyJyH8pLzBB2SKaoqldEtYM8qHFn1hyphenhyphenrBv-JDdScogIjg8mwVqkndVz20cI56tTgkwGo2qa4lDNm6X9gCUPlagEvaiUWtRzd6JFLG8/s320/2009_0623homewalk0035.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LgPEGFxs-AAXMCYJUuBLHVPlHbGqIr1-q63uGVhyphenhyphenyvldAHdeh_b-UqFAEsEt96QWNC5ugvsQFlAUNi7wdZh1pTqDbqvYCMVa1VTZt098kTW1lq9rvft0yoh5Sy5VUJpfrHy3ORmcJ0Tb/s1600-h/2009_0623homewalk0037.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351446929848447218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LgPEGFxs-AAXMCYJUuBLHVPlHbGqIr1-q63uGVhyphenhyphenyvldAHdeh_b-UqFAEsEt96QWNC5ugvsQFlAUNi7wdZh1pTqDbqvYCMVa1VTZt098kTW1lq9rvft0yoh5Sy5VUJpfrHy3ORmcJ0Tb/s320/2009_0623homewalk0037.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LgPEGFxs-AAXMCYJUuBLHVPlHbGqIr1-q63uGVhyphenhyphenyvldAHdeh_b-UqFAEsEt96QWNC5ugvsQFlAUNi7wdZh1pTqDbqvYCMVa1VTZt098kTW1lq9rvft0yoh5Sy5VUJpfrHy3ORmcJ0Tb/s1600-h/2009_0623homewalk0037.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LgPEGFxs-AAXMCYJUuBLHVPlHbGqIr1-q63uGVhyphenhyphenyvldAHdeh_b-UqFAEsEt96QWNC5ugvsQFlAUNi7wdZh1pTqDbqvYCMVa1VTZt098kTW1lq9rvft0yoh5Sy5VUJpfrHy3ORmcJ0Tb/s1600-h/2009_0623homewalk0037.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div>...well, it's not exactly glamorous work, is it? But piece by piece, I think his training is coming together.</div><br /><div>I'm going to sign off today by saying thanks to the great folks at the Austin Public Library, especially the Pleasant Hill Branch! We're in there fairly often with Dakota, and they're always so positive and encouraging toward his training. Hmmm, looks like Dakota even picked a book to check out while we were there! Let's see...what's that title?</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS88b5KgHRXdb3PONUIJA9pEEtUwz7g_0vmmCiyoyJJw9BXBkMGsRye9XxhqazjTcK0rZsi1JTi9LV_fNf09Fc3jaCXmfIqj1c4nAKQ_cg8HPOiqpK8bx8pyzfaQEWjSZGcinGiDqr6N81/s1600-h/2009_0625vbs0040.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351449244403403202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS88b5KgHRXdb3PONUIJA9pEEtUwz7g_0vmmCiyoyJJw9BXBkMGsRye9XxhqazjTcK0rZsi1JTi9LV_fNf09Fc3jaCXmfIqj1c4nAKQ_cg8HPOiqpK8bx8pyzfaQEWjSZGcinGiDqr6N81/s320/2009_0625vbs0040.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmL-8y6AL7MqDXYLdPaebCM3xTLlTjpSTy8eu2yBDKh5XKo8U7WKQJNwfulNP6T_yB6y8n0-bDWFXOJtd4nMXdkHt3b6ZYUcrM2vE1I7KpIPQ3CI_13q4fxTt0A7TtaaIQpw8aUSTHSeb/s1600-h/2009_0625vbs0041.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351450231486929554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmL-8y6AL7MqDXYLdPaebCM3xTLlTjpSTy8eu2yBDKh5XKo8U7WKQJNwfulNP6T_yB6y8n0-bDWFXOJtd4nMXdkHt3b6ZYUcrM2vE1I7KpIPQ3CI_13q4fxTt0A7TtaaIQpw8aUSTHSeb/s320/2009_0625vbs0041.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><<div></div><br /><div></div><div><br /><br />...Do you think he's trying to tell us something? Keep up the hard work, Dakota, and maybe we'll believe you!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dakota's Puppy Raiserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11566265792429872714noreply@blogger.com2