Up On the Stage

Today was the Student Library Proctor Induction Ceremony.  It took place during convocation on the stage in the Lykes Theater.  It was Friday, so I had my Southeastern Guide Dog puppy Coach with me.  Now, there have been other inductions, other Fridays.  Bingo, well, let's just say, that would have been a nightmare.  HRH Berkeley on the other hand would have become bored well into the 5 minute mark and barked her displeasure at having to sit through the ENTIRE ceremony.  But, I did bring Jam to the induction ceremony last year. And he exposed himself to the audience.  The video is at the end of the post.  It wasn't a real relaxing induction ceremony for me, needless to say.  

Photo of Coach on the stage floor with the legs of our Head SLPs in the background.

Today, however, I had Coach.  Mr. Mellow.  I started the ceremony and he was lying down at the podium on my left side.  Since he seemed really comfortable there, when I went to sit down, I just left him there.

Photo of our Head SLP Elizabeth speaking at the podium while Hugh, Christina, Keebler and I are sitting in the background.

So in the photo above when Elizabeth is speaking, Coach is in front of me, sleeping and on her left side.

Photo of the long line of waiting SLPs to be inducted.

Now, I show you this photo of all the 20 new SLPs, just to give you an idea of how many people needed to walk up, get a pin and shake our hands and then go back to their seats.  It took about 6 minutes.  I had to step over to the right hand side of the podium and leave Coach and shake everyone's hand.  Coach never moved.  Not one muscle.  

I checked on him, leaning back and peering over to see if he was still in the same position as kids were sitting and walking in between handshakes and "Welcome!" But little Coach didn't even dream and wiggle in his sleep.  He stayed still and calm.  For the whole ceremony.

It wasn't until it was all over, when I finally came up to the podium and indicated that all 560 people could clap for the new SLPs that Coach reared his head.  I then slipped my foot out and stepped casually on the leash.  He was just getting into a sitting position.  After all, who wants to move fast when you just had a lovely nap?

Not Coach.  He sighed and slipped back into a down stay.  What a good boy!!

Student Library Proctor Retreat

Coach likes laps.  He has fallen into Christina's lap and has his butt sticking up in the air. Christina is laughing.

On Saturday we had our student library proctor retreat where the idea is to train the proctors and also to bond as a group.  We also want to get all of their photos for the bulletin board.  We were going to take their photos with Coach.  We decided to take our photos as well this year!

Coach and Jan are sitting side by side.  Jan is peering over his head and has her arms around him.

 Jan and Christina work in the library with me.  Jan is the library assistant and runs the library proctor program and keeps the library running smoothly and she took most of these photos.  Christina is our collections development librarian and also helps with middle or upper division classes depending on where the need is.  They are both super to work with and Coach loves them.

This is a long distance shot of Coach and one of our student library proctors having a quiet moment. She is sitting and he is getting his ears rubbed.

 We had a full day planned of different activities such as designing t-shirts with our theme (literature is a treasure) and games like musical chairs.

Coach has decided that enough is enough and he should take a break under the atlas stand.

After a few of the games, Coach decided he needed a rest and he found that the atlas stand was a good place to hang out under.  He is very good at deciding when he is tired and walking away from people and lying down either under my desk or on his bed, essentially saying "I'm done!"

Close up photo of Coach under the atlas stand.

But, he's so cute, no one ever gets offended.

Annie is reading a book to Coach who is looking up at her.

 The kids all thought he was the best and even tried to read to him for a cute photo op.

All of the student library proctors got their photos with Coach.  Here is one with Alex and Coach.

Overall, the retreat was a great success.  There was much eating, bonding and game playing.  I think they may have learned how to shelve books.  I'm not sure....

We'll teach them that again!

Show Me Your Pearly Whites

Three teeth in four days.  At least three teeth that I have managed to hear cracking as Coach, our Southeastern Guide Dog puppy, happily crunched on them as they fell out in his mouth.  Me, the ever hysterical, "OMG! What have you got now in your mouth!" mother, I am constantly vigilant about those kind of noises and so I dig deep in his mouth and pull out jewels like the baby molar below.

But it is apparent by the tiny little stumps of teeth in his mouth that little Coach has been losing teeth for a while now.  He should look like one of those prize fighters that didn't win; the ones laid out on the floor with the stars circling their heads and little birds tweeting above them.  But no.  He's a much better fighter than that.  

I tried to take a nice photo of his new baby incisor, but what a struggle I got! It was like holding on to Voldemort in worm form.  Sheesh!  All I wanted was a photo of his mouth.  You wouldn't think that would be a big deal.  

Evidently, it is.  So, instead, you get a nice crisp photo of his incisor.  Soon he will have all adult teeth.  He will be a big boy.

That makes me a little sad.

First All School Convocation

Last Wed. was our first all school convocation.  Our school likes to start the year with a big gathering to welcome everybody back.  We also have a tradition of having the seniors escort a kindergartner into the gym accompanied by a balloon.  In the past, the little ones held the balloons, but they soon grew tired of this onerous task and then at various points in the convocation a balloon would softly and slowly drift upwards to the very high ceiling of the gym as seniors looked a bit panic stricken and kindergartners giggled.  

Serious seniors would try to admonish their kids to keep a firm hold on the balloon, but usually, temptation was too much.  Off it would float and whoever was speaking would hear some giggles and look over to the right and watch silently as the balloon made its slow journey up to the top.

The year more than 20 balloons were set free, faculty knew that the end of the balloons had come.  Their demise was predicted.  But no, more sagacious minds were at work and they came up with the ingenious balloon bracelet.  Now, there is no temptation.  No giggling, no interruptions.  No serious seniors (only happy ones). After all, who wants to give up their fabulous balloon bracelet? 

The all school convocation is joyous and filled with balloons.  Balloons attached to strings which are attached to tiny braceleted wrists.

Photo of the back of Coach's head as he looks out onto the gym floor and the crowd filing in.

Over 1300 people were crowded into the old gym because the weather wouldn't allow us all to walk the distance to the new gym.  The little kids just couldn't make the walk in all that rain.  So, we will have to inaugurate the Straz Family Field House with a different All School Convo.

Coach is lying at my feet with his Southeastern Guide dog coat on.  Can you see the rain sprinkles on it?

This time we sat over on the opposite side from the kids and had a good view of the seniors with their little escorts.

Pairs of seniors walk in with one kindergartner in between them.

It's a great tradition.  It's surprising how many lifers (lifers are students who came in pre-k or k and stayed until senior year) remember who their senior was and who was their little kindergartner.

You can see how intently Coach is staring at something (probably a cheerleader!) as he is surrounded on all sides by students.

Coach got his first exposure to over 1300 people clapping, shouting, and singing in unison. He was a bit disturbed by it at first.  He vocalized a little bit.  Well, a little loudly.  He made a really weird sound that had all the seniors and little ones in our area turning their heads and staring at him.  But gradually, he got used to the noise.  The cheerleaders were another thing.  He watched them and was interested. 

Every time he wanted to bolt forward, there lots of people around and I had to pull him back.  Eventually, he just settled in for the ride.  It didn't last too long. About 20 minutes.

Photo of one of our head student library proctors (a senior) talking with her kindergartner.

But it was something everyone enjoyed.  At the end, Coach even enjoyed it.

Bring on the bagpipers!

Coach's First Game: We Won!!

Friday was the Bucs first game, although not an official game, it was a pre-season opener against Out of Door Academy (ODA).

Coach is sitting by Fred who is standing by a chain link fence looking out at the football field.

We arrived a little into the first quarter and the Bucs were already up by one run and had just scored another.  Coach's sponsor Austin was getting ready to kick the extra point, which he did!, and he made the extra point.

Close-up of Coach's face with some fence and the field in the background.

We parked ourselves on the front row, so that Coach could see the action, but would have plenty of room.  I'm not sure if that is the best place.  Fred thinks it is.  Fred thinks Coach can see better from the front row.  I think perhaps a row up is better as you don't have people walking back and forth.

Coach is lying on the bleachers and the football team is seen in the distance through the chain link fence.

It was a hot night, but it did cool down later in the evening.  The Bucs kept making touchdown, after touchdown.

Fred with Coach sitting between his legs on the bleachers.  Coach has one ear laid back.

Coach was very calm and good on the first row.  Even when kids ran by, he generally stayed lying down or at a sit.  he never jumped at anyone.  Woot!

Photo of Coach's sponsor, #30 Austin as he waits to be called out on the field to kick.

Coach's sponsor, #30 Austin, is the kicker and he made all but one of the extra points.

Coach lying on the track with the boys football team practicing at half time behind him.

During halftime, Coach was able to meet Austin's grandparents and dad, who had not met him yet.  It was pretty cute.  We were sitting on the bleachers when two very lovely ladies came up and said they were Coach's grandmothers. They really wanted to pet him, but they knew they couldn't because he had the coat on and they were really good and didn't.  

What you blog readers might not remember is that football game several years ago that Fred and I went to with Bingo.  Fred kept saying I should take the coat off and I said, "No.  We'll be mobbed."  Fred didn't believe me.  (Note: This often happens! 8-) So, I said, "OK, let's take it off."

Once that coat came off, children came running out of the darkness like we had rung a bell and screamed "Free candy and ice cream! Come now!!!"  After the initial rush, we put the coat back on and I must admit I did say, "I told you so."

We don't take the coat off at football games.

Photo of the football team on the field with the dark clouds looming.  

I just love the look of the sky in the above photo.  It wasn't storming, it actually got a little windy.  Hopefully, not a portent of Isaac to come.

Coach at the end of the night, lying down with a tired look on his face.

At the end of the third quarter, we were ahead 41 - 6 and Coach was dragging.  He was a hot dog.  And believe me, he had had some refreshment earlier.  So, we called the game a winner and headed out for the night.  The final score was 41 - 12.  

Yea!  Our first home game was a success: for Coach and the football team!

Vote, Vote, and then Vote Again!

What's that old saying: Vote early and vote often?  Well, this time, you really can!  Publix is having a contest where you can vote on the cutest puppy.  What's that?  Cutest puppy? Yeah, that's Coach!

No debate.  Just telling you.  Stop right now and go to Publix Paws Poster Pet Contest and vote for Coach.  Each vote is a vote that he is the cutest.  And a dollar for Southeastern Guide Dogs.  Now, you can't go wrong there.

So Vote Early, and Vote Often.  And Vote for Coach.  Because he is adorable.

Photo of Coach with a sunlight dappled floor and some toys in the background.

Oh and leave me a comment and let me know you voted! And if you haven't signed up to follow the blog, you should think about doing that.  We would love for you to receive all the current news about Coach.  After all, his first cafeteria experience was today and I haven't even written about it!

Join us! Follow us!

Kong Wobbler in Action!

Coach, our Southeastern Guide Dog puppy, is unfortunately cursed with a car phobia that has him unwilling to get into cars because he gets carsick.  This anxiety manifests itself with drool and an unwillingness to get near the car.

However, happily, labradors are food lovers and we started to work on Coach and this car problem by feeding him his meals in the car.  But that wasn't enough.  It didn't help for short trips or for errands during the day.  But we finally came up with the perfect plan: the Kong Wobbler.  That is the enrichment toy that Kong has created to keep a dog interested in playing to get his kibble out of a tiny hole in the Kong.

COACH LOVES IT!

In fact, he will willingly approach the car.  He will willingly get into the car.  This willingness is HUGE!! Of course it means that EVERY breakfast he gets is on the road.  Every dinner.  Every meal.  His meals are a bit smaller because we are giving him some of the food during the day as a snack to get him to go to an outing.

So, here is a video of Coach having fun getting his snack on. And FYI, I was in the parking lot when I took the video. 8-)

Freshman Retreat

Coach with his Kong Wobbler in the car on the way to work in the morning.

Thursday was the freshman retreat.  The freshman retreat is held before school starts as a way to get the 9th graders to know each other as we have lots of new students who enter in the 9th grade.  This year almost a third of the grade is new.

Coach lying on the gym floor staring at the freshmen in the bleachers.

I introduced Coach, a Southeastern Guide Dog puppy, and gave a short explanation of what the coat means and how Jam was doing.   then we were broken up into 13 groups for a tour of the campus where the kids who knew the school were supposed to help the new kids find certain landmarks on campus (help desk, nurse's office, etc.).

Group 10 surrounding Coach.  Coach is making eyes at Hinton.

Here is our amazing group 10.  Of course, we had the best group.  They were very amenable to actually following the rules.  We ended up walking all the way out to the Straz Family Field House where their health and freshman seminar classes will be held. That was a long walk.  It also had an elevator, which was Coach's first experience with elevators.

Coach's first elevator ride.  He's not nauseous, he's just looking down. 

He did better with the elevator than with the car!  No drooling.  However, by the time we got to the help desk, he was so happy to lie down on the cool tile floors that he didn't want to get up.  When our student leader said that our next stop was the Deans' office, I looked down and gave a little tug on the leash.  "Come on, Coach."

Nothing.  Big puppy eyes look up at me.  Coach has decided not to move.

I look at my group who is staring at Coach with astonishment, mouths hanging open. "OK," I say, "Who wants to carry Coach?"

The two hands of the JV football players shoot up.  Of course.  Coach will be carried by the footballers!  Perfect.

Hinton is carrying Coach after Coach refused to move.

Hinton had first duty and loved it. Coach was just happy not to move.

Tyler took second shift for carrying Coach.

Tyler took over from Hinton and led the group as we headed back into the gym at the conclusion of the tour.  We were the last group in and of course a little cheer went up when Tyler was seen with Coach in his arms.

Tyler and Hinton gets some puppy time with Coach after the tour.

I was so pleased with my group and their willingness to go to all the places without whining and for Tyler and Hinton's help that I took off Coach's coat and gave them all some exclusive puppy time.

Kaitlyn spent some time with Coach during free time.

When we had an extended break, I took off the coat so that Coach could meet the freshman, which let me meet the freshmen as well.  It was a nice partnership. In addition to free time, there were also lots of games that served to break down barriers and get kids talking.

Coach is lying next to the lined up Freshman who are waiting to start the relay race.

This dress up game was good as it had people putting on hats and crazy clothes, like a witch's hat.

Coach gives me a look, "What are these crazy freshmen doing?" 

Coach wasn't upset by the clothing or the hats.  He did get a little flustered by the running or quick walking of the students.

Coach falls asleep during the freshman retreat.

Some times he just napped.  It was a pretty taxing day.

Coach leans his head upon the bleachers.

So taxing that when we moved and he got a chance to try out the bleachers, he laid his big, heavy head down on the seat with a sigh.

Chaperones relax on the bleachers as Coach naps at their feet.

Being in the smaller gym was nice for the chaperones as it gave us a little bit of chance to chat among ourselves.  The kids were designing things with marshmallows and pasta and designing t-shirts.

At the end of the day, Coach looks on from the gym floor as the retreat winds down.

But at the end of the day, Coach was down for the count, just watching from the floor. But I think he bonded with the freshman, especially with group 10 and all the students who came by during break time and spent some time with him.  He makes quite a good impression.

So do they.

The Wobbly Toy

By Fred
I admit I was skeptical of the idea when Cheryl first mentioned it. Coach, a Southeastern guide  dog puppy, had become more and more reluctant to get into the car. Last weekend he had two episodes of car sickness, poor guy, so his attitude is understandable.

Cheryl's idea was to put food into his wobbly toy and let him play with it in the car, to keep him busy and keep his mind off of car-sickness. As a human being, I have some rigid ideas about nausea. If I feel like vomiting, for example, I am not tempted to run into the kitchen, find a snack, and then roll around on the floor and play with it. Yes, I was skeptical.

Cheryl gave it a try on the way to work, and the wobbly toy kept Couch busy the entire way. He ate his breakfast on the move, had fun, and no car sickness.

A picture of the wobbly toy in the car,
tempting Coach to come in.

So on Thursday I gave it a try for his breakfast. He got into the car pretty much on his own. Then we drove around the neighborhood for a few minutes. Amazing.

A picture of Coach struggling with a dilemma:
should he get into the car on his own?

And, if so, would I get the wrong idea?

At lunch we took a trip to the grocery store. Again the wobbly toy worked, though Coach wanted me to know that he doesn't particularly like being manipulated in this way.

Coach sitting at my feet at the checkout stand of the grocery story. He was perfect.

In the store he was perfect, prancing up and down the aisles and flirting. And back in the parking lot I waited as he climbed into the car on his own.

Yes, the wobbly toy was a great idea, even though I doubted it. Sometimes this happens.

Pose Like a Champion

Today we went to the Berkeley Buccaneers football photo shoot.  This event was quite entertaining as I got to see the real Coach Ciao in his element and it was fun! Did you know that it takes almost all day to get football photos?  Yes.  It does.  First you have the coaches photos, then you have the team photos, then the group photos, then the individual photos.  And the seniors get photos with their parents.  It is all very regimented too: seniors first, etc.

Coach is sitting by Fred outside of the Straz Family Field House.  Coach is wearing his Big Boy Coat.

 The day started out with a big change: Coach was wearing his Big Boy Coat.  Yes, our 5-month old baby is into the big boy coat.  Fred got tired of him showing so much booty in the baby coat and doctored up the big boy coat for the photo shoot.  It just hung over his tail a tiny half inch.  But Coach didn’t seem to mind.  After all, he was with the Varsity Team.  He couldn’t let on he wasn’t worthy!

Coach is lying down next to a Berkeley football helmet. 

First there was the a problem though.  There was lightning.  Evidently when there is lightning within 8 miles of the school, all children must come inside.  That meant that all the photos that were planned for outside on the field had to be broken down and moved inside.  This move created another unforeseen problem.  Seems that Coach Ciao had a bad experience with taking team photos in the gym and he doesn't ever want to repeat it.  Therefore, we had to find an alternative. 

Coach is lying down next to a Berkeley football helmet with the Berkeley Buccaneer in the background.

 Fortunately, when Coach Ciao wants something, everyone puts their thinking caps on and eventually someone comes up with a solution to a seemingly impossible situation.  What they came up with was brilliant.

Here is a photo of the Berkeley Buccaneer coaching staff.  Coach Ciao is holding the football in the middle of the front row.

Here is the football coaching staff.  I don’t have a shot of Coach with them.  It is coming soon.  Alan, the photographer, got him to perk his ears and look super cute though!!!

In the entrance of the Straz Family Field House, the benches have been laid out and the seal is down in front.

Here is the solution that they came up with: the entrance to the Straz Family Field House which is gorgeous and also features an amazing Berkeley seal in the foreground. Perfect.  All they needed were benches, which they found and trucked in from the football field and some boxes to stand on.  Teamwork.  It is amazing.

Here Alan is positioning the boys and Coach Ciao. 

Soon the benches were filling up and the final people were being placed.  All that remained was the placement of the coaches and the front row.  The front row had a tough job as it was a really awkward and uncomfortable position for the boys to stay in.  Most of them have very tight hamstrings and did not like sitting like that, which is why number 55 is resting before sitting up tall for the official shot.  They took several team shots before calling for Coach (the dog) and when Alan called for him, a cheer went up with the team.  It was quite cool.

Coach is lying down in front with the rest of the Berkeley Buccaneer 2012/2013 Football Team and Coaching Staff behind him.

I walked Coach out to Chris (#7). And Coach sat next to him.  Alan told the team that he was going to be making barking noises and not to laugh.  Then the barking started. Coach put up with it for the first shot, but then he gave Alan a startled look and got up and ran in my general direction.

There were smiles, but  no laughter. Although, I think there might have been a snicker or two.