Can I Touch That?

 Yesterday was a big day for Coach.  We took him out for lunch and on an errand.  That usually never happens at school.  On school days, the exposures are all school related: playgrounds, convocations, band, etc.  But it's finals, and the cafeteria service is winding down, so we go out for lunch.

Yesterday, we had a couple of errands to run, so we decided to eat at the buffet at Whole Foods Market, which was right down the street from Barnes and Noble.  We are very efficient.

Whole Foods is a great place to take a Southeastern Guide Dog in training because evidently people can't keep food on their plate.  They slop it all around.  There was food all over the produce the section.  There were bits of crackers near the cracker bins.  There was macaroni and cheese on the floor of the buffet.  Coach was delighted.  I was not.

"No."  This was as bad as the Berkeley cafeteria.  I thought I was going to have a relaxing lunch!  Don't Whole Food shoppers know how to put food into cartons?  Sheesh! Coach was really good though.  I made him down stay by a piece of macaroni and cheese and he didn't eat it.  I was able to successfully scoop up some Cuban chicken and rice while receiving interesting looks from other diners.  I did make one mistake.  I didn't have a tight hold on Coach and he managed to touch his cold nose touch to the back of a guy's calf.

I did pull him away quickly and apologize, but I'm sure you can imagine, a cold nose to the back of your calf can be a little disconcerting.  Especially if you are gathering up your food.  I think that the man mentally went to a bad place, like rats, or vermin or something bad, because he had a really sour expression on his face and he didn't seem happy at all.  Or, it could be like the other day when we were in Publix and Fred whispered to me, "Hey, when we get past the flowers, look at the lady in the purple shirt."

"Yeah?"

Fred glanced back at her.  "She was giving us the stink eye."

"No, I think that's just her face."

It could have been just that guy's face, or it could have been that he was some sort of Howard Hughes freak about neatness and the idea that every step Coach took a hair was falling out was freaking him out to the point where his face muscles all seized up.  I don't know.  But, whatever. Lunch was delicious.  Then we went to the bakery and that is when things really got interesting.

Coach sitting before a full bakery case.

I've often said that having a puppy in training is a lot like having a perpetual two-year and this was especially true on this exposure.  Being at Whole Foods with Coach was like that trip to the bakery you take with your toddler where you have not fed them and they are hungry and they look at the bakery case and they really want something and for some reason you didn't think to put them in the grocery cart, so they are toddling around on their fat little legs and their little hands are covered in spit and dirt and God knows what and they are getting closer and closer to the window as they yell out, "I want that!" and smack their hand down on the glass leaving a big hand print and the entire bakery staff turns and stares at you because now, you are THAT mom: the mom that makes them clean the glass.

Coach lying in a down stay and looking toward the camera.

So we walked up to the grocery case and I put Coach into a sit, which is a little too close for comfort because we were near a crack in the glass.  Good fumes were wafting up to Coach.  His little brain was thinking, "Cake.  I want some cake."

He looked down at the cake and just kept moving down until his nose hit.  Nose juice all over the glass.

EEEK.  "Coach! Down!" Coach looks at me.  He turns back to the case, because he knows that we have enough time for me to say one good dog, two good dog in my head before I say NO! and in that space of time he licks the glass.

Coach lying in a down stay by the bakery case and gazing at the cakes.

Time stands still.

It's very quiet where we are. Almost unnaturally so.  I stare at Coach.  It's was a quick lick.  Barely a lick.  And then he is down.  Down and calm.  Zen.  Like he didn't lick anything at all.  A satisfied lick. I stare at the glass.  Can you see the lick?  I look at Jan.  I can't see the lick.  

The baker pops up with our cupcakes.  

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?  If a bakery glass case is licked but no one can see the lick, was it really licked?

We took our cupcakes and walked away. 

The Girl Crazies

Saturday night we were given free tickets to see the Storm play at the St. Pete Times Forum because Southeastern Guide Dogs had won the Charity vote ($3500!).  It was going to be a fun, but loud event, so only the big puppies were asked to come for a photo shoot and to meet and greet people.  Coach said sure! We also invited our friend Dana who agreed to take photos for us.

Coach and Dana on the ride over to the Forum.

Dana is also the band director at my school, so she is pretty familiar with Coach, but this would be her first experience at a puppy event for Southeastern.

Joining us in the care were Stephanie and Coastie (a yellow lab).  They are neighbors. 

Stephanie and Coastie came with us.  Coastie goes in for training in a couple of weeks.  Stephanie is the new Central Area Coordinator for our group.

Puppy raising, in  many ways, is a lot like raising children. Or at least to my mind, it is.  That may be because, having never had children, I just see it that way.  It seems like the puppies are perpetual 2 year olds and you just never know what kind of behavior to expect.

Generally, Coach is a calm sweet boy.  We can take him to restaurants and stores and have a lovely time.  But sometimes, at puppy meetings, he can be a handful, but that was usually when he was still intact.  When he got fixed, his calm docile nature seemed to come back.  The girl crazies went away.

Until Saturday night.

It started out just fine.  We walked up to the group and Coach was great.  We started talking with a nice young lady whose mom worked at the forum about guide dogs and Coach was being very well behaved.

As we talked, more and more puppy raisers came and more puppies arrived.  More girls arrived.  There was Brittany, Cindy, Zelda, Bernie, Liberty, Ava, Song, and the Queen Bee herself: Carly.

Carly looking prim and proper in her blue coat.

This is Carly.  She is what I would call the Marilyn Monroe of puppies. She exudes doggy sensuality. At least I think she does, because all the boys seem to go wild over her when she flips over and shows her belly.

They don't seem to do that for the other girls.  It must be the long blonde hair....

Liberty (a yellow lab) in her blue coat, lying down,  looking sweet and cute.

Well, she did that last night and Coach loved it. And it didn't stop with Carly. He thought Zelda hung the moon and Liberty was pretty awesome as well. In fact, I don't think there was a lady dog there that he wasn't fond of, well, there was Song.  And that was just because Song decide she didn't like him much.  I think he would have been ok with her, but she put the kibosh on that.

Caleb is kneeling behind Cindy, his
yellow lab puppy, who is adorable!

  A friend of mine is having problems with her 2 year old getting upset and biting.  She's trying to figure out ways to teach her daughter how to manage her frustration that don't include automatically going for the bite.  As a former biter, I can tell her, she is in for more biting incidents.  It's a hard habit to break, but her daughter will grow up to have friends and be relatively normal. Now, Coach's problem on Saturday night was, like biting, one involving boundaries.  He was definitely overstepping his boundaries and entering into the personal space of the female dogs.  That's where I stepped in.  It's a tricky line.  You have to let them make the choice to misbehave.  I mean, didn't I just read that article on the Huffington Post about letting your kids take risks? About how American parents have it all backwards?  Didn't our trainers say that we need to say the command and let the dog make the decision?

Coach was being very tricksy.  He would lie down, be a good boy and then when Zelda or Carly would get close, he would SPRING at them and invade their "personal space."  Because he would do this from a down stay and  a calm sit, it took me by surprise.  The first two times.  Then I realized what was going on and this was the event where every female puppy had RSVP'd.  His only competition was Coastie and Theo.  Theo had bad elbows and was on a short leash and Coastie was perfectly controlled.  Therefore, the field was cleared for takeoff!

That's when the photographer showed up and asked for us all to get a group photo outside.  Oh CRAP.

That's never going to happen.  I was thinking about the circle of acceptance.  Coach is never going to be in the circle tonight.  He can't get near the ladies.  He is INDECENT! And the photographer wants a photo.  So we gingerly walk up to the group.  Coach tries for a rush at one of the girls.  We do not make it into the photo.

Then we move inside the Forum.  The event logistics are explained to us.  Three dogs are going to be on the photo stand for people to take photos with.  Then we will switch out dogs as they become tired.  I keep Coach on the periphery.

There is another call for a group shot.  Carolyn asks for Coach and I to get in this shot this time.  Here is Dana's photo capture of my trying to wrestle Coach off of Song and into a semblance of a respectable photo position.  I can guarantee you that we didn't make it into the photo.  The poor photo lady keep given me a look, like please take him off the stage.  I should have left.  I should have left.

The group on the stage.  I am front row right with Coach.  Coach is facing
left and looking at Song.  Song sees Coach and isn't pleased.

I think I am asking for help or guidance or maybe looking for the light.
See how Coach is gazing deeply into Song's eyes?

Coach is invading Song's personal space.  I am trying to yank him away and
am clearly in a not very ladylike position.  Thankfully, I have pants on.

Success!  I hold Coach in my arms and have him facing right, away from the other dogs.
By this time, all photos have stopped and I don't care.

But there was plenty of good times.  When Coach was outside the circle of acceptance, he was a great boy.

Jennifer Bement and I Looking at something while Coach is in a down stay being good.

Here he is lying down and being calm.  We met several families and had some nice chats with kids.

Coach meets the Storm mascot and isn't afraid.  He liked his fuzzy coat!

We even met the Storm's mascot and Coach was not afraid in the least!


Arena football is very loud and has lots of graphics and lights.

Caleb, Mike, and Leslie with puppy Cindy and Mike's guide dog
Brittany receiving the check from the Storm's manager.

We also got to see Mike Jernigan receive the check for $3500 from the Storm for Southeastern Guide Dogs.  I wonder if they will name the puppy Storm?

Photo of the backs of Stephanie and I and Coach and Coastie leaving the Forum.

But in the end, we left the Forum a few minutes after kickoff.  There was no way he could have behaved himself in close proximity to all those females.

Photo of Coach asleep on the tile floor on top and Coastie asleep on the bottom.

Instead we went to dinner and the boys went to sleep, dreaming of all the pretty girls they didn't get to kiss that evening. And dinner was so, so relaxing.

But It Was Wafer Thin...

I was going to title this post Coach's Last Read or something to do with reading to small children.  After all, it was the last time we were going to be reading to the lower division children.  I had it all planned.  It was going to be a smooth and happy morning.  Filled with happy children and a happy Coach.  It started out so well.  Kind of.

Rat thing and Fozzy Bear on the bookshelf.

 I have mentioned that the Lower Division Librarian Kathleen shares her library with Fozzy bear and the weird rat thing that Coach likes to eat.  Well, they were on a low bench when we came in.  Not good for Fozzy Bear!  Coach grabbed him by the middle and was transported into waves of ecstasy.  Woot!  Score one for Coach.  Caught a bear!

Coach looking sad that he bit Fozzy Bear, but his tail is wagging.

Bad Coach.  Drop it!  

While he did drop it, you can see his tail is wagging.  Freud would say that subconsciously, Coach is planning on jumping up and biting Fozzy or the rat again and this is just a ploy to keep me happy.  But in fact, Coach did not bother them again.  Good Coach.

Coach sitting beside the Ten Gallon Bart hat.

Back to the job at hand, reading!  We were going to be reading Ten Gallon Bart! A very special story about a dog who tries his paw at riding a crazy bull.  Coach is not sure about this whole Bart bull riding thing.  

Ms. Edwards reading the book while Coach lies beside her chewing his nylabone.

In fact, for most of the story, he chewed on a bone.

View of Coach's head and the children at the reading session.
Coach is chewing on a nylabone.

Which most of the children found pretty fascinating.  Ms. Edwards was able to capture their attention though as Ten Gallon Bart was pretty entertaining and Ms. Edwards does all the voices.

We were able to do two classes before Coach got restless and seemed like he needed a potty break.  Since we were over at Lower Division, I didn't have my usual potty place for him, so I took him out the back doors and over to the back of the Lower division which has their garden area, picnic area and the back of the pool.  Mind you I am in high heels and a long dress and am walking in the dirt.

The ground is a bit moist and my heels are sinking in a bit, which I find annoying as I chose beige shoes (linen with a gold thread in them) to match my gold sweater and now they are getting covered with this soft half mud.  Coach looks up at me and he is chewing something.

I Ate It Lab Magnet Art from Pop Doggie by Kari Egan

Coach chewing something is not new.  In fact, Coach chews everything.  He's a labrador vacuum.  I am constantly taking sticks, rocks, anything out of his mouth.  He is so known for putting anything in his mouth that a good friend bought me the very cute gift for Christmas above (but it was a art piece to frame).  It is a black lab with a contrite expression, sort of, with the words I ate it, off to the left.  Yeah.  Coach ate it.

So, when I move my gaze from my shoes to Coach's moving mouth, I do what I always do, I thrust in my fingers and do the two finger sweep across his mouth to pull out whatever is in there. Imagine my surprise when what falls out is MOST OF A DEAD, DECOMPOSING MOUSE!

And I have mouse gore all over my hand.  And not all of the mouse is on the ground.  Where is the rest of the mouse?  I look at Coach.  He looks at me and I can tell he is about to swallow.  I shove my fingers back into his mouth and down his throat and scoop out anything and I can feel in there.  Coach gags. I gag.

I throw mouse bits on the ground.  Is this how the Walking Dead people feel after a fight?  I look at my hand.  Grey slime.  I might throw up.  

Did this mouse die a natural death?  OMG.  What if it didn't?  Coach stares back at me.  I run in my half mud covered shoes yanking Coach who gives the 3/4 mouse a fond farewell glance and we burst through the back doors of the Lower Division Library shouting the words no one has ever heard in that library:

"Coach just ate half a mouse!  I need hydrogen peroxide!" Kathleen and Nancy leap up.

"What?!"

"I just pulled 1/2 a mouse out of his mouth, but I can't find the other bit.  I need to make sure he didn't eat it.  Do you have hydrogen peroxide?  Does the science department?"  Nancy runs over to science, which doesn't have it.  Maintenance doesn't have it, but the nurse does.  

She asks, "You won't let him throw up in here, will you?"

For that, I gave her a little look, but no, we took Coach out to the back of the library where he calmly threw up his breakfast.  Several times.  There were no mouse bits.  At all.  There were some leaves.

The third class was in the library when Coach and I went in to get his coat and say good bye.  They all looked up and said, "What's wrong?"

"Coach ate something he shouldn't have and he has an upset tummy.  He's going to go take a nap."

The dead mouse, looking like flat stanley.  I think the stomach and back legs
were the goo I scooped out.  Gross!

So, in the end, I guess Coach didn't eat it.

Three Dog Tea

Before Baccaleaureate I usually have tea for some of the seniors that I have spent a lot of time with, had in my advisory, had in clubs, who were student library proctors or who spent a lot time in the library.  This year, I had four girls come to tea and we had a wonderful time.  

However, this was our first time having tea with THREE DOGS IN THE HOUSE!  Now, all the girls are familiar with Southeastern Guide Dogs and know about the program and how to behave around the puppies.  They all know Jam and several were really excited about seeing him again.  Coach was pretty blase about the tea.  Willow was irritated because a tea is really a ladies thing and having the two boys crash it wasn't good.

Jammy has a teapot in front of him and tries to explain to Coach and
Willow who are looking on  how a perfect pot of tea is brewed.

Jammy is like one of those cool, surfer dudes, who knows everything and is able to instruct you on the intricacies of the tea ceremony.  His eyes always seem to be laughing, so he never seems to take anything completely seriously. Fred said that Jam did not want to stay upstairs and wanted to be downstairs with the ladies.

Jammy's new favorite spot by the fridge where he can now watch for things to drop and eat them.

Jam was especially pleased by the fact that now that he was no longer a Southeastern Guide Dog and was just a regular dog, he could have a piece of chicken or bread.  

I think Jam is telling Coach about the chicken treat, but Coach isn't allowed any treats. Poor Coach. Jam is on the left hand side of the hardwood floor lying down and Coach is lying next to him.  They are both looking up at the camera.

But, in the end, I think that Jammy, got a little to big for his boots.  When we first brought him home, he had some problems with counter surfing (as in jumping up on the counter with his front paws). So we were working on that.  As I started to put out the food for the tea, Jam followed me with his big laughing eyes.

"Oh, these sandwiches look good!" Jam is standing right next to the table looking up
and is very close to the tray of cucumber sandwiches.

He would go up to the buffet and lean in close to the cake stand.  

Sniff, sniff.  "Jam! No!"  He turned in my direction.  His eyes were sad.  "But I didn't eat anything!"

He walked around the table and stopped at the cucumber sandwiches. Sniff, sniff.  "Jam! No!"

Sad, sad, eyes.  He continued walking to the egg salad sandwiches.  There, though, the M.O. changed.  Instead of just sniffing, Jammy brought out the big guns.

But the sandwiches he really wanted were the egg
salad and watercress on mini croissants.

Sniff, sniff.  Then, a second later, a long pink tongue reached out to see if it could scoop out egg salad and separate it from the croissant.

"JAM!"

The girls and I and the three dogs trying to get into position for a nice photo. Insanity.

In the end, Jam gave up and tried instead to crash the ladies photo outside.

Just the humans!

The crisis was averted and no sandwiches were stolen and eaten.  And none were licked.

At least none were licked that I knew about...

Jam Is Home

By Fred
Jam is back home. We wanted him to be a guide dog or to have a career of some kind. We wanted this very much, but his health problems got in the way. So now he's home.

I wasn't sure what to expect--whether he'd get along with Coach, whether he'd be happy, whether he'd changed, whether he'd even remember us, but things are going very well. Coach adores his older brother (they have the same father and the same bushy tail and much of the same personality). Willow loves him but is not yet ready to commit (again).

Jam resting in his spot by my chair

I just saw Jam at the bottom of the stairs, looking up for me with concern in his eyes, these big dark eyes, even though he'd just seen me a few seconds earlier. He always had separation anxiety, even as a little puppy. Last year I worried that he'd have a rough time of it, emotionally, when he started school, but we've learned that he was loved by his trainer and that the school did everything they could during the past year to address his medical issues. He is still the same, sweet Jam, thanks to them.

Jam smiling

And yes, Jam remembered Cheryl.

A picture of Jam on Cheryl's lap

Jammy Comes Home

 Today, we are going to Southeastern Guide Dogs to pick up Jam.  We will be adopting him and bringing him home to live with us.  We got the call a week ago that he had been dropped from the guide dog program because of a medical problem: he has a soft trachea.  On Wed. he had a fluoroscopic test and we will be getting the results of that test and a medical plan for him when we pick him up.

I think we, as most puppy raisers do, put all of our eggs in Jam's basket, hoping that he would be our first dog to make it as a guide dog puppy.  From all his reports and comments, he was an excellent dog, smart, good with his commands and very sweet to work with.  Unfortunately, he was also plagued with a bit of separation anxiety and a persistent cough that made him honk like a goose (which was the trachea problem). Southeastern gave him their very best shot and their best effort and for that we thank them.

We are thankful that we have not filled up our house already with dogs (Bingo was aggressive, HRH Berkeley was not best friends with Willow) so that we can take Jam back with us as he has a special place in our hearts.

I am also very, very nervous at seeing him.  It is a puppy raiser's dream to be remembered.  I remember the first Guide Dog U when we took HRH Berkeley back and one of the graduates stood up to talk about her experience with her guide dog.  As she walked up to the podium, her guide dog caught sight of her puppy raiser, who just happened to be in the audience returning another dog.  The guide dog completely lost control and bolted to the puppy raiser in a paroxysm of joy.  The crowd of puppy raisers, in unison, sucked in their breath with a collective "AH!" Each was thinking, "I hope that is me one day."

Jam may not have made it, but he is an amazing boy.  All we care about is having our sweet boy back at home and giving him a happy healthy life.

And if he bolts towards us in a paroxysm of joy, my day will be complete.

A Family of Weenies

We went to the Symphony Under the Stars event at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night.  It was hosted by Raymond James Financial (Thank You Very Much!!!) and there were lots of puppy raisers there who were enjoying the presymphony tailgating party that we set-up! We got there at 4:30 and had lots of fun!  

The actual symphony started with kids singing, etc. at 6, so our tailgate ended at about a quarter to 6 and we started in toward to the stadium and found great seats at the back.  We had most of the back of the stadium to ourselves!  Since it was an overcast day, it was wonderful.

Coach and Bo chew on the pirate mascot's sword.

The Bucs mascot came by and played with Coach and Bo.  He mistakenly laid down his stuffed sword and Coach and Bo immediately tried to take it away from him.  Fortunately, he wasn't much of a fierce pirate.  He was kind of a cuddly pirate. They weren't afraid of his costume at all.

Around 7:30 when the real orchestra started playing Nancy came by and said that there was a huge storm on the radar and that they were packing up their chairs and just sitting on their towels.  FYI.

I looked at Fred.  "We should pack up our chairs too."  Fred kind of rolled his eyes at me.  I'm easily motivated into action. "No, seriously.  I'm not sitting in a rainstorm."

"It's not raining." Then a raindrop fell.  I looked at him and raised an eyebrow a la Scarlett O'Hara.  

"It is now."

I turned to Melisa and Ed.  There were a few more raindrops.  "Are you coming?" I asked?  Melisa looked at Ed.  Ed, who is a big sailor, said he didn't think it would last.  So, Melisa said no.

Fred and I packed up in less than 30 seconds and were on our way. 

A crowd leaves the stadium, dark clouds in the background.

 As we were walking out, I took a photo of the rain clouds and caught Coach nervously looking back over his shoulder.

Coach, stopped and looking over his shoulder back at the rain clouds behind him.

I think he was glad to have left as well.

Did the rain last?  Were we weenies to have left so readily? How rude of you to suggest such of thing!  I'm ending this post with photos of dark rain clouds!!

Coach Is a Love Machine

 Yes, Coach, our soon to be 14-month old Southeastern Guide Dog puppy in training, is a love machine.  As evidenced by the photo below.

Coach is nearly invisible as five freshmen pet him.  He is rolled over on his back so they can give him belly rubs.

 We were doing the annual research project in Health class, which involved several days of research and then several days of a crossfire like debate where two opponents met to debate various health topics like steroids in sports, creatine, and risky behavior like texting and driving, etc.If we had a couple of minutes left at the end of the debates, which were generally very stressful for the kids debating, I would take the coat off of Coach and let a few kids at a time come and pet him.

He had his regulars (seen above) who LOVE HIM!  He really seems to love them back and tended to just roll over for them and let them give him belly rubs.

Kathleen shares her office with lots of stuffed animals like Fozzy bear and some weird rat-like thing that Coach really wanted to take a bite out of.  They are shown sitting in a rocking chair with a sign that says "We love Coach!"  

On Friday, I visited our lower division librarian to get a schedule to bring Coach in to read to lower division and I was hoping for a very productive meeting, but was thwarted by her office mates (shown above!).  While Kathleen wouldn't admit it, I think Fozzy bear was doing a little dance trying to distract Coach.  Coach said as much on the way back to the office.  I really don't think it was an excuse!  And the little pack rat thing kept staring at him with his shiny eyes.  I guess he couldn't help his shiny eyes, but still.  It is rude to stare.

So, we did have to leave the meeting early.  On our way out, before I could get the coat on him, we were accosted by two lovely little lower division girls who asked to pet Coach.  I looked up and said, "Well, he has to sit first. And he hasn't been the best boy, so if he is bad, we'll have to stop."

Coach sat and then the one little girl said, "Oh! Coach is ADORABLE!"

Maybe that is why the pack rat was staring.

Rainy Day Weenie

The other day last week we had a big rainy day.  Now, Coach is a big boy.  He can be pretty macho.  Well, actually no.  He isn't.  He's sweet.  He's gentle.  He is not macho.  

Coach got very wet.  Here he is in the car with his muzzle covered in raindrops.

So he wasn't pleased to be walking to the car in the rain, but one of the things that we are supposed to do is give our Southeastern Guide Dog puppies different experiences.  So, walking in the rain is a good thing to do.  Walking through puddles is also a good thing to do.

When we arrived home, it was still raining and I opened the door for Coach to get out.  One of the things that Coach does really well is stay in the car until you tell him car out.  However, you can tell by the look on his face that he is giving that puddle the stink eye.

Photo of a puddle with raindrops hitting it.

But he did jump out into the puddle on command.  I suppose that is tiny bit macho. 8-)

Back at His Day Job: School Dog

I have been out of school for two weeks (my mom had open heart surgery (she came through it like a trooper and is doing great!)) and then I went straight to Baltimore for a library conference.  So it has been quite a hectic time for me.  Coach and Fred and Willow have been on their own with a very changed routine, which can be a little stressful.

But, last Monday, I was back and Coach started back to school.  He fell into his school routine quite well.  Monday I didn't have any research classes, but Tuesday we began the Health Cross Fire Debates!

Coach is in a down stay in front of students who are busy researching at the tables.

Our first couple of days, the students are doing research on the various topics they are assigned to debate.  On the third day, they will be watching a demo of the debate and will begin writing their speeches.

During free time, when Coach's coat is off, students can pet him and relieve some stress.

I think our students were glad to have him back as exams are approaching and he is a bit of a stress reliever for some kids.  After all, research has shown that that petting a dog (actually, just interaction with a dog!) will lower your cortisol levels and increase your endorphin levels.  So, goodbye stress and hello happiness (click on the link to read more!).  That's why school's like Emory, Harvard, Yale and our Berkeley Prep know the value of having a service dog on campus.

Coach gets comfortable at the all school congo.

I was really excited about Coach's stellar behavior at the all school convocation on Friday!  He slept through the concert band performance and several choral productions!  Woohoo!

Coach sleeps through the concert band performance.

Keep in mind how he acted at the ballet.  It wasn't good.  Now, we have a more mature Coach who can lie down and go to sleep and be comfortable through the whole performance.

Did we stay for the pipe and drum band's performance?  No.  I know he doesn't like the sound of the bagpipes and he wouldn't have been a good boy.  So, we left when they took the stage.  You have to know when to leave and make the event a success.

It was a good week for Southeastern Guide dog in training Coach!