McLean Puppy Chronicles: 2017

Kahj started off this week with his little handkerchief and a slow life in library. We did have some classes in the library, so he had a lesson or two in how to sleep during class.

Kahj lying down on the library floor in front of the books.

However, at the end of the week, when we got word that he was getting his coat that evening, he did go to a class that day. It was one of my small classes and they were very good. Kahj is what our Area Coordinator Lois calls a slug: meaning if he doesn't move for at least 30 seconds, he falls asleep. Now, we also have a new manual and with that new manual comes some new commands. One of them is the PLACE command. This PLACE command is going to come in great with classes because I will be able to set his Kong mat down, tell Kahj PLACE and then have him go to sleep, which is what happened on Friday. Easy, peasey.

RUSH E period with Landon holding Kahj. Landon won the "nose goes" contest to hold Kahj for the photo.

After class was over, we had a quick nose goes contest, which Landon won, in order to see who would hold Kahj for the class photo. As you can see in the photo, Kahj is pretty limp, as he just woke up from his long nap.

Kahj sleeping in his "place" in my office.

Kahj also has a crate he can retreat to in my office. He loves his crate and is very comfortable hanging out taking naps in there.

Kahj showing off his coat at Cassis.

We also took Kahj out to breakfast this Sunday with Jam and he did great. Everyone thought he was the bomb. Such a little cutie in his coat.

We now have our 8th guide dog puppy to raise from Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto, FL. His name is Kahj and his sponsor is Theresa Wells.

From left: Cheryl, Fred holding Kahj (a yellow lab) and Theresa, greeting him for the first time in the Southeastern Kennels on Dec. 30th, 2016.

Theresa raised the money to sponsor and name Kahj and we agreed to raise him. Here's how Theresa tells the story of how his name came about:

"Yes, there is a story behind that name. Kahj is a future superhero AND charming prince. Kartie, my successor guide dog (we were matched back in January 2015 - he is one of elite extraordinaire) and I flew to Cleveland, OH to visit my daughter and her family to meet my second grandchild. My 5 years old grandson, Tahj had a HUGE fear of giant dogs and doesn't want any part of it especially with pictures. I was silent and very confident that it would change. When Tahj and Kartie met for the first time, I gave Tahj a few pieces of frozen green beans. They were 5 feet from each other -- Kartie sat there and decided to sit next to him waiting for the treat. Tahj gave him one piece at a time. Kartie was very, very gentle to him. After a few minutes, it's the love at first sight for both of them. Three days later, Tahj became so obsessed with Kartie and decided to have professional photo shoot with him! I was in awe how they got connected in just a few days. That's how I came up with the name after both of them, Kartie and Tahj. I decided to name Kahj to honor their unique connection!

Photo of Theresa holding Kahj in her arms.

His birthday was on Sept. 12th, 2016. So, when we got him, he was about 15 weeks old. We didn't have school on Monday the 2nd, but he did go to school with me on Wed. However, he spent the day in the library as we are doing a slow introduction of him into the school.

Kahj napping on his tie-down in my office.

Since we didn't want to overwhelm him, we were very careful to only let a few people say hello to Kahj during his first day. Once his limit had been reached, no more visitors. One person at a time, and Kahj had to sit in order to say hello.

It helped that Kahj is calm and knows the sit command like the back of his paw.

Kahj showing off his sit. He has a little bit of an Elvis lip going on.

Of course at home, he was a goof ball and would be silly and flip out and roll on his belly.

Kahj sleeping on his back.

Kahj's fist visitor was our good friend Michele Timothy. She is usually our first visitor to meet all of our puppies. They got along great.

Michele with Kahj on her lap.

Kahj also has the distinction of living with Jam, the dog who loves too much and Willow, the Duchess of Everything. Willow has already declared him lovely and made him her plaything. She rarely is immediately accepting of a puppy, preferring to have a period of grumpiness where she can bark her displeasure of having a young dog bother her. Much to our surprise, Kahj is sweet, calm and not at all bothersome. Willow loves him.

Jam has declared him a brother, although he could do without the occasional humping.