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.

On Being a Good Citizen

By Fred
Cheryl is back at school, back to her normal busy routine, and today is Coach's first day here with me. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we will work on being a good citizen of the house.

A picture of Coach with big, round eyes. 

A good citizen of the house does not run up and down the stairs; he does not pee or poop on the floor; he does not seem too sad when I eat lunch in front of him, and he does not sniff my plate if I walk away for a second; he does not chew my shoelaces when I'm on the phone; he does not torture Willow; he knows (somehow) when I am busy with work and when I am bored with work; he licks my face but not the furniture; he pretends to understand what I'm saying.

So far, Coach is a very good citizen, but it's just his nature.

Coach's First Day at School

Today Coach went to school for a full day of work.  Because of his car sickness problem, we decided that a delayed breakfast was the best choice.

Coach is sitting at the far end of the kitchen by the pantry (magic) door.  He looks wistful and a bit hungry.

Coach didn't agree and sat most of the morning close by his dog food and the magic door where the dog food lives hoping that breakfast would be served.

Coach at the bottom of the passenger wheel well all curled up.  He's not asleep, but not looking at the camera either.

On the car ride in, I cranked the AC down to freezing and blew it just on Coach, because he is the most precious cargo.  He just sacked out and fell asleep.  But no puking!  So, that plan worked.

Coach is sitting on the floor beneath our bulletin board.  The board says, "What's Your Favorite Book?"

Here's Coach under our end of the year bulletin board where we asked everyone to write in their favorite book.  We got some great responses.  No one put in any dog books.

The Headmaster is seated and leaning over a bit to pat a sitting Coach on the head.

Later that morning we stopped in to say hello to the headmaster.  Coach was just as calm and sweet for Mr. Seivold as he is for everyone (sigh of relief!).  

I'm kneeling by Coach, who is seated and looking up at Coach Dom.  Dom has just opened his office door and is seeing his namesake for the first time.

That afternoon we drove over to the Straz and knocked on Coach Dominick Ciao's door to see if he wanted to meet his furry namesake. 

Coach is sitting in the locker room box with a #30 blue jersey behind him.  You can also see a blue helmet.

 We even got a tour of the locker rooms.  Coach got to sit in Austin's dressing area with his #30 jersey! Austin is Coach's sponsor.

Coach Dom and I are talking and I am holding Coach (the dog) in my arms.

Coach Dom asked some detailed questions about the puppy raising program at Southeastern Guide Dogs, like how long coach would be with me (until about May or June) and what do I teach him (basic obedience and socialization skills.  We also talked about what the trainers at Southeastern teach and what happens to Coach when he gets called in for training.

Coach Dom is holding Coach.  Coach (the dog) is staring into the camera.

I do think Coach Dom was pretty impressed with how laid back and calm Coach was. They seemed to get along very well.

Coach is sitting next to a sign that says Play Like a Champion Today!

Coach seemed ready for the start of the football season!  Go Bucs!