Homecoming Pep Rally and Concession Stand

This last weekend was homecoming weekend.  The weekend started on Friday afternoon with an all school pep rally where the upper division won the spirit stick.  Coach was not very impressed and slept through most of the cheering.

Coach is sleeping on the bleachers.

We also got to hear the awesome Highlander band play.  Coach was not disturbed by the pipe and drum band, but listened thoughtfully.  No howling.  Then it was back to napping.

Coach falls asleep on my foot.

 After the pep rally, Christina and I got ready to man the concession stand at the Straz Family Field House.  The Girls Volleyball team was playing our rivals Tampa Prep and we beat them handily in three straight games.

Here is our concession team: Emily, Jessica, Isabella, Christina, Carly, Alex with Coach lying down up front.

 We had a little bit of a panic as our water hadn't been restocked, but that got taken care of and we were good to go.

Coach finds a spot near the fridge so he can lie down and be cool.  Christina is smiling down at him.

 We sold drinks and candy.  Next time I think we will bring some other snacks like donuts and bagels as we will have the morning and afternoon slot at the headmaster's challenge.

Coach falls asleep by the fridge.

 Meanwhile, Fred arrived and took Coach to see the volleyball game.

Fred and Coach watching the volleyball game.

After the concession stand session was over, we cleaned up and then Coach, Fred and I went to the football game.  That was a bittersweet game.  We had great weather, but CCC was a tough opponent.  We lost 35-21.  The first half we didn't score, but we came back in the second.

After such a long day, I didn't have the heart to have Coach come to the Homecoming Dance on Saturday!  Let the boy rest.

Coach with colorful balloons in the background.

But I did bring some balloons home for an exposure.  More on that later...

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!

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!

Introducing Coach!

Photo of Coach's dog tag saying Coach.

Friday at 2 pm, I drove down to Southeastern Guide Dogs with Coach's sponsor (Austin) and Austin's cousin Connor.  We were going to pick up Coach.

Coach, a black goldadore, is being readied for pickup.

The puppy kennel staff is getting Coach ready for us after his bath.  Coach weighs 32 pounds!!!  Turns out he is actually 17 weeks old, and was born on March 24, 2012 not April 11th like we first thought.  The 4-1-1 idea was a cool thought though. 8-)

Connor watches as Austin holds Coach for the first time.

Here are Austin and Connor with the first holding of Coach.

Coach looks over Austin's knee from the floorboard of the car.

Coach turned out to be in need of some tough love on the way home.  He kept trying to get up on the seat and Austin had to be firm and put him back on the floorboard.  It was very tough on Austin.  He has a sensitive heart and really didn't want to hold the line on this, but he did.  Coach stayed on the floorboards.

Austin and Connor are seated on the porch and Coach is seated in front of Austin.  

As you can see, Coach is really a big guy.  He's already almost at Austin's knees.

Austin holds Coach as Coach's legs dangle down like an octopus's.

He and Austin bonded.  Austin asked me on the way back if I thought Coach would remember him.  I think that is a given.  They spent some quality time together in the car. 8-)

Connor, Austin (with Coach in his arms) and Allie.

 Here are Austin, Connor and Austin's sister Allie with Coach.

Coach is sitting, staring up into the camera.  The sun is filtered onto the floor behind him.

Finally here is a photo of sweet baby Coach, with the sun in his eyes.  He is going to be a big boy we think.  He is a month younger than his neighbor Coastie and Coastie weighs only 6 pounds more.  And Fred said a paw camparison revealed Coach has some pretty massive paws.  But, when you are named after the Head Football Coach (Coach Dominick Ciao), being a big guy isn't a problem.  It's an asset!

That's our story and we're sticking to it.

Football and the Queen

Her Royal Highness Berkeley has made it to two home football games. On the walk into the first game, we happened to pass by a lower division girl and her mom walking to the football field. I heard the mom ask her daughter, "Do you see the dog, honey?"

Then, in the saddest voice imaginable, the little girl said, while staring straight ahead, "Yes. She has her coat on. She's invisible. I can't see her or pet her."

I thought I might cry or laugh. I tried not to do either. We kept walking. I didn't make eye contact with the mom to see what she thought of that comment.



When we got to the football field it was still light and not too crowded. I was able to say hello to the kids I wanted to let know I had come to support them. Then we took HRH up onto the metal bleachers. The photo above shows her and Fred striking a pose. She did pretty well, even though they made a strange sound when she walked on them and they were a bit narrow and had a gap on either side. I think she will like them better when she is bigger.



We made the mistake of taking her for a pee break between the 1st and 2nd quarter. Every student who caught sight of her without her coat on rushed over for a quick pat. They all lined up nicely though and it was an orderly affair. We did eventually get her coat back on and took her out onto the field to watch the game from there.

The second time we took her it was Tailgate, which translated means EXTREMELY CROWDED and FILLED WITH EXCITED CHILDREN. HRH had a meltdown about 20 minutes into the game and we took her home. Sometimes it works and sometimes you take 'em home.

We still kicked butt and won the game.