Kahj - Out and About

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. 

I Want to Be Corky's Favorite

Today was a busy day for us in the library.  We had so much to do getting ready for the librarians conference for next week.  Even so, life at school went on as usual and some of the 8th graders brought some rising 6th graders by the library for a tour today.

Two of them brought a group of ten by my office and asked if Corky was in. I said he was and they asked if the 5th graders could see him. Corky happened to have his coat off, so when I took him out of my office and into the main library there was a general sucking in of breaths and a breathing out of "He doesn't have his coat on!!"

"Can we pet him?"

"Yes, you may, but give him some room."

They spread out into a semi-circle and started to pet Corky, who stood calmly wagging his tail. One of the girls dropped down to the ground and Corky, sensing a licking opportunity, turned her way and started to lick her face.

"Ah, I see you are Corky's favorite," I said without actually taking in the meaning of my words.  Immediately, all the 5th graders fell to ground as if they had dropsy.  The boy to my right said in a loud voice, "I want to be Corky's favorite!"

"Oh, my."  I thought.  "I hope this turns out ok."

Corky happily obliged, going down the line and licking everyone in the face.  They all laughed.  I told them all that Corky loved them best. 

Corky, doing what he does best, giving a kiss to someone, in this case, our librarian Christina.

Corky was the big winner.

Corky at School: Library Duties and All School Convos

Library Dog

Corky has been having a great time at Berkeley.  He is learning all about the library and what he needs to do to be a good library dog.  We recently had a big promotion for Valentine's day called Blind Date with a Book where all of our outstanding books were covered in paper and you had to check them out without knowing what book you were getting.  It only indicated the genre (it was wildly successful!).  Corky was very instrumental in this promotion by not eating the paper hearts off the circulation counter and not knocking the books off the display counter.

Mrs. Fletcher, Mrs. McLean and Corky standing in front of the very colorful Blind Date with a Book display area in the Jean Ann Cone Library at Berkeley.

All School Convo Dog

We also had an all school convo to welcome us back to school in January.  Corky attended and did very well.  We tried a seat near the top so the sound wouldn't be too loud for him.

Mrs. McLean and Corky sitting in the stands near the top of the bleachers.

The all school convo is a bit of an extravaganza.  And we are all crammed in together in the bleachers.  My thought was, sit up high so that the noise wouldn't be so loud.

Good idea, right?

No.

Corky doesn't have a good settle.  He likes to wander and walk and ponder the world.  He is a curious dog and where Dewey would be bored in 30 seconds and fall asleep, Corky is fascinated by life.

"What was that sound? Did someone move their arm? Is that a bagpipe I hear?"

So there was no settling for Corky.  There was lots of moving back and forth.  There was periodic settling and some poking of Dr. Leonardo in the back, which he kindly said wasn't a problem.  (Thankfully, Corky also gave him lots of loving.  So, I suppose that made up for it.  Corky really seems to love Dr. Leonardo.)

In the end, he did finally finally settle down.  

Close up of Corky's face.

But seconds after he did, we were dismissed.  Sigh.  Isn't that the way it goes?  A small victory is still a victory.

Corky's School Introductions

I introduced Corky to lower, middle and upper division on three separate days in early December.  It was shortly after Katie Bandel's visit, so it was in actuality auspiciously timed as the students in upper had a more impactful idea of what Corky would be doing for someone later on in life.  

We are hoping to bring Katie back to Berkeley in Jan/Feb to speak with lower and middle and to do the exercise with the dixie cups with them as well.

Corky on stage in upper.  He did a nice sit.

 Corky was pretty good on stage.  He did sit when given the command.  Of course, he then immediately stood up.

Corky standing at my side as I talk about him.

 I figured you have to pick your battles.  I just talked rather than fight to keep him sitting.

What I love about this photo of me presenting Corky to lower is the smiles of the children.

 On a separate day we presented Corky to lower division.  He was a little stressed as you can see in the photo, his tail is a little down.  He normally carries it a little higher.  I think it was all the waiting and the fact that I was nervous as well.  But he did great.  Right up until the very end when he tried to nibble a little on the Christmas tree.  But no damage was done as we caught him right away!  He had a quiet rest of the day in the office.

All three divisions now have reheard the rules:

1. If Corky is wearing the coat, he is invisible: don't call his name, don't pet him, pretend he isn't there.
2. If he isn't wearing the coat, you can ask permission to pet him.  The question to ask is: "Is this a good time (We might be on a bathroom break!)?
3. If we are in my office, Corky will usually have his coat off and chances are good you can pet him.

Depending on what Corky is going through at the moment, I may have students help me with a certain problem.  For instance, if he has a problem jumping or lunging (like Jam did) I would have a student walk by while I had Corky sit beside me.  Fortunately, he doesn't do that.  But if we find anything, the lower, middle and upper division students stand ready and willing to help out in whatever way possible!

Dewey's Last Puppy Meeting - Last Lunch - Last Dinner: The Night Before IFT

It is our last day with Dewey.  So there are a lot of tears today.  Secret tears and not so secret tears. There will be tears tomorrow.  And probably more later.  He is so sweet.  We will miss him tremendously, but he has a big job to do and we need to let him go on to the next stage to do that.

Today we went to Bon Appetit and ate on the patio.

Dewey was lovely and calm. We had a water view.

Dewey mostly sleeps at restaurants.

So does Jam.

We took one last photo by the water of the boys and Cheryl.

There are a lot of forms that we have to fill out when we take our dogs back in for training.  One of them is a Puppy Raiser Bio Form.  It asks for additional comments on why we chose to become puppy raisers and our wishes for whomever is matched with Dewey. This is what I wrote:

"We wanted to find a way to give back that we could incorporate into our lives. We love dogs and we thought that puppy raising would be a perfect match.  What we didn't realize is that every dog of every raiser is important to you.  You care about the dog you puppy camped, the dogs you puppy sat, and especially the one you raised.  You love them not just because you raised them, but because they are the embodiment of Southeastern's mission.  They are what we do and why we do it.  We do it for you, the graduate.

I thought it was about the dogs.  But it isn't.  It's about the freedom, the independence, the self confidence.  It's about making sure we raise up a happy, self confident puppy for you.  So you will have a guide you can depend on.

We hope we got it right.  We wish you all the best.  Dewey is tenderhearted, sweet and loving.  He will be an amazing companion."

Photo of Dewey, 2014, out for dinner, looking handsome.

Do good. Be good.

Scary Camouflage

Coffee.  All I had on my mind was getting a cup of coffee before the cafeteria closed before 9.  We were walking at a fairly brisk pace and had just turned right down the main hallway toward the senior mall when Dewey stopped short.  

"Dewey?" Nothing.  I noticed that his ears were up and he was staring intently dow the hall.

I looked down the hall.

The view down the hall: a large camouflaged backpack with a beam of sunlight falling on it.

There were two backpacks on either side of the hallway, but Dewey wasn't looking at them.  He was staring straight ahead.  Intently.  There, in the bright sunlight, was Caleb's oversized camouflaged backpack.

Dewey was not going to go any closer.  I tried the happy voice.

Nope. Nothing.

I looked at Christina.  She went over the backpack and kneeled down beside it.

She tried the happy voice, "Dewey! Come! It's okay!"

I tried the happy voice where I was beside him, "Okay buddy, let's go! You can do it!"

Dewey walked forward a few steps.  He looked up at me.  He looked at Christina.  He walked a few more steps. We kept up the happy voices and he kept slowly walking.  I decided not to come at the backpack directed and we took a wide arc to come at it sideways.  Dewey's pace increased.  His nose started twitching. Christina was still calling him in a happy voice.

He was always in a forward motion. Finally we arrived at the backpack and Dewey came right up to it and sniffed.

He backed up two feet and then approached the top again, opened it with his nose and got a good sniff.

"Well, that's nosey," I said.  I closed the top. He sniffed the backpack up and down.  It was no longer scary.

Dewey leaning against the backpack.

We came back about 15 minutes later with my iPhone to take photos. He walked right up to it, no problem.  Fear conquered.

Good job Dewey!

Bomb Proof

 Dewey is a very different dog than the others we have had.  It seems that we are on a path from crazy town to calm and sweet town.  Dewey being the latest in what seems to be a quite amazing job the breeding department is doing in creating puppies who are not only smart, but calm and sweet, too.  In Dewey's case, as in Coach's, there is the added benefit of liking to be hugged.

Dewey has a tendency during class to pick out one or two students and either curl up at their feet and fall asleep or choose their backpacks as his pillow.  During first period on Friday, Morgan was his favorite.

Morgan and Dewey.

The kids like it because it gives them a small interaction with Dewey.  I like it, because he is not glued to me, he is asleep and controlled.  Win-win.

This week we have had a few things that have happened where Dewey's reactions have been very impressive.  Or should I say, his non-reactions?

I was out walking by the clock tower doing some right abouts, left lefts, etc. with another teacher.  We had just stopped to let Dewey take a little busy busy break.  Out to the side of the clock tower there is an open field.  It was about half a football field away.  In the field there was a middle school teacher with 20 of her students.  I assume it was a science teacher as she seemed to have a large bunch of powders she was dumping in a metal pan.

Christy and I kept talking and Dewey went on peeing.  Then the teacher ignited the powder and there was a loud explosion! Christy and I both jumped and stopped talking as a huge plume of smoke started to drift over to us.  The 20 kids started to clap.

Dewey keep peeing and didn't even look over to the explosion.  

Yesterday, we had a surprise fire drill.  It happened near the end of second period.  It was a loud screech.  I jumped.  Dewey was sleeping nearby.  He opened his eyes and looked up.

Dewey with some of my advisory girls at our fire drill waiting spot.

That was the extent of his reaction.  Walking to the waiting spot, Dewey was calm and collected.  No rushing, no pulling.  The excitement of the crowd didn't rub off on him.

Dewey asleep on my book bag.

I remember his comment from puppy camp.  There was a question on energy level and they marked Dewey as having very low energy.  He does nap a LOT. But he does play with Jam very hard.

Dewey with his wake up face: Why do I have to wake up?

He has an active pace and is a thoughtful and sweet companion.  I think he saves his energy for those times when he needs it.  We used to call him turtle.  I think we were correct.  Slow and steady wins the race.  He knows what he needs to do, how much energy to expend and when to react.  He doesn't get excited by the small stuff.  

Let's hope he keeps it up! Go turtle!

Coach's First Report Card

Fred with Coach in front of Coach's sign at IFT.

Coach's first report card came back yesterday.  While Coach has been a good boy at his commands, his behavior in the kennel needs some work.  It seems that there is a roommate problem.  We are not sure, but there seems to be some problem with food.  Perhaps the roommate is throwing food around and Coach is getting a little irritated and making his irritation known?

"Hey, dude, this is my side of the kennel.  Keep your dang treats over there.  Just for that, I'm going to eat this treat!"

Or maybe it went like this

"Dude," (I don't know why Coach calls all his roommates Dude, but he does) "Look, if you aren't going to eat fast enough, then I'm going to help you out and finish your bowl.  Shove over slow poke."

Now, admittedly, in the first scenario, Coach is a bit of a neatnik, obnoxious type and I would be mad at him too.  And he doesn't really come off better in the second scenario either.  Kind of a bully at worst and a little piggy at best.  But they said they have a new roommate that he seems to like.  And frankly,  who hasn't gone through college and had a bad spell with roommates?

Sometimes, you just get a bad roommate.  Sometimes, you just need to change to a new roommate.  Someone who can be your friend.

They also said that Coach is "very sweet" and "loves to work".  We hope that means that once his roommate situation calms down, he can settle in and really wow them with his command knowledge.  

Frenchy's for Lunch

I'm still practicing with my camera and as you can tell by the following photographs, I haven't got the lighting just right.  Things are a little orange, due to the orange awning at Frenchy's Rockaway, our beachside restaurant of choice.

portrait of Fred, that I really like.

 The hostesses were really pleased to see Coach.  The one did ask if he was a service dog, but then gushed that she loved dogs and was so pleased to meet him.

Fred and Coach on the deck of Frenchy's.

 We did have a minor problem with my shrimp taco order: no shrimp.  It was a special and had to be sent back.  First time that has ever happened.  I won't be ordering that again.  I'll stick with what I like, the California chicken sandwich.

Close-up of Coach.

Coach was super good and there were no pigeon to bother him.  No small children to throw fries at him either.  Smooth sailing.  A week and a half left until IFT.

Brothers

Coach and Jam share a dad (Jack), which makes them half brothers.  They also share those curly tails, although Jam's is much curlier than Coach's.  Coach does have it going on!

They are also both remarkably good looking pups.  Sweet-natured and fun loving.  They share toys, play together, and Willow likes them both.

Coach and Jam together.  Jam is on the left and Coach is on the right.
They are lying down and facing the camera.

You can't ask for better boys. It will be a sad day when we go back down to being a two dog house.

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.