Frog Legs

On Jam's In For Training forms, they ask if he has a favorite toy.  He does.  It is a Kong Snugga Wubba Friends toy.  You have many choices of friends: monkey, frog, lion and bunny. Why did we choose the Snugga Wubba for Jam?

Photo of the lion snugga wubba from the Kong site.

Well, for starters, guide dog puppies in training aren't supposed to have stuffed animals and they aren't supposed to have squeaky toys.  The Snugga Wubba skirts that line nicely. It is soft and plush, but it has a kong like body, not a stuffed toy body.  It also doesn't have a squeaker.  And our AC approved it. 8-). Plus, after the Duck Buddy incident (Here's the beginning of the Duck Buddy story), we knew Jam needed some comfort and needed it fast!  So we went to Petsmart and looked for a Snugga Wubba.

Frog Snugga Wubba with one chewed leg.

We found a frog Snugga Wubba and brought it home for Jammy.  He loved it.  But he did a curious thing.  He would only chew on one leg.  He would carry it around either by that chewed leg or by the body, but he would only chew that one leg.

Even when he was chewing, it wasn't a destructive type of chewing.  It was more of a comfort chew.

"Here, froggy.  I'm just massaging your leg, not eating it."

Jam, lying down with his froggy in front of him.

We will be saving froggy in hopes that we get to attend a puppy raiser day and give it back to him and his new partner.

Don't worry Jam.  We'll take good care of  froggy.

A Saturday Weeping

Saturday, July 21st, Jam will be going In For Training (or IFT as it is affectionately known).  Now, it is a full morning of activities called Guide Dog U, starting at 8 am at Southeastern Guide Dogs.  Here is the itinerary:

Jam, sitting, while Fred is at the end of the leash.

• Arrival of puppies
• Puppies taken to Freshman dorms (receiving kennels)
• Campus tour (this is where puppy hugging happens as all the moms and dads are weeping and in need of some loving), blindfold walks and refreshments
• Presentations
• Guest speaker
• Closing comments and farewell

When we arrive we are to come with Jam and a packet of information.  His medical records should have already been faxed several weeks prior.  He is still intact, so he is a breeder candidate.  In addition to his medical records, Southeastern has us provide them and the trainers and the potential visually impaired or blind person that Jam will hopefully be paired up with information about us and about Jam.

I filled out that paperwork on Saturday. I cried through most of it.

Fred and Jam inside the Leepa-Rattnor Museum in Tarpon Springs.

When asked to share fun and positive adventures, I wrote the following:

"Taking Jam out is almost like having Brad Pitt with you.  He stops traffic.  When he was a little puppy, he was so cute that Fred and I had to go together to stores because we would be inundated with people wanting to stop and talk with us about how handsome Jam is.  One time after a meeting in Sarasota, we were eating lunch at St. Armand's Circle and had a table by the big picture window.  I felt like I was having lunch with Elvis because people would stop and stare and point at Jam.  Then they would wave at us and mouth, "He's gorgeous!"  Yes, yes, move along!

Jam is a super sweet boy.  I think his most endearing quality is how much he wants to be with you and follow you.  I love the feel of him on my feet.  (This is where I start to cry.) He loves to work and is very smart.  He loved going to school.  When he had some growing pains and had to stay at home, you could tell he wasn't happy.  He wanted to work, see the kids, walk and do the commands.

Fred and Jam walking up at a figure of Andy Warhol.

For additional comments and our wishes for whomever is matched with Jam, I wrote:

My hope is that Jam becomes a guide dog for someone because it seems to me that he really wants a job and someone to love.  Jam does have a sense of humor, as well.  So in the end, what we wish is that your partnership be one of love, happiness with obedience and some laughs.

Jam and Fred getting ready for the goodbye dinner.  Fred is trying to put Jam's coat on him.

Weeping is full blown now

Of course the trainers just want the facts.  The unvarnished reality of Jam.  All of his good and his less than ideal traits.  How do I put down counter surfer and not feel like a failure for not being able to get that behavior under control?  Jam's stubbornness is mammoth.  Squirt bottles and corrections were nothing in the face of a potential yummy that might be had.  And yet, he is so smart.  He knew the switch command at 4 months (we did it every Monday-Wednesday-Friday).

He will Drop It.  So tell me, why does he pick it up again?!!!

This morning, as it has been every morning the summer off, I have been woken up by my furry alarm clock: Jam.  He usually lets me sleep until 7:30 am.  Then he will put his two front paws on the bed and poke his nose in my face.  If I say, "No." He lies back down until I am ready to get up.  But he is most happy if I wake up then.  Because he has been waiting patiently by my bedside for me to awaken.

In Jam's world, there is only room for one beloved (he is what they call a hard bonder).  Fortunately for him, his heart is so big he will give it willingly to another person if his beloved is not around.  So, on Saturday, whomever calls his name, be prepared not only to take his leash, but his big heart with you as well.

So You think You Can Dance?

Yesterday we brought Jam to Tom Yum Thai for lunch and he did a quick under down at the booth.  The Thai place is very calm, quiet and peaceful and except for the spicy peppers we add to everything, nothing much gets under our skin.  However, at this lunch we had a very unusual thing happen.

Jam faces out of the booth and is lying by my foot.

 At the booth next to us a mom and her daughter came out of the bathroom and went to sit in their booth.  Since the booths are against the wall and the bathroom is on the opposite side of the room, the little girl had a perfect view of Jam under the table.  As she approached she stared at Jam and then looked up at me and said in a very loud, happy voice, "Hello!"

I smiled and said hello back.  She seemed a harmless happy sort.  They sat in their booth and ordered.  We ordered.  All was seemingly right with the world until the girl finished her lunch.  Then she remembered Jam.

Under the table and dreaming.

What should she do?  Her mom was on the phone.  No one to talk to.  No one to play with.  And yet, there was that dog, wasn't there? The wheels were turning in her brain.  What should she do? What could she do?  What would her mother let her do?

She could dance!

It may be a bit hard to tell from this photo or the next, but for about five minutes, she proceeded to hop up and down and then went down try to peer at Jam and gauge his reaction.  She would pirouette.  Twirl.  Twist and turn.  Then bend down and gauge his reaction as if he were Nigel Lythgoe from "So, You Think You Can Dance" and He was going to give her a review.

If Jam did watch, it was from the corner of his eye.  He wasn't channeling Nigel.  He was channeling Simon Cowell.  He was not impressed.  He didn't like it.  He wasn't voting for her.

 "Restaurants are for sleeping and resting.  Not for making an exhibition of yourself!" (Now imagine Jam saying that with an English accent. 8-)

Oh my sweet little Jam. How we have grown up!  I would say he has this restaurant distraction thing down.

Elvis As A Dog

By Fred,
Sometimes Jam's prodigious production of saliva fluid slows a bit, and his normally slippery upper lip sticks to the side of his teeth, giving him a little snarl, very much like Elvis would look, if Elvis were reincarnated as a yellow lab.

Is Jam Really Elvis?

Actually, that would explain much of Jam's behavior: the fondness for peanut butter, the tendency toward silly behavior, the passion for blue capes, and the boyish exuberance for the opposite sex. And especially that playful snarl of the upper lip.

Don't mess with Elvis.

Like a Labrador in a China Shop...

Only two weeks away from IFT (in for training) and we are looking at every exposure as if it is his last.  So today when we decided to go to the antique store to look at stained glass, we thought, it's his last two weeks.  OF COURSE WE SHOULD TAKE HIM WITH US.

Janet's Antiques

I had previously seen some gorgeous stained glass windows at Janet's Antiques on Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. We wanted to take down some shears and replace them with hanging stained glass windows in  the garden room.  So, off to the store we went.

Outside of Janet's Antiques.

I have been in Janet's several times.  I really like this store.  In fact my memory of it is that it is roomy and has lots of amazing stuff.  It also has a particular dealer who has arts and crafts furniture, which I love. It makes for lots of drooling.

In retrospect, I should have remembered that antique stores are just another name for china shops.  Rather, they are very crowded spaces filled with delicate items that cost an enormous amount of money.

And I am bringing a large labrador with a large lab tail and a friendly disposition inside.  What is wrong with this picture?

"Roomy aisles," the voice inside my head says.  There is not one flicker of unease as we walk towards the store.  Fred opens the store for us.  We step inside and immediately turn left. This is what we see.

View of the narrow aisles at Janet's Antiques.

"Holy Guacamoley, Batman!" The other inner voice (the one that IS connected to reality) screams.  There is no way Jam is going to navigate these aisles successfully.

Box of Acceptable Behavior

Sometimes training a guide dog puppy, or just training a puppy, is knowing what, as our Southeastern Guide Dog trainers say, is in their box of acceptable behaviors.  I know Jam can navigate a Home Depot. I know he has Publix down.  Fresh Market is a little more of a challenge for him.  But Janet's? Is Janet's in his box?

Jam, doing a down under at Janet's Antique's store.

 No.  Janet's is not in his box. What is in his box is a good down under and calmly sitting at the front of the store while Fred chooses what windows to buy. So that is what we do.

In addition to needing to be down and under the chair I was sitting on at the front door, he also had to ignore everyone who walked in and said,

"Oh, what a gorgeous dog!" (There were several. 8-) And the store owners have a little dog that stays up front.  What could go wrong there?

That dog started to bark and was told that she wasn't being a good hostess, but good boy Jam ignored her.

View of top of Jam's head doing his down under.

He was in the zone, or box, rather.  Yea!

Fred found two acceptable windows, paid for them and Jam and I went to fetch the car.  Our job was done.  We had started out with one box and we had to change it midstream for another, but Jam was up to the task and fulfilled his duty.  Successful puppy training can require modification if you see your puppy is not being successful.  You always want them to end with success.  

Good Friends, Good Boy

Yesterday we met our good friends, whom we hadn't seen in about four years, at Sea Sea Riders for lunch.  We, of course, brought Jam with us because they have a a yellow lab and have kids and are dog friendly.

Anna, their little girl, was over the moon to meet Jam.  She and Kate met us outside the restaurant and walked us in to our table.  Jam was very good and did a smooth down under when we got to the table.  Then he started to lick Kate's toes.

Jam lying down in front of Anna, Cheryl, Kate and Will

He was great during the whole meal.  Didn't move around or get up much at all.  Although at one point, someone had dropped a fork and Jam found it and was about to eat it.  Anna pointed it out to Fred who retrieve the fork.

Fred, Jam, Will and Jay standing in front of the tree for a photo of the boys.  Will is wearing his black lab shirt.

After lunch, we went outside and took off his coat so that everyone could pet Jam.  At this point he was very calm and collected and didn't jump at all.

Fred is showing Anna how soft Jam's ears are.  Jam is in a sit and Anna is patting his head.

He was able to do the meet and greets with aplomb.  Yea Jam!

Farting at the Movies

Many years ago, Fred and I had bought tickets to see Phantom of the Opera.  We had never seen it and were looking forward to finally seeing what all the fuss was about.  It was playing at the then named Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.  Then my college roommate called and said she was coming for a visit, so we bought one more ticket.  Only problem was it wasn't anywhere near our seats.

Fred was a gentleman and let Gisah and I sit together and took the orphan seat that was closer and way over to the left.  We were further back and over to the right.  None of us were close and were behind the center line.

As we sat down Gisah and I were very excited about the play.  I seem to recall Gisah had seen it before, so I was a bit more excited about it.  The audience was packed.  There were very few empty seats.  Then just before the curtains rose, it happened.

"Oh!"  I crinkled my nose.  Damn.  That was nasty.  My eyes watered.  I looked over at Gisah and she was looking at me.  I shook my head, which in mime theater talk means I didn't do it!  The lights were out and play started.

We fanned our programs and tried to waft it away.  Which worked a little bit.  Then, about five minutes later, it happened again. Then again, five minutes later.

Every five minutes we were hit with a fart from the man sitting beside me who obviously had Delhi Belly, Montezuma's Revenge, or whatever town or person they want to name it after but means that your body is saying YOU SHOULDN'T BE AT A PLAY! You should be on a toilet like a normal human letting that foulness out, not trying to keep it in!

Honestly, it went on and on.  Gisah gagged a little.  I started to feel nauseous.  I couldn't concentrate on the play.  I think there was something about little boats in the water and I was fantasizing about throwing this contaminated dork over the boat, when the lights went up.

We bolted, found Fred and blurted out, "The man next to us is farting!"

I'm sure everyone next to us heard it.  "We cannot stand it." "It is disgusting." "We have to leave." "I'm about to throw up."

"Uh. OK."  Fred is amenable to just about anything but I know he hated to be in the seat by himself. This solution was great.

So we left.

Jam, curled up on the floor of the movie theater.

Last night, we took Jam to The Avengers movie.  We got there a little late, it was about 10 minutes before the movie started and the only good dog seat was in the front row of the stairs by the stairs.  So I took it quickly.  There was a couple sitting in seats 3 and 4.

Fred got up to use the restroom and the lady in seat 4 leaned over and asked, "Do you want us to move over a seat so the dog has more room?"

"Oh, he has plenty of room, between my chair and my husband's.  But thank you for asking." I thought that was sweet. This theater was super clean.  Not one popcorn kernel anywhere.  But there chairs are weirdly spaced so it was hard to scrunch my purse between them.  It kept falling to the floor.  GRRRR.

Fred came back and sat down.  The movie started.  Jam was starting to sleep.  Then some of the action started.  Jam would wake up and watch it.  Then he would move around and try and get comfortable.

Fred leaned over, "Did Jam fart?"

"Oh no he didn't!" I may have done the head bob thing as well.  If there is one thing I can tell you it's where a fart is coming from in a theater.  I was on the end of the aisle.  Jam was with me.  WE WERE NOT FARTING. I have no problem admitting to a fart or assigning blame on Jam when he is farting, but when he isn't, I'm not going to just blame him because he is the only dog in the theater!

Evidently, the girl behind Fred had said in a whisper, "I hate when I go to the movies and there are people farting!"

Fred said the farts were about every 5 minutes for the first part of the movie.  Then the man next to him (Seat 3) got up to go to the restroom (I'm guessing). (Seat 3 is the farter! Says me.)

Jam continued to pop his head up at every roar from the Hulk.  It was like they were talking to each other or rather the Hulk was being annoying and Jam was an old grumpy man who needed to give him a glare.

Finally the movie ended.  We waited until the end for the shawarma scene which was worth it.  Many people smiled at Jam, so I'm guessing that they didn't blame Jam either.

They blamed Fred.