Sunday, July 27, 2014

Short, Sweet, and...Fun!

I have been writing on this little blog for over two-and-a-half years.  Not only has it been a place for recording and remembering my journey of puppy raising, but it has also been a means by which I have "met" many wonderful people from across the country who also are hooked on this volunteer gig.  Over the last year especially, there have been several people who I originally met because of this blog that I now consider dear friends.

My parents, Moray, and I recently headed up to Missouri to visit a college.  While we were there, we had the privilege of meeting up with Lisa and her Canine Companions puppy in training Liza!  They live a couple hours away from where we were going, but graciously agreed to meet up with us!
We first met up at a castle that touts to being haunted.  It was a fun place to work both pups together!  Liza is a complete sweetie!  She is so beautiful and dainty, and she and Moray hit it off instantly and were completely in love.  When Moray meets new dogs, he usually just tries to play with them.  Not these two.  They worked very well together, but just wanted to be together and would lean over and steal kisses every chance they got!
They not only fell in love in one day...
Uh oh!
...but also got married...
...and honeymooned! ;)
We went up stairs...
...and down stairs.
We worked on various commands like "up"...
...and jump.
And although no ghosts were seen, it was soon time to head out!

Pretty Liza!

"Let's go!"
We headed to downtown Springfield to walk around some more, but also got to spend time talking to people all about Canine Companions!  Of course Liza and Moray were excellent representatives!

Soon it was time for a water break!  Its good to have polite puppies who don't mind sharing!

After some dinner where these two smooched under the table...
...We switched puppies and worked through some basic and advanced commands and obedience!
"Jump!"

"Jump" and "under" and more kisses!
Liza does a "let's go!"
Handsome boy if I do say so myself!


"Down" of different surfaces.

Liza mid "heel"
They even practiced holding "downs" and "stands" with major distractions -- each other!

Another stop for rest for the pups and some dessert for the humans, and we had to make our goodbyes.

Lisa with Moray and Liza and I
Moray was out cold on the way to our hotel that night, and I would put money on the fact that his good behavior the whole next day was due to the pure fun and excitement he had!
Sleepy head!
It was such a fun day spent with dear friends, and I know I can speak for Moray when I say he was exhausted all the way home!

**Most photos here were taken on Lisa's camera by herself of my mom**

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Puppy Outing

This weekend we finally got together for an outing with fellow Canine Companions puppy in training, Hardy.  Everyone has had an extremely busy summer so far, so it was nice to finally connect!

We all met up at Lowe's so that we could practice various commands and also let the puppies practice working with other handlers besides their raisers.
Dante also got to tag along since Lowe's is a pet-friendly store!  Unfortunately, I sprained my ankle on the 4th, so I spent the whole time working with Dante, and he got to show off his wheelchair work and advanced commands.
There was lots of passing around the leashes so that puppies and humans got to work on various skills.
Hardy executing a "sit" and Moray doing a "jump" on a grate.
Hardy does an "off" for the newest (almost!) puppy raiser of our group

Moray with Hardy's raiser
Dante opens the fridge!
Tight spaces? No problem!

Moray and Hardy are both super sweet boys and get along so well.  When we took a break and were all talking together, they laid down nose-to-nose together and were so sweet!  It is always so fun and encouraging to get together with our friends and fellow puppy raisers!


Friday, July 4, 2014

Happy 4th!

We've been celebrating Independence day for the last two days around here!  Yesterday Dante and Moray got tons of play time, running, and playing in the kiddie pool.  One thing that has not changed in the last year is Moray's sheer joy whenever he gets wet!
July 4th, 2013 - 11 weeks old

July 3rd, 2014 - 14.5 months old


Hehe!









Gardening buddy!

 It's hard to believe how much has changed in the last year:
2013

2014
Happy Independence Day!