Working-K9: February 2008 Posts

Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sweet Dreams

I was awoken last night to the sound of my human laughing. At first I thought she was having a humorous dream, but the realized she was awake. I contemplated that she may have gone temporarily insane and hoped it would pass quickly. After all I can't do much for crazy; I wasn't trained to deal with that. Finally I realized she was laughing at me.

Apparently I had been snoring quite loudly and from my location between the bed and the wall the sound echoed around the room. The snoring led to whining, whimpering and letting out little nearly-barking noises. Throughout all of this my legs were twitching and smacking the wall next to me.

I just wish I could remember what I was dreaming. My human said it must have been action packed and intense.

Sunday, February 24, 2008
Dog Days of Winter

Today was a busy day. My human was going to leave me home and go to a bird fair but as usual plans changed and this time they changed in my favor. I put on my service dog vest and we loaded in to the van. First to Scottsdale to see a friend; then we were off to Tempe to check out the Dog Days of Winter event. I think this was the first year for the event and while it was small there was a good turnout.

We, and by we I mean my human, chatted with the vendors, event organizers and other spectators. Everyone was very friendly and she was pleasantly surprised there was no entry fee. Normally these types of things cost $20 or more just to go in. Feeling the need to give something back my human made a few donations to the charitable vendors. As we made the rounds people kept giving my human stuff, nothing was actually for her, it was all for me. I feel so special.

I wasn't allowed to socialize much with the people or the dogs because I was wearing my vest, and I knew this but sometimes it was sooooooooo hard to be good. Still I managed to make it only breaking with command once.

I spent a lot of time lying next to the scooter while we watched the obedience demonstration, then the agility and finally the disk dogs. Towards the end of the demonstrations I was getting a little too excited so my human decided to leave early. Plus she had to get lunch for both of us, meet with her aunt and then get me to my class in the evening.

I would have enjoyed a nap after lunch but as usual it's not stop action around here. Training went well. I got to see Annie and Ryika. Oh ya, and their humans as well. Afterwards we all went out to dinner. Annie hogged most the space under the booth so I had to sit up under the table and wait for the humans to finish eating and chatting. Oh and a side note; I think Charlie (trainer) was impressed that I could go down the buffet line with my human and not show interest in the food on the counter, tray or the floor. That's right, I rock. Admiration is always welcome.

I slept pretty much the entire way home. It was a very long day for me, fun but very long.

Thursday, February 21, 2008
Biography Posted

You may be interested to know that I finally posted my biography. In it you'll also find links to my photo albums, movies, education and work resume. Plus a little personal information about me; naturally. Who else would you want to read about after all?

Monday, February 18, 2008
It followed me home.. Can I keep it?

I took my human for a run the other day. Maybe it was the other way around, it doesn't matter anyways. We were heading back towards home. We were a little less than a mile from home during this three mile run. Yes we run a lot. I enjoy the workout that much. If you ask anyone they'll tell you my ears perk up every time I hear the word "walk". Apparently it's cute, and there is often much giggling.

On this trip a little toy poodle or toy poodle mix dog appeared out of no where and began chasing me. He was cute, and yes he was a male. He paused frequently to pee on every tree, pole, rock and shrub we passed. He ran laps around the scooter and I as we continued on our run. Then he'd dart off to the sides or ahead to pee again. We'd lose sight of him for a bit, then he's pop up again and zoom right past us.

People we passed on our journey thought it was so cute how he was following my human and I. They thought he belonged to us until we stopped to ask if they knew who he actually belonged to. Naturally they didn't so we kept going, hoping he'd get tired and go home on his own. He didn't.

The little tan ball of curly fur stayed with us all the way home. Now my human had a problem. If she opened the house and he got inside, would she be able to catch him. She didn't want to risk it, so we trotted across the street to the neighbors and the little dog followed. I played with him a bit while my human went to the door to find assistance.

The little dog was sure cute, and friendly and very playful. I would have loved to keep him but my human said he needed to go back to his own family. He was, thankfully wearing a collar and tags. The neighbor kids helped catch him and put a leash on him. They also called his owners and were sweet enough to walk him back home. My human would have taken him herself but the battery on the scooter wouldn't have had enough power to get her home again.

As a small side note, he continued to lift his leg to just about everything he could find; even long after he had run out of pee. The leg went up but nothing came out. It was very funny to watch.

Saturday, February 16, 2008
I Got Married!!

Ok, not really but that's ok. I'm not sure I would have been ready for married life and all. Besides I married my best friend Annie, so who would have been the ball and chain in that union?

We did have the option of both being brides but Annie looked so good in the top hat we let her be the groom. Of course that meant I had to wear a rather annoying veil but oh well. Can't win ‘em all.

This even was a Petco promotional thing and was all free. Plus we got cookies, peanut butter flavored ice cream and toys!!! Normally I detest it when my human drags me out to these little events but I must admit; the goodie bags were well worth it. Plus the store manager, Steve, is on a first name basis with my human. Apparently they run in to each other at all these various dog events. I guess I just never noticed the humans while I'm scoping out other dogs.

Thursday, February 14, 2008
Play Days

I haven't been doing much the past few days. The weather was warm and sunny for the most part so my human accompanied me on several long jogs around the neighborhood. We ran 2 miles a few days then up to 3 and half miles. I just love our runs and by the time we get back my paws are nearly black with all the dirt I pick up.

Since it was overcast and colder today we didn't go out for a run but my human did take the opportunity to take a few beauty shots of yours truly. The camera loves me. I can work it! These photos and a few others were added to my humans' facebook page. You can find them here:
Goofy Sandi Pics
Doggie Buddies
Sandi at Work
Sandi Looking Pretty

Much to my surprise and excitement Savannah stopped by just before dinner. We got to run around tearing up the back yard awhile while the humans socialized in the kitchen. I hadn't seen Savannah in such a long time I couldn't contain my excitement and apparently she felt the same way.

Saturday, February 09, 2008
Not Again

There are few things in this world that send shivers down my spine. I'm rather butch for a lady as you know. But the other day my human bought a plastic flowery lei and a grass hula skirt. I took notice.

Then she started making small alterations to the skirt. The flowery lei was wrapped around my head and my human giggled with delight. I became somewhat weary at this point.

Today she wrapped the grass skirt around my waist and I was struck with a feeling of utter dread. Oh why couldn't I find a place to hide? I few treats calmed me a bit but at the second fitting attempt I knew where this was going to end. That's right. I was going to look ridiculous!

I tried to sneak off to my kennel. She caught me. I tried to dash for the doggie door. She caught me. There is no escaping my crazy human. Luckily for me no one saw me like this and the outfit was put away.

For now I'm safe, but I am keeping a watchful eye out for the return of that skirt. Naturally I do know where this is all going to end up. It happened last year at this time too, though last year I had a bikini. That's right; it's almost time for the Doggie Beach Party.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Chew Bones

I just wanted to say how much I love my chew bones. My human has been sweet enough to get them for me pretty much since she adopted me. We like the variety pack because they are smaller bones and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are bone shaped, naturally. Some are cigar shaped; don't know why. Some are steak shaped; too bad they don't taste like steak.

I've gotten one a day now since I was a pup. They help keep my teeth and gums healthy and apparently they also keep me busy for awhile so my human can have a little peace and quiet each day. Or sometimes she'll give me one to distract me from whatever she is eating.

She always laughs at my expression anytime she utters the words "want a chew?". I guess I'm pretty darn cute. Obviously I know what this means and will meet her at the dog treat table anxiously awaiting my chew bone.

Are they really good for me in the long run? Who knows, but I don't care, just as long as they keep coming my way.

Monday, February 04, 2008
Raine and Rain

Raine has been here visiting for a few days now. My human is so sweet, she always knows when I just need to relax and be a dog for a change. Lucky for me this usually means I get to have a friend come visit. When I'm very lucky I get Raine for a few days!

I just love running along side him as we zoom back and forth across the back yard; the wind in my fur, my ears flopping and a powerful stud at my side. We move so far we are but a blur. Once the initial excitement of his arrival wears off we usually retire to the sofa for a nap.

We already have one rather impressive hole in the yard so after our nap we decided to dig another hole! Soft dirt was flying everywhere. My human wasn't impressed and made us wash our paws and faces before we came in. I don't know why, I would have been happy to wipe myself clean on her carpet if she would have just given me the chance.

We also tried to help out with the office work but after climbing under the computer desk we realized we had accidentally taken up all the space and pushed my human out. She needs longer arms. It's just that simple. Trying to get out I hit my head and Raine found that amusing.

The bedding in my kennel had been washed shortly before Raine came over. He noticed this and I had a hard time getting him out of the kennel. I wanted to play; he just laid there and looked at me.

On Sunday Annie stopped over for a visit since neither of us had class. I'm such a lucky dog. Annie and I do get a little carried away when we play so Raine eventually walked off and just watched us wrestle. He joined in a few times, though mostly it was because we kept tripping over him. I had my friend and my stud for an hour or so before Annie had to go home. It took some coaxing and treats but we all three posed for a few photos.

Finally my human decided to make Raine and I work a little. Nothing major, just do a few silly pet tricks. We would have simply ignored her but she lured us in with tempting treats. We tried to get away but couldn't resist. Oh we are so pathetic sometimes.

Today it has been raining all day. As you all know I don't like being wet and neither does Raine. However we finally had to choice but to venture out to potty. When we did we tracked in a little mud. Well maybe more than a little. Well maybe more than that. Ok so it was a mess. My human wasn't pleased but after she cleaned us and the floor all was right in the world again. Of course this means the doggie door is closed and she must escort us out and right back in again when we need to potty. It's like she doesn't trust us not to bring in more mud.