Change of the Hound Ceremony (Navy Style!)

Thursday, April 23, 2009
What a fun day at the DDDC (Defense Distribution Depot San Diego, California )where my friend and fellow puppy-raiser Jim, works. {see this link on the DDDC, if interested -interesting Naval history: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/san-diego-navsta.htm }

Since Jim is turning-in Napal back to Canine Companions for Advance Training, and he now has little Tatiana as his 4th CCI service pup in training, they had a “passing of the torch” so to speak.
As a civilian employee Jim oversees logistics for the U.S. Navy and in true Naval style they had a “Changing of the Hound” modeled completely after the Navy’s Change of Command.

Change of Command is a brief formal ceremony whereby one Commanding officer steps down and another assumes command of a particular ship or station. In this situation the order was read to “relieve Napal II of his dog duties at DDDC and to report to CCI in Oceanside, CA on May 16, 2009. Whereby Tatiana II is now installed as the new hound in command”. Even the Captain, in full uniform read Napal’s “orders” and Napal’s resume from his experience as chief hound at DDDC. It was all very regal and Jim did a neat job modeling the ceremony in every detail. Napal even picked up the flag draped bone to pass to Tatiana ceremoniously.

I briefly spoke about CCI and the significant contribution facilities/employers such as the DDDC play by permitting pups in training to be on premises, to learn how to behave in public.

It was a neat ceremony and celebration and even Terrence’s Breeder/Caretakers Gayle and Greg came down, all the way from Napa! And they brought K9 Terrence (Napal and Tatiana’s dad). Also, Jim’s first CCI pup Gigi (gorgeous golden) came with her new dad. And several of us puppy raisers were there to lend support with our pups in training. We had a yummy lunch with franks and beans and the dogs then had a good chase and romp around the large room.

See the photos and video clip here.









The blonde dog here is a puppy that knows and obviously LOVES Jim and then his Gigi too comes up to love him. The second video is Francie ripping it up with breeder male; Terrence.