tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435493486158842502024-03-13T21:29:27.886-07:00LovesTailWagsJust like the blog title says, I love tail wags!
As the saying goes "dogs aren't our whole life but they make our lives whole!"
I'm originally a Buckeye from Ohio; but have lived on the west coast since 1986 and adore it here. I am a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence and a lover of all animals.LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-87516852488499069002012-07-11T23:57:00.000-07:002012-07-12T00:02:28.823-07:00July 4th is also Canine Companions for Independence's Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt5kmgJZ5JA/T_5zK7aMXcI/AAAAAAAACOs/UF71qNitIQc/s1600/2012-07-04+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt5kmgJZ5JA/T_5zK7aMXcI/AAAAAAAACOs/UF71qNitIQc/s320/2012-07-04+038.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yarrow in her Drill Team parade uniform</td></tr>
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Yarrow was in her second July 4th parade last week. Her first was last year, at age 6 month.<br />
When Independence Day rolls around it always seems like the summer is going by much too quickly.<br />
And this year is no different.<br />
Toward the end of the parade, I took Yarrow over to the VIPs sitting in the grandstand. She greeted some of the top military officers in their striking dress uniforms and then I spotted an elderly gentleman in a wheel chair also in his military attire. Yarrow sat and offered her paw when told to shake. The man grinned so big and that smile will stay with me for a long time. His aide was also beaming and so happy I came over to them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yarrow spreading cheer</td></tr>
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I always love the joy these puppies spread just by their presence and being with people...Canine Companions received a trophy again this year and here is sweet Yarrow admiring her mug in the reflection :) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yarrow admiring the trophy</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-82162482401288368122012-06-28T00:52:00.001-07:002012-06-28T00:52:01.468-07:00She's Ba-a-a-a-ck!Yikes, so my short break turned into a quite long break and I am back blogging after (gulp) a l-o-o-o-o-n-g 16 months absence! Yarrow is now 17 months old and in a little less than 2 months I (and my co-raiser Linda) return her to Canine Companions for her advanced training for the class of Feb. 2013 if she goes the distance!<br />
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She's peaked out at only 47 pounds so she's a petite gal just like her small framed (golden retriever) mother. And oh what an affectionate gem of a girl this little one is! <br />
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It's been an exciting adventure. I was denied access by TWO employers here in San Diego--> Cymer and Nokia. I went ahead and took both contracts since I needed the income naturally and fortunately Linda was able to take over Yarrow almost full time where I would get her only the weekends (well, Fri eve through Monday mornings). But, both contracts ended early, an indication that the recession for the USA is still far from over. I am now unemployed once more and while nervous about the future I am making the most of my time with Yarrow before she leaves for her advance training in Oceanside at the CCI kennels.<br />
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My first CCI pup - my change of career gal = Kerry III turns 11 years young in July and I can see dramatic changes in her pace and her physical stature. She's in great health and although she sleeps a lot, she still loves to play with the Francie and Yarrow and is happy. Recently I switched Kerry to a new home-made diet where I bake her food using a mix I order from Canada and add white fish and organic green beans. Its only been a few weeks so its too early to see a change in her candida (yeast) challenges (red dripping eyes, dirty ears, etc). Someone on Facebook had a golden turn 14 and swore by this food, so I figured it was worth a try. I also ordered their recommended wild Alaskan salmon oil in a pump so all the dogs now get this on their meals.<br />
<br />Francie's adventure I need to save for a future blog post - but the Readers Digest version is she is back home with me, as her forever home; and I'm thrilled to have her after giving her multiple opportunities to try different careers for her talents.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Ever (my #4) now Dad's dog, Yarrow, Francie and Kerry</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Francie, Kerry, Yarrow, and Ever posing for the coming CCI Golf Classic</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with Yarrow at a recent wine tasting Puppy Outing; Ronie (my #3) in front; now Linda's pet and a hospital therapy dog</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerry's new home-made food.</td></tr>
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<br />LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-18119597943792102072011-03-07T22:57:00.000-08:002011-03-07T23:29:24.292-08:00Yarrow Settles in and ExploresYarrow is settling in and this past week was my first full week to have her, since Linda and I are co-raising and sharing this wonderful experience, as we did with Francie.<br /><br />We fell into a nice little routine although I have not yet found my organization mode fully, as with a puppy (like a baby) ya need your wits about you, it takes longer to get ready AND you need more STUFF to lug with you. :D) I felt like I was always two paces behind where I wanted to be. But it's all good and we'll fall in synch soon enough. It just takes a bit, as I DID have a 6 month break since Francie's turn in last August.<br /><br />Yarrow is my first pup to get to share the experience on Facebook and actually follow and share with Yarrow's litter mates and THEIR puppy raisers. What a great CCI family there is - like one large alumni group across the country.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOL8Rt1jYC0/TXXUdnObt8I/AAAAAAAACNE/l6IUefnEPy8/s1600/Feb%2B22%2B26%2B27%2B011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOL8Rt1jYC0/TXXUdnObt8I/AAAAAAAACNE/l6IUefnEPy8/s320/Feb%2B22%2B26%2B27%2B011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581600918406412226" border="0" /></a><br />Yarrow enjoys exploring her world, here she checks out my garden. Always on the move I was lucky to get her in the frame!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2Sn9tuPOPo/TXXUdHBqjqI/AAAAAAAACM8/oaMdd7mdIPk/s1600/March%2BYarrow%2B030.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2Sn9tuPOPo/TXXUdHBqjqI/AAAAAAAACM8/oaMdd7mdIPk/s320/March%2BYarrow%2B030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581600909762924194" border="0" /></a><br />She enjoys walking with Kerry in the mornings on the green belts. She found a pine cone and Kerry's nose can be seen as Ker loves to peel pine cones and is ready to steal this one from little Yarrow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbB9uSCvyV4/TXXUc_3wkBI/AAAAAAAACM0/7BByHq7O33o/s1600/March%2BYarrow%2B009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbB9uSCvyV4/TXXUc_3wkBI/AAAAAAAACM0/7BByHq7O33o/s320/March%2BYarrow%2B009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581600907842326546" border="0" /></a><br />Kerry does play with Yarrow and their favorite game is "keep away".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCud5EdzOe0/TXXUcnfwrvI/AAAAAAAACMs/BIzKPymXMwA/s1600/Feb%2B22%2B26%2B27%2B008.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCud5EdzOe0/TXXUcnfwrvI/AAAAAAAACMs/BIzKPymXMwA/s320/Feb%2B22%2B26%2B27%2B008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581600901299220210" border="0" /></a><br />Across from my home, Yarrow checks out the smells on the green belt.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YR8NpMa_Z0o/TXXUcUj9jBI/AAAAAAAACMk/cJNVOfCs190/s1600/Feb%2B22%2B26%2B27%2B004.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YR8NpMa_Z0o/TXXUcUj9jBI/AAAAAAAACMk/cJNVOfCs190/s320/Feb%2B22%2B26%2B27%2B004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581600896216566802" border="0" /></a><br />I believe the company of another dog makes for a self-confident well-adjusted puppy.<br />Kerry has been a wonderful big sis to five other puppies I've brought home from CCI. I didn't know it then but I believe it now, that THIS was indeed Kerry's role in life as a release dog, to be a mentor to the puppies that I take on and my companion for support when it's time to give them back. Well done good and faithful one, Kerry!LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-90362215824392747982011-02-28T21:32:00.000-08:002011-02-28T22:05:22.521-08:00The bonding has begun. . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-aXF-GFzxo/TWyGI5dkQiI/AAAAAAAACLs/Vdo_yMTGQBc/s1600/Feb%2B22%2B26%2B27%2B005.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-aXF-GFzxo/TWyGI5dkQiI/AAAAAAAACLs/Vdo_yMTGQBc/s200/Feb%2B22%2B26%2B27%2B005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578981525827109410" border="0" /></a>It was interesting having Linda take Yarrow for the first week. While I found Yarrow adorable I didn't really feel connected with her until this week where it's my turn with her full-time. And now? Oh now - I just adore her and am marveling at all her nuances.<br /><br />Yarrow is extremely bright and cocks her head more than any of my prior pups - a sign most say, of intelligence.<br />She is bored being held and wants DOWN (now!) to explore.<br />Hates her crate as again ditto above- she wants out to explore!<br /><br />She is quite affectionate and knows she can look up at me and rest her paw on my shin to be picked up on our morning grass walks as we trail behind Kerry who is off doing her sniffing.<br />She has loads of energy - plays hard and then sleeps hard. Ah the life of a puppy.<br /><br />Yarrow is at my office with me this week and is doing well - but is most happy being out of the crate and laying at my feet playing with her toys. I on the other hand, get nervous afraid I may wheel over her toes with my chair. So back in the crate she goes even if she does protest a bit.<br /><br />But the barking is a lot less than the one day from last week when I watched her for Linda. Yarrow is still quite tiny and there was only one other puppy smaller than Yarrow in her puppy kindergarten class tonight. Yet Yarrow still did the 2 story stairs, straight to the top, at work with me today!<br /> And these are some TALL stairs for a 9 week old.<br />(In fact, here's a shot of Francie at work when she was at the top of those very <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCkRuF80TYQ/TWyLUNZj9QI/AAAAAAAACL8/FsinPfsUBFo/s1600/Frn%2Bat%2Bwork%2B014.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCkRuF80TYQ/TWyLUNZj9QI/AAAAAAAACL8/FsinPfsUBFo/s320/Frn%2Bat%2Bwork%2B014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578987217715721474" border="0" /></a>stairs @ 5 months old.)<br /><br /><br /><br />Today we learned that Yarrow's Daddy is Camden - not the Black Lab Hickman also mated to Keara. So Lil Red Yarrow is 1/2 golden and 1/2 yellow lab - the same mix as my Kerry girl.<br />AND I just love that combo. (Kerry's Momma was more gold in color where as Keara, Yarrow's Mom is quite red - thus Yarrow's coloring.<br />So pretty.<br /><br /><br /><br />Welcome Yarrow! My heart is filled with gladness from your presence!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGrIN46s7q8/TWyHtE26MLI/AAAAAAAACL0/37LsyD1q_C8/s1600/Feb%2B22%2B26%2B27%2B111.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGrIN46s7q8/TWyHtE26MLI/AAAAAAAACL0/37LsyD1q_C8/s400/Feb%2B22%2B26%2B27%2B111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578983246873112754" border="0" /></a>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-27222686683951036662011-02-25T23:03:00.000-08:002011-02-26T00:03:39.816-08:00One week ago today....Welcome Yarrow!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3DqioLf0Dtk/TWiobBpJW7I/AAAAAAAACLM/0owbYB2cGYk/s1600/Yarrow%2BArrives%2B2%2B18%2B2011%2B010.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3DqioLf0Dtk/TWiobBpJW7I/AAAAAAAACLM/0owbYB2cGYk/s200/Yarrow%2BArrives%2B2%2B18%2B2011%2B010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577893320749308850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4L5qLmoq8ws/TWiobe5RTkI/AAAAAAAACLU/QMwMlsMfzOo/s1600/Yarrow%2BArrives%2B2%2B18%2B2011%2B078.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4L5qLmoq8ws/TWiobe5RTkI/AAAAAAAACLU/QMwMlsMfzOo/s200/Yarrow%2BArrives%2B2%2B18%2B2011%2B078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577893328601566786" border="0" /></a>Yarrow with big brother Young who will be raised in Orange County so, easy access for puppy play dates for Yarrow & Young. :D)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yBg-BUaodoI/TWiob-CsgOI/AAAAAAAACLc/gwegtOqwgSs/s1600/Yarrow%2BArrives%2B2%2B18%2B2011%2B107.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yBg-BUaodoI/TWiob-CsgOI/AAAAAAAACLc/gwegtOqwgSs/s200/Yarrow%2BArrives%2B2%2B18%2B2011%2B107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577893336962597090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XkutFp5B0s/TWiocdf9eAI/AAAAAAAACLk/ubWPRXtZ8Sw/s1600/Yarrow%2BArrives%2B2%2B18%2B2011%2B144.jpg"> </a><br />On the rainy drive home from CCI<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XkutFp5B0s/TWiocdf9eAI/AAAAAAAACLk/ubWPRXtZ8Sw/s1600/Yarrow%2BArrives%2B2%2B18%2B2011%2B144.jpg"> </a><br />I picked up Yarrow II, my 6th puppy to raise for Canine Companions. She is so tiny -I am always surprised and marvel and just how little they start out. AND this one, I've had the blessing of following on Facebook from the breeder/caretaker's wonderful videos and pics from the day Yarrow was born.<br /><br />One of 11 (yes, 11!) puppies = Golden Retrieve Momma named Keara who is the gentlest of souls and Pappa either Hickman - a black lab or Camden -a blond lab.<br /><br />WELCOME little Yarrow. Co-raiser Linda had you for week 1 and tomorrow begins my first FULL week with you. My arms are open as is my heart!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XkutFp5B0s/TWiocdf9eAI/AAAAAAAACLk/ubWPRXtZ8Sw/s1600/Yarrow%2BArrives%2B2%2B18%2B2011%2B144.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XkutFp5B0s/TWiocdf9eAI/AAAAAAAACLk/ubWPRXtZ8Sw/s200/Yarrow%2BArrives%2B2%2B18%2B2011%2B144.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577893345406842882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yarrow explores one of her kitchens...LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-2852002776325310922011-02-09T00:05:00.000-08:002011-02-09T00:11:11.768-08:00Francie's ProgressSo to my delight, I received the most wonderful return email from the officer that is training with Francie for her sniff training/narcotics role. I had invited them to this Friday's CCI Graduation (as Fay, Francie's sister has been matched and there will be a total of 12 teams graduating with their new partners!)<br />Here is the email I received back from Officer Tom: my heart is bursting with pride for the wonderful progress Francie is making.<br /><div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Vickie,</span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Unfortunately Francie and I can not <span class="yiv1828458910Apple-style-span" style="">make the CCI graduation Feb 11. Francie</span><span class="yiv1828458910Apple-style-span" style=""> and I are in narcotic detection school, week 3 of 5. </span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Francie is doing great, she knows all the narcotic odors and alerts to the scent by scratching at it. The scratching was no easy task, because Francie is such a polite dog.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">My biggest challenge with Francie is showing her she can be "bad" to find the drugs.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><br /></div><div><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">We will come down there to visit and also to come to another graduation. I am allowed to take field trips, especially to the people who raised an awesome partner for me.</span><br /><br /><br />And I while I pick up my 6th puppy on Feb. 18, this chapter is far from over as I follow sweet Francie Pant's path.<br />Good girl Francie, good dog.<br /></div>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-13927500922879398342010-12-14T23:38:00.000-08:002010-12-14T23:56:27.886-08:00The Future for Francie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TQhzM6FXjsI/AAAAAAAACKc/urs_sYGboH0/s1600/Aug%2B11%2B2010%2B094.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TQhzM6FXjsI/AAAAAAAACKc/urs_sYGboH0/s320/Aug%2B11%2B2010%2B094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550813206321532610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: verdana;">Well the days somehow got away from me but 3 weeks ago (Nov. 19), I received "the call" from CCI that Francie was being released from the CCI service dog program, but with the good news she was reviewed, considered and accepted into what CCI calls an "affiliated agency". </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: verdana;">In her case it is the Ontario, CA police dept as a Search & Rescue dog!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: verdana;">Linda and I are thrilled. It took me a bit since in the old days, a dog as high-energy and ball driven as Francie got returned to her puppy raiser so a part of me really thought she was coming home to me if she did not make the service dog route. Yet the more I thought about this new job for her, it really is her perfect career. She gets to go to work every day and "sniff and find" to earn her coveted tennis ball (I imagine that is what they will use for her motivation).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: verdana;">Here is the email I sent out to my "Francie Fans":</span><br /><br /></span><div style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I am so proud and thankful this Thanksgiving Time to share the news that miss Francie has been selected to work in Search and Rescue; released from CCI and place with an officer that will do drug detection at Ontario International Airport in Ontario, Calif. That ball drive and desire to be active will be put to good use after all, she just had too much energy to be matched with a person in CCI's field (assisting someone with a disability).<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">If for some reason she does not successfully complete her training for Drug Detection K9 officer, she will be released to me/Linda as a pet (not likely-as these dogs succeed 99% of the time.)</span></div> <div style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">She will live in the home with the handler and never be placed in any dangerous situations with weapons, bombs etc. The police dogs would go in first on those type of assignments.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I have mixed feelings as I love her so and miss her greatly, yet as we always say, they land where they are most needed.</span></div> <div style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: verdana;"> </div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: verdana;"> Thanks always for your support, love and encouragement.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: verdana;">Look for news on my 6th CCI puppy in February!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TQhzMiRu76I/AAAAAAAACKU/vHpY-f1y75U/s1600/Aug%2B11%2B2010%2B090.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TQhzMiRu76I/AAAAAAAACKU/vHpY-f1y75U/s320/Aug%2B11%2B2010%2B090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550813199930945442" border="0" /></a>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-42207771442987956022010-10-24T12:37:00.001-07:002010-10-24T14:26:30.494-07:00The Great (dog) Pumpkin<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">I love October. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">I don't always have plans to attend a costume party or go to a pumpkin patch. Indeed this year will be a rather quiet "spooky season". </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Ah but the fun memories of Octobers past.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">I enjoy dressing the dogs up, but only for a photo op or our Halloween card. I'm clearly aware of most dogs' disdain for the ridiculous costumes we humans adorn them with this time of year (or really anytime there is a reason- see recent past blog for Surf dogs).</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> I suspect many of you have even received the popular emails that circulate of various dog costumes. My sister's Golden "Bo" always LOVED being dressed up since he reveled in all the fuss and attention he received, so it really depends on the dog. Some of my favorite October pics from past years...</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TMSNGgXNJII/AAAAAAAACKM/F9IT5-0eC20/s1600/VS+Bates+Nut+Farm+2009+027.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TMSNGgXNJII/AAAAAAAACKM/F9IT5-0eC20/s320/VS+Bates+Nut+Farm+2009+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531701385223808130" border="0" /></a>2009 - My Francie and her sister Fay at Bates Nut Farm. They are now both in advance training in Oceanside at Canine Companions for Independence, for future roles as service dogs hopefully.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TMSNGADCFkI/AAAAAAAACKE/1Xd57Ff1xC4/s1600/Halloween+dogs+and+Vball+036.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TMSNGADCFkI/AAAAAAAACKE/1Xd57Ff1xC4/s320/Halloween+dogs+and+Vball+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531701376549262914" border="0" /></a>2009 - Francie as a kitty and Kerry wearing the witch's hat for our Halloween card that year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TMSNFrZEdJI/AAAAAAAACJ8/E8V57sfyfVo/s1600/Bates+Nut+Farm+Lori+Party+002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TMSNFrZEdJI/AAAAAAAACJ8/E8V57sfyfVo/s320/Bates+Nut+Farm+Lori+Party+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531701371004548242" border="0" /></a>CCI puppy #4, Ever at the pumpkin patch<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TMSNEwm2mmI/AAAAAAAACJ0/9meAzDkhg-I/s1600/Howlaween+Dogs+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TMSNEwm2mmI/AAAAAAAACJ0/9meAzDkhg-I/s320/Howlaween+Dogs+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531701355224668770" border="0" /></a>2006 - Ever as "Batdog". Funny enough but even has the long face when not in costume.<br />He's now a favorite Therapy Dog at Scripps Hospital with Dad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TMSLN264cuI/AAAAAAAACJs/eTQjLx4nmDs/s1600/Pumpkin+photos+10+31+06+018.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TMSLN264cuI/AAAAAAAACJs/eTQjLx4nmDs/s400/Pumpkin+photos+10+31+06+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531699312514855650" border="0" /></a>My dog-o-lantern from 2006.LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-80443554184798743232010-09-12T22:12:00.000-07:002010-09-28T22:53:09.809-07:00Kowabunga Dude!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: verdana;">I took my #4 pup (now Dad's boy) Ever and my #1 Kerry to Del Mar to check out the surfing dogs.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: verdana;"> Dog Beach has the notoriety to host an annual dog surfing contest to benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Several have been on YouTube numerous times - Ricochet is one such local K9 surf celebrity.</span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: verdana;"> The dogs are in competition against other dogs their size and then there are heats to see which dogs ride a wave for the longest time. The crowds were enthusiastic and cheered whenever a pooch caught a good ride.</span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: verdana;"> We enjoyed our day and Kerry even got some play time to romp along the sand and waves; wanting to retrieve another dog's toy of course.</span></span><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLSW3qkoZI/AAAAAAAACJk/rGtHgWw20A4/s1600/Kerry+Surf+play+036.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLSW3qkoZI/AAAAAAAACJk/rGtHgWw20A4/s320/Kerry+Surf+play+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522207383451115922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLSWgtugWI/AAAAAAAACJc/_qi8tEyBzc4/s1600/Kerry+Surf+play+049.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLSWgtugWI/AAAAAAAACJc/_qi8tEyBzc4/s320/Kerry+Surf+play+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522207377290330466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLSVmoBEfI/AAAAAAAACJU/QOANx-jvOfM/s1600/Kerry+Surf+play+028.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLSVmoBEfI/AAAAAAAACJU/QOANx-jvOfM/s320/Kerry+Surf+play+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522207361697124850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLSVBaLFTI/AAAAAAAACJM/pncxwbLa3jM/s1600/Kerry+Surf+play+033.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLSVBaLFTI/AAAAAAAACJM/pncxwbLa3jM/s320/Kerry+Surf+play+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522207351706948914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLPTI2T4bI/AAAAAAAACJE/NCUlwEdR1Ag/s1600/Surf-Dog-athon+118.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLPTI2T4bI/AAAAAAAACJE/NCUlwEdR1Ag/s320/Surf-Dog-athon+118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522204020809392562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLPSrfDceI/AAAAAAAACI8/8P76ABbxUpo/s1600/Surf-Dog-athon+063.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLPSrfDceI/AAAAAAAACI8/8P76ABbxUpo/s320/Surf-Dog-athon+063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522204012927218146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLPR_z2upI/AAAAAAAACI0/VPvtawhRDXM/s1600/Surf-Dog-athon+043.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLPR_z2upI/AAAAAAAACI0/VPvtawhRDXM/s320/Surf-Dog-athon+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522204001203305106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLPRVV7XUI/AAAAAAAACIs/hN8AaLOd55o/s1600/Surf-Dog-athon+045.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLPRVV7XUI/AAAAAAAACIs/hN8AaLOd55o/s320/Surf-Dog-athon+045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522203989803490626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLPROckeiI/AAAAAAAACIk/IAOeAS1tS4c/s1600/Surf-Dog-athon+033.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLPROckeiI/AAAAAAAACIk/IAOeAS1tS4c/s320/Surf-Dog-athon+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522203987952302626" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLM-ilNubI/AAAAAAAACIE/o2v8j6slaZY/s1600/Surf-Dog-athon+143.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLM-ilNubI/AAAAAAAACIE/o2v8j6slaZY/s200/Surf-Dog-athon+143.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522201467916499378" border="0" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLNAQzdfwI/AAAAAAAACIc/e8R96L7Og7g/s1600/Surf-Dog-athon+079.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLNAQzdfwI/AAAAAAAACIc/e8R96L7Og7g/s200/Surf-Dog-athon+079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522201497504153346" border="0" /> </a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLM_XA6N1I/AAAAAAAACIM/NmFOmbiB2qg/s1600/Kerry+Surf+play+053.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLM_XA6N1I/AAAAAAAACIM/NmFOmbiB2qg/s200/Kerry+Surf+play+053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522201481991305042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLM_xnkMkI/AAAAAAAACIU/-7DIRR529qI/s1600/Surf-Dog-athon+051.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLM_xnkMkI/AAAAAAAACIU/-7DIRR529qI/s200/Surf-Dog-athon+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522201489132761666" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLM98zu39I/AAAAAAAACH8/DrAD7t8rnOE/s1600/Surf-Dog-athon+129.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TKLM98zu39I/AAAAAAAACH8/DrAD7t8rnOE/s200/Surf-Dog-athon+129.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522201457776844754" border="0" /></a>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-76407138720049069372010-09-02T22:26:00.000-07:002010-09-02T22:56:52.419-07:00Just Turn Your Back for a Second<span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-family: verdana;">So while at a cook-out tonight, we were all enjoying our grilled steaks, shrimp and chicken, an enjoyable early Labor Day gathering to watch the season opener of Ohio State Football.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-family: verdana;">Half time was dinner time, sitting down to a feast at the dining room table.Kerry was laying under the table as I felt her furry side with my bare feet but then she left at some point and I could no longer feel her there. So I called out to see where she was...</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-family: verdana;">She didn't come. I also told her "cookies!" and she still didn't come; concerned I got up to see where she could have gone as both the front and the back doors were opened at my friends' home. She doesn't go far when food is around so I was not too concerned, just curious.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-family: verdana;">Well "the nose" had found the grill's drip pan out back and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-family: verdana;">here's the face I found</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-family: verdana;"> when she turned around all happy with herself and busily lip-smacking away!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-family: verdana;">Oh my.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TICLQyZVFkI/AAAAAAAACHU/VbLDe5GaGJs/s1600/2074a_Kerry_resize.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TICLQyZVFkI/AAAAAAAACHU/VbLDe5GaGJs/s400/2074a_Kerry_resize.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512559064423667266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">As Bob said, "Hey now she looks like a German Shepherd!" Ha!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TICLevGSSnI/AAAAAAAACHc/2Prqjmchsd0/s1600/2073a_Kerry_resize.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TICLevGSSnI/AAAAAAAACHc/2Prqjmchsd0/s400/2073a_Kerry_resize.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512559304056654450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Although here she looks like she is growling she is actually just getting ready to lick AGAIN to get all that wonderful taste off her face before I go after it with some paper towels and Dawn liquid detergent and water - the soap did not taste nearly as good.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">Well at least she had the good sense to politely pre-rinse the dishes in their dishwasher, for them before we left!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TICMpCn3uoI/AAAAAAAACHk/g7UFhPUcnxY/s1600/2075a_Kerry_resize.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TICMpCn3uoI/AAAAAAAACHk/g7UFhPUcnxY/s200/2075a_Kerry_resize.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512560580608113282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TICMqALUuvI/AAAAAAAACH0/4QXZGEMQP_E/s1600/2077a_Kerry_resize.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TICMqALUuvI/AAAAAAAACH0/4QXZGEMQP_E/s200/2077a_Kerry_resize.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512560597131377394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TICMplcXinI/AAAAAAAACHs/NBViLUH33qs/s1600/2076a_Kerry_resize.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TICMplcXinI/AAAAAAAACHs/NBViLUH33qs/s200/2076a_Kerry_resize.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512560589955107442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TICMpCn3uoI/AAAAAAAACHk/g7UFhPUcnxY/s1600/2075a_Kerry_resize.JPG"><br /></a>(photos courtesy of Bob Paxton)LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-56031219394906089612010-08-28T23:09:00.000-07:002010-08-30T15:17:32.936-07:00Pup #1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/THwtezANlNI/AAAAAAAACHE/Q9jTXR572CI/s1600/Aug+11+2010+029.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/THwtezANlNI/AAAAAAAACHE/Q9jTXR572CI/s400/Aug+11+2010+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511330051105068242" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"> A smiling Kerry on one of our last hikes, before Francie turned-in.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/THn7kCj1iqI/AAAAAAAACG8/XJ-o8oo7g-o/s1600/VS+camera+8+14+2010+024.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/THn7kCj1iqI/AAAAAAAACG8/XJ-o8oo7g-o/s400/VS+camera+8+14+2010+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510712215645555362" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"> Kerry - a little spoiled and getting to sleep in the "big bed" the day after Francie leaves for K-9 college at CCI.</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Kerry III really was the one that started it all for me. Started me on the path to my love affair with raising service puppies for Canine Companions for Independence.<br /><br />She turned 9 this summer.<br />Kerry is so good every time I bring home a new CCI puppy. She knows what she is in for; ear biting, neck grabbing; lip tugging, toy sharing, bed stealing, nuzzling, the little newbies checking and just to see if there might be a nipple to nurse on-OUCH, although they've been weened for weeks- they still check; Kerry is quick to indicate - "no way!"<br /><br />But Kerry is now an only child again to me; with Francie II off to Advanced Training at CCI's campus. Kerry relishes this alone time with me - and I must say I too enjoy this special one-on-one time with her.<br /><br />She spent the day with me today - watching a football scrimmage with Coach Ziggy a fellow CCI puppy raiser who's pup Tatiana II, is Francie's room mate as they are only two weeks apart in age.<br /><br />Mom loves you Kerry. Thanks for being a great big sister to the pups.<br />It's fun to have you back to myself and I know YOU feel the same! :^DLoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-53222682237751285702010-08-19T23:43:00.000-07:002010-08-20T00:09:48.317-07:00Departure<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">Words won't convey what the photos tell:</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4ljlyFCCI/AAAAAAAACGY/irFCfBAuHfQ/s1600/Aug+14+2010+052.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4ljlyFCCI/AAAAAAAACGY/irFCfBAuHfQ/s400/Aug+14+2010+052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507380687688501282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4ljBcbxyI/AAAAAAAACGQ/wRimX4jJ6pk/s1600/crop+098.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4ljBcbxyI/AAAAAAAACGQ/wRimX4jJ6pk/s400/crop+098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507380677934040866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4lkOJKXfI/AAAAAAAACGg/cueOuCDdVWw/s1600/Aug+14+2010+156.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4lkOJKXfI/AAAAAAAACGg/cueOuCDdVWw/s400/Aug+14+2010+156.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507380698522738162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4lk3QdWtI/AAAAAAAACGo/1n2czAVrQfM/s1600/Aug+14+2010+166.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4lk3QdWtI/AAAAAAAACGo/1n2czAVrQfM/s1600/Aug+14+2010+166.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4lk3QdWtI/AAAAAAAACGo/1n2czAVrQfM/s400/Aug+14+2010+166.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507380709559196370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4ll4-01YI/AAAAAAAACGw/iae6N15lyUo/s1600/Aug+14+2010+169.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4ll4-01YI/AAAAAAAACGw/iae6N15lyUo/s400/Aug+14+2010+169.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507380727201977730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4lk3QdWtI/AAAAAAAACGo/1n2czAVrQfM/s1600/Aug+14+2010+166.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4ljBcbxyI/AAAAAAAACGQ/wRimX4jJ6pk/s1600/crop+098.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TG4ljlyFCCI/AAAAAAAACGY/irFCfBAuHfQ/s1600/Aug+14+2010+052.jpg"><br /></a>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-27355989642270264162010-08-12T22:49:00.001-07:002010-08-12T23:15:58.260-07:00Two Days From Now<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Two days from no</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >w she will leave my arms, with a swish of her tail she will trot away.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br />For sixteen months I've loved her and help shape her, into the dog I hoped she'd become.<br /><br />Now, it's she her turn to decide where her life's path will lead.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br />But this I know, Two Days From Now my heart will ache yet my hope resides;<br />resides in a place that may come in the future-<br />where a new friend I'll meet with their welcoming smile</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TGTiTGXAozI/AAAAAAAACGA/-sbhKmXhXUM/s1600/100_7492.JPG"> </a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >as Francie leaves me once more, to go to them - the goal all al</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >ong.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TGTiTGXAozI/AAAAAAAACGA/-sbhKmXhXUM/s1600/100_7492.JPG"> </a><br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TGTiTuV--MI/AAAAAAAACGI/cBeQJGWuTU0/s1600/crop+075.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TGTiTuV--MI/AAAAAAAACGI/cBeQJGWuTU0/s200/crop+075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504773473039218882" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TGTiTGXAozI/AAAAAAAACGA/-sbhKmXhXUM/s1600/100_7492.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TGTiTGXAozI/AAAAAAAACGA/-sbhKmXhXUM/s200/100_7492.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504773462306104114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">April 2009 Francie's arrival Aug 2010 - tired after play</span>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-1479579815012017212010-08-07T00:02:00.000-07:002010-08-07T00:32:07.994-07:00Time Winds Down<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TF0Hso5jiXI/AAAAAAAACFg/_sKwuTT8-UM/s1600/Francie+PANTS+%26+sleeping+022.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TF0Hso5jiXI/AAAAAAAACFg/_sKwuTT8-UM/s200/Francie+PANTS+%26+sleeping+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502562783191075186" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TF0HtIlaPbI/AAAAAAAACFo/4YH-wpaDuIc/s1600/Francie+PANTS+%26+sleeping+016.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TF0HtIlaPbI/AAAAAAAACFo/4YH-wpaDuIc/s200/Francie+PANTS+%26+sleeping+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502562791696514482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">It's my week once more to have Francie, our sweetie. It's good to have her back as Lyn had for two weeks in a row due to her scheduling needs. Francie is on the mend from her health issues of recent days. She should still have her eye drops twice a day, the Vet said and her last immunization shots will come this Monday.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">These are the challenging days, filled with mixed emotions.<br />When you know you will soon be parting, it's hard to <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> be emotional.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">I find myself watching her more, taking more photographs, trying to remember every little thing about her. As we quite possibly won't see her for 1/2 a year, as she trains on campus for her future role as a service dog for someone.</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >In the old days, puppy raisers could visit the pups they had turned in; but then Canine Companions decided it was too hard on the dog, too confusing.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Ugh, waiting that 6 weeks for the first report to come back of how she's doing...was she spayed?...still in tact for consideration as a breeder? ...is she adjusting to kennel life? Who is her roommate? Which trainer does she have?</span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">From August until the beginning of October will seem an eternity. She's lucky that she doesn't know time as a concept; of the coming change to her days, her life.<br />What bliss to just go about her day, eat, play, train, chase her ball - oblivious to the new experiences that she soon will be experiencing -just 8 days from now.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br />~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~<br />Tonight Francie attended another Friday night TGIF Concert in the Park with some friends and me.<br />She did great and was quite the hit as the photo of the people she is greeting, clearly shows.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TF0HsI3DsYI/AAAAAAAACFY/dzC7uQrEJes/s1600/Francie+PANTS+%26+sleeping+013.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TF0HsI3DsYI/AAAAAAAACFY/dzC7uQrEJes/s200/Francie+PANTS+%26+sleeping+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502562774590665090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >I sure will miss her sweet face and that nose, always nudging me to play fetch with her.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TF0Hrq6zC-I/AAAAAAAACFQ/cAv1ixzW6WM/s1600/Francie+PANTS+%26+sleeping+008.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TF0Hrq6zC-I/AAAAAAAACFQ/cAv1ixzW6WM/s200/Francie+PANTS+%26+sleeping+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502562766553287650" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" > Time is winding down.</span>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-58901569962489540572010-07-27T21:59:00.000-07:002010-07-27T22:21:48.765-07:00And the Vet appointments continue<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TE-9Bwk5y3I/AAAAAAAACEA/ilodG8-R0hE/s1600/April+2009+to+sort+009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TE-9Bwk5y3I/AAAAAAAACEA/ilodG8-R0hE/s200/April+2009+to+sort+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498821507959868274" border="0" /></a><br />(Francie II at age 9 weeks - April 2009)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >After a rough weekend with some very red eyes causing Francie to actually squint; and with her having very little energy to engage or play, we got her into the Vet Monday just like he wanted when he returned my emergency call to him on Saturday night.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Yesterday's exam had Linda and I leaving with eye drops for her poor swollen red eyes, which Doc thinks is just a flare up of allergies.<br /><br />We never did determine what her spike in temperature was from last week's appointment; but are happy that returned to normal.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Well the vet called today and Francie's fecal shows traces of the parasite Giardia.<br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >He had wanted to wait to give her, her needed immunizations until she was done with her eye drops and now, he also wants her done with her Giardia meds.<br />Yeesh a year and a half of a wonderfully healthy service pup in training and now so close to turn-in, all this!</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />So he'll see her again on Monday before he leaves for vacation and hopefully give her her final series of vaccines then (12 days before turn in back to Canine Companions.)</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Get well sweet baby, we want you healthy for canine college!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TE-9CfiYekI/AAAAAAAACEI/6_vtsHYcn6c/s1600/April+2009+to+sort+077.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TE-9CfiYekI/AAAAAAAACEI/6_vtsHYcn6c/s200/April+2009+to+sort+077.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498821520565762626" border="0" /></a><br />Time flies when raising a puppy.<br />Francie at 8 weeks old tugging on breeder dog Terrence's leash.LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-85265208201523474892010-07-23T23:45:00.000-07:002010-07-24T00:09:54.246-07:00They hurt - We Hurt!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEqPF8rqhTI/AAAAAAAACDw/ZuxzvogFSCU/s1600/December+2009+113.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEqPF8rqhTI/AAAAAAAACDw/ZuxzvogFSCU/s200/December+2009+113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497363627510498610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">I took Francie </span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">to the Vet yesterday for her routine exam before CCI's turn in.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">She was due her basic shots - Rabies booster, DHLPP and Bordetella.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">The only problem was, she had a high temperature (above 104) when 101-103 is normal range.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">So the Vet was not comfortable giving her her scheduled vaccines. </span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" > <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);"><br /><br />So now we wait and take her back next week for her shots and in the mean time watch her closely.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">Well her temp is down today- it came down a bit last night and even more this morning (such good news) but her eyes this morning were so very red and she still seemed "not herse</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">lf" and run down.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);"><br /></span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">We wondered if she possibly got a bug bite as she does not tolerate bites well and past times they have proven really hazardous t</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">o her. Here is a photo from last spring in AZ when she got stung or bit.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEqPFRmYWxI/AAAAAAAACDo/1UfA8p9dPfw/s1600/December+2009+111.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEqPFRmYWxI/AAAAAAAACDo/1UfA8p9dPfw/s200/December+2009+111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497363615945612050" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEqPGZpPE_I/AAAAAAAACD4/OzZW0sMxaaM/s1600/December+2009+119.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEqPGZpPE_I/AAAAAAAACD4/OzZW0sMxaaM/s200/December+2009+119.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497363635284939762" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">So we ga</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">ve</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);"> her a Benadryl today for her eyes and</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);"> will have her rest and not chase her ball.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">She doesn't look near this bad today as these pictures show from last spring, but her eyes are quite red and she keeps squinting.<br /><br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">Poor baby. </span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">When she hurts, I hurt.</span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">Isn't this always true for any of our fur kids?</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);"><br />Get well sweet one.</span></span><br /><br /><br />lLoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-2883330194931197082010-07-22T23:34:00.000-07:002010-07-23T00:18:10.918-07:00A Black Among Blondes<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >So I am puppy sitting a friend's CCI PIP (pup-in-program) while he is in the hospital...sadly enough he may not even be well enough in time, to</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" > get to take his pup Tatiana across the stage for Matriculation when the ceremony takes place August 14th.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" ><br />I hope for the best for him; in the meantim</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >e</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" > I offered to puppy sit his </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >sweet, petite Tatiana II. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >Here's a photo of her.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >Isn't she darling?</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" ><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEk-chly4yI/AAAAAAAACDA/da_5vr03msY/s1600/CCIwash+Tatiana+Pupclass+009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEk-chly4yI/AAAAAAAACDA/da_5vr03msY/s400/CCIwash+Tatiana+Pupclass+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496993479956554530" border="0" /></a></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >I've never had a black lab to raise for CCI myself, I prefer the blondes for various</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" > reasons but Tatiana is a darling. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" ><br />She is Francie's buddy and in the same classes on Monday nights. They are just weeks apart in age and Tat is, in fact the pup Francie has done several trips with this year (like Yosemite a</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >nd Easter weekend in Orange County). So they get along quite well.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" ><br />Yet it's Linda's week so Francie </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >and Tatiana are not here at my home together.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >I took Tat to puppy class this week, and while Linda handled Francie, I did Tatiana's commands during class. She is so solid with her commands, but alas -she has some real ch</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >a</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >llenges while at home; she tends to alert bark when she hears sounds.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" ><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEk_mxjQjjI/AAAAAAAACDI/ZpkNeZjrMMI/s1600/CCIwash+Tatiana+Pupclass+006.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEk_mxjQjjI/AAAAAAAACDI/ZpkNeZjrMMI/s320/CCIwash+Tatiana+Pupclass+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496994755551202866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEk_nT2H5gI/AAAAAAAACDQ/8z3QSc5fPk8/s1600/CCIwash+Tatiana+Pupclass+007.jpg"> </a>Practicing the "back" command<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TElBDhnRMOI/AAAAAAAACDg/TxQIWIxoV3U/s1600/CCIwash+Tatiana+Pupclass+007.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TElBDhnRMOI/AAAAAAAACDg/TxQIWIxoV3U/s320/CCIwash+Tatiana+Pupclass+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496996349000888546" border="0" /></a><br />Coming to the "side" command<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEk_oA5vJII/AAAAAAAACDY/7889flIW0x4/s1600/CCIwash+Tatiana+Pupclass+008.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEk_oA5vJII/AAAAAAAACDY/7889flIW0x4/s320/CCIwash+Tatiana+Pupclass+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496994776851883138" border="0" /></a><br />A finished "side" command; she seeks approval<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" ></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >From her body language she obviously knows she's doing something that's not permitted but it's as if she can't help herself. And right after doing so she'll come over to me and fawn for attention as if to apologize.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;" >Well they are who they are, so we'll see how she does in Advanced Training.<br /><br />Her future is up to her.</span></span> (as it always is for all of these pups)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">P.S. Kerry III, my first CCI pup to raise and now a COC (change of career) dog turns 9 TODAY, JULY 22.<br />Hard to believe she was the little pup that started me down this road 9 years ago.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Love you Kerry!</span><br /></span>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-34632144320248200612010-07-17T23:34:00.000-07:002010-07-18T00:04:55.158-07:00Francie's Friends<span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Francie has had a busy weekend. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Friday night she enjoyed some play time with the neighbor's dogs here on the cul-de-sac (Lila - the standard poodle, Cork and Jax the two Corgi's and Jamay the Maltee-Bijon (and of course sister Kerry standing in the background in the one shot)</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh9Cz7J1I/AAAAAAAACC4/rQjfXHmDPMw/s1600/various+k9s+008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh9Cz7J1I/AAAAAAAACC4/rQjfXHmDPMw/s400/various+k9s+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495132565444175698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh8idAzyI/AAAAAAAACCw/53L0WkdJnVk/s1600/various+k9s+009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh8idAzyI/AAAAAAAACCw/53L0WkdJnVk/s400/various+k9s+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495132556758142754" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh7CzZk6I/AAAAAAAACCY/8JhdNKzs4f8/s1600/various+k9s+037.jpg"><eu></eu></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: georgia;">Then this morning we went to CCI pup social for her to practice her good manners with other CCI pups. In these two photos below she tries to get the ball from Cinnamon, a service dog. Black CCI pup-in-training Gomez also wanders over to see what is happening...these times are bitter sweet since they are now, fewer in the little time she has left with Linda and I before her turn-in on Aug. 14.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-family: georgia;">Fortunately she will get a roommate while living at the CCI kennels for the next 6 months. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh7CzZk6I/AAAAAAAACCY/8JhdNKzs4f8/s1600/various+k9s+037.jpg"><eu></eu></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh8M2kahI/AAAAAAAACCo/nzHfS7VnId8/s1600/various+k9s+026.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh8M2kahI/AAAAAAAACCo/nzHfS7VnId8/s400/various+k9s+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495132550959753746" border="0" /></a></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh7qE_n5I/AAAAAAAACCg/mzJOx7DFtnA/s1600/various+k9s+027.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh7qE_n5I/AAAAAAAACCg/mzJOx7DFtnA/s400/various+k9s+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495132541625016210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh7CzZk6I/AAAAAAAACCY/8JhdNKzs4f8/s1600/various+k9s+037.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TEKh7CzZk6I/AAAAAAAACCY/8JhdNKzs4f8/s400/various+k9s+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495132531082236834" border="0" /></a></span>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-5768570788793415032010-07-13T22:23:00.000-07:002010-07-13T22:43:05.218-07:00Almost Turn-In Time<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TD1NnELumUI/AAAAAAAACCI/jmfDas5WAMI/s1600/Francie+headshot+4+wks+old.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TD1NnELumUI/AAAAAAAACCI/jmfDas5WAMI/s320/Francie+headshot+4+wks+old.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493632453995043138" border="0" /></a>Francie at 1 month old and at 16 months<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TD1NnmHr1bI/AAAAAAAACCQ/T7-jlOyzMLM/s1600/July+9+Jazz+Concert+Carlsbad+019.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TD1NnmHr1bI/AAAAAAAACCQ/T7-jlOyzMLM/s320/July+9+Jazz+Concert+Carlsbad+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493632463104890290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Four weeks from tomorrow Linda and I walk across the stage to present Francie II for her advance training at Canine Companions for Independence's Southwest campus in Oce</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" >anside.<br /><br />CCI matched up her parents, had her come into this world and planned for this destiny for her, all along- so now it will soon be time to see if Destiny also chooses the same for <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">her</span>.<br /><br />I go back and forth between thinking -no way her ball drive and prey drives are too strong -they'll release her...to later thinking wow! what a great "stay" she has, holding her command when her ball is thrown right by her -she'll make someone a great service dog; maybe a deaf person, as she has SO much energy and loves novel sounds -yea, a hearing dog - Francie wold be perfect for that!<br /><br />So you see I really have no way of possibly knowing what her future holds AND these dogs often surprise their puppy raisers -by either outcome.<br />I just know I love her to bits as does Linda. We did our very best to socialize her, build her confidence, expose her to new environments and train her the basic 30 commands. Soon it will all be up to her. Where ever she lands, we know she was meant for that very place.<br /><br />Tonight I went to dinner with a friend and we met a service team; a gal in a wheel chair that graduated with her gorgeous black lab 2 years ago. I whispered in Francie's ear as they headed away - pay close attention Francie, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">that</span> is what you are aspiring to be.<br /><br />10 minutes later she was pouncing on bubbles in the grass as we walked by the park on our way back to the car.<br />Oh boy.</span>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-5292529394647189832010-07-08T21:37:00.000-07:002010-07-08T22:11:00.076-07:00Patriotic Pups<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDaswnXOPAI/AAAAAAAACBw/2Tz7E1q9Q2Y/s1600/July+4th+parade+125.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDaswnXOPAI/AAAAAAAACBw/2Tz7E1q9Q2Y/s320/July+4th+parade+125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491766746824981506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Lovely Coronado, CA - it started as a cool breezy day and parade watchers were bundled in their blankets and sweatshirts.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">But by the time we were back at the house for the BBQ and pool party the SUN was OUT!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Yippee</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDarC4y2yJI/AAAAAAAACBY/5r7tMHebL1w/s1600/July+4th+parade+068+crop.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDarC4y2yJI/AAAAAAAACBY/5r7tMHebL1w/s400/July+4th+parade+068+crop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491764861718677650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">GROUP SHOT</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The first ever Southwest Region CCI puppy drill team made it's debut this past weekend at the Coronado July 4th Parade. The audience loved us and broke in to cheers and applause when we passed by and they were even more enthusiastic when we did our mini routine = "Sit" "Shake", "Down", "Heel", and "Let's Go" in unison.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Jim was our fearless leader blowing the whistle to cue us to certain maneuvers.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(we've been in many parades -but this was our first drill team exhibit- but based on it's success, it won't be the last.)</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDaoUyUibJI/AAAAAAAACBA/6Wkq2pVPsO8/s1600/parade+drill+team+2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDaoUyUibJI/AAAAAAAACBA/6Wkq2pVPsO8/s320/parade+drill+team+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491761870683663506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">That's us in our red caps and blue shirts with our pups alongside in their stars and stripes bandannas. Francie and I are in the center of this shot.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDaoV2-20EI/AAAAAAAACBQ/ZfYxoa1n358/s1600/July+4th+parade+064.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDaoV2-20EI/AAAAAAAACBQ/ZfYxoa1n358/s320/July+4th+parade+064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491761889114771522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">An Admiral and his lovely wife with Francie in the dignitaries' parade stands</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDaoVkvrVAI/AAAAAAAACBI/4inNiOyQ2zg/s1600/July+4th+parade+029.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDaoVkvrVAI/AAAAAAAACBI/4inNiOyQ2zg/s320/July+4th+parade+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491761884219266050" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Francie with buddy Tatiana who also turns in Aug. 14 waiting to take our spot in the parade.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The waiting is always the longest part of a parade.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">The Marine Corps band is behind us - Semper Fi!</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDauVOrpw9I/AAAAAAAACB4/lhRDJW9W7cs/s1600/July+4th+parade+103.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDauVOrpw9I/AAAAAAAACB4/lhRDJW9W7cs/s200/July+4th+parade+103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491768475366573010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">That's Francie on the pool's edge wanting the toy but not willing to go in the water to get it!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDaswS3eLRI/AAAAAAAACBo/MjybepnyY3A/s1600/July+4th+parade+124crop.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TDaswS3eLRI/AAAAAAAACBo/MjybepnyY3A/s320/July+4th+parade+124crop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491766741323099410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Here's Francie and me when I was drying her off from chasing toys near the pool. She doesn't care for swimming -go figure!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Happy Independence Day! ! !</span></span>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-46809079279534201702010-06-30T00:41:00.000-07:002010-06-30T00:59:17.181-07:00Purely Puppy Pleasure<span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">One of the highlights of my recent trip to Napa for some wine tasting was getting to visit a brand new litter of CCI puppies. (Santa Rosa is the breeding HQ for Canine Companions for Independence; so all litters are born with 90 minutes of the center, at various breeder/caretakers' homes).</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCr33k1AeWI/AAAAAAAACAY/9W_WyDodwss/s1600/Napa+Trip+June+2010+183.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488471630055242082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCr33k1AeWI/AAAAAAAACAY/9W_WyDodwss/s320/Napa+Trip+June+2010+183.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCr35bxuVqI/AAAAAAAACA4/rrHXD5UswGw/s1600/Napa+Trip+June+2010+200.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488471661985289890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCr35bxuVqI/AAAAAAAACA4/rrHXD5UswGw/s320/Napa+Trip+June+2010+200.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCr34yNYQ9I/AAAAAAAACAw/LmWvOhXk6jE/s1600/Napa+Trip+June+2010+187.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488471650826994642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCr34yNYQ9I/AAAAAAAACAw/LmWvOhXk6jE/s320/Napa+Trip+June+2010+187.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCr34a2eV2I/AAAAAAAACAo/ARqR7pWJsvw/s1600/Napa+Trip+June+2010+208.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488471644556908386" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCr34a2eV2I/AAAAAAAACAo/ARqR7pWJsvw/s320/Napa+Trip+June+2010+208.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCr34BbPj4I/AAAAAAAACAg/UpfAUskkenk/s1600/Napa+Trip+June+2010+195.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488471637731807106" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCr34BbPj4I/AAAAAAAACAg/UpfAUskkenk/s320/Napa+Trip+June+2010+195.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#330099;">The "G" litter's Momma is Keara a lovely golden retriever and proud Pappa is Terrence - a stunning black lab that only throws blacks. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#330099;">The result = an all black litter for the lovely golden Momma. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#330099;">They refer to this litter as the "G-Force" (clever)<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#330099;">The pups were only a week old at my visit but oh so very cute...don't you think!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">Eyes still closed, ears still sealed. Only about a pound in weight.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#330099;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#330099;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Now it has me thinking, should I take on puppy #6 this August when I have to turn in Francie? </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Oh, it so hard to resist . . . . yet so hard to imagine as I really was thinking of taking a well deserved break. </span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#330099;">But then -seeing these babies...ooh it would be so fun having met him/her while this young, to then go on and raise that very puppy.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#330099;">Just so precious.</span></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-2962902084984316682010-06-26T23:30:00.001-07:002010-06-26T23:50:48.087-07:00Ladies Home Journal - July 2010<div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#003300;">Here it is:</span></strong> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487337842570664866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCbwsdT7m6I/AAAAAAAAB_o/Ksp4xVZWMDo/s400/K9+play+Jazz+Cncrt+LDH+mag+019.jpg" /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#003300;">The article (3 pages)</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCbxUlrhfeI/AAAAAAAAB_w/MPi2xIjXfWo/s1600/K9+play+Jazz+Cncrt+LDH+mag+021.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487338532011867618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCbxUlrhfeI/AAAAAAAAB_w/MPi2xIjXfWo/s320/K9+play+Jazz+Cncrt+LDH+mag+021.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCbxVPmKfoI/AAAAAAAAB_4/EbPcPhy7fU4/s1600/K9+play+Jazz+Cncrt+LDH+mag+022.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487338543263678082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCbxVPmKfoI/AAAAAAAAB_4/EbPcPhy7fU4/s320/K9+play+Jazz+Cncrt+LDH+mag+022.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><p><span style="color:#003300;"><strong>and drum roll please. . . .my smiling girl</strong></span></p><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487339538039547810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCbyPJbNp6I/AAAAAAAACAA/jjkzpx-o6XY/s400/K9+play+Jazz+Cncrt+LDH+mag+020.jpg" /></p><p><strong><span style="color:#003300;"></span></strong> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#003300;">(and what was going on behind the scenes- me with her tennis ball! </span></strong><strong><span style="color:#003300;">This was the key to keeping her attention and keeping her ears perked.)</span></strong></p><p><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCbz3eietTI/AAAAAAAACAQ/HziGywfV8lw/s1600/francie+photo+shoot.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487341330413565234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TCbz3eietTI/AAAAAAAACAQ/HziGywfV8lw/s320/francie+photo+shoot.jpg" /></a></p><p><strong><span style="color:#003300;"></span></strong></p><br /><p></p><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-71301172767719605142010-06-13T13:27:00.000-07:002010-06-13T14:07:16.559-07:00FRANCIE - THE MODEL<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><strong>Well Francie did it again. </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><strong>For the second time she has been in a magazine BUT this time she is in a national publication! If you get the JULY 2010 issue of <em>Ladies Home Journal</em> (Chrisite Brinkley on the cover), page 64 you will see my lovely girl, as a model. She was a "prop" for an article about creating affordable outdoor furniture. We did this photo shoot in March and I was not quite sure if she would actually make it in the issue -there's always the risk of ending up on the editing floor of course...but lo' and behold there she is!</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><strong>Here are some shots I took of the contract photographer (from L.A.) who came down to do the shoot. He was amazed at how well behaved she was and commented several times on how easy it made his job compared to other shoots he's done that involved dogs. </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><strong>Well sure! - I mean she IS a service pup in training and certainly knows her commands. But to get her ears up and make her look pretty AND to get her to look right at the photographer, what you don't see in the magazine is me holding her beloved tennis ball and standing just behind the photographer :) Good "stay" Francie good "stay". I'd say "release" and she'd pop up and immediately come over to my side and wait for her next assignment. </strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">I love the magazine photo <em>LHJ</em> selected - Francie is smiling oh so lovely. (The chairs I'm not so crazy about but with her in the photo it sure does catch one's eye.) </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">Don't you agree?</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TBU_kZncMEI/AAAAAAAAB_g/I8pbGeK05Gs/s1600/Francie+Model+for+LHJ+027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482358015977599042" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TBU_kZncMEI/AAAAAAAAB_g/I8pbGeK05Gs/s400/Francie+Model+for+LHJ+027.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TBU_kPILWZI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/5Y-wQOYvMaY/s1600/Francie+Model+for+LHJ+024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482358013162117522" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/TBU_kPILWZI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/5Y-wQOYvMaY/s400/Francie+Model+for+LHJ+024.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#006600;"><strong>* the stunning yard was at the home of friend, Encinitas neighbor and Bunco Babe: Davielle, former staff member at Caninie Companions for Independence. </strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#006600;"><strong>Thanks Davi for this neat opportunity for Francie! We LOVE your gorgeous yard!</strong></span></div></div>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-66854844516894549672010-05-10T21:24:00.000-07:002010-05-10T21:55:39.609-07:00Art is LifeKennedy (age 10) and Parker (age 8.5)<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-jiNKu3jqI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/CHxvJsPEYrI/s1600/DSC08656.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469870463288577698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-jiNKu3jqI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/CHxvJsPEYrI/s320/DSC08656.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-jc9qRN5oI/AAAAAAAAB_I/g67oIL3pnEY/s1600/DSC08647.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469864699318101634" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-jc9qRN5oI/AAAAAAAAB_I/g67oIL3pnEY/s400/DSC08647.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I attended my nieces' Art Festival tonight where the art work of grades 1 - 12<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> is exhibited... I was pleased to see such a strong art program in place at a school since in Calif there seems to continually be an outcry at how art programs have no funding available and therefore must be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">eliminated</span> from the schools- even though it's known how beneficial to development the arts are, for children of all ages.</div><br /><div>Tonight I found myself most drawn to the works depicting dogs...</div><div>Paintings, drawings, pastels, sketches, mosaics, wire forms, clay sculptures...they all</div><div>demonstrated how at a every age, the family dog is indeed an integral part of the family unit.</div><br /><div></div><div>As it should be. <smile></div>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43549348615884250.post-19033940099534823462010-05-06T21:38:00.000-07:002010-05-06T21:59:19.792-07:00A Clearing of the Mind<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-OaOw7K5NI/AAAAAAAAB_A/oaddRG4XeYE/s1600/2010-04-29+022.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468383950999839954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-OaOw7K5NI/AAAAAAAAB_A/oaddRG4XeYE/s320/2010-04-29+022.JPG" /></a><br />What is is about a change of scenery? An opportunity to be away from that which is familiar? It clears the senses, makes me take in new sites as though I have never seen them before and then I appreciate them all over again; that which is familiar but at the same time feels so brand new!<br /><br />Spending time in Ohio these few weeks, away from southern California has provided a sense of wonder to my senses. I've enjoyed the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">powerful</span> thunderstorms, taken in the multitude of varying shades of green as winter's long dormant trees burst forth in their leafy green branches of lush cover. <br />The lilacs are blooming -oh the fragrance -it's as if it has a melody that sings especially for my nose.<br /><br />I take my walk each day and ponder the comparisons of a place I love so much (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Encinitas</span>) against a place I grew up (Columbus, OH) but still find myself so fond of...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-OaOftom8I/AAAAAAAAB-4/Kcth5VKHITE/s1600/2010-04-29+005.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468383946379664322" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-OaOftom8I/AAAAAAAAB-4/Kcth5VKHITE/s320/2010-04-29+005.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-OaN67oD-I/AAAAAAAAB-w/8pvCEsvpO30/s1600/2010-04-29+014.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468383936506236898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-OaN67oD-I/AAAAAAAAB-w/8pvCEsvpO30/s320/2010-04-29+014.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-OaNh00njI/AAAAAAAAB-o/6bSmLxloloc/s1600/2010-04-29+019.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468383929766813234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uoSMX0qY_Wg/S-OaNh00njI/AAAAAAAAB-o/6bSmLxloloc/s320/2010-04-29+019.JPG" /></a> These photos are around the farmer's fields near my Mom's home in Granville Ohio where she spends her summers. I wish there were more walking paths along the farms' fields here, like all the trails across the countryside in England<br />I noticed when I worked over there in the 1990's. I have to pretty much pick my way along the fence lines to peer into the woods. The British on the other hand can walk for miles along trails that connect one farm or homestead plot to another; from one village to the next <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">withOUT</span> having to walk on the roads with the cars, (What a concept!)<br /><br />How I love being out in nature.<br /><div></div></div></div>LoveTailWagshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12840754136769449565noreply@blogger.com3