The Case of the Missing Ear Plugs

This is Avalon's Mom.  Avalon - Guide/Service Puppy in Training is on Christmas vacation so I thought I would tell you a story about a mystery at our house.

It all started a few nights ago when my hubby went to bed and could not find his ear plugs he wears to keep the sound out.  I don't understand why he wears them because he has to turn on noise to fall asleep i.e. ceiling fan and a fan in the room.  He went to put his ear plugs in and they were missing so we searched the table, floor and under the bed with no luck ??  He then got out a new pair and all was well.

Night two.  Again, getting ready for bed and the mystery continues ??  Missing ear plus.  We looked for them again with  no luck.  We thought the cat was getting up on the table and playing with them and they fell under the dresser ? Another pair of ear plugs came out and all was well again. In the morning though my hubby put them kind of behind the books on his night stand so the cat could not get to them.

Night three.   Bed time and NO ear plugs.   Could not figure out how they kept coming up missing so my hubby got out his last pair and in the morning was going to hide them in a drawer. When he got up though he put them on the bed side table  ??????

We thought the mystery might be solved as we saw Avalon snooping around the table and looking up on the dresser.  We didn't think she could actually get up that far on the table but never say never ??

Out we all went for our weekend walk around the lake and our puppies business "Hurry up"  We have a great spot  for this right beside a big garbage can before the dogs get to run free for a bit. 

Well, here is where the mystery ends.  Our suspicions were confirmed as my hubby was picking up the "Hurry up" and a few orange ear plugs were discovered in the mix.  Now his ear plugs are kept in a drawer. The End thankfully.

The Mystery Ear Plugs

Out on the Find

Avalon will be back next week.  Vacation will be over and we will see if a break in car rides/training will help with her car sickness. 

Christmas Vacation

Mom said school is out for the Holidays and so am I.  I think it is for about two weeks.  Last year I wasn't really in school yet because I was just a little puppy so this is new to me.   I like vacation, Ruthie and I get to lay around and doggie dream, play in the house and outside and stay up late with Mom and Dad.  

Let me tell you about outside !!!   This cold white flaky stuff fell from the sky and all over the yard and the lake.  I kind of remember it from last year when we lived out on the farmstead.  Dad had this BIG machine that threw it up in the sky and Ruthie and I would run through it.  We spent many hours outside with Dad since they had a long, long, long driveway.   Ruthie and I can't run around out here at the lake like we did at the farmstead because of the road in front of the house but Dad found a GREAT place for us to run to our heart's content or at least till Dad gets cold.   We even went there when it was dark one night.  It was soooooo cool !!!

Having FUN with Dad !!

Caught in the Restroom

Dad on Poo Patrol

 

Sit- Stay

Mom and Dad did some more Christmas decorating in the basement.  We usually don't go down there because Mom put a gate at the bottom of the stairs.  Right after we all moved in Ruthie and I kind of forgot our bathroom manners and visited the basement and left a few deposits.  Since then the gate has been up. 

Helping Dad

Ruthie telling me to" Bug Off "

Silly Santa Hat - I hope he finds if before Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner and I am soooooo EXCITED for the BIG RED GUY to visit.  I have been trying to be nice but I know from some of the looks I get from Mom and Dad that I have been on the naughty side too.  I am older now and Ruthie and I talked about staying up to see the BIG RED GUY however, I heard Mom say if you are not asleep when he comes to your house he might not stop.  I will have to talk to Ruthie about this and see what she says.  She has been around for a lot more Christmas Holidays. 

Mom found a Poem about a Dog's Purpose and thought this would be a good time to share it -

A Dog's Purpose

People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life—

like loving everybody all the time and being nice. 
"Well, dogs already know how to do that -

   Live simply.
   Love generously.
   Care deeply.
   Speak kindly.

   Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would
   learn things like:
    When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
    Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
    Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in
    your face to be pure ecstasy.
    Take naps.
    Stretch before rising.
   Run, romp, and play daily.
   Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
   Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
   On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
   On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a
  shady tree.
   When you're happy, dance around and wag your
  entire body.
   Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
   Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
   Stop when you have had enough.
   Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
   If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
   When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit
  close by and nuzzle them gently.
   Be always grateful for each new day.

Enjoy Every Moment of Every Day !

Merry Christmas &

Happy Holidays

  

See you next Year !!

Car Sickness :(

I thought I would update you about my Mom's attempt to help me get over my CAR SICKNESS.  Deb at KSDS talked to my Mom on the phone and she gave Mom a suggestion to put my kennel in the back of the Ford and cover it up when we are riding. 

First time Mom and me were going to go out it didn't happen.  Mom was sooooooo MAD at me.  Mom took Ruthie and I for a walk to get our business done and energy out and I decided it was warm enough to go swimming in the lake then roll in the sand and mud.  To tell you the truth is wasn't worth it.  Mom hosed me down when we got home and I had to spend time in the garage drying off.  When it was time to leave I still smelled like wet dog and got to stay home. 

The next time around we went for our walk to get everything done but Mom did not let me near the water.   She put the kennel back in the Ford and covered it up with an old blanket.  I watched to make sure the accommodations would be OK.



Next she lifted me up and helped me in the kennel.  It was nice and cozy and after I sniffed around a bit I laid down and both Mom and I waited with anticipation to see if  everything was going to go as planned. 

 

I am SAD to report both attempts to ride in the car without getting CAR SICK failed.  The first time Mom still made me get out and go into the grocery store but the second time she felt sorry for me and just ran her errand and we came home.   Mom said we will not go out again with the kennel venture till she talks to Deb at KSDS again.  I feel like I am disappointing Mom but I just can't seem to shake off this car sickness thing !

 

Mom and Dad finished up most of the Christmas decorating this week. It is soooooo pretty inside and outside. Mom wanted a picture of us in front of the Christmas tree and it took several tries :)

 

 

Ruthie walked away - I was trying to

I tried to give Mom a kiss



Dad did it  !!!


Happy Holidays !!!!!!

Thanksgiving and Holiday Decorating

I officially have two major Holidays under my belt or rather leash.   Ruthie, Me, Mom and Dad had family over for a BIG dinner.  Mom cooked for two days but when it came time to eat I think they ate their Thanksgiving dinner as fast as Ruthie and I eat ours.   Mom said I could be in charge of the camera so I took pictures instead of Mom taking them of me.




 

Mom - I didn't mean to jump up and try to get a snack !





 

  

Thanksgiving week was busy here at our house.  Mom went to the commissary to buy groceries for the BIG dinner but I did not go along.  Mom said there would not be enough room in the Ford after she picked up everything on her list.  I saw it and it was two pages long and that means Mom would be filling up two groceries carts.  I did get to go to Target and buy the Bid Bird with Mom.  However, my friend "car sickness" visited on the way home.  I heard Mom talking to KSDS about my car sickness and they gave Mom some things to try to help me - I hope they work !!!  Mom said I could have a break in training and riding in the car during the rest of the week. 

 

Mom and dad have been busy decorating the outside of the house.  I kind of remember all of the red and green things from last year - and the BIG RED GUY !!  Mom said I better be nice because if I am naughty Santa will not bring me gifts like he did last year.   I hope this doesn't include car sickness !!

  

 

Mom keeps telling me it is winter but it was sooooooo nice outside this week that Mom took Ruthie and I on several of  her runs along with the walks we usually do.   I had to wear my gentle lead running while Ruthie just had to wear her collar.   I was not a happy camper about that.  However, Mom made up for it by letting us run free longer on the dike.  No swimming though.  Not warm enough for that.

 

 

Yesterday was another beautiful day outside and Ruthie and I along with Mom and Dad went for our usual weekend walk.  Mom found this reindeer hat in her Christmas decorations and for some reason everyone had to get their picture taken with it on except Dad.  How silly !!  Mom said she has some other doggie Christmas collars for us but we will have to wait till she gets in the boxes in the basement.   I can't wait ??  More pictures. 

 

Last night Dad's Huskers played football !!  It was not a happy time in our house.  I thought Dad was going to cry.  He was happy one minute then jumping up and down and yelling the next.  He was kind of scary but I still  tried to comfort him.  While Huskers were playing Mom started decorating the Christmas tree.  Ruthie and I watched and even tried to help out a few times by picking up stuff that fell on the floor. However, Mom always made us give it back.

This week Mom is going to try one of the ideas KSDS said might help with my car sickness.  Dad is going to get my kennel down today from the attic and Mom will put it the back of the Ford then will cover it up with a blanket when I am in there riding.   Mom has several trips planned for this week and she told me I would be going along for those "training moments" as she calls them.   Mom is really getting nervous about my car sickness and being able to go to KSDS college for Guide/Service Dog training.  Mom feels I am kind of behind already since I don't go out on training ventures as much as I should.  I heard Mom say that if this new game plan doesn't work I might have to go back to KSDS after the first of the year and see the doctor and get evaluated.

The Big Red Guy and Me - From 2011
Happy Holidays in 2012

 

 



Fall is in the Air - Holidays are around the corner !

It is Sunday morning and Mom and Dad are doing their usual thing.  Coffee, Sunday paper and reading in the office.  I have been bugging Dad with my paw trying to hurry things along so we can go for our weekend family walk.   Weekends are the only time that Mom, Dad, Ruthie and I get to walk together.   I have to wear that stupid gentle lead thing I can't seem to find and hide for half of the walk then we get to run free on the dike before going back on the leashes.  I get to finish our walk with just the lease and NO gentle lead.  Mom has lost the gentle lead when we are on the dike but she always seems to find it. 

Mom and me went out for several training sessions.  Mom was camera happy at Walmart and took pictures of me along with my sister Aunna.  Mom said we were going to have a training moment and go to lunch at the NEW Chick-fil-A but when we got there the line to eat was outside and down the side walk.  I was glad we didn't go in because I knew I would have to stay in a down/stay and with my car sickness I was not sure if everything would stay where it should ??  My tummy was still feeling icky !!

Mom has been  limiting my training sessions lately since I get sooooooooo car sick and after I get sick I don't feel like walking around the stores and I "protest" as Mom says.  Then on top of that the car stinks and for someone who loves to sniff just about everything this smell I don't like !!  Mom sprays air freshener in the car and rolls the windows down but the smell is still there.   I sure hope I out grow this soon - it is no FUN !!


Mom had a very nice guy here last week working on the kitchen removing a wall.  Ruthie and I tried to help him more than once and ended up in the mud room with the gate closed.  I don't understand why since he brought someone here to help him ??  Ruthie and I would have done it for a doggie treat.   We still don't have lights in the kitchen or a phone but everything should be back to normal on Monday.   Mom said the rest of the work will happen after Christmas.  That means the BIG RED guy will be back again :)

 

My favorite package arrived again from UPS !!  My SCIENCE DIET dog food.  Mom and me were getting a little concerned since my bin in the mud room was getting low.  I tried to sneak and open it but Mom made me wait till Daddy came home from work to open the box.   THANK YOU SCIENCE DIET.  For all of you SCIENCE DIET provides to KSDS - the organization I am getting trained by to be a Guide/Service Dog - the dog food for FREE !!  Way to go Science Diet !!


 Mom and Dad went to the HUSKER Game again this weekend.  Ruthie and I did not get to go along but they took LITTLE RED with them however when they got back home they said they will not do that again.   Before the game they stopped and had some Bloody Mary drinks and Little Red had one to many. Seems like he can not hold his liquor - what ever that means ??   He embarrassed Mom and Dad at the game.  From here on out he will only get to stay in our front yard for games.  Maybe Ruthie and I will get to go next time ??

It was a SAD day in HUSKER LAND even though I heard Mom and Dad say the HUSKERS won the game.  A person named Tom Osborne retired.  Dad has known him for a long, long time !!

 

Tribute to Tom Osborne - YouTube#at=27#!

 

Watch the show - Mom and Dad were there holding up one of the red signs.

Spooky Things

Mom stayed to her promise that swimming in the lake would stop.  We went out for our weekend walk about two weeks ago - a beautiful fall day - and went swimming but have not been swimming since. I tried to get in the lake once since then and I thought Mom was going to blow a gasket.   Ruthie and I had gone to the beauty shop and Mom did not want smelly dogs in the house anymore.

I am proud that my report card from the groomer said I was well behaved and did not whine when I had my toes done.  I am kind of liking this beauty shop thing - it feels relaxing to soak in the tub and have someone cut and comb my hair.    Mom wanted my tail cut a little shorter when she came to pick me up.  I was a little nervous that they would trim it too short and I might look like a lab.  Nothing against labs but I want everyone to know I am a Golden.   GOLDENS Rule !!

 

My Grandma Schense had her 560 birthday.  That is in dogie years so not sure what that is in human years ??  Mom and Dad along with my sister Aunna visited the Care Center on Family soup night but I did not get to go along.   With my car sickness still going strong I was happy to stay home.  Where Grandma lives is a long drive away.  I remember driving there as a puppy. 

Ruthie and I had a first - We got to watch BIG RED FOOTBALL with Mom and Dad and some nice people who came over - Mr. Dave and Mrs. Phyllis.  They are dog lovers and Ruthie and I sometimes stop and play with their dog Sadie.   I thought it would be more exciting since all Ruthie and I would hear when we had to stay upstairs was whooping and yelling but both of us fell asleep during the game.   There was a game this Saturday and Mom and Dad went to Mr. Dave and Mrs. Phyllis's house but I think Ruthie and I could vaguley hear them whooping and yelling.  When they got home Dad told me how the HUSKERS scored in the last seconds of the game to win.

Halloween activities were all around the lake this last week.  First Mom and me went to a Halloween party for the people who live on the lake.  There were sure some funny looking people and some scary looking people there.  I didn't get to wear my HUSKER costume because it was too warm and Mom didn't want me to get over heated.  Mom and me visited for a while then went on a hay rack ride.  I am pround to report I do not get hay rack ride sick. 

While waiting for Halloween night Mom had some people from a company called
Breaking Ground
 www.breakinggroundomaha.com
working in the yard.  They were here for several days.  It was nice outside so Ruthie and I watched them sometimes from the deck.  Several times Mom let us out to snoop since they were messing with our "Hurry up area"   I heard Mom say that they are done having people work out in the yard and will start having people work inside. 

Mom was sooooo excited to get all of her special decorations up for Halloween.  Ruthie and I watched and we were not even scared.   First Mom blew them up to made sure they worked then spent the afternoon outside setting everything up.  Ruthie and I were excited to watch since Mom and Dad didn't do Halloween decorating when they lived out on the farmstead.  Mom said there were no neighborhood kids to come over like here at the lake.

 Finally it was dark and the FUN began.  Someone would ring the doorbell and we would give the smaller people
candy if the said "trick or treat"  and the grown up adult kids special things call "Jell-O shots"  Mom even had scary music playing and a thing that made it look like clouds from the sky had fallen down.  We had lots and lots of FUN with lots and lots of funny and scary campers coming to the house.  Some even came in special cars.   Wonder if they got car sick ??

Mom and I have run some errands together after my beauty shop appointment.  Mom says I smell OK to go out in more public places now.  Car sick just about every time.  I am thinking maybe all of the air freshener that Mom sprays in the car so the car smells better is making me sick.  Mom said she will air out the car and no air freshener for the next car ride. 

I am still protesting when getting in the car and Mom has to lift me up.  When Dad weighed me for my monthly report to KSDS I weighed 65 pounds which is why it makes it hard for Mom to lift me up.  I keep hoping that I will out grow this car sickness thing so I will be able to go to KSDS college for Guide/Service dogs and get to graduate.

Last Halloween  - I was just a baby