Slow week on the Farmstead

What can I say - It is winter in Nebraska ?  Ruthie and I spent time in the warm sunshine by the front door.  Baby the cat tries to hog the warmth but I am always successful in chasing her away.  Ruthie however likes her to stick around and make patties on her.  Mom says it is a kitty massage. 

Mom took us out on Tuesday to a place called "Dogtopia"  It is a doggie day care.  When we went to visit though Ruthie and I had to stay in the car because we didn't have a special shot needed to come in.   Mom toured the day care and talked to the owner - Nicholle.  Mom made an appointment for us to come back next week and go through an evaluation and if Ruthie and I pass we get to go play with other dogs there.  New friends !! and new adventures !! 

Thursday Mom took Ruthie and I to the Vet's office - Heartland Animal in Papillion - to get our kennel cough shot.  I wasn't too excited about this and told Ruthie she could go first.  I waited out in the lobby.  I remember the last time I was there they made a BIG scar on my tummy that hurt for a long time.  I am still waiting for my puppy hair to grow back out.  Mom also had our nails done but when I asked the Vet to polish my nails like Mom has hers done the Vet just didn't get it.  You would think he would understand puppy talk but he doesn't.  The only person I know that understands it is the Big Red Guy called Santa. 

Mom is on her mission as she says to work on my "Commands".  Every time now when I come in from "Hurry Up" Mom makes me do two or three of the commands.  The Commands are still up on the door and Mom marks the ones we do.  Mom has a chair in the middle of the living room and makes me sit/down/under plus go up.   Ruthie does them right away and I told her she was puppy whipped.  She will even do them without treats which I told her she shouldn't.   I make Mom work at it !!  If I have to work she has to work !!  I just hope the treats don't run out.  However, I saw Mom filling the treat cup and made my own assessment of the situation.  Looking good !!  Science Diet is soooooo GOOD to me. 

Mom's show American Idol was on again this week.  Mom says it will be on for a long time till they announce the winner ?  There are some really weird people who come on the show.  I can howl better then they can sing.  I wonder if there is a Puppy Idol show ?  I would try out for that.   Mom let's me watch from the foot stool if I behave myself.    I guess I am special because Ruthie has to watch on the rug in front of the TV. 

Ruthie and I went out with Dad this morning.  I think for about an hour and a half but I just heard Dad say that.  I don't know how to tell time yet.  Dad did a lot of poo flipping - He hasn't flipped for over a week.  I heard him say he likes flipping better in the winter because everything is frozen and no smells.  I however like the smell of poo.  Tells you a lot about a fellow four legged friend.  My favorite snack is deer or horse poo.  After having a few of the snacks this morning I finsihed it off with a little fresh green grass in the flower beds.

We fed the livestock - It has been sometime and all of the feeders were low.  I tried to help Dad fill the feeders but I really was just trying to have a snack of bird feed.   Mom cut back on Ruthie and my feedings because the Vet said our girl figures were looking a little pudgy.  Ruthie much more then me :)  I am not sure why having a girl figure is important since Mom said the boy dogs were not going to be too interested in me after I had my girl surgery.

I was soooooo excited when the door bell rang this morning after Ruthie and I came in.  It was the UPS guy but the package wasn't for me from Science Diet.  It was for Mom.  She got two new shirts from KSDS.  We will look sooooo styling when we go out now. 

I am BACK !

Hi - everyone.  I am feeling much better and back to my old self.  My scar is looking much better but the Vet sure didn't give me a bikini cut ?  Mom thinks though the stuff that they gave me so I would not know about the surgery effected my listening to the command center in my brain !  I heard her tell that to a few people while we were out this week.  It was kind of a busy week but a few things we were planning on doing Mom canceled.  I am thankful because it was really COLD here this week.

Tuesday we were off to Shadow Lake Mall.  Mom said I am getting too big to lift in the back of the Ford so she made me climb in through the side door and get in the back.  However, I like it when Mom picks me up so I played dumb which frustrated Mom.   This gets me treats !! so I finally climbed in.  Mom and I stopped at Office Max before going to PetSmart.  Mom left me pick out a new toy and treats before we stopped at the gentle leads.  Mom  bought a larger one.  Right !! as if I am going to like this one more !  I planned on watching where Mom put it so I could hide it but she outsmarted me.

Wednesday we were off to Lowes and Walmart.  Another try at climbing in the side door of the car several times which landed me more treats.  Mom said I was acting stubborn ! and she was disappointed in me.   Little does she know I have her trained.  Hope she doesn't figure that out.

On both of these trips I kind of protested as I heard Mom say.  I hate it when I get car sick !  Mom thinks it is just me being in my terrible two's but when you only get fed twice a day you want to make sure you keep everything where it should be.  There is limited poo snacking with snow back on the ground. 

Now I need to tell you something about a show Mom has been waiting to return - AMERICAN IDOL !  Mom made Ruthie and I watch the show with her and behave ourselves.   We had to do this two nights in a row.  I heard Mom saying the show will be on again tonight so I know what we will be doing.


Thursday I was going to go to the commissary out at Offutt Air Force Base and get groceries with Mom.  At the last minute Mom changed her mind after she looked at her grocery list and since she thought the groceries would take up the back of the Ford I got to stay home.  I was glad.  Grocery shopping is the least favorite thing I like to do.  Start - stop / Start - stop.  Plus it was soooo COLD !

Friday night Mom said we were going to the Sarpy YMCA for a teaching moment.  They were hosting family activities with lots of families and kids attending.   I wasn't interested in going so I did the protest thing before leaving - protest thing getting in the car then kept up what Mom said was the terrible two's.  However, it was so FUN to have all of the kids come up and talk and pet me.   I wanted soooo bad to chase after the balls in the gym but Mom made me sit/stay or at least tried to make me sit/stay.   If report cards were to be given out Mom said I would probably have gotten a C. 

Mom is determined to get back on track so while I was taking a nap on Saturday she got on the computer and made up a list of commands for me to work on.  She put them on the back door.  Now when I come in after "Hurrying Up" Mom makes me do one of the commands and sometimes WITHOUT treats.   Mom told me she can be as stubborn as I can be.  I thought Mom wanted me to be a free thinking puppy/dog but I guess there are a few things that I just don't have a choice to learn. 

                             Commands

Mom's Turn

Hi
I am Avalon's Mom and Avalon asked me to write on her blog this week.  Avalon had surgery on Tuesday and has kind of been out of commission all week.  Let me tell you the story-

Avalon and I were off to the Vet's Office on Tuesday morning.  She had to be there by 8:15.  We arrived a little late because I was working on the computer and watching the "Today Show" and spaced out the time.  No big deal since we got there at 8:30.

First Avalon had to weigh in again.  I think Avalon was trying to tell the Vet no girl likes to be weighed in public since she was refusing to get on the scale but after a few tries her weight was there posted on the screen for everyone to see.  Next Avalon and I went in one of the exam rooms and the Vet explained to us what would happen during surgery when you get spayed and what to expect and do after surgery.

I was able to take her back to her holding kennel and say "Good-Bye".  I told her to behave and I would be back later in the afternoon to get her.  This was old hat to me since this was my fifth time taking a service puppy in to get spayed. 

Bringing up five puppies let me tell you a few stories about the other service puppies that have come into my life.

My first one was "Charlie"  She was named after actors in Charlies Angels.  A dark golden who was an A+ puppy.   She could do no wrong and basically didn't.  She did however like chewing and did take out a few chair legs and a corner of the kitchen.  I learned after that to have lots and lots of chew toys around at the very beginning to encourage chewing on those.

Next was "Cali" a yellow lab named after a city in Africa.  The only lab I raised.  We took Charlie back and picked up Cali.   I remember being in the car and my husband and I crying because we just turned in Charlie.  Cali was crying in the back seat in her kennel.  I can tell you stories about Cali.  I think she was my C- puppy but the one who had the most loving/excitable behavior.  She was the first to poo right in front of the meat department at Walmart and even wondered off one time in Walmart.  They did a missing dog announcement and the Walmart greeters/staff blocked off the exits.   She was found eating a peach in the produce section.  Cali also had a VERY sensitive stomach and many things upset her stomach and caused things you did not what to happen out in public.

 On one such trip to Walmart it happened right in the exit area.  I saw her back humping up and dropped everything to run for the door but we didn't make it.  Everything ran down the grates on the floor and dug itself in.  I took her out to the car and me along with several Walmart staff members had to remove the grates and mop up the floor.  Cali actually went back a little early because of her stomach issues but it seems like after she left and quit swimming in the lake her problems went away. 

"Paris" was the next golden.  She was named after an author.  Paris I would say was my B+ puppy.  One thing I did with Pairs was have my first puppy shower.  I watch the Animal Planet and at the time that was one of their series.   Paris was the last dog that our family dog Bailey was a foster Mom to. 

Bailey our family golden passed away shortly after Paris went back to school for training.   Bailey was only 6 1/2 years old.  I had taken her in to get her shots and the doc said she had a fever and swollen glands so sent us home over the weekend with antibiotics.  We went back on Monday and the Vet thought more testing was necessary and by the next day we were told she had stage 4 lymphoma.  More testing was done and on Friday we started the first of six rounds of chemo.

 She was not able to come home - complications from the chemo and passed away the following Monday.  I remember the Vet telling us if we just managed her lymphoma she could be with us for awhile maybe but chemo was her chance to be with us for a long time.  He said if she makes it you will be soooooooo happy and if she doesn't you will wish you never did it.  I can say looking back I wish we would have managed it and would have had time with her no matter how long it might have been.

Next came along "Ruthie" my A- dog.  I asked if I could raise a service puppy then train and get certified as a Therapy Dog Team so that is how Ruthie came into our lives.  We took along one of Bailey's favorite stuffed toys and said the first puppy that got it would be the one we brought home.  Ruthie was the only puppy we got to name.  She had to be named after someone famous with George as their name.  Babe Ruth's first name was George.   Ruthie broke her leg and had to be in a cast along with moving with us from the lake out to the acreage we live on now.  I went for training for five days and Ruthie and I passed with flying colors.  Ruthie and I then started doing presentations on Service Dogs and going to nursing homes, schools,  the YMCA etc. to visit.

Back to Avalon for a few minutes before I post.  She is feeling much better today and went outside with my husband and Ruthie to go down to the road to get the paper and scan the farmstead.  Avalon though has developed a weird behavior after surgery.  I don't know if it is the meds affecting her or what but she all of a sudden will not walk on the wood floors and since most of our upper level except for the living room is wood this did not leave her much room to move around.

 My husband had a talk with her then offered her treats and she agreed to at least walk on the wood floors to get breakfast and dinner.  Hope this goes away - Really don't want to have to start psycho-therapy with her before she goes back to KSDS.

Hope you enjoyed the blog this week - Avalon will be back next week with new and exciting adventures to share.  I have planned several outings to expose her to new and different adventures to continue her social training.  I hope her terrible two's pass soon and we get back on track.

The New Year - 2012

My week started with my Dad and me watching the HUSKERS play in their Bowl game.   Everyone had to be in their Husker attire. Things did not go so well and Dad told me not to mention anything about the game.  I guess if you are a Husker Fan you know the skinny !  I did get to spend some time with Dad, Mom and Ruthie watching the game.  Dad didn't seem to be doing his usual yelling and jumping up and down so Ruthie and I got some shut eye.   Mom made some snacks for the game along with peanuts which Dad shared a few with Ruthie and me.  I always made sure I was first in line.

This week Mom started to finally feel better so Ruthie and I got to go on four long walks out on the farmstead with our neighbor MaeMae.  MaeMae usually walked me and Mom had Ruthie. One time when we were going to go pick up MaeMae we went all the way to her house and I got to see some BIG - BIG dogs.  Mom explained they were horses not dogs and I needed to stay out of their kennel.  I must tell you - Horse poo snacks are much better then deer poo snacks.   Ruthie didn't seem too interested in snacking but Mom said she has tried them many times before.  Dad would sometimes come home and say "Ruthie's breath smells like S _ _ _ " and Mom would say she just ate some !

When we went on one of our walks with MaeMae she bought along some Christmas presents for Mom and us.  For us three new stuffed animals to play with.  Mom gave us 15 minutes to have them torn apart and I think we accomplished it.  They are now deflated and one already in the trash.  Poor guy.  I also got a designer collapsible water dish.  Mom put it in my diaper bag.  It matches my cape so I will now be styling !


My favorite thing in the world arrived again this week - My Science Diet food.  Dad opened the box this time without me around and I was sooooo disappointed.  I lectured him about this but I am not sure if he understand puppy talk either ?  He did leave it out for me to see before it was put away. 

Mom and I went to the the Vet office on Friday.  Mom said something about pre-surgery blood work.  I didn't think to much of them poking me with a needle in the arm to get some red stuff but I did get a treat afterwards.  The Vet explained to me what would be happening next week and the reason for the surgery.  I will not have to use birth control when I grow up - not sure what that is anyway he did not explain that - but boys probably will not think I am a hot chick anymore which in my opinion is a good thing.  I really don't think much of them anyway.  I now weigh in at 46 pounds.

After the Vet visit Mom and I stopped at her Nail place and I got to go with her for the first time.  First she sat in this BIG chair with a bath tub in front and had her toes clipped.  Wonder if she likes it as much as I like it ?  Next we moved to another chair with a table in front and she had her other nails clipped.  This place paints the nails - I will need to talk to my groomer about this next time I go.  Mom said I did really good  at down/stay when she was in the Big chair but when she was at the other one I was done being a good puppy and tried to get up and wonder around.  This made it difficult for Mom's groomer to do her work.   Wonder if Mom gets a report card when she is done like Ruthie and I do at our groomers ? 

It is Saturday and Dad, Ruthie and I have been outside already.  Filled the bird feeders, played ball and Dad did his weekly poo flipping.  Dad is going to be home today but will be working all day tomorrow.  Big days in Court Monday and Tuesday.  Mom told me to pass along another book she read that she got for Christmas.  The Puppy Diaries.  Mom said the puppy's name is Scout after a little girl in a book/movie that is one of my Dad's all time favorites - To Kill a Mocking Bird.   Scout and I could be twins at least in looks - Mom says so far I have been much better behaved.

Where do I begin ?

It has been a magical time of the year but it came with some highs and lows on the Farmstead.  I got to experience my first Christmas and Santa must have thought I was more nice then naughty.  I met some uncles, aunts, cousins and other family members who I have not met before along with taking my first BIG road trip.

The week before Christmas I was a Bell Ringer with my Mom and sister Aunna.  We were at the Hy-Vee store close to our house.  Lucky we got to ring the bell inside but it was pretty nice here so if we had to be outside it wouldn't have been that bad.  Mom brought music to play and toys for me to play with when it wasn't my turn to ring the bell.  Lots of people stopped and talked to us and I think we got lots of coins in our kettle.  Another family came after us.

Mom went shopping several times during the week.  Some I went along with and some she called "Power Shopping Trips" and I had to stay at home.  I think I helped Mom wrap gifts but she didn't think so.  I thought the packages on the floor were new play toys but I was wrong.  Mom had to wrap several of them twice and this time they stayed up on the table.

On Thursday before Christmas Mom told me we were taking a long trip to North Platte out in western Nebraska.  My Great-Grandma Keuter who was 101 & 1/2 passed away.  I went to my first funeral and I would like to tell you some of the stories they told about her during the funeral.  Grandma was born on the 4th of July.  When she was born out on a farm they used oil to light the house, wood to heat the house, had no indoor plumbing/electricity and horses.  During WWII she was involved in the Sutherland Group that volunteered at the North Platte Canteen.  Mom told me this was a group of people who provided food for the troops when they stopped in North Platte.  I remember watching a story about it on Public TV.   Mom said she can remember when she was a young girl going to the farm and getting to watch them milk the cows till Grandpa passed away and Grandma moved to town.  Mom said they would always buy city milk before going to the farm because they didn't like the fresh cow milk. 

Mom and I drove to North Platte the day before.  Let me tell you that story.  We were about a third of the way there when Mom got a phone call saying some luggage was left in Omaha and we needed to turn around and drive about 30 miles back to York, Nebraska and wait till someone brought the luggage.  Mom and I visited the Walmart store in York for about an hour and a half and bought a few more Christmas gifts, went and filled up the Ford with gas and messed around then went to McDonald's for some coffee.  Finally about 2+ hours later the luggage arrived and we were back on the road.  I am happy to announce I NEVER got car sick !!  We stayed at a local hotel - another first for me.  I also got to visit with some family I have never got to meet before along with their dog. 

Friday morning before the funeral Mom and my aunt Allison went to Walmart.  I have now been in three different Walmarts in three different cities in three days.    Mom said I did a wonderful job at down/stay during the funeral and a pretty good job at the luncheon afterwards.   After the funeral Mom and I drove back.   Again I am proud to say "No car sickness".

Saturday it was Christmas Eve.  Dad took Ruthie and I out to do the chores and mess around.  Later in the afternoon Dad and Mom went to visit my Grandma in Wahoo.  We didn't get to go along but I was kind of glad.  Ruthie and I needed our rest so that we could stay up and maybe see Santa come down the chimney.  Sad to report he is a sly guy and I never did get to see him.  When Mom and Dad got back home Dad watched TV while Mom made the dishes for Christmas.   I learned that night that getting up on the kitchen counter and licking the cream cheese Mom had out was not the thing to do !! 

CHRISTMAS DAY - It started out with Ruthie and I checking our stockings.  Santa did fill them however Mom said we would have to wait till later in the day to get them down.  Mom and Dad worked out on the treadmill and bike - said they were working off dinner before they had it - don't understand that but then they are human and I am a puppy.  Later in the afternoon some family arrived but not the usual gang.  Mom told me this one was the first one that Dad's father was not here.  He passed away suddenly this spring and his Mom was at the nursing home.  Because of the funeral Mom's family had to rearrange their plans and were not here either so it was a small Schense Christmas. 

I watched them play what Mom called "White Elephant" gift exchange - never did see an elephant - then they opened their gifts however Ruthie and I watched from behind the mud room gates.  Mom and Dad let us out after they opened gifts so we could open our stocking and I got soooooo excited I "peed my pants"  Mom brought in towels to clean it up and ended up stepping in it and said some words I am sure Santa would not approve of.  During dinner Mom started not to feel so well and stortly after dinner was cleaned up everyone left and Mom went to bed.  It was the bed or couch for her for the next two + days so it was lots of down time and naps for Ruthie and I. Mom read one of the books she got for Christmas and she told me to pass it along.  THUNDER DOG !  It is about a guide dog who assisted his master down the steps of the World Trade center during 9/11.

Today it is Saturday and New Year's Eve. Mom still is not feeling 100% yet but thinks she might take us walking this afternoon just to get out of the house.  Ruthie and I have been outside with Dad.  We filled the bird feeders for the birds to party tonight, scanned the farmstead then Dad did poo patrol.  Dad is reading the paper now and making his predictions for the football games.   I heard him say it will be three days of the best sport ever invented.  The HUSKERS are playing on Monday so GO BIG RED !!

Last but not least I have to tell you this day is also a special day for my parents.  It is their anniversary !!  I am soooo glad they met or I would not be here now.  Happy Anniversary to them.

                    IN LOVING MEMORY

Robert L. Schense                      Adela K. Keuter

                                                                                                

Met the Big Red Guy !

My week started with a LONG 3 hour trip to the commissary with Mom.  Groceries for the month along with Christmas dinner.   Mom said I did OK but the challenge was coming home.  The groceries filled up the back of the Ford so I had to ride in the front seat.  My pink pill was wearing off and both Mom and I thought I was going to make a deposit that no one wanted.  However, I did manage to control myself with the deposit happening on the front lawn when we got home. 

My next adventure was to the Groomers again with Ruthie.  Mom wanted us to smell and look nice for the Holidays plus we were going to go visit the Big Red guy Mom calls Santa.  Ruthie and I both got report cards from our Groomer.  Ruthie got an excellent one while I only got a good one.  Still need to improve on scratching.  I was just trying to shake and get treats but no one seemed to understand that. 

Ruthie and I were at the Groomers for three hours.  Mom picked us up and off to see the Big Red guy.  Mom had bought a Christmas collar for us so we would look festive.  We were lucky when we arrived that there were not too many people there to see him so we got to spend a lot of time with him.  There were some helpers jumping, whistling and making all kinds of noise while flashing lights at us while we were telling Santa what was on our Christmas list so I hope he heard.  Mom told me Santa knows puppy talk along with many different languages.  Mom said he also knows who has been naughty or nice so I better be on my best behavior till I see him again.  I might get to see him since my kennel I sleep in at night is in the hearth room and he comes down the chimney.  Not sure how that happens but if he can understand puppy talk he must be able to do a whole lot of other things. 

The next day after taking my pink pill Mom and I were off to the Downtown YMCA for their Senior Christmas Party.  Mom use to work there so they invite her back every year.   Ruthie use to go there all  the time with Mom so everyone was asking about her.  Ruthie was a little upset that she didn't get to go but understood this was a teaching moment for me.  It really ended up as a teaching moment when I took it upon myself to help myself to one of the Senior's dinners up on the table.  I heard Mom shriek from accross the room so I knew right away it was just dinner for the Seniors and not puppies too. My pink pill worked with no deposits made that day but just barely.

Mom and I went to Shadow Lake Mall and did some Christmas shopping.  Thank goodness this Mall is close to us and I did OK with my car sickness however we went to an indoor Mall about 45 minutes from our house the next day and I made a deposit on the way there and back.  Mom changed up my pink bill with an orange one thinking that would help but it didn't.  I did get extra for dinner since Mom said most of my breakfast was in the back of the Ford.

There were soooooooo many people at the Mall.  People stopped and talked to Mom and asked to pet me about every 10 steps we took.  Mom wasn't on a power shopping trip just there to pick up three books about a service dog named Tuesday so we enjoyed the time.  There were some young girls who really were excited to pet me so Mom stopped and while they were petting me she took our picture.  I told them I would include them in my blog this week and gave them my blog address. 

A NEW adventure was the escalators.  I didn't know stairs could move but at the Mall they do.  The first time we went up the moving stairs wasn't to bad but coming down I had issues.  Kind of put the breaks on but Mom encouraged me and without to much more fuss we headed down.  I told Mom next time to use the elevator - I like them better.   

Winter here is kind of taking a break so on Saturday Dad took Ruthie and I out to help with the chores.  We helped Dad find the poo so he could poo flip.  I found some deer poo for a mid-morning snack.  We fed the livestock by filling the bird feeders.  There are four of them around the house.  We walked around the farmstead scanning then Dad played ball with us.   Today Mom said she might take us to the lake for a walk while Dad goes to see Grandma at the care center.   No swimming though.  Mom said the lake is covered with ice.  I will have to see what this is ?

      Seasons Greetings from Ruthie and I

Happenings on the Farmstead

It's that WONDERFUL time of the year!  More snow and Christmas decorating.  Mom had to put me in the mud room several times while she was decorating because I was a little too curious about all the new stuff around the house.  On Tuesday a gentleman named Norm came and put lights on the house.  Ruthie and I had to stay inside because Mom didn't want us to get in Norm's way and cause a fall off the ladder.  He was a nice guy and when he was done played with us for a bit.

Mom helped my sister Aunna take an old chair to Goodwill this week and I got to go along.  However, when they loaded the chair in the back of the Ford the only room left was on the chair. Things didn't go so well on the way to Goodwill so you can guess what was deposited on the chair.  Mom did change up my pink pills for motion sickness later in the week and it is helping a little better.  My drooling is still really bad and Mom said she is going to buy a bib to tie around my neck.  Not sure what a bib is but hope I don't look too silly ?  We tried out the new meds and went to the Mall close to our house with things going a little better.  

All of the four legged family members in the house have found a cozy place to keep warm and take some good naps.  Under Mom's desk.  Ruthie and I take turns using each other as pillows.  It gets a little iffy though when Baby the cat is trying to join us because I just have this need to corner her and play.  Mom said I should leave her alone because she is a senior citizen cat and likes sleeping over playing.  Probably if I could understand cat talk I would understand those strange noises she makes !!  Maybe she only knows sign language because she is always swinging her paws at me and I know she isn't trying to shake.

Mom took me to her Groomers this week however it looked much different then the one Ruthie and I go to.  They have chairs not tables, they put capes around their necks instead of a leash and they don't have to get in a bath tub to get their hair washed.  Mom brought along a bone for me to chew while she was getting her grooming done and said I did a GOOD job at down/stay.  


Today Dad took us outside for about an hour and a half.  He showed me again how to shovel snow but mostly Ruthie and I just ran after the scoops of snow.  We went down to the tree line and Dad showed us deer tracks.   I asked if they were Santa's reindeer tracks.  He said it was too early.  I had a few appetizers - deer poo with snow before we headed back to the house.  Ruthie passed on it.  Just before we came in we filled up the bird feeders.  Another appetizer - seeds with snow. 

My pin pal Daisy wrote this week.  Mom was laughing because Daisy and her Mom had an issue with where to "Hurry up" when out shopping.  They must have been at a Mall and all of a sudden Daisy had to do her big business "Hurry up" and things were deposited right in front of Bed and Bath.  I guess Daisy thought she could clean it up herself but without having fingers to hold on to the poo bag all that happened was Daisy stepping in it.  I have not made this mistake yet but Mom said some of her other service puppies in training have.  Mom told me the story about Cali.  All of a sudden Cali arched her back while in Walmart and Mom knew what was coming so left her grocery cart and made a run for the door.  Well, right in the entry way a thing Mom called diarrhea happened on the floor grates so not only poo on the floor but it ran down the holes of the grates.  The greeter put a "Wet Sign" over it but Mom didn't have the right stuff to clean it up.  A poo bag wasn't going to do the trick.  The manager brought her a mop and pail.  First they had to pick up the grates and carry them outside then mop the floor.  The manager was a nice guy and even helped.  Mom said it is a funny story now but at the time is wasn't.  I told Mom I would try to never made a poo mistake inside.   Mom also told me Cali snuck away one time at Walmart while they were checking out groceries so Mom and the cashier had to go look for her.  She was eating a peach in the produce section not far from the check out lines.

Meghann my two legged sister stopped over this week.  She was looking for some of her Christmas decorations she thought she had here but we couldn't find them.  She is another GREAT belly rubber.  Ruthie and I would not leave her alone.  Mom made a nice dinner for everyone before Meghann left.


Last but not least - I received a package in the mail.  Was soooo excited because I thought it might be a gift from Santa but Mom says Santa gifts don't come from the Fed-X guy but delivered on Christmas Eve while we are all sleeping.  Dad and I opened the box and it was my Science Diet Food.  I guess they think I am growing up because instead of it being puppy food it is Lamb and Rice.

 Thank You Science Diet for your continuous donations to KSDS Inc.