Teaching a young dog new tricks - Omaha.com#teaching-a-young-dog-new-tricks

Teaching a young dog new tricks - Omaha.com#teaching-a-young-dog-new-tricks

Scary times on the farmstead

Our week started out just like any other week but things sure changed at the end.  Let me start at the beginning.

Sunday was Mother's Day so Ruthie and I took Mom for a walk at the lake.  We stopped so she could go swimming but she said she didn't bring her swim suit.  I told Mom I don't have to wear one and it is OK but Mom said humans have to so she just watched as Ruthie and I swam.  We found the sticks from when we were at the lake with the reporter from the Omaha World Herald so Mom threw them out in the water for Ruthie and me.   I told Ruthie we should make dinner for her but Ruthie told me while dogs sometimes get to eat people food - people don't eat dog food.  I heard Dad say anyway he was going to BBQ for her.  Last but not least for Mom for Mother's Day I wore my gentle lead around the house and didn't make a BIG fuss about it.   I still wish I could find where Mom hides it so I can hide it from her. 

Monday and Tuesday Mom was packing around the house.  We went for a walk at the lake on Monday but Tuesday my two legged sister Aunna come over with more boxes for the move so she and Mom packed then I heard Mom say they needed a break so they went and had their toes and nails done.   Aunna asked if I was coming ?  I was trying soooo hard to tell Mom how much I don't like the smells there and didn't want to go and maybe for the first time she understood puppy talk.  She told Aunna I usually don't stay in my down/stay and get up and try to walk around which makes it hard to have your toes done.   GOT TO STAY HOME !! just like Ruthie does.  We both took naps. 

Wednesday was mowing day.  Mom spent most of the day out on the big green machine.   Ruthie and I did our usual sniffing and rolling around in smelly stuff.  I must have not found enough smelly stuff to roll around in because when Mom was done mowing she made me go with her to run some errands.  She told me that we need to make sure we get plenty of training moments in before the move because she will be soooo busy for a week or so.  I heard her tell the reporter I was reverting back to my baby days with a teenage attitude.  

Thursday Mom packed again in the morning then she went for her daily run.  After that Mom made me go again with her to run some errands.  When we got home Ruthie had an issue that I usually have but in the house instead of in the car - as you know I get car sick a lot of the time.  Mom didn't think too much of it because me and Ruthie like to eat icky things outside that don't always agree with our tummies but this time Ruthie got sick and sick and sick. 

NOW THE SCARY TIMES BEGIN !

Friday Mom fed Ruthie and I breakfast and Ruthie got sick right away so Mom called Heartland Animal Hospital and talked to our Vet.  She said to bring Ruthie in right away.  I wanted to go but Mom said this was kind of an emergency and I had to stay at home.  Mom was gone a long time before I got to know how Ruthie was and even longer before I got to talk to Ruthie again.  She told me all she could remember ?

She said first they took a picture of her tummy and found a rock.  I know Mom yells at us for eating them and has said some day we would regret doing it.  They took some blood from her arm and put a needle in her arm that had to stay.   The rock was sooo big that the Vet said surgery was the only way to get it out so they left for the surgery hospital of Heartland Vet.   Ruthie said she doesn't remember much after that.  The Vet thought it would be an in and out surgery but they found other stuff in Ruthie's tummy that should not be there.  The Vet said it looked like pieces of a towel.  Ruthie and I play tug of war with the towel Dad uses to wipe our feed but no more !!  The towel is now up on the counter. 

Ruthie was able to come home that evening.  Mom put her in quarantine for a while before I got to go in and see her.  I was pacing outside of the gate and Mom finally gave in.   That was when Ruthie told me all about her adventure or at least what she remembered.   I laid down beside her and we both took a long nap.  When we woke up Ruthie did get to come out of quarantine and we went outside to "hurry up"  Went out the front door since Ruthie can't do stairs till her stitches come out. 

This weekend is our last weekend on the farmstead before the move to the lake.  Mom and Dad did some packing in the morning then Dad left for his office and Mom and me went to Lowes and Walmart.   Mom said she had run out of boxes and needed some more plus we needed to buy some rice and chicken for Ruthie.  She can't eat her dog food for a while.   Saturday night we headed out to the gardening barn to pack it up for the move and listen to some Elvis Gospel music.  I got to spend time with Mom and Dad but Ruthie only got to come out for a "hurry up" potty break.  Today the new farmstead family who bought our house is coming and Mom and me are going to help them plant the garden.   Ruthie will miss out on this since she is still in quarantine because of "the rock". 

The ROCK !!

THANK YOU

Dr. Kelianne - Dr. Andrew - Dr. Susan

For taking care of my BEST friend and four legged sister !!

Busy times on the Farmstead

Our adventures started out in the garden this week.  I heard Mom say the raised bed garden had one of the best crop of weeds she has ever seen.  This year Mom hired some young worker bees and along with Ruthie and I we helped them weed the garden.  Mom said the new family who bought our farmstead is coming next weekend and we are going to help them plant some of the garden. 

Mom, Ruthie and I went for a long walk at the lake and swimming after the hard work out in the garden.  Mom said I would be getting a bath the next day because we were having some visitors on Wednesday that I had to be looking and smelling nice for. 

Tuesday was mowing day for Mom - She is counting down.  Ruthie and I got to hang out and do all of our sniffing and snack eating that we could.  I don't think there will be the GREAT snack foods at the lake that there is out here on the farmstead.  After mowing Mom and me went to Hy-Vee and ordered a cake for Ruthie before bath time and bed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ruthie on Wednesday !!  She is 6 years old.  Wednesday was another adventure for Mom and me too.  A reporter from the Omaha World Herald came to our house along with a photographer to do a story about service puppies and their families.  They arrived around noon and just hung out on the picnic table outside and talked.  I wasn't paying much attention to them because Ruthie and I were busy playing in the garden. 

 After about an hour or so we all packed up and headed out to the Sarpy Community YMCA to visit some of their pre-school kids.  The kids were soooooo nice and fed me lots of treats.  I remember going there before for Family Days and visiting with their day camp kids.  Mom said we would be coming back in June to do a presentation to the camp kids like we did last summer. 

Our next stop was to Hy-Vee to pick up Ruthie's birthday cake.  Mom said I was NOT on my best behavior.  I keep telling her I don't like the gentle lead but she keeps putting it on me.  Mom said she will win this battle but I am going to put up a fight !!!  Mom tricks me by getting out the really good treats and I give in and go after them.  I think Mom was embarrassed that I was misbehaving so badly but hey I am still a puppy and have puppy issues.  I tell Mom to remember I have never had a poo in a public store so at least I am ahead of her other service puppies on that. 

Finally we headed over to the lake for some FUN time and swimming.  Mom had a box full of sticks she picked up earlier so I had lots of fetching to do.  Mom warned everyone about my shaking and to watch out however I think I still was able to get everyone a little wet before we left.   Before they left Mom and I gave them a cookie to eat that looked just like the cake we had picked up for Ruthie.   Mom and me came home and I went and found Ruthie so I could tell her about my adventures.  Ruthie said she will make sure she finds the paper on May 22 and will read  the story.   I mentioned Ruthie several times so I hope they say something nice about her.  She is my best friend !  I am pround to announce that during our adventures I was able to keep my breakfast where it belongs and not on the floor of the car.

Thursday and Friday Mom packed in the morning then Ruthie, me and Mom went to the lake for a walk in the afternoon.  No swimming though.  Mom had stuff in the back of her car that she did not want to get wet.  She said we will be moving soon and can swim all we want then.  Mom made me wear my gentle lead around the house on Friday - the battle is still on !!  Who will win ?

Yesterday, Ruthie and I got to spend some time outside with Dad scanning the farmstead.  Only one more weekend left to do this.  Mom packed most of the day while Dad went to the office.  Both Mom and Dad packed last night but this time they had refreshments.  Dad shared a little with me. I thought I had to be 21 but Dad said he would not tell.  Ruthie has had refreshments before with Dad but she is over 21.

Happy Mother's Day to my two legged Mommy

and

My four legged Mommy at KSDS

It is all about Moving

Mom said time is counting down till we move back to the lake.  Dad last weekend worked on the basement some when we were at KSDS for Spring Graduation.  Yesterday morning Mom started packing in the basement with Dad helping in the evening. 

I heard old time country music coming up from the stairs last night so they must have been having a good time packing.  I kept hearing them talk about the Nebraska Huskers so they had to be packing up Dad's bar.  Mom said they ran out of boxes so she is done for this weekend.  Aunna my two legged sister has some more boxes that she gets from work and Mom is going to go over to her house and get them.   I heard Mom tell Dad her goal is to have the house packed in about a week and a half so she can help the new family who is going to be moving in plant the garden out back.   After that moving time is around the corner !!

We had several people come to the house last week.  Mom said it all had to do with selling the house.  We have more coming this week.  Mom said they are "training moments" for me to mind my manners when guests arrive at the house.  Ruthie gets it but I like to run up and greet guests and Mom says that is a No No !!

I ran some errands with Mom on Monday plus we picked up some groceries before coming home.  We went to Nebraska Furniture Mart Tuesday and Thursday.  Mom said I did Ok but I keep telling her I don't need the Gentle Lead !!   I just can not seem to find where she hides it so I can hide it from her.   I did get a new bigger training vest when we were at KSDS so it is more comfortable now and not too tight.  I am a growing girl!


We had a BIG BIG storm blow in during the middle of the night.  Mom let Ruthie and I out of our bedroom and when I looked out the window the rain was blowing sideways.  The weather radio started going off and Mom even thought about taking us all down to the basement.   Dad said to wait and the storm blew over.  I may have my quirks but I am proud to say storms are not one of them.

Better go - Dad is getting ready to go outside and scan the farmstead to make sure everything survived the storm.  We don't have as many chores to do now that Dad has already taken the bird feeders in the garage and most of the spring cleaning is done around the farmstead.   I think Mom and I are going to the Commissary at the base and get groceries this afternoon.  My least favorite thing to do.   Wish she had boxes to pack so we would be staying home. Busy times around here!!

A Trip back to KSDS

Boy what a weekend !  The week was kind of boring only one outing but we took a big trip back to Washington, Kansas for KSDS's Spring Graduation leaving Friday afternoon and coming back on Saturday evening.  Let me tell you about my adventures -

It started out on Thursday afternoon with a shower.  Mom said I had to leave my smells I like soooo much out here on the farmstead here and not on my fur.   Mom and I both got in our birthday suits and took a shower.  I asked her how come she didn't take a picture of herself in her birthday suit and only me and she said it was because I still have fur on when I am in my birthday suit.  I wasn't to pleased about the whole shower thing !  It was my first one.   

After we took our shower we headed out to our nail places.  I went first and had my toes trimmed then Mom went and had hers done.   Since it was a cool day I got to stay in the back of the Ford and chew on the special bone Mom bought for me.  I got to pick it out at Petsmart - My toe and nail place before we left.  I really don't like the smell of Mom's nail place and last time when I was there I kept getting up and walking around and made Mom mess up her nails.  We were kind of in a hurry so it worked out for the both of us.

Friday was the BIG day.  Mom went for her run at the lake we are moving back to then we packed our bags.  I watched carefully to make sure Mom got my food and all of my treats.  She packed her bag and after I had my pink pill we took off for our three hour drive to KSDS.  I was hoping to impress Mom and leave my breakfast in my tummy but things didn't work out that way. 

When we arrived Friday evening we stopped at KSDS and saw Larry along with the staff in the administrative offices then went and saw Letha and Deb over at the training center.  Mom and I were going to stay at a local hotel but Letha said we could stay with her and her husband and three dogs at their house.  My first sleep over !!!  After we settled in Mom and I went out to have dinner.   There wasn't any other KSDS people there so Mom ate alone but when we were leaving DeAnna and her Mom and Ferrari  were in the parking lot so we went back in and sat with them while they ate.   After dinner the rain had stopped so we headed over to the dog park and played for a bit before heading out for the sleep over.

THANK YOU LETHA  !!

Letha was sooo nice to us along with her hubby and her four legged kids.  They set up a bed for Mom and one for me.  We stayed in the basement and Mom said she had the best sleep she has had in days. I on the other hand was not to excited about my accommodations and made it kind of clear to Mom several times during the night.   I thought in a sleep over you got to sleep together not in two separate beds however, it was a deluxe kennel. 

Saturday morning we all got up and the grown ups had some coffee.  I had breakfast at Letha's house then we headed out for the graduation.  When we arrived there were some people and four legged friends there but they kept coming and kept coming till the training building was almost  FULL !   I saw one of my sisters - Miami but we really didn't get to play because this was business time.  There were soooooooo many puppies and dogs there that we had to sit kind of in the back for graduation so I couldn't see to much.  Mom tried to snap a picture but it was hard.

After graduation lunch was served.  I thought it was lunch time for me too and I kept trying to sneak a bite from the buffet table when Mom was trying to get a plate so Miami's Mom took me so Mom could fill her plate.  After Mom was finished eating we walked around visiting with everyone.  We met people we had come to know through the KSDS web site and blogs other puppy raisers do.   Mom and I got to meet a special friend who we have come to know through face book -  She was sooo nice and friendly.

                                 Her name was Anna !

We also met a couple who came to the graduation who have applied for a service dog.

After everyone visited for a while it was time to walk over to the new duplexes for the dedication.  There were lots of new people there that were not at the graduation.  I think they were some of the people who built them or donated money so they could be built.  Mom and I took a tour with the others who were there before going to the training center.  More treats but not for me.  I only got my pink pill for the drive home.  Glad to report that on the way home everything stayed in my tummy !

Dad was not home when we got home so Mom, Ruthie and I took a short nap then we unpacked.  Did some scanning with Dad out on the farmstead when he got home.  Today was hoping to spend time outside with Dad doing chores but it is misty outside and trying to rain.  Mom said it is a good day to stay in and bake cookies. 

                            I LOVE All of my Friends at KSDS !!



Where was my Mom this week ?

Mom was sure busy this week and wasn't around much so we didn't take any training trips for those teaching moments as Mom calls them.  This is normal for Ruthie - she always gets to stay home and do whatever she wants - but for me this was a first.  I thought I would like it more but I missed being with Mom and you can only take so many naps before that gets old. 

Mom had meetings Monday, Tuesday and Friday concerning things about either selling our farmstead or buying the new lake house.  She spent lots of hours in the office working with Ruthie and I vying for choice spots under her office desk.  Mom kicked us out several times because we would not settle down and were bugging her.  I was concerned that Mom would be on the computer all weekend and I wouldn't get to write on my blog but Mom and Dad are sleeping in since they went out last night and didn't get to bed till late.

It is Saturday and I am hoping Dad will be taking us out to scan the farmstead and do our chores.  We didn't get to last weekend because it was icky weather.  We only have about four more weekends left to do chores with Dad before we move to the lake house. 

Our friendly UPS guy showed up this week and delivered my favorite package !
                                  My Science Diet food.

                         Watch for new and exciting news next week !

Changes on the Farmstead !

What a storm yesterday !!!  Mom and Dad's weather radio was beeping all day !!  The storm here on the farmstead came around dinner time.  Mom said it was a teaching moment since I have never been old enough to remember lighting and thunder and I need to not be scared.  As you can tell from the picture I passed with flying colors.   Dad went outside during the storm to make sure the water was not getting too close to the house.  It was like a river in the back yard.

Mom and Dad were soooooo excited this week that a family came to look at the farmstead and wanted to buy it.  They came on Monday night and before they left they said they wanted the house.   They came back on Thursday to bring their kids.  I heard them talking that their kids are involved in 4-H and the farmstead will be a GREAT place for them.  I hope they love to run and play here as much as Ruthie and I do.   Maybe before we move I will get a chance to show them all of the neat places to sniff and roll around in along with where all of the snack foods are.  I wonder at the lake if there will be deer and horse poo snacks ?  I don't like the duck poo snacks I ate one time there.  Ruthie and I still have some snacking time left since I heard Mom and Dad say we are not moving till the end of May.

Mom took me with her when she ran errands on Tuesday.   Ruthie again got to stay home.  We went to Penney's, Office Max, Walmart and Lowes.  It was musical cars again.  On Thursday Mom and I did a presentation on Service/Guide dogs.  Mom gave me a pink pill before we left because it was kind of a long drive to get there and everything stayed were it should.  Everyone was sooooo nice to me and I got a lot of attention.  After we left we went to Nebraska Furniture Mart but things didn't stay were they should have on that trip.  Mom was grateful though since I waited till we parked and got out of the car before I lost my cookies.  Those pink bags can be used for other things besides poo. 

Mom was really busy with house stuff this week so kind of got a break in those "training moments"  at home.  I thought I would like that but kind of missed being with Mom so I bugged her a lot by trying to get up on her lap.  Mom put up with me for some time but finally said enough is enough and I had to stop.  I then turned my attention to Dad and since he felt sorry for me I got to get up on his lap but he finally said enough is enough too and I had to stop. 

It is rainy again today so no time this weekend with Dad scanning the farmstead.  Mom said she is planning on baking today because of the icky weather and Dad said he is going to go visit Grandma Schense at the Care Center.  Maybe if I sweet talk Dad he will take me along ?


    Dad, Grandma Schense and Uncle Jeff