Hanging out with AuntyMaigen

I finally pushed Mom off the computer for long enough to write this post for you. It should have been up yesterday but those damn FaceBook games. I don’t understand!

Wednesday, AuntyMaigen called Mom on short notice and wanted her to go to a condo board meeting as a rep for service dogs. And who could possibly be a better rep than service dog extraordinaire, yours truly. So of course I got to go. And it’s a good thing I did. While AuntyMaigen and her man were discussing with the group why the condo board won’t let Aunty get her own SD, Aunty started to have a panic attack. It got to the point where she had to leave. Mom and I weren’t stay at this boring meeting if she wasn’t. On the way out, she collapsed! I had to go and see her and Mom didn’t stop me. I kept checking in on Mom while helping AuntyMaigen because she wasn’t doing so well either. Aunty’s man carried her outside because it’s easier to recover when not so many people are watching. Aunty sat on the ground while I put my head in her lap. Mom provided a bunch of cookies which Aunty gave to me. Guess I was doing the right thing. Aunty was amazed at how much quicker she recovered with of my help. We all hope she can get her own wonder dog soon. I sat in Mom’s lap in the car so that she could get feeling better too. And what do they do to repay me. They left me at home so they could go to a movie!

On Thursday, AuntyMaigen came and picked us and took me to the big tub. Bath time *groan*. And then she made me stand on a table for over and hour while she brush and cut my hair. But did I ever feel and look good when she was done with me. And she used a shampoo that made my white pieces so white. Mom says I glow in the dark.

After some shopping and the humans grabbing some supper, it was off to our final CGC class. There was a dog next door to the hall we were using and we barked at each other. I know that Mom doesn’t like it, but it just feels so good to bark!

And now, we’re off to AuntyMaigen’s for the evening. I wonder what the humans will get up to. I bet it involves a whole lot of lying around for me.

Working the election

Mom took me for a good walk this afternoon up and down the hills in the river valley. It’s been a long time since I have seen anything that looks like a hill or done much past going shopping. I had so much trouble keeping up. I kept talking Mom into breaks. She said she didn’t need them but I think she was glad to have them.

Now onto a general update. I’m sorry I don’t write more often. I have trouble getting my paws on the key board because Mom is addicted to a facebook game. It really is very stupid.

We’ve been working the local election that’s happening right now. I’m not sure who they’re electing or why. The ladies that we were working with this weekend suggested that I should run and I told them about my bad knee. Mostly, I’ve decided that elections are boring. Like most other things it involves a lot of laying beside Mom’s chair. While I do get in some good naps during stuff like this, a dog can only sleep for so long. Mom says that it’s important that we do this because somebody has to pay for this den and to keep my kittens fed.

TrainerMarni came over yesterday. And not just as Mom’s friend. They took me out training. Turns out that Mom is getting really frustrated with all this barking that I love doing. But barking is so much fun and it feels so good. And I’m pretty good most of the time and don’t bark when I’m in my vest. So TrainerMarni showed Mom some ways to help me be calmer. Mom tried them last night when I saw a rabbit and it works. I didn’t get nearly excited and rabbits are so exciting. I barked a little bit but didn’t try to chase the rabbit when he decided to run away. Guess I’m going to have to practice because this seems to be really important to Mom.

This week gets longer and longer

Mom is getting more and more and more stressed. She packed all day Saturday and all day Sunday because of the bed bugs. Mom had a final last night (Monday) which she finally got to start studying for yesterday morning. Dad had his last English paper due on Monday as well. They were supposed to spray our suite yesterday but evidentally we didn't pack well enough and they are now scheduling it for Wednesday morning. We were supposed to be able to go home today but nope. We get to go to the apartment and pack some more and move stuff around some more in the hopes that we will pass inspection enough that we get to go home by Thursday afternoon. In the mean time, the cats, the people and I are staying at Mom's Mom's house (GrandmaMom - I'm not supposed to call her Grandma. But this works and I'll call Dad's GrandmaDad. You'll all understand what I mean eventually).

Sam, one of my cats, is making our stay at GrandmaMom's house less easy. I got into the cat food last night. I know I'm not supposed to but cat food is just SO good. *drool* Mom didn't realize this before bed so at 4AM Sam decided to let everybody know he was hungry. He stood outside our bedroom door and meowed and meowed in his biggest voice. He woke up GrandpaMom (see above for explanation as to why this works although it just sounds goofy). Bad idea. But he woke Mom up at about the same point and Mom went to see what was wrong. They danced to the food bowl to show Mom how empty it was. After feeding the short ones, Mom tried to go back to bed, but Sam started crying again. Mom went and camped out on the couch. We're already imposing on Grandma&GrandpaMom. The last thing Mom wants is for the cats to act up and for us to not be allowed there anymore. I know that Mom will do anything to ensure that the cats attempt to behave themselves.

Mom and Dad have talked about moving for quite sometime now. They're going to get me a yard. They were going to wait a few more months but they have figured that they should look around since the house is packed more moving anyway. So add one more thing to the pile.

I think that all I've got for now. Woofs and Tail wags
Paige the wonder dog

Bed bugs

We've had some nasty news around my den. The neighbor below us has something called bed bugs. I guess their kind of like fleas, which I've thankfully never had. Mom and dad are ripping the house apart. Everything is being put in boxes that are lined with plastic bags. Mom packed up most of her clothes and all of her books, except the ones she's going to lend to AuntyMaigen on Monday. Dad rearranged all the furniture in the living room. I keep trying to tell them that this isn't okay but they keep telling me it is. I hope that everything is going to be okay and we can get back to normal soon. Aside from having to pack the house up like we're moving, dad has a paper due Monday and mom has a final on Monday evening. The stress is so high in my den. I keep reminding them to smile.

In other news, mom's pulled out the clicker for walks again. I'm not sure what she's trying to get me to do. I really enjoy barking at dogs and people. Anybody I can't meet and inspect personally may be a threat. But mom doesn't seem to like it. Also, she's making me wait at open doors until she says some words. I'm just not sure which words I'm looking for. Humans and this silly language stuff.

Crochet and TV series

Mom has gotten mildly obsessed with her crochet projects lately (she finished one poncho, is nearly done the blanket, and has started on a shall. She even has plans and yarn for a sweater). Didn't help that Mom and Dad had borrowed the "Vampire Diaries" series from the library. When they get hold of a tv series they watch the thing beginning to end. I swear they would watch it all in one day if they had nothing else to do. But since life gets in the way, it typically takes a little under a week and nothing else gets done during that time. That is what Mom is blaming the lack of blogging on. I don't quite understand why I can't play on the computer if she isn't able/willing to supervise.

We had our first CGC class last night. TrainerMarni is running it for all the pooches who want to be service dogs in the area. I'm going along because Mom has never attended a CGC class and TrainerMarni is teaching Mom how to be a coach so that she can help people train their dogs. Mom feels so special that TrainerMarni is willing to have Mom help coach her class. All went well at the class. I met Maggie, a bull mastiff/future seizure response sd. I saw Asker. I got to see Annie again. Haven't seen that little one since I did a puppy class when I first came to Mom. We also met an other dog, I swear I have her name in the back of my head, who is training to be a therapy dog. Maggie's Mom and Dog-without-a-known-name's Mom haven't ever done clicker training before. The people have to get them straightened out because clicker is the way to go.  We didn't do anything fancy. Everybody put on vests so that we knew it was time to focus on our Moms. Then TrainerMarni went around to everybody and shook hands with the Moms and walked around us and "brushed" (no brushes present) us and checked our ears and checked our teeth. At one point, Mom was feeling a little bit shaky so we had us a snuggle. Turns out if you snuggle with your Mom in a certain way, you get cookies. AuntyMaigen was supposed to come to the class but she forgot. I hope she remembers to come next week so I can play with her. I get to teach her how to click properly.

AuntyMaigen almost got the dog that was going to be trained for her SD. Mika. She brought Mika over for visit and we went to the dog park together. Mika had to stay on her leash but I had the best time playing dirtiest dog. (read further down for more about this game). But Mika isn't staying with us. The breeder wasn't upfront with the humans about Mika's history. Turns out Mika has been known to be dog and human aggressive. Bad Mika! So Mika got sent home and AuntyMaigen is left waiting for another dog to come.

Okay. The story about "dirtiest dog". If you have never played this game, you have to. It's the best! The rules: You go with your friends to the dog park in the spring or after a good rain when there is water and mud everywhere. You run, you play, you smile, you have a great time. The humans usually decide that all the dogs win and take us for a bath. The bath isn't a great prize but the game is just so much fun! Mom took me somewhere new for my bath this time. There was a big tub and other dogs who were getting groomed and the big blow drier and everything. And Mom was thrilled because it wasn't pay by the minute. So I got a longer, better bath than I usually get and Mom saved TONS of money.

There is of course other stuff that has happened since last I posted but I don't want to bore everybody. Hopefully now that the tv series is done, I can work on making sure I update every day, two at most. I just have to get in the habit of it. And then the posts won't be so long.

Visit from Asker

I know, I know. I didn't write yesterday. I was so tired, not that we really did anything. We slept in, probably way later than we should. We putzed  around the house. Didn't really get anything done. We worked in the evening. Just a waste of a day.

Now I'm at work again. The evening shift isn't so bad as the afternoon. At least I'm not spending my sunshine hours trapped inside. Since I'm at work, I figured it was a good time to get on the computer and do my update. There isn't ever anything interesting that happens around here any way.

My new buddy, Asker, came over for a little bit. My cat, Marissa, is too brave around her. One day she's going to get to close to that dog before Mom and her mom get her settled and my kitty is going to get hurt. Mom says Asker did good today around the cats compared to last time but there was still one point where I had to chase my cat away from harm and then help Asker get calmed down again. Hopefully soon we'll be able to play indoors when Asker comes over but not yet. While Asker was over, I had to make Mom pay attention to me (she's always so taken with the idea of training a new person and a new dog) so I practiced sitting right in her lap. Curled up and stayed there so she had to pay attention to me and tell me how pretty and good I was. But a dog can only stayed curled up like that for so long before it becomes uncomfortable. Eventually I moved and curled up against her instead. Before Asker left, we went for a group walk. Of course all the Moms could talk about was service dogs, service dog behaviour, service dog tasks, and on and on and on. Silly people. Mom showed how I do a lead and a follow (I'm still working on the follow but my lead is getting pretty good if I say so myself). She also advised about what might be the most useful commands for Asker to know. Eg. Leave it, heel, wait, go through, back, forward, focus/watch, quiet (surprising important - especially since Asker tends to complain out loud), get busy. Once we walked Asker back to her van, the Mom's talked forever. I know my Mom wants Asker's mom to be able to handle the transition from pet to service dog well but did they have to talk for so long? Mom mentioned some of the things that we dogs will need to do to pass our public access tests. Why does everybody make such a big deal out of taking the bus? It's boring but not hard. Mom also revealed her master plan for us to go swimming. Except I don't think the dogs get to go swimming, just the people. I think we have to do something boring while, once again, the humans get to go and have fun. We'll see. Maybe we can change their minds. But Mom said we are going to do it as a group.

Mom is attempting to get me all brushed out again. Since it's taking her at least 30 minutes to get through the matts in my elbow she doesn't finish brushing me before it's time to start at the beginning again. But with me starting to blow my coat she's trying so hard to keep at it every day. But it sucks. De-matting hurts! No matter how much leave in conditioner Mom uses. It hurts. Here's hoping that as the weather dries up and my coat gets shed, that she won't need to brush me quite as much.

Mom started a facebook group for our local dogs. Search Service Dogs Edmonton. No matter what disability you have, what breed of dog you use, or what program you're with, Mom says you should join.

Ok. I think that's all I got.
Woofs and tail wags
Paige

From the phone

It's crazy late here but I'm required to check in so I grabbed mom's phone which has a blogger app on it. So between paws, phone auto correct spelling and an app that doesn't seem to be working right, please read more what I mean than what I may actually write.

Mom got a phone call this morning and we had to go in for a little bit to work. Yuck! I hate Mom's job! But we did it. Think of the cookies that 3 hours of work can buy. Think of the cookies. Or at least that's what I tell myself to get through.

After a short rest at home, a girl needs her beauty sleep ya know, it was off to a busy afternoon and more exercise than I've had in a very long time. We walked to the post office. Mom had a new book to pick up. Since we were just a few blocks from her mom's office, she decided to stop there. I love going to see grandma, even though I'm not supposed to call her that. :-) Then we walked to the library which is just a few blocks further. Nothing major to report.

Then came the hard stuff! We got on the bus and went to a place that's kinda like a vets office. After mom filled out some paper work, they took me to a little room, pulled on my leg, put some wet stuff on it, and poked it with a pin. They took 2 tiny samples of my blood. Oh my. But it was okay. Mom was there with me and I trust her.

So I was back to chilling in the waiting room. There was these 2 other dogs there that were showing their energy and their desire to dance. Mom made me lie down next to them and practice my relaxation and stay under distraction. I must have passed my first blood test because it was into another vet room we went. This one was bigger with lots of people. Mom lifted me up onto the table nd had me lie down. On my side. They shaved a patch out of my neck, got a big needle, and poked me. They poked me 4 times and evidently didn't find what they were looking for because they flipped me over and tried the other side. So I ended up with two bald spots, 7 needle marks and nothing happened. They were look for something. Blood maybe. They said I was too relaxed and had no blood pressure so they couldn't find my vein. So everybody gave me treats and suggested I come back in a month to try again without the relaxation exercises.

After some outside sniffing, we went across the street to the mall so mom could grab some supper. Mom wanted to look for a pair of jeans so we went to one store. The fit was horrid! So no jeans. We ended up in sellers and mom had to buy yarn. Had to. Complete compulsion. So I ended up sprawled in the middle of the aisle, right were I'm not supposed to be. Mom hunted and hunted and Finally decided on some factory ends. Since she has no idea what she's going to make with it, it was the cheapest way to go. We ended up spending way to long at the mall and came out with a bag of yarn that mom didn't really need. Mom has no idea how that happened but it did.

Then we came home and I slept. And now that my paws are sore from typing on the phone I'm going back to sleep. Good night.

The take over

Hi everybody,

Mom set up this wonderful blog and has failed to write in it, so I’m taking over. Not sure why she doesn’t but I’m going to. We need to keep a diary of my training and Mom has done horridly. *Tisk tisk* I’m going to try and write every evening and tell you about my day but we’ll see. Some days Mom won’t let me near the computer.

So today:

We woke up late. Ate breakfast. Checked email.

And then Marni came over. Marni is such a great person. She always brings my favourite treat – turkey jurkies!  We played all sorts of games when Marni was here. Snuggle with Mom. Jump on Mom’s lap. Lay my head on Mom’s lap. Pick stuff up – today they kept asking me to pick up a tissue and then pick up the box. I’m not sure what they quite want there. They click and treat when I bring the tissue and they giggle at me when I try to pick up the box. Marni almost fell off her chair when I picked up the box while I was stepping in it. I guess it’s kind of funny but I just am not sure what they want. I’ll figure it out and get back to you.  They also kept handing me a can and asking me to put it in the bin. They were doing this last week with a bottle. I keep missing the bin. I drop the can/bottle beside the bin. I’m not sure why they want it in the bin. They’re so picky but we throw a party if I do get it in the bin. Bin = Party. Guess I’ll have to practice.

Mom and Dad went out tonight WITHOUT ME!!!! They went to the “movie theatre”. Mom says she’s going to take me there soon but she has to wait for the right day.  She keeps promising me this but we’ll see. I was so happy to see her again when she got home.

And now it’s bed time. I’m going to go get Mom to open the bedroom door so I can go lie on my big bed. Good night