A nice picture of Carver at Graduation

I really like this picture!

Dr. Sellers & Professor Carver mind meld.

Carver Graduated as a Service Dog!

The day we hoped for finally arrived. We got the call that Carver had made a preliminary match and the following Wednesday, Deb, PJ III and I were in route to Ohio.

Before graduation we got to see Carver. It had been 6 long months, but, it was as if he'd just left yesterday! Mr. Wiggles was in full blown body wiggle!

Then the Kansas City Crew got their Carver time!

Then we got a pic of Carver and his brother Callahan.

Jeb's puppy raiser with Pluto and Herman (hiding)

And finally...Graduation!!!!!

Handing the leash over to Dustin. Can you see how happy Carver is?

Group picture of Ansel (left) and Carver (right) and their forever peeps!

What a wonderful time in Ohio! Great to see Ansel, Joe & Denise and then to have Carver graduate with Dustin. Good luck to Dustin and Carver as they head off to their Junior year at Ball State University.

We sure do love being puppy raisers for Canine Companions!

Received a gift from Carver's Breeder/Caretaker

WOW! Look what came in the mail today. TBG says I was once that small, but I sure don't remember it.

TBG added the quarter so you could compare the size of the collar.

I hope I get to meet Carver when we go to Ohio!

Carver is headed to Team Training!

Got the phone call and Carver is headed for Team Training next week! Good luck Buddy, keep your nose up and tail wagg'n.

Mail Call!

We received a big, brown envelope in the mail today and thought it was PJ's paperwork. We opened it and about fell over--it was Carver's graduation paperwork! Yikes! Of course, this is just one marker of many, and there is still a long road ahead, (especially with that last report), but seeing "Carver" and "graduation" on official CCI letterhead was pretty weird...

Also, check out Ansel on TV!

I wanted to tell you the news myself!

I know it has been a while since you all have heard directly from me. This Canine College thing is keeping me busy! And, let me just say that the nightlife here in Delaware, Ohio is amazingly fun. Perhaps too fun...I guess I'd better think about studying a little harder and goofing off a little less. I guess TBG and SWMBO weren't terribly impressed with my latest report card! They just don't know how hard Professor Sliclen's class is, that's all I have to say! Here's what Professor SAYS-SO had to say about me this month: "Carver is doing as well as he has been. Not many concerns, only one thing that we continue to watch. He occasionally gets irritated with his kennel mate for no reason...he also protects toys in the yard. These behaviors are not severe...we like how verbally responsive he is...he is a nice dog and we want to keep on his path..." I think TBG and SWMBO stopped reading after the word "yard"!!! I promise I'll work hard this next month if all of you will send out warm fuzzy thoughts of support!

Carver's May report

Mr. Wiggles is doing fine, no real news to report. His trainer is satisfied with his progress and he's eager to work and learn new commands!

Keep on truck'n Buddy!

Carver in Advanced Training

There are CCI graduations going on all over the Country this weekend and a large contingent of Kansas City Chapter puppy raisers made the trek to Ohio.

Looks like they got some "me" time with the pups and I received a couple of pics of Mr. Wiggles!

Keep up the good work Buddy!

Congrats to our fellow puppy raisers who have dogs graduating tomorrow!

Deb meets Jeb II

Deb made the trek out West to the mile high city of Denver to meet Jeb II and Marianne, another VPR for Canine Companions for Independence.
Although Jeb II didn't quite resemble Jeb the Original, he sure did like the hedgehog (Jeb's favorite toy)!

Here's Jeb II in all his regal-ness!

and here's the Famous Great Dane Meryl, who is in Marianne's book: "Let the Dogs Speak"

I'm pretty sure the cat is yelling "get off me you goliath"

Huge thanks to John and Marianne for hosting Deb and letting her meet your great dogs. I just wish I could have been there.

No Rumor Pups in Kansas

Got the news today that the North Central Region was not allocated any Rumor pups. We are disappointed, but are now working on getting a puppy as soon as we can. Puppy withdrawal is horrible!

We still have Mr.Wiggles going strong though.

Carver's April Report

Mr. Wiggles is still hanging tough in advanced training!

His trainer wrote:

"Carver is doing really well.  Not many concerns just things we watch: rough play with dogs, hoarding toys, slight distraction, and he likes to walk ahead of the wheelchair.  He is easy to  manage.  He takes correction well and is very verbally responsive.  There is not much to report he is doing everything we want to see at this point.  He is a nice dog."

I just don't know where he got the rough play!!!

Rumor's Pups

The final tally is in! Way To Go Rumor!!

"The final headcount is seven puppies! Four black boys and three yellow girls! Mom and puppies are resting and nursing happily. Rumor is an amazing mom! I don't think that this could have been easier for the humans."

Next in line

We are watching our next (hopefully) puppy being born today! Rumor, who we found out is related back to Jeb's Dad, is currently birthing the next little miracles! Rumor's breeder/caretaker has been posting updates all afternoon. As of this post, there are 3 yellow females and 3 black males. Hopefully, we will be getting one of these pups!

You can follow along on Rumor's Facebook page: Rumor's Puppies

The report is here, the report is here!

Looks like Carver is doing well in advanced training! He's learning new commands and seems to be eager to work.

Here's the trainer's comments:

"Carver has adjusted to kennel life.  He is eating and drinking fine.  When playing he does get possessive over the toy and will play keep away and growl.  Command wise he is doing great.  You trained him very well.   He is very eager to please and seeks direction.  Sometimes he forges on leash, but not bad.   Not much to report about him.  He is doing what we want him to do except for the play thing. (laugh)  He does eat his stool."


I guess he has to have something bad ;^) Keep up the good work Buddy, but please leave the stool alone!

Is it report time yet??

The time between reports goes by so S L O W!

What could Carver be thinking?

Carver's First Report

Well, since I'm stuck here in the store, Deb got the call from CCI today regarding Carver's first report. Here's what Suzanne said.

                          Warning....Graphic content!

She said Carver has diarrhea and he apparently likes to lay in it (sorry to start off the report like that!) so he is getting a lot of baths. She said it was a management problem on their end (pun intended--HA!), and they have no concerns about this medical hitch at all. There's the bad.

The good is that he is eating and drinking fine, seems content in the kennel, and they have no incident reports on him. They did his temperament test and it went very well; he is easy to manage, looked to his handler, and had no reaction to the lion or the little dog they brought in (thank goodness for that training with the Dalmatian for the store!). He plays nicely in the exercise yard. They also did his medical exam and have no concerns for eyes, hips, or elbows. She said they basically have 'no concerns.' They start the obstacle course and field trips next week.

YES...Deb asked about his whining and she said they have not noticed any!!!!! However, she said they haven't taken the pups out of the kennels to do long-stays, so I think maybe this will change...:-)

It'll be a long wait till next month's report!

Help Us!

Digger's guarding the door and I'm typing as fast as I can--Suzanne stepped away from her desk and we're supposed to be practicing our down stays. But this is too important, so we're taking the risk to ask you to help us!

Please help our old friends in the Kansas City Chapter raise $1000 for Canine Companions For Independence. If you are on Facebook or know people who are on Facebook, please spread the word!

Click on the following: http://www.kansascityford.com/helping-others.html

Canine Companions For Independence is the third charity listed. You will then be able to "like" (or vote for) Canine Companions.

Vote by February 27!

I'm coming, Digger, I'm coming...gotta run. Love you guys!

February 15, 2013 Turn-In Day

So, here we are. Back from Ohio, empty house and it's snowing. I hope I can get through this without flooding the keyboard.

The drive to Ohio was lonnnnnnnnnnnnng. We drove the big red truck...4WD, diesel powered monster with only a std cab and bench seat. Try fitting 2 humans and a full size dog along with all the dog gear and suitcases. Yeah...it was TIGHT! Carver did an outstanding job riding in such close quarters, with no complaining at all.

We arrived in Ohio on Thursday and got to spend a great afternoon with Joe, Denise and Ansel at their home. Carver and Ansel had a ton of fun playing. After a few hours, they were both worn out!

Well, ONE dog looked worn out and One dog looked ready for more playtime. Can you spot the puppy?

We brought Ansel a new Wubba. I think he was quite happy!

We want to thank Joe & Denise for inviting us into their home for so many hours. It truly is a gift to see Ansel in action and enjoying his new life. It's what really makes the work and loss worth it.

So, the big day arrives. Friday was Graduation and Turn-in all wrapped into one big party.

Here we are in the motel just before heading out.

We arrive at the Rec Center and get lots of picture opportunities.

Hey, a blue cape! Maybe he'll get the smaller version in a few months!

Yeah, he's special.

A couple shots with his turn-in brother Digger.

Take the pic already!!!

Mark, Deb, Carver, Ansel and Joe

Goofy faces by all!   Doesn't Ansel look good in a blue cape?

After the ceremony, we met up with Callahan and his PR. Carver had not seen his brother since they were about 7 weeks old!

We left the Rec Center and headed back to the North Central Training Facility. This is where Carver will spend his next 6-9 months (unless released) learning all kinda of cool, advanced commands. We refer to this time as "Bootcamp".

We rubbed and loved on the little guy until everyone had a chance to say goodbye. We walked Carver over to the kennels, removed his gear and put him inside. He was quite happy to see his brother already in the kennel and from what we heard from others, was having a good time with Cal!

So another puppy has come and gone. It was a joy to have Carver for 16 months and we hope he meets the challenges ahead of him. Regardless of the outcome, someone will surely have a wonderful dog!

Playtime with Belle

Carver got to have some playtime with an old friend. Belle, CP and Cindy came to Council Grove and spent the day with us. We had a great time and Carver & Belle played for hours. The last time Belle was here, Carver was just a wee little pup.
                                                   My teeth are cleaner...No, mine are!

Break time!

Let's try a different toy.

Yippeee, cake time! Whaddaya mean it's not for me to eat??