Sunday, September 30, 2012

I Didn't See a Single Munchkin

SWMBO and I left TBG at home yesterday and went to one of SWMBO's favorite events...Oztoberfest in Wamego. Unfortunately, we got off to a late start. We were still tired from all of our activity at the Expo. Though it felt good to laze around a bit, that did mean that we missed meeting the Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz movie--yes, real live Munchkins come to Wamego every year.

We were still able to walk around town and visit some of the booths. We stopped at the Wamego Lions tent and thanked them--the Lions are, nationally, a huge supporter of CCI. Read more here. While the adult humans were talking business, I was having a ton of fun with the human "pups!"

After that, SWMBO introduced me to this stylish gal.
SWMBO also decided that our outing provided a good excuse to stop at a famous fast food restaurant in Wamego so that she could bring back a snack to TBG--since he was "working" while we were out and about having fun. I got this; waiting on our order is no problem!
But, I think SWMBO and I were both happy to get home and put our paws up for the rest of the day!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

The Most Advanced Assistive Technology...

"The most advanced technology capable of transforming the lives of people with disabilities has a cold nose and a warm heart!" (--from the CCI website).

Me and TBG holding down the fort
SWMBO was invited to present and have a booth at the Assistive Technology for Kansans Expo in Wichita this past week. The Expo was held in conjunction with the Kansas Speech, Language, Hearing Association conference. Some of my buds from KC were going to come, too, but it was a hectic week for everyone, so it ended up being just me, SWMBO, and TBG. I'm so sorry they couldn't come, because....

WE HAD SO MUCH FUN! You know, a lot of times at these booths, you meet people who just want to cop a pet. They think I'm cute, adorable, sweet (which of course, I am!) and they want to meet me and tell me all about their loved canine at home. And, this is fine; I meet lots of nice people this way, get to work on my manners, and generally I'm able to give those folks a smile during the day. But, this time at this booth was different.

I met so many people who were seriously interested in me, Canine Companions for Independence, the dogs we provide, and puppy raising. It was amazing. I talked to a man who uses a power wheelchair and was concerned that he might run over a service dog's paws if he made a quick left turn. SWMBO and he talked about the training we receive and how this would be worked out during the two weeks of Team Training. I answered questions for a young woman who uses a wheelchair and was worried about having a service dog because of her small dog at home. SWMBO let her know that it's OK with CCI to have other pets in the home and suggested that she call CCI to inquire.

This was my friend, the artist, that I met at the Expo. She wanted to take me home. I have to say that I wasn't adverse to that idea. Look at my mad "Visit!"
I talked with many human service professionals about hearing dogs (it was the Speech, Language, Hearing Association after all!) for their clients. I talked with moms who were interested in Skilled Companion Dogs for their sons and daughters. And, surprisingly, a lot of folks were interested in puppy raising--SWMBO even ran out of those brochures!

And--the presentation! I was fantastic, on target, and magnificient, if I do say so myself. I showed off my commands to the extent that even TBG was proud (and that's hard to do--just ask Ansel III). What was heartwarming was the number of people who cried during the presentation--SWMBO was really on her game too!

Me and SWMBO resting after the presentation
So, we had a great time, a lot of fun, and hopefully gave some folks information that they needed.

But boy, it was hard to do that on my own. I really missed my CCI buds and crashed when I got home!
Leave me alone, please. I'm resting.



Saturday, September 22, 2012

Day At The Races!

TBG's big day finally arrived and I got to go! TBG is one member of a racing team for the "Chump Car" series. Now, don't get too excited--it isn't like he'll win the Piston Cup or anything! It's really for the experience and for the fun. I did get to watch him take over the wheel of an old, silver blue Mustang today, and generally just be a part of all of the festivities.

Here is Tent Row, where all of the pit crew for each team hangs out. The pits are in front of the tents.















TBG is waiting to complete a driver change and get into the car.















There he goes!















Here he comes!















There he goes....















...again!















OK, I get it. TBG gets in the blue Mustang and goes round and round. At least my cousins, the greyhounds, are actually chasing a RABBIT. Can we go home now?















(Honestly, I think I would rather have been at Apple Days at Ft. Riley with my other CCI pups-in-training. But, don't tell TBG that!)

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Sesame Street and CCI Pair Up!

How fun is this?

"Sesame Street Episode Launches New Service Dog Muppet"

"Don't miss Sesame Street Episode 43, featuring Canine Companions dog Hercules. Hercules helps new Muppet character Brandeis find his calling as an assistance dog. The episode airs October 12, November 12 and November 30."

Read more here: http://www.cci.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cdKGIRNqEmG&b=4127877&ct=12188571&msource=0912eNews
 

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Went to the airport

The day started with the 3 of us headed to Paws in the Park in Parkville, MO. to meet up with the rest of the Kansas City pups and PRs. We re-routed mid drive to KCI so Deb could catch a flight to Indy to deal with a family emergency.

Since we would be at the airport for awhile, we decided to introduce Carver to everything we could.


Carver wanted to push a cart, but we didn't have any luggage!



We let Carver "check in"


We walked around and waited for the flight. While walking, we met a very nice family with one very small baby and an older brother. Thanks so much for helping us train Carver!!



Another flight arrived and Carver got to check out the baggage carousel. Sorry, no good pics of that!


Carver waved goodbye to Deb and we headed back to Council Grove.









Monday, September 10, 2012

More swimming at the lake

Went to the lake yesterday afternoon. I'm really starting to enjoy this swimming thing!




It was pretty windy and cool, got to ride the rollers as they came in.


Look deep into my eyes!





Oh yeah, I can be a goof too!



Sunday, September 9, 2012

Digger's Climb (Guest Blogger)

Today, my pal Digger is our guest blogger!

No Mountain Too High For CCI
Hi! My name is Digger. I am a Puppy-in-Training for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). I'm a good bud of Carver's. You might remember me from our day at the lake.

This fall my VPR (Sally) and my veterinarian (Vern) are planning to go to Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. I wanted to go too, but the rangers in Kilimanjaro National Park do not allow dogs  - not even well trained CCI dogs. This made me very sad.

But...what do you mean I can't go?

While Sally and Vern are climbing Mt Kili, I am staying at home to raise $45,000 for CCI. 

This is the cost to train and place a highly-skilled assistance dog with a child or adult with a disability and there is no cost to the recipient.

Please help me reach my goal by making a donation at my Gift Registry:
http://cci.org/gifts/diggersclimb
                            
It is really easy. Your donation would mean so much to me and help encourage Sally and Vern.

Your friend,
Digger, Puppy-in-Training

P.S. One of the items that you can "buy" at the Gift Registry is Puppy Breath. How cool is that?

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

I Met Two Angels Today

I know you are used to giggles and chuckles in my posts. But today....well, today, I have to be serious. I met two angels this afternoon in the parking lot of Sutherland's. Their human-form names were Kevin and Brad, and they were working hard to fit in on earth (yes, I love that Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan movie; it's just so bittersweet. But, I digress...). Anyway, it was quite obvious to anyone or anydog that was looking that these were no ordinary humans. They were just hiding their wings and halos pretty well.

Did you know that there are different types of angels? Brad was a stoic, I'll-stand-by-you-in-your-time-of need type angel. Kevin was a take-action-leap-tall-buildings-in-a-single-bound type angel. Both were genuinely needed and both extended kindnesses that will not ever be forgotten in the Sellers' household. In fact, I think both are on their way to legend status.

I can't, quite yet, bring myself to tell you the story. Maybe later. Let's just say that TBG, SWMBO and I had a really, really, really, really scary 15 minutes that we hope to never repeat. But, as with most things, with the really, really bad can come the really, really good--and for us, today, the really, really good were named Kevin and Brad. I also want to thank the Sutherland's employees who worked diligently to help.

Thanks all; two paws up!


The Rehab Begins

Well, Carver is back in Kansas and after a thorough evaluation, he is in desperate need of some rehab training. Seems all his Indy friends (SWMBO included) let him slack off while on vacation!

Oh well, I have 5+ months to get him back to "acceptable". Boot camp starts with obedience class tonight. Ha ha ha ha ha, party's over Mr. Wiggles!