Fall has been BUSY !

 Fall, I have been told means

HALLOWEEN

is around the corner.  I am not sure what that is but I do know it means buying funny round orange things called pumpkins at the farm. Dad loaded us all up and off we went.  While Mom was looking at the funny things in the barn Dad and I went and saw some big birds that have their own house.  That is cool.  It was just like a dog house.  After Mom bought her supply we stopped and looked at some four legged animals that thought I looked funny.  They asked me why my fur was soooo black.  I told them I came that way.  They also asked me about the vest I had on so I told them I was in training to be a service dog but that was a ways away.  Right now I am in puppy training.

 I thought it was time to start getting cold here in Nebraska but Mom and Dad have been out on the boat a few more times.  They keep saying they are going to take the boat out of the water but then say maybe next weekend ??  Just one more ride.  Avalon and I have even been swimming in the lake on our walks around the lake.  I know I have a fur coat that keeps me warm while swimming but I must admit the water is getting colder.  I don't care though - I could swim everyday !

 I sooooo miss by best buddy Miss M.  She has to go to her two legged school five days a week which means I don't get to spend as much time with her as I did this summer. Sometimes though she will surprise me and come over and off we will go to play. I have her work on her commands.  I hope she doesn't get rusty on them since we are not working on them as often.  However, I have taught Mom commands so we still work on them so I can get treats.
 Miss M's Grandma has those funny round orange things in the front of her house just like Mom.  Miss M was telling me about Trick or Treating on Halloween and that she was going to be here and I could go with her and Miss K.  She said you wear funny outfits and get treats when you go up to someone's house.  You don't even have  to do commands.  How cool !!

 I want to tell you about two little girls I met at Hy-Vee with my Mom.  They get excited just like I do sometimes when I meet new people.  They were telling my Mom that their Mom has a service puppy.  Her puppy is being trained here in Omaha.  I tried to tell them I know commands and I could teach them but I think they already knew them.  I did still get a treat !!

The weekend came and that meant HUSKER football.   We went for our weekend walk plus swimming then it was game time.  Mom stayed in the kitchen and wore some funny stuff and cut up hot peppers.  We had to stay in the mud room just in case a hot seed would fall on the floor and Avalon and  I would make a dive for it.  Dad had all of the TVs I think in the house on and he paced between them.  So sometimes we got to watch with him and other times we couldn't find him.  I don't really understand football but I do know we won.  Mom took me out for a victory picture.  Won't be picking me up much more.

 Milo asked his Mom to call my Mom to see if I wanted to go on a training trip to a Halloween store.  I said yes and guess who else was there - My sister Wheels. We played for a little while outside then went inside the store.  There were some scary musical monsters right when we got in but all three of us were big troopers and just walked right by them.We then walked around and looked at all of the cool stuff in the store.  Mom asked if they had any outfits for puppies but they only had a few and I was NOT going to put those on.  They were for baby puppies and I am too old for that!!

After we walked around we went
back outside and all us puppies hung out while the mommies talked.  It was cool to have someone other then Avalon to talk to.  Milo, Wheels and I talked about all of our adventures and what costumes we were wearing for Halloween.


Mom and Dad spent an evening with my two - two legged sisters.  Since Mom and Dad did not take me I need to wish them my sisters a

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

My two legged sister's birthday are two weeks apart so they celebrated them together.  Grandma Keuter took everyone out at the Grand Lodge restaurant where she lives.   Mom's brother was there too along with his wife.  I did not get to go because Mom thought I was too tired from our field trip earlier.

Milo and me had another training field trip and this time Grandma T came.  It was in a store like the grocery store we go to all the time but it was much bigger.  Things started out Ok but for some reason I just got really excited seeing Milo's Mom Debbie that I started jumping on her and things kind of went downhill a little.  Debbie took me outside and had a talk with me then we came back inside. I told Mom I was sorry for my behavior and would try not to get so excited again.  I don't know if she understood my words but she could see how sorry I was by me trying to snuggle with her.

While I was outside Mom and Grandma T walked Milo around the store. I was kind of jealous but Milo told me it was cool and that he has had to leave a store before when he got too excited.

Now, let me tell you about yesterday.  I heard Mom and Dad talking about going to go see the HUSKERS play and Avalon and I were going to get a babysitter.  I was overjoyed when I found out it was Miss M and Grandma T.

First we went on our weekend walk then Grandma T came in her car and picked me up.  I didn't know I was going to get to go on a training field trip while they were babysitting.  Avalon didn't get to go but she said she was happy staying at home and relaxing.

First, we went to see some really nice older people and listened to Miss K play her violin.   I stayed on the floor and listened with Miss M.  Miss M and Miss K's parents were there and we had a great time together.  After listening to music Miss M, Grandma T and me went out to eat. I thought that meant every one was going to get to eat including me but that was not to happen.  I did a good job at down and under and waited for them to finish their treats.  Next, we went and visited Grandma T's parents at a beautiful cemetery and then came home.  I was so excited to get back home that I was able to escape and run down to the lake and try to take a dip.  I don't think Miss M and Grandma T were very happy about that !  I hope every time we have a babysitter it is that FUN !

GO BIG RED - FOOTBALL !

Summer has come to an end !

 Well, I heard Dad say Avalon and my swimming days are coming to an end.  We were out with Dad swimming a little while ago and I thought it was still warm but I could tell the water was a bit cooler then before.  I told Mom and Dad we have a coat of fur so we can take the cooler water.  I am not ready to stop swimming. Mom told me in a few months though that the water would turn hard and we would be able to walk on water instead of swim in it.  I don't know how that can be but I will watch out for it.

 After Dad, Avalon and me played in the water Mom and Dad went for a boat ride.  I was upset that I did not get to go along and had to stay in the mud room so I showed them who was the boss.  I scratched a nice big hole in the wall that somehow looked like a bird.  Avalon said I would be sorry I did that and I was.  Mom and Dad were pretty cool about it and discussed with me the consequences for what I did.  That was to spend the rest of the evening in my kennel.  I think I learned my lesson - at least I hope so.

Miss M came over and we went for a walk and over to the tennis courts to run and practice commands.  Miss M's Grandma T came too and took some real cool pictures.


The weekend came and Mom and Dad first spent time again out in the garden picking veggies then cooked most of the afternoon for a HUSKER football game at our house.  It was in the evening so all day long the house smelled so wonderful,but Avalon and I only got our same old dog food while Mom, Dad and their company got the great smelling food.  Avalon and I had to stay upstairs but we could tell the HUSKERS won by all of the noise coming up the stairs.

I did get to spend some time with Milo on one of what Mom calls a big training adventure and not just the day to day visits to the grocery store or hardware store.  It was actually Milo's first birthday.  We had a nice time walking around the Mall but when I heard it was Milo's birthday I thought for sure there would be cake and ice cream some where ??  I won't get to see Milo for a little while - He is leaving for a few weeks for training at another person's house.   Most of my training has just been the same old day to day stuff lately so I hope maybe sometime before I go back to KSDS Inc. I get to go to another person's house.  However, I heard Mom talking with Milo's Mom about some special training adventures when Milo gets back.

Another weekend came and this time Mom and Dad left for Lincoln, Nebraska where the HUSKERS play their football games.  Avalon and I had to have a babysitter.  Avalon said she was old enough to not have a babysitter and she could babysit but Mom did not trust her and me alone together.  A good friend of Mom and Dad has a Dog babysitting service now that he is retired called "Uncle Donn's Dogcare"  I have seen him out and about when we go for our walks so we already knew him.  He didn't stay all day while Mom and Dad were gone but came over twice and let us out to do our business and played with us and also gave us some special treats he had.   I hope if we need a babysitter again Mom and Dad hire him.  We were treated the next day with a very long walk and swim in the lake since Donn gave us a good report on our behavior.

Next, I want to tell you about a GREAT training adventure and fun trip we had the next day.  We went to the Nebraska Humane Society annual fundraiser.  It was a long drive there so I took a short nap on the way.  Avalon could have gone on this trip since all dogs were welcomed but with the long drive Mom thought she would probably get car sick.  After we got there we walked around the booths - I had a paw print done - along with watching some puppies do tricks in an arena area.  I have never seen any Guide/Service dogs do those kind of commands so I guess that is why they called them tricks.

 We also stopped and talked to a person at a booth that was a "Dog Whisperer"  The person we talked to was signing up people to be able to talk to the whisperer.  Mom put my name in the drawing so I could talk to her but some other puppies name was called.  I really wanted to talk to her - I don't know of too many people who understand puppy talk and I wanted to tell her some things to tell my Mom and Dad.  Maybe we will see her again somewhere and I will get the chance.  It was a FUN time there and I got to meet a lot of different puppies.

 Mom and Dad donated $$ to the Humane Society which help puppies to find forever homes.  

My message to everyone is PLEASE donate to your local

Humane Society 

so puppies and all other special animals can find homes. 

New Adventures !!

 I have seen Dad watch something called Baseball on TV all summer long.  Sometimes inside the house and sometimes outside on the deck but on Labor Day we got to go watch a game at the ball park.  I had my first ride in the car in the back instead of on the floor of the car.  Liked that much better since I could see out the windows.
The team is called the Storm Chasers but they didn't chase after a storm just a round ball.  They even hit it with a stick.  I had to be on my best behavior with my working vest on.  At first we sat down and watched then walked around.  You could walk around the whole field.  Lots of people stopped and talked to Mom and Dad but Mom said I was working and could not be petted.   We stopped to get treats - Mom got a BIG ice cream but my treats were the same old ones I always get but at least I got treats.  Didn't have to do any commands to get them either.

When we got home Miss M came over and I was sooooo happy to see her.  Since she is in school now I don't get to see her as much.  Mom was upset with me since I got sooo excited it took about 10 minutes to get settled down before we were on our way to Miss M's grandma's.  First we played in the lake.  Miss M had been trying to teach me to jump off the boat ramp so this time I surprised her and jumped and jumped.   I think it took her about 10 minutes to settle down.  I am not the only one who gets excited.


The rest of the week was not that exciting.  It was kind of the same old - same old day to day activities.  Went for our daily bike ride and practiced commands.  I don't understand why Avalon doesn't have to practice ??  We went to the grocery store and Home Depot. Milo was going to come over and swim and play in the lake but it rained so missed that.  However - the weekend came and time for FOOTBALL again.  I am learning to be a HUSKER puppy !!
Husker Saturday started before the game with picking veggies.  Mom made a really good smelling brunch but it wasn't for me or Avalon.  We watched the game outside on the TV.  Mom and Dad had something called a Bloody Mary. I was not allowed to have one.  You have to be 21 to drink them and I am still in my terrible two's as my Mom says.  Avalon doesn't like them so she was Ok just drinking out of her water bowl.  Mom and Dad brought our bowls outside so if we were thirsty we had something to drink.  It was a fun time outside and the HUSKERS won the game.


Milo and her sister came over to swim again.  We have soooo much fun playing fetch in the water.  I heard Milo's Mom say Milo was acting like a terrible teen.  Wonder if that is like being in your terrible two's ??  like Mom says I am ?

You would not believe who I got to see !!! Mom got a phone call saying my sister WHEELS was coming out to the lake and wanted to see me.  We have not seen each other since we left KSDS INC. when we were just puppies at 8 weeks old.

 I  was sooo excited and told Avalon about Wheels and KSDS Inc.  It was hard to remember everything since I was just a little one at the time.  Finally Wheels and her sister Buttercup showed up at the house and we were all off to the tennis courts to run and play.  We played, chased balls and practiced some commands.  After we were worn out we went back to Wheel's house and took pictures.  I think it was a little challenging to get all of us to look at the camera at the same time because everyone kept saying "sit, stay, look"  Buttercup finally told me and Wheels to stop acting up and stay in place - she was getting tried of staying in her place.  I sure hope Wheels and Bettercup come again to play and Wheels will come with us for training outings.  Milo too.

Miss M surprised me later in the week and came over to play.  We went back over to the tennis courts and played basketball.  I think Miss M was practicing because I heard the grown ups taking about a basketball tournament.  I have never gotten to play with a basketball and it sure was fun.  Miss M kept trying to throw it up in the air and get it in this basket ?  I thought that was kind of funny but she sure was happy when the ball made it in.  Later we went over to Miss M grandma's house and practiced commands.  Even a new one - roll over.  Miss K let Mom read a paper she did for school while we were there.

Saturday Husker Football came around again.  I stayed close to Avalon during the game.  Dad was pacing around the house and standing in front of the TV during the whole game.  Dad would frighten me when the Huskers would score and he would jump and yell till his voice sounded funny.  Glad they won so Dad could relax.  We spent more time outside after the game watching football on the deck. It was dark when we came in.

The next day Grandma T came and picked Mom and me up so we could go surprise Miss M at her basketball tournament.  When we got there Miss M was playing so I  visited with Miss K and her Mom.  When the game was over Miss M saw us and came running over.  A lot of her friends from school were there so we got to visit and play with them until Miss M's next game.   There were lots of people there and basketballs flying all over the place and I had to try hard not to run on the court and try to play too.  When the game was over we went outside and over to the church/school carnival.  I had a treat I have NEVER had before.  It was called a snow cone and it was blue like my vest.  Miss M and all of us walked around and a lot of Miss M's friends came over to talk to us.  Miss M let them pet me but told them that the next time I will officially be working and when I am working I can not be distracted.  I really liked being petted though so that is not going to be fun.

We spent a long time there so I was sleepy when I got back home. I took a short nap and when I woke up Dad was home and said "lets go swim".  Avalon and I ran out the back door and beat everyone down to the beach.  Dad threw the toys for us and we jumped off the boat dock and would bring them back to him just to do it again and again.  I love swimming with my sister and Dad.  Mom came down a couple of times but she was up in the kitchen making pear butter.  It really smelled nice when we came back in.

Finally I just have to tell you about someone I met at the church/school carnival.  He is a priest and the only other person I have met who dresses in black just like me.  I thought he might understand puppy talk since he communicates with some powerful people but it was not the case.   He was very nice though and talked to Miss M about puppy raising. I think I might get to meet him again - I heard them talking about the Blessing of the Animals is coming soon and I should come for the Blessing. I would like that.

St. Columbkille Parish