Key is on break - Miss M is posting

Miss M went on a ski trip with her grandparents and asked me if she could tell everyone about her adventures in Colorado.  She met two service puppies and was soooo excited to learned about them and to tell everyone about them.  So take it away Miss M  -

Hello - This last week I went to  Keystone, Colorado for my 2nd ski trip with my sister and grandparents. It was like riding a bike. I remembered how to ski from last year. While I was there I met two important dogs. One was an avy dog (avalanche dog) her name was Kenya, she was an English Black Lab. She reminded me of Key. I went to a presentation that her partner Sy gave to inform me what his and Kenya’s job was. Kenya deployed 6 times, she goes on ski lifts, and rides on helicopters. Sometimes she gets to ride on Sy’s shoulders while he skis down the slopes! She will retire this year and be Sy’s forever dog.

I met another service puppy in training at Fatty’s, my favorite restaurant in Colorado. Her name was Mia an 18 month old yellow lab. She came all the way from Virginia with her trainers. She was very cute and very smart. I missed Key a lot and was excited to come back and train with her. Maybe someday she could ride on my shoulders while I fly down the slopes!  I just want to say "Thank You" to Key for allowing me to write on her BLOG and telling everyone of my adventures  :)

What is My Purpose ??

What a world wind week it has been.  Sometimes I have weeks that I am bored, then sometimes I have weeks full of fun adventures.  This was one of those weeks.  It started with going to my first movie and it was about a dog.  The movie was called "A Dog's Purpose"  Before we left for the movie Mom took me aside and told me about behaviors that are good and bad at movies.  It will be dark inside the movie theater like at night when I am sleeping but everyone will be awake watching TV on a BIG TV.  I was soooo excited when Miss M, Miss K and Grandma T showed up to go to the movie with us that I jumped from the back of the Ford to the back seat twice to tell them it was a doggie movie.  I think everyone already knew that because Mom went and found a folding chair to put up in the back of the Ford so I had to stay in the back.  Mom said something about "Funniest Home Videos"  


When we arrived at the Theater there was this nice gentleman who was from a TV station who wanted to interview me and Miss M.  I have never been on TV before so again I was soooo excited.  First he interviewed Mom then Miss M.  He asked them if I had found my purpose ??  He didn't ask me so I guess he does not understand puppy talk.   If he did I would have told him I was still finding my purpose but I hope to be a Guide Dog/Service Dog or a Facility Dog.


After the movie there was a surprise for Mom at Grandma T's house.  I knew about it but since Mom didn't she dropped me off at home then went over to their house so I didn't get to be there.  Mom's birthday was coming up so Miss M, Miss K and Grandma T put together a party for her.  Mom told me all about it when she got home.  There were really nice presents, dinner and a birthday pumpkin pie.  After dinner everyone gathered around the TV and watched the news and we were on!   Mom recorded it on our TV so when she came home I got to watch it.  Mom says I am a movie star now !!  Mom said it was on the internet too so that made me an internet star also ??  Not sure what a star is since the ones I see are only up in the ski ??

 Before Mom had another birthday party Miss M and I went to our training facility and practiced for the upcoming talent show we are going to be in.  The very next day was Mom's birthday so Dad, my two legged sisters and some other family took Mom out to eat.   My sisters brought some really neat decorations, birthday hats for everyone to wear and a birthday cake. Again, I didn't get to go but Dad told Avalon and me he had something planned with us when he got back home.  Mom brought a bunch of presents home along with some balloons. I glad mom had a nice birthday.

The day after Mom's birthday was the talent show.  First, Mom took Avalon and I for a bike run so I could let my wild child out and use up some energy plus make a few deposits. Next, Mom brushed me down and put some nice smelling doggie perfume on me.  Before Grandma T came over to ride with us to school Mom put the new car gate up so I could not do anymore jumping over the seat.  That was a bummer !!   We arrived early so Miss M and I could get the lay of the land and practice a bit then we went inside to watch the others preform in the talent show that were before us.   We got to watch Miss K play the violin right before we went on.  I was kind of nervous that my wild child might show up but everything went just as planned.  Miss M first talked about being a Jr. Puppy Raiser then about KSDS Inc. and how they train Guide/Service Dogs.  She had her speech memorized.  Next we did the commands I have been working on with Miss M for the last few weeks.   I think I have taught her good since she did an excellent job and treats where had by all.  After we were done Miss M took me over to Grandpa D so he could watch me while Miss K and Miss M sang in show choir.  It sure was a FUN Day !!

Today we went for a long - long walk around the lake.  Mom has been very busy the last two days  and we did not get to go out much.  That thing called a super bowl was on TV tonight and dad had a couple of TVs playing the game.  I was hoping to watch with Dad but had a mishap with my wild child side and ended up in the mud room for a bit.  There were some really nice smelling goodies on the coffee table and I just could not control myself and tried for a catch.   After half time Avalon and me got to come out and dad had some peanuts for us.  I guess I won't try that again.

If you would like to watch Miss M and me on the News click on the link below -

Metro girl helps train service dog - wowt.com

Winter Time Blues ?

I understand what Mom means by the"Winter Time Blues".  We have been having VERY cold and windy days lately.  Mom won't take us out for our daily walk/bike ride unless it is at least 20 degrees so we have been spending more of our days inside and there is just so much you can do to pass the time.   I work with Mom on commands but that is kind of getting old. I have been trying to work with Avalon but she says she doesn't have to do them anymore so refuses to play along.  Mom did take me along on a few errands but I must admit I would have rather stayed home.  We would get all warmed up in the car then out in the cold then warm up inside at the store only to go back outside to get cold again.  I can't wait until it is warmer to go on errands with Mom.  I liked those days.

 
One day it was nicer outside and Miss M came over and out we went.   That day I learned how to walk on water.  It was soooooo cool.  First, Miss M showed me so I would not be frightened then out we went together.  We practiced our commands on the ice.  It was slippery so you had to be careful but it was a lot of fun to be outside and with Miss M.  We were out for a long time so when we came back in it was nice to warm up.  I hope we get to do that again !!

Miss M and I are still going to that wonderful dog training place.  We work on Miss M's presentation with me for the talent show and other commands I need to know to be a Service/Guide Dog.  Miss M and me did a trial run to make sure we have the time down right.  Miss M reads her speech then we go through the commands we are going to use.  I think we have this down but will keep practicing till the show in February.


Another time when we were at school practicing I tried on my new doggie boots.  They put one on my front foot and I walked around then they put another one on and we walked around again. Then they put the last two on my back feet and we walked around.   I heard them kind of laughing at me because they said I looked like a marching soldier.   They did feel weird on my feet but after I coached Miss M to give me treats for marching around I got use to them and we just walked.  I heard Mom say there are some different ones at home so I might be trying some more on ??


I love the weekends when both Mom and Dad are home.  Lots of times we spend our evenings in the kitchen.  Mom is cooking dinner - for them, not us - and Dad will share some peanuts with us.   I have even taught him to throw them in the air so I can catch them.  He thinks it is sooo cool that he  keeps doing it so I keep getting peanuts.  I even make sure sometimes that Avalon is grounded so I am the only one getting them.  She isn't too happy about that  :(   and has made that clear to me by pushing me off.

Avalon and I got to go out on one of the warmer days after some of the ice and snow had melted for a bike ride over to the tennis courts.  We thought however it would be much more fun to run in the mud from the melted snow.  Mom was not too thrilled about it when we got away from her when she was letting us out of the tennis courts.  I think she said some words that I can not repeat. Half of Avalon looked like me - she is a light golden but looked black like me from her legs down.  I am black so you could not see all the mud but my fur sure felt icky.  We both ended up in the bath tub when we got home and again I think Mom said some words I can't repeat. Mostly those words came out when I jumped out of the tub wet and still muddy and tried to shake the mud off.   I did some decorating - brown and black polka-dots on the walls.

Miss M came over a few days later to visit.  It was too cold to be outside so we practiced some of our commands inside while Grandma T and Mom visited.  They were making reservations for us all to go see the movie     "A Dog's Purpose"  This will be my first time at a movie and it is a movie about dogs.   

I received a cool email this week.   The Salvation Army posted our story that was in the Papillion Times on their facebook page. It was nice that they thanked us for Bell Ringing but even nicer that they promoted Guide/Service Dogs and posted a link to KSDS Inc.  my future college for service dogs.  

Lynn -

Key is featured on our Facebook page today for our ThanQ Thursday feature.  I tagged KSDS in the post so they see it and linked the article from the Papillion Times and Key's blog.  

https://www.facebook.com/SalArmyWstDivVolunteer/

Ramona D. Arthur
Divisional Director of Volunteer Services
The Salvation Army Western Division

Next week is going to be a busy one.  First the Movie - Second another practice session - Third a practice run for the talent show at school and last the talent show itself.   Dad is getting all exited about something called the Super Bowl at the end of the week.

A New Year !

 Boy, it was sure busy between Christmas and New Years.   I thought Christmas was over but we still had another celebration.  This time it was with my grandma Keuter and my aunt/uncle and two cousins.  Kind of have a crush on one of the cousins. Nice dinner at the lodge where grandma lives and then opening of more Christmas gifts.  My sister Aunna was there since she had to work on Christmas Day.  She has a very important job - She is a nurse and was taking care of sick people.  Kind of like my Vet but she has two legged patients instead of four.

Between Christmas and New Year's Day me, Miss M and Grandma T went for my first official private obedience training. It was the same day right before Christmas at the Lodge with Grandma. Ms. Kathy - the head trainer - is so nice but I have learned she is the one teaching commands and not me teaching her.  Miss M and I worked on a lot of my old commands and learned some new ones.  One of them is my out of control excitement when I see Miss M.  Ms. Kathy laid down the law and I learned fast that if I control my wild child within me and listen I get way more treats - so again I think I am still training them too.


 I went on a few errands with Mom getting groceries for the New Year's Day weekend along with making a few returns at the stores.  Not very exciting like at training classes but Mom says they are still training sessions. New Years's Eve has a special meaning for my two legged Mom and Dad.  It is their anniversary.   First however, they celebrated the day before with watching the HUSKER football bowl game with some friends then the next day - can you believe this- had their Christmas together along with a great anniversary dinner !!!  Avalon and I could smell something wonderful cooking for about three hours but it was for their special dinner and not us.  Mom and Dad have traditions they follow each year.  Prime rib dinner on New Year's Eve then Hoppin Johns and jerk ribs on New Year's Day.

Miss M came over and I went down with her to Gradma T's house and practiced some of the new commands we learned at obedience classes.  I wanted to stay outside and play but Miss M had other plans.  I kind of rebelled but Miss M is much bigger and has those treats I like so much that I had to give in.  Miss M is still out of school and can come over and play with me.  I wish it was summer and she was out of school all the time like last summer. We got to spend so much more time together plus is was warmer !!

The next week we had another training session with Ms. Kathy.  I really like going there.  Another training session followed the next week but this time we practiced our skills we are going to use in the tryouts for the talent show at Miss M's school.   I will tell you more about that later.  

 Miss M and I also got together again and practiced some of our commands.  However, I did get a really bad grade. I just was not on my A game and Miss M and Grandma T told Mom that.  I was afraid I was going to get put on time out but Mom just sat down and talked to me about good manners and how we need to practice them.   During that week my sister also moved into a new apartment.  Mom was gone most of the day so Avalon and I had to stay in the mud room.  Mom put one of our new Christmas toys in the mud room for us along with a bunch of our old toys. Avalon
and I shared playing with the new one and old ones while Mom was gone.


This week was the tryouts for the talent show at Miss M's school.  First, we had that other training session I mentioned earlier with Ms. Kathy. This time Miss M had her speech ready and what commands we were going to demonstrate. We practiced for a whole hour on them with lots of treats for me.  I think I might have put on a few pounds with all of the training because I heard Mom say we need to cut back a little at dinner time when I have been out at training sessions.   I am not for that !!!  The next day Mom, Grandma T and me left early to get ready for the tryouts and for me to settle in before Miss M got out of school.  While waiting, we decided to go over to the church.  Miss M goes to a Catholic school.  Mom said I had to be quiet and really mind my manners.   Miss M finally got out of class and came to get me.  We were in the school office and I did mind my manners at church and when Miss M came.  We went down to the music room to wait our turn.  There were lots of other kids there trying out also along with Miss K. I kept my wild child under control and listened to Miss M.  They finally called our name and we went in.  I think things went great. Now we are just waiting to see if we made it to the finals.  If we did we will do our demonstration in front of the whole school.  After tryouts Miss M took me to her classroom and showed me her desk.  I wonder when I go off to KSDS college that is what my classroom will look like ??

A wonderful package arrived yesterday - My Science Diet puppy food.  Mom and me were getting a little nervous since my dog food container was about empty and no new package had arrived.  We are all now relieved it came since the weekend is coming and we heard on the TV a big icky rainy ice storm is coming on Sunday.  Maybe up to an inch of ice on the ground.  That means they will be putting the icky stuff on the roads and sidewalks that makes my feet feel like hot potatoes.  Mom is ready this time though.  My doggie boots arrived in the mail so we might try them out.  I will let you know later what I think about them. We also have a training session on Monday but the storm is to be in full force that day so I am guessing we probably won't be going.  Maybe Miss M can skate over to our house and we can play.

Hope we don't lose power and be in the dark.  They are warning about that this morning on the TV.  Mom has lots of candles so might be using them ??

Happy New Year to all of my family and friends !!