Gone to the Dogs

2009-11-19T00:38:00.008-05:00

Nugget, all grown up

We spent Thanksgiving up at the cottage with Robert, Elizabeth and their gang of 4 dogs- two pet dogs and two foster puppies from Autism Dog Services. I brought my own four with me so we had quite the Labfest with a Golden and a Golden Wannabe thrown in!!
A great time was had by all. Even Molson, the old guy, was up for a hike back to the beaver pond and was able to keep up with the youngin's.We decided to grab a few geocaches in the area and were amazed by how stunning the Fall colours were this year. I've been up North many times during the Fall and don't remember the leaves ever being so magnificent. We drove up to the Depot Lakes area and were successful in finding the cache hidden by a gentleman who had hike the area for many years with his beloved Golden who died at the age of 16. The area was picture perfect and we will definitely be back for a hike with our gang.

Dock Diving Con't

2009-10-09T01:12:00.007-04:00

The season has ended and Fortune managed to obtain a personal best jump of 15' 10". That distance puts her at the low end of the Senior Division but I think she'll continue to improve next season. I will also be training Jive over the winter and plan to enter her in competitions as well. She's a natural. A professional photographer attends many of the Dock Dog events and she has taken some amazing photographs of the dogs in action. Take a peek at her website Deb Hitchins Photography and see if you can pick Fortune out. Here's one of my favourites...

photo by Deb Hitchins Photography

2009-09-03T21:49:00.002-04:00

We're not even back to the halfway mark on the 40 foot dock but Fortune continues to improve at each competition. Her personal best is 15' 8" which she achieved last week in Bradford. Not too shabby for a newbie at the sport!!!

Dock Diving

2009-06-29T21:20:00.008-04:00

Being without a foster puppy has afforded me the time to do other things with my own pet dogs. This past weekend Fortune and I headed to the International Food Festival in London Ontario to compete in the Dock Dogs Event. We tried this sport a couple years ago and Fortune did quite well but life became busy with some interesting, or rather "challenging" pups so we haven't had an opportunity to hit the docks again.

Fortune entered one Wave on Saturday and jumped 8' 10" and 9' 8" to earn her the top Novice dog in that Wave. Most dogs run the full 40 foot dock before leaping into the water but since we haven't really had any practice I thought it best to have Fortune jump from the edge and then work our way back as she (and I) gained more confidence. We learned at the end of the day that Fortune's jump of 9' 8" was the highest of all novice dogs (those who jump less than 10 feet) and meant that she would make it to the finals on Sunday. I hadn't planned on attending a second day, but figured we'd give it a shot and see what happened.

On Sunday we didn't take any practice jumps so Fortune was wired when it was finally her turn to jump. I moved her back about 5 feet from the edge of the dock and let her go.

She launched herself 11' 8" and secured the Novice Division! She will move up at least one level, if not two, when we compete again in July since I am convinced she will be running the full dock in no time. As a handler I am holding her back from accomplishing what she is truly capable of so it's time to let her show her stuff. She's the confident member of the team LOL

Career Changed

2009-04-26T10:33:00.002-04:00

Nugget has always been a sensitive and somewhat timid Golden. We all hoped (and thought) he would become more confident as time progressed but the opposite has happened. He is getting worse instead of better. A broom falling to the floor sends him high tailing to the furthest room with his tail tucked, the roar of a motorcycle causes instant anxiety and a trip to the mall is just too much for him to handle so he has been released from the program to live life as a much loved family pet.

I am saddened that he wasn't suitable for the program because he is a great (but slightly neurotic) dog, however, I am thrilled to be able to keep him with the pack he has grown up with.

The 'Fostering Hat' has been hung up indefinitely and the No Vacancy sign has been place out front.
This house has truly Gone To The Dogs!!!

This Week's Adventure

2008-10-23T14:13:00.006-04:00

We're puppysitting at the cottage this week. We have Frites, Java, Fortune and three ADS pups in training... Benson, Bella and Nugget. Benson and Bella are siblings but don't look anything alike. Benson is big for 5 mos.....more like huge....very stocky and solid, whereas Bella is petite and delicate in appearance. I've been trying to get pics of the two together but it hasn't been that easy. All are getting along ok and spend most of the day playing outside. Nugget is keeping up just fine with everyobdy. He's such a good little guy.

Journey Update

2008-10-20T06:56:00.004-04:00

It was determined that Journey just wasn't cut out to be a Service Dog so she was disqualified a few weeks ago. She is now living out in the country with no close neighbours, a forest full of trees to chew, and a lake to swim in whenever she wants. The young lad who adopted her is an avid hunter and his family has a hunting camp on the shores of Lake St Clair. Journey, who was a very late starter in the sport of duck hunting, is proving to be quite the natural. On her first outing she retrieved 4/8 ducks. Way to go, girl.... you're exactly where you belong!!

Introducing Nugget

2008-09-26T09:58:00.004-04:00

Nugget, another foster puppy from Autism Dog Services, is a purebred Golden Retriever who will be joining the pack shortly. Can't wait to get the little guy home!!!

Highland Games

2008-07-15T09:59:00.005-04:00

We had a puppy outing to the Highland Games this past weekend. The weather wasn't exactly the best but we managed to find some shelter to wait out the storm that passed through the area. I think Gunner, a 14 month old Choc Lab, enjoyed the rain showers the most. He was quite comical as he continually tried the catch the water that was being dumped off the awning we were standing under. He was soaked but he sure looked happy....and guilty!

Autism Awareness GeoCoin

2008-07-12T08:10:00.006-04:00

I was out Geocaching the other day and came across a really neat GeoCoin in one of the caches. I checked the tracking page for the coin and discovered its goal is to educate people about Asperger's Syndrome and that it had started out in Florida this past December. Naturally I had to take a few pictures of the coin with Journey, an Autism Dog Services Puppy In Training and post them for the coin owner on the tracking page.The other neat thing is that I was Geocaching with a person who has Autism and she was the one who found the cache!
We'll move the coin along shortly....after we've had a chance to show it off to some friends. If you're a Geocacher, keep an eye out for this really cool, colourful coin.

She's Back

2008-07-09T21:19:00.010-04:00

Journey has returned and will be finishing out her fostering time with us. She continues to do very well in public and just needs some fine tuning in the home environment. She settles well in the house as long as 'someone' isn't enticing her to play tug of war or chase (not mentioning names, right Jive???). She has developed a protectiveness of her territory so it has been a noisy few weeks as she learns that continual barking at every noise she hears is not acceptable. I think I may be winning the battle...... there hasn't been complaints from the neighbours in almost a week :-)

I went out the other day and picked up a new kiddie pool since 'someone' chewed the other one to pieces (not mentioning names, right Jive???). It was Journey's first experience in a kiddie pool and it didn't take her long to figure out how much fun these things can be. Of course she had 'someone' showing her how to splash and make a big mess, especially by rolling in the dirt after getting all wet (not mentioning names, right Jive???) Journey and Jive have become the best of friends and spend every waking moment together. Both love to run and play and have endless energy so it has been nice to have compatible dogs to wear each other out. We all sleep better at night !!

Molson

2008-06-15T00:45:00.002-04:00

Jumpin' Jive

2008-06-13T11:57:00.003-04:00

Memories of Mis(s) Fortune

2008-06-12T15:37:00.002-04:00

Down On The Farm

2008-05-19T18:24:00.017-04:00

Cody has gone back to stay with the trainer from Autism Dog Services and Jackson was placed elsewhere (not sure if he will be coming back or not) so I find myself back down to my own three dogs. Since my gang rarely go out as a group, I decided to take all three out to my friend's property in the country. We invited Kent (my first foster puppy) and his family along for the adventure. The 5 Labs and one Golden Wannabe had a blast racing through the long grass, wading in the creek and checking out all the different smells country life has to offer.

17 week old "Splash" appeared to enjoy herself as she happily chased after her new friend, Jive ....the only dog that was close to the same size. It won't be long before Splash outgrows "little" Jive, who at 18 months weighs a whole 43lbs and is the smallest Lab people say they have ever seen.

Even 12 yr old Molson was able to keep up with the much younger dogs as they raced around. I've often been asked by people, including my vet, how I have been able to keep Mo in such good shape. I gues the answer would be maintaining a healthy weight and having a puppy around constantly to keep him active. He may be losing his hearing and his sight, but he certainly hasn't lost his zest for living.

After a few hours it was time to pack it in and head back home with wet, stinky dogs on board. I think we accomplished the task of tiring out the puppy. After all......a tired puppy is a good puppy, right? A tired Fortune is always a good thing too!!!!!!

Dog Swap

2008-05-10T14:58:00.008-04:00

The trainer from Autism Dog Services and I have switched dogs for a short time. Jackson is being assessed and in return I have Cody, a lovely 12 month old MYL. So far all is going well. He's great on outings and well behaved in the house.....when Jive isn't trying to engage him in a game of keep away. LOL She may be about 20 lbs lighter and a good 4 inches shorter but she manages to win most of the time!!!

Yesterday Cody and I went out on my first geocaching adventure (thanks Sam...I'm hooked) and had a great time. We met a couple of vetran geocachers who gave me the ins and outs of the activity and invited us to visit them in their area sometime. For those of you who aren't familiar with geocaching, google it or click the above link and do some research. It's a great way to get out with your dog(s) and explore parts of your area you didn't even know existed. You may end up meeting some really neat people along the way too!

Florida

2008-04-13T15:28:00.011-04:00

Back in February, Fortune and I took a trip down south to get away from the cold and snow. Our trip wasn't nearly as eventful as when we drove from Ontario to Florida a few years ago with a couple friends and a total of 5 dogs! That was quite the road trip!!!

Fortune and I had a wonderful time. I spent a week visiting with my friends, playing golf, boating, visiting the beach and just enjoying the warmth and sunshine. I even managed to see a few dolphins and took a nice picture of one.

Fortune had the opportunity to swim and play with her sister (Frites) and Jive's sister (Java) who are both career changed Service Dogs.

We spent some time at Venice Dog Beach where Frites, Fortune and Java ran and played with a multitude of other dogs. The girls had a blast!

The holiday was a nice relaxing break for me and it gave me an opportunity to spend some quality time with Fortune. She has matured into a wonderful and mostly obedient dog- she still has her head strong days once in a while but not nearly as often as a few years ago. Sometimes I think back to those early puppy days with her and how difficult she was and I think about the time after her disqualification and how we worked so hard to build trust and work through other issues she had. It's hard to believe she's the same dog.....she's come so far!!!!

Spring Fever

2008-04-12T08:06:00.006-04:00

Jive, Jackson, Journey and Fortune in the background

Journey came for a visit last weekend and a good time was had by all. It was a little confusing having three "J' dogs around but we managed. I don't know how parents who name their children with the same first letter survive without going through the list of names before finally hitting upon the correct one.

Both Jackson and Journey are doing well in their training for Autism Dog Services. They seem to enjoy being in public and are calm when interacting with people. At home they are still very much puppies at heart. ;-) Jackson is maturing into a wonderful dog. He still has his moments but overall I'm very pleased with the progress he's made. I'm not sure how much longer he will be with us but I know that I will miss him when he leaves.

When people ask me about Jive out on our neighbourhood walks I tell them she's 17 mos and they can't believe it....she so tiny. I comment that she stopped growing at about 5.5 months and has remained that size, which is perfect in a multi-dog household!! I don't have any pictures of Journey and Jive side by side but after spending 4 days with them together I know I wasn't far off the mark in comparing Jive to a 5 month old Lab....Journey isn't quite 5 mos and is already the same size.

Journey (5mos), Jive (17 mos), Jackson (12 mos)

Winter's Wallop

2008-03-08T21:49:00.005-05:00

And I thought spring was going to come early this year!!

Officially A Pet Dog

2008-03-03T20:22:00.006-05:00

After almost 5 months of formal training, Jive has been disqualified for medical reasons. It didn't take her long to start enjoying the perks of being a pet.

It seems strange not having a foster puppy in my home right now but Jive is my main priority. Journey has another family who fell in love with her and will raise her until she is ready for formal training. Jackson is staying with a friend and will return once Jive is settled and doing well medically. It's very nice to have well behaved and calm dogs in the house!!!

The Pack Has Grown

2008-01-30T09:38:00.000-05:00

Journey arrived two weeks ago to add a bit of chaos to an already crazy household. She was supposed to be a temporary visitor until a family was ready for her but now I think she's settled in well and will remain with us. Journey, like Jackson, will eventually be matched with a child who has Autism, providing she gets through all the required testing down the road. She reminds me very much of Fortune at this age...a challenge compared to my last three pups but as cute as can be. Perhaps that is why Fortune and Journey get along so well. :-)

He's Staying

2007-12-24T21:13:00.001-05:00

Jackson will be staying indefinitely so it's only fitting that he be formally introduced. Jackson is an ADS Pupppy In Training. If he is successful, he will be matched with a child who has Autism. So far he is sound in public places, loves children (typical Lab!!) and seems eager to work. Our biggest struggle has been teaching him some house manner. It's been a long and challenging month but I think we are finally on the road to having peace in the house.

Home For The Holidays

2007-12-21T21:37:00.000-05:00

The school I used to foster for has a Home For The Holidays program that sends dogs in formal training home to their (or a different) foster family for a short reprieve from the kennels. This gives the dogs (and staff) a much needed break and offers the foster families one last opportunity to spend Christmas with 'their' puppy.

I picked Jive up earlier today and the reunion with Molson and Fortune was quite entertaining. Fortune was madly licking Jive's face and prancing all around while Molson barked excessively with what appeared to be a smile on his face. Jive did appear puzzled that another dog was in the home but the two quickly became friends, sharing space and toys as though they'd known each other forever.

It never ceases to amaze me that a dog gone for several months can so quickly fall back into the routine they had followed while living in my home. Jive didn't miss a beat with anything....meal time, outdoor routine, favourite place to sleep, location of the toy box and other 'desirables'. ;-)
Happy Holidays from the gang

Snow Day

2007-12-16T13:59:00.000-05:00

We have snow!!!! Lots and lots of snow!!!!!!

Jackson Visits Santa

2007-12-01T21:41:00.000-05:00

Jackson is still here so we headed off to the mall for the annual foster puppy picture with Santa. I have to say it was an interesting experience as Jackson is still learning how to behave in public places. He's a bit behind in his socialization but hopefully we'll be able to get him caught up and on an even keel soon. Santa was a good sport despite having his beard and coat chewed on!

Finally!!!!!!

2007-11-30T19:10:00.001-05:00

Lyric graduated from the Canine Vision Program last night. She was matched with a gentleman from Southern Ontario.

Way to go Lyric!

Ask And Ye Shall Receive

2007-11-17T21:36:00.000-05:00

Fortune's plea must have worked.....we have a six month old male black Lab named Jackson staying with us for a few weeks. He is a very enthusiastic boy and likes to explore his environment using all his senses. It's going to be a fun couple of weeks.

Tough Times for Miss Fortune

2007-11-12T17:14:00.000-05:00

Jive was recalled a month ago and since then Fortune has been without a younger canine playmate. She has tried to entice the felines to play tug-of-war without much success. They have, however, decided that sharing her space isn't such a bad thing. She isn't impressed.

Jive's Recall

2007-10-13T18:13:00.000-04:00

Jive was recalled yesterday. She was my 5th foster puppy and her recall was very tough on me. We spent so much time together and she was (is) such an amazing little girl. I think part of the reason it was so hard to let her go is because she stopped growing after about 5 months and looked so tiny compared to the other 12 month old Labs.

Not Celebrating Quite Yet

2007-09-16T20:48:00.000-04:00

Lyric didn't make it into the August class. :-( She will, however, be matched in the November class. I was at the training school last Friday for an assessment and eye screens with Jive so I managed to spend a bit of time speaking with Lyric's trainer and she allowed me to see Lyric. She looked fantastic and I'm fairly certain she recognized me because my 'non-demonstrative' foster puppy went crazy with tail wags and kisses after sniffing my pant leg a couple of times. Everything that can be crossed has been in hopes that a perfect match will be found.

Once we were done at the school Jive, Java, my friend and I headed up for Fall Puppyfest 2007 at the cottage. Molson and Fortune were already well on their way up north in my vehicle with my friend's husband as the chauffeur. A good time was had by all. We even had a couple of Standard Poodles (they're camera shy) join in on the fun this go round. Kramer is one Poodle with a lot of personality!! What a great dog!

We were all suprised to see some trees which were already sporting their Fall colours. There weren't too many, but the ones we saw were stunning orange and red.

Some Much Anticipated News....

2007-08-31T13:08:00.001-04:00

Lyric's Progress Report finally arrived (dated July 25th, 2007). Her trainer reports that she is "successful" in the following skills: sit, down, stay, recall, harness, heeling, left/right pivots, left/right turns, forwards, arounds, up/down curbs, food refusal, escalators, elevators, open stairs, traffic, subway, buses/street car, dogs/animals. She does not have any new skills to learn.

Summer Antics

2007-08-30T12:18:00.001-04:00

Jive had an eventful summer visiting friends and playing around in her pool. Of course it helped that I was off work for almost 8 weeks so we had plenty of time to enjoy ourselves.

Niagara Falls
OPSEU events

Nat's going away party

Playdate with Kent (FP#1)
Next week we're heading up to the cottage (finally!!!) to spend time with Jive's sister (Java) and Fortune's sister (Frites). Yay!!

Dock Diving

2007-07-23T21:37:00.000-04:00

Fortune and I attended the Dog Days of Scugog this past Sunday and had an absolute riot visiting with old friends and trying a new sport....dock diving. I'd seen it on tv before but had no idea the sport had taken off here in Ontario. Fortune was amazing for being just a beginner. She jumped 8'10" from a standing position at the end of the dock on her second attempt. The other more experienced dogs took a running leap into the pool but it was suggested I start out slow with Fortune and work ourselves up to a full run and jump after more practice. Later I was told if she can jump almost 9' from a standing still position she'll excel once we both get the hang of it. She won third place in her Wave! Of course I didn't get any pictures but I do have an old one of her jumping off the dock the cottage. Her form hasn't changed much What was really neat was watching Fortune 'clue in' as she observed the other dogs jump. After about the fourth dog she was doing her beagle bark, spinning in 360's and pulling towards the pool area. I think she had a flashback to her SSD training when they lined the string of dogs up in the crates, took one dog out and ran through the skill as the other dogs watched. One of the trainers told me she knew when a dog in the crate had figured out what was expected because it would bark and carry on and perform the skill when released from the crate.
Ontario Dock Dogs

Luna (Tunes) Graduates SSD

2007-05-26T20:00:00.000-04:00

Luna's graduation ceremony was this past Thursday evening. She has been matched with a young lady who absolutely adores her.

Three of the four "L" puppies have now graduated: Lemon (HED), Lawson (Seizure Response) and Luna (SSD).

No word yet on how Lyric is doing or when she may be expected to be matched with a CVC handler. This "no news is good news" is killing me!!!

Lawson Graduates

2007-04-07T16:05:00.000-04:00

Lyric's brother (Lawson) graduated this past Thursday as a Seizure Response Dog . He has been matched with a young gentleman in Ontario.

Luna's family received a report card and picture early last month stating Luna is doing well in Special Skills. I haven't heard any news about Lyric at all since returning her after Christmas break. I'm sticking with the "no news is good news" philosophy. Hopefully there will be a graduation ceremony for the sisters sometime soon!

The Perfect Toy For Fortune

2007-03-30T17:17:00.000-04:00

We'll Miss You

2007-03-11T11:13:00.000-04:00

Some of the greatest things about fostering are meeting so many people, sharing puppy stories and making lasting friendships along the way. I am a part of a circle of friends that began when the "F Troop Girls" entered our lives. None of us believe it was chance that brought us together...our paths were meant to cross. We cememted a friendship during our time fostering the girls, and later the open communication, trust and respect that was established early on was called upon during a challenging time in our lives. We weathered the storm together.
We have stayed in close contact over the years and get together as often as we can for pick ups, drop offs,"Puppyfests", graduations and just because we want to. The circle has widened to include others but the original 6 (can't forget to include the "Bob's) are still very close. I feel blessed to have these special people in my life.

Which brings me to the point of this post: Trillium, Essex and their humans will soon be moving clear across the country. Puppyfests at the cottage just won't be the same anymore. Essex (a brother to Eddie and Egan) was the brunt of many jokes but is adored by all. That little hamster never did start spinning the wheel in his brain!! And Trillium, the mother hen, always made sure none of the dogs got out of line. We shall miss them very much.

I guess if three women can drive 5 dogs in a rental van to Florida then surely 2 women and 2 dogs can make it out to B.C. for a family reunion with Trillium?

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T18:51:00.000-05:00

Tail Wags,
Fortune, Jive and Molson

Sometimes Life Just Isn't Fair

2007-01-27T18:06:00.000-05:00

We Have Snow!

2007-01-26T17:46:00.000-05:00

I love it!
oh no, not the white stuff again

At Work

2007-01-20T12:28:00.000-05:00

Jive was at head office with me this week making the rounds and attending meetings. At one point she was busy exploring the front lobby and had crawled under a bench when it suddenly dawned on me she was within inches of the large indoor fishpond. Typical water loving Labrador. Needless to say she was quickly called back and actually complied!! She's also been to another hockey game, the mall and, of course, Tim Horton's.

She did well with greeting people- she has a nice, clean sit and doesn’t jump up at all. Like her sister Juneau, she does have springs in her back legs though. She may not jump up on people but she does like to jump on or off pretty much everything else. Actually it’s more like launching herself... at the other dogs, at the cats, off the steps, at the back door etc. We’re battling over the couch right now. ;-) Her commands are coming along nicely and so far she’s been a real joy to work with. She is so eager, attentive and compliant (most of the time) but she does have a wild puppy streak in her too. Thankfully it hasn’t shown itself while we’ve been out! Jive is definitely not as calm and laid-back as Lyric was.

Her nickname is MacJiver, the Caped Crusader since she is fearless (other than the stuffed cat right at puppy eye level in one of the offices) and because her jacket is about 2 sizes to big for her. When she is wearing it you can barely see her tail, which is constantly wagging, all you see is her jacket swaying back and forth! I’m not sure she’ll ever grow into that green cape! I weighed Jive on Thursday and she was 16.2 lbs at 13 weeks of age. Fortune was 16.6 lbs at 11 weeks and weighs 49 lbs as a full-grown Lab (she’s a very small dog). I think Jive is going to be even smaller than Fortune unless she does some major growing in the next month or two.

The cutest thing I love about her is how she drags her blanket all over, looking for that perfect place to curl up and go to sleep yet still be within eyesight of me. Both at work and at home the blanket travels with her to whatever room she is in.

Spa Day

2007-01-10T16:41:00.000-05:00

I hate Spa Day.

Out And About

2007-01-08T12:26:00.000-05:00

What a busy week we've had! Between shopping trips, mall walking and visiting friends, we've also attended a Maroons hockey game and our first puppy class.

Jive was fantastic at the hockey game. The buzzers and horns tend to startle me but Jive just laid between my feet and slightly raised her head when she heard either sound, or when the crowd went crazy cheering on the home team for scoring a goal. She was a hit with the other hockey fans and the owner of the team who said she could attend any time.

Today we once again made the long journey to the place where she was born and where puppy classes are held the first few months. It's kind of hard to keep an 11 week old puppy focused when the room is full of puppies and there are dogs barking in the kennel on the other side of the door, however, Jive did fairly well. We saw a couple of her littermates and her mom's foster mum too!

Jive was definitely the smallest Lab in the room... there was one puppy from another litter born the same day and he was twice her size and weight!! I think it's going to be quite a while before she fits into her new size 4 jacket. ;-)) She might be tiny and delicate now but she has a "JIVEMUNGOUS" name tag to go along with her personality.

Back To Dog College

2007-01-02T18:53:00.000-05:00

Our time went much too quickly......Lyric is back at the school with her trainer and "boyfriend" (apparently she has a male kennel mate and they get along very well ;-) ) It was great to have her home, I've missed her tremendously.

It was even more difficult to hand her back a second time than it was the first. There is no Christmas break to look forward to, no more holidays together. The next time I see her will be at Graduation. Lyric is a great dog and will make a wonderful canine partner for someone who needs her much more than I do. As much as I would love to have her back as a pet (yes, I know it's selfish), I know she isn't coming 'home' again. She stole a piece of my heart the first time I saw her picture and she certainly stole a huge chuck of it during our 10 months together. I have many, many fond memories of "my perfect puppy, FP#4" and I will hold them close and cherish each and every one of them.

Good Luck Peanut!

So Far All Is Well

2006-12-28T12:22:00.000-05:00

So far all is well. We're getting a solid 7-8 hrs of sleep per night and Jive is adjusting to her crate, although she does let me know her displeasure at being confined for the first 10-15 minutes she's in there (Sam, I know what you mean about the head tilted back howling!). Jive has been a busy little puppy the past week. She saw Santa at the mall, went to numerous stores in the city and spent two full days with me at work. It was my intent to take her into work for a couple of hours and then run back home with her, however, she was so well behaved she stayed for the full day and was invited back again the next. She didn't even need to be crated at all, instead laying by my feet or following me wherever I went. Not bad for a 10 week old puppy! Everyone loved her and said she was a good girl. Jive and Fortune are getting along very well and spend a fair bit of time playing. Fortune seems pretty happy to have Lyric home and a puppy to play with (she's constantly engaging one of them to play and wrestle). Both are helping to burn that excess energy she has.

Jive is an eager pup, very focused(at least so far) and is learning commands quickly. She's not as laid back and calm as Lyric was but she's much more affectionate and cuddly. I think she's going to be a fantastic puppy to raise-full of life, full of spit and vinegar and full of love!

Happy Holidays

2006-12-23T10:12:00.000-05:00

Santa delivered gifts early this year. My 'perfect' puppy, Lyric, arrived home yesterday afternoon.......along with a surprise you can read about here . Lyric hasn't changed at all-she still scratches at the door to come in, she still paws me to go outside and she still stands with a toy in her mouth, enticing Fortune to play. It's amazing how a dog can be away from "home" for over two months and when they return for a visit it's like they never left. She easily fell back into the routine we had for the 10 months she lived here.

Her trainers say she is doing well and that she is a "sweetheart" (I already knew that!!). We're off to visit some of her old friends......once I get her cleaned up. She's been busy playing outside in the mud hole!

Happy Holidays Everyone

Introducing Jive

2006-12-22T12:22:00.000-05:00

We arrived home mid afternoon and so far all is well. Molson, Fortune and Lyric are doing great with the puppy and Jive isn't afraid to stand her ground with them either.

Happy Ending

2006-12-19T11:29:00.000-05:00

Phoebe is in her new home where she is loved and adored by her 'forever' family. She has some cats, another dog and lots of people to entertain with her winning personality and Golden charm. Her 'forever mom' has called a couple of times to say how special Phoebe is and that she's doing awesome. We miss her but we know she will have a very happy life.

Never Say Never

2006-12-15T12:16:00.000-05:00

I really didn't plan to foster another puppy for a very long time.... if ever again. Letting Lyric (FP #4) go was extremely difficult and I just didn't want to put myself through the heartache anymore.

Well... never say never. Jive (FBL) will be arriving the same day I pick Lyric up for the Christmas Holidays. My friend will be fostering Java (Jive's sister) and this will be the fourth pair of siblings we've fostered together. Some of you have already met two other puppies from the litter- Juneau and Jeeves!!

Stay tuned..........

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

2006-12-14T19:26:00.000-05:00

I sure wish we'd get some snow instead of rain. The race track around the garage is a muddy mess. Guess who likes to play in the mud...........................Phoebe!

Yep, she's still here. I'm not sure for how much longer though as her family has decided to rehome her since they don't have the time necessary for a puppy. I'd love to keep her as a pet-she's a great little dog with a lot of potential. I've already made some committments for over the holidays though (Lyric and another puppy) and had to place the no vacancy sign out front since the soft spot in my heart is bigger than my home.... and bank account!

I know a couple people who would take Phoebe so there's no shortage of homes for her. I may offer the family another option which would give Phoebe a special purpose in life. ;-)) Time will tell.

Houseguest

2006-12-01T17:06:00.000-05:00

Phoebe, a five month old Golden Retriever (non-service dog puppy), is staying with us for a little while. Her family is finding puppyhood somewhat challenging and asked for some help and a bit of a break. People who have had adult dogs for a number of years sometimes forget just how much work a puppy can be, such is the case with Phoebe's family.
She's a great little pup except for her "happy paws" which have left prints all over my clothing. We're working on that!! She gets along very well with Molson, Fortune and the felines, considering she's only been around 1 other dog a couple of times and has never seen a cat before.
The best part is that her colouring matches the rest of the gang!!!

Update..........And Good News

2006-11-21T11:55:00.000-05:00

Lyric with Santa Christmas 2005
Lyric has passed her entrance exams and is now working on her BA in guide work. I don't have much to report other than she passed her medical and temperament tests and has been selected in a string in the CVC program.

She will be coming "home" for a short break from the kennels over the Holidays and I can hardly wait to see her again. Out of all the puppies I have fostered, letting Lyric "go" has been the most difficult. I miss everything about her: bumping me with her nose or tapping me with her paw when she wanted to go outside, the scratch at the door when she wanted back in, seeing her stand with a tiny piece of whatever toy she and Fortune had just destroyed, enticing Fortune to play some more, the look in her eyes just before she leaned back for a hug and belly rub, the funny little noise she made when she was content, constantly tripping over her because she was always underfoot, the close bond she and I shared... the list could go on and on.

Our first stop will be to the downtown mall to get an updated picture with Santa.

Crate: 1, Fortune: 0

2006-10-20T17:33:00.000-04:00

Yellow Labradors should not do airborne 360's first thing in the morning unless they are fully awake and know how close they are to the corner of the crate.

Dull Roar

2006-10-19T21:22:00.000-04:00

Things have returned to a dull roar with only two dogs in the house. Molson is quite content to spend his time quietly laying at my feet or beside me on the couch. Fortune, on the other hand, has turned back into the holy terror she was 'pre-Lyric'. I'd forgotten how busy she was without a younger dog around and how much trouble she could get herself into if that abundance of energy wasn't burnt in a productive way. Maybe when she's about 10 she'll slow down!!!

I haven't heard any news about Lyric yet. This is the worst part of fostering for me........the wait to find out if the puppies pass their hip, elbow, eye and temperament testing. Once we get though this, the "no news is good news" philosophy is much easier for me to accept!

She's Gone

2006-10-12T19:49:00.000-04:00

It was an uneventful trip (other than blinding SNOW a couple of times) to turn Lyric in. Luna's foster family came up with a neat idea for the girls and so we created special jackets just for recall day. Luna and Lyric looked quite stunning in their hot pink custom made recall jackets (sorry-we forgot to snap a picture). When we walked out the girls were busy saying hello to the resident cat and checking out their new environment. I don't think either one noticed we were leaving.

Hip x-rays are slated for Monday and temperament testing will be completed at some point in the next couple of weeks. From the sounds of it, they are being looked at for the Hearing Ear or Special Skills Dog programs or maybe even the Breeding Program.

We met afterwards at a nearby restaurant for a bite to eat which has become a recall tradition amongst the 'original four' who fostered the F Troop sisters. We had one extra at the table this time (Lawson's family) and enjoyed catching up on events in each others' lives. All in all it was a great day!

Now we play the waiting game and live by the "no news is good news" philosophy.

Wish Me Luck

2006-10-10T16:59:00.000-04:00

I'm heading off to Doggy College on Thursday. It's been fun living with Molson and Fortune but now I have more important things to do and learn. My bags are packed and I'm ready to move onto my next big adventure. Please keep your fingers, toes and paws crossed that I pass all the entrance exams so I can advance to a Masters (or maybe even a PhD!)in Service Dog studies.

Ciao!

Tail Wags,
Lyric

Pre-recall Puppyfest

2006-10-05T19:38:00.000-04:00

Time is slowly running out so the gang and I headed North East for a big adventure and a final Puppyfest with the "L" girls. The weather was fantastic and the fall colours were absolutely brilliant. We went hiking every day in the woods and snapped some neat pictures

We all had a fantastic time and shall hold the memory close as we prepare to say "see ya" to some very special puppies.

Nat...this one's for you

2006-09-30T12:37:00.000-04:00

Look Here to see who was featured Sept 11th, 2006 on Doggy Wire.

Natalie, maybe you should try the peanut butter flavoured Frosty Paws. They might taste a bit better than the one you say you didn't try! LOL
Frosty Paws Website

Luna and Lyric

2006-09-20T18:22:00.000-04:00

can you tell who is who?

11 Months In The Life of a Foster Puppy

2006-09-13T15:52:00.000-04:00

How time flies! Lyric and I have about 3 weeks left together so we're reflecting on the past as we prepare for the future.

Can you believe this story?

2006-09-06T17:51:00.000-04:00

Thought some of you fellow raisers (and handlers) might be interested in this news story. It is an absolute outrage that a Board of Education could be so uneducated.

Calgary school bans disabled boy's service dog
Updated Fri. Sep. 1 2006 8:53 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

A Calgary mother is filing a human rights complaint against the Calgary Board of Education after her disabled son's high school banned his service dog.

Cooper James, a Grade 11 student at Dr. E. P. Scarlett High School, has spinal muscular dystrophy. Kodak, a standard poodle, is specially trained to help the 15-year-old with daily tasks.

The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides gave Kodak to Cooper in June. The dog is trained to open doors, pick up things the teenager drops, and help him back to his feet when he falls.

But according to the Calgary Education Board's policy, dogs are not allowed in any of their schools.

"There are a number of children who are allergic to animals," CBE spokesperson Barb Keuster told CTV News.

"There are students who may be afraid of animals. There are issues about having animals in the schools," she said. "And that's why we have a policy ... to ensure that the environment is safe for all students and staff."

Cooper's mother, Ayvis James said allergic reactions shouldn't be an issue because Kodak is a standard poodle and does not shed. Plus, the dog was hand-picked for its non-aggressive behaviour.

"These are Grade 11 students," she said. "They're not little children, you know. Cooper is a responsible 15-year-old and this dog is not going to cause any trouble."

The CBE said if the James family provides a doctor's note indicating the dog is necessary, they will allow the dog.

But James said her son shouldn't need a doctor's note because service dogs are allowed in all public places.

"To me we have to jump through all these hoops to prove to them that Cooper needs the dog," she said. "Well, look at Cooper -- he's in a wheelchair. He has enough to deal with."

She said if the issue isn't resolved by Tuesday, Cooper will miss his first day of classes -- because she' not sending him to school without his dog by his side.

Cooper said he doesn't understand the school's position.

"I do not believe the school has the power to say the dog can and cannot go into school," the teenager said. "I believe he's just a third arm to me. I believe he should be able to go anywhere I go."

With a report by CTV's Cherish Francis in Calgary

Those of you who know me well will not be surprised to hear I added my 5 cents (I am Canadian, after all) along with all the other letters written by handlers and foster families. I'm sure the Calgary Board of Education, the Board of Trustees and the Chief Superintendent had no idea how many people in Ontario would be ticked off by their ruling. Even Kodak's foster family had a letter to the Editor published in the Toronto Star.

Update from a fellow foster family Sept 6, 2006 2145hrs: Cooper & Kodak went to school today. Yes, Cooper's doctor and LFC did provide written documentation.

Shame on the School Board!

Final Assessment

2006-09-01T13:20:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Lyric's final assessment before recall, which I found out will be the first week of October. :-(( Last night was a graduation night at the school so it was quite busy with preparations and people. Lyric did very well despite all the distractions, which included several dogs in harness and their new handlers as well as a couple other foster puppies. She pulled a fair bit at the beginning but settled down after a few minutes. Her waits and stays were solid and her reactions to loud noises consisted of a sideways glance and continuing to walk forward. All in all, I was pleased with how well she did considering she had a 3 hour car ride just prior to arriving.

I was also able to speak to my former puppy's trainer and received the wonderful news that 'my guy' and his handler are doing great! The trainer spent a few minutes with us, talking about how well both boys are doing with their handlers and things they've been up to since graduating. It sounds like they are working well and are loved by their handlers. That's the best news any puppyraiser can ask for.

My gang and I spent the night at a friend's place and partied with the regualr 'pack' of dogs and people. It's always chaos when we get the Magnificent 7 together, but it's fun at the same time. They all get along so well and love to run and play. Lyric and Luna had a blast teasing and tormenting each other. Of course, Miss Fortune had to get in there and stir the pot every once in a while.

And so... we begin the countdown until Lyric goes in for formal training.

Laid Back Puppy

2006-08-28T14:03:00.000-04:00

I just read a fellow raiser's blog about her dog being excitable and it got me thinking about Lyric and her lack of excitement...............over anything.
My three previous puppies all had helicopter tails when they were happy or excited. You know, where the tail gets wagging so fast, it starts to go in circles, high in the air. The words: car, food, treat, cookie, ball, kid, work, cottage, and play time would cause them to jump up in anticipation with tails wagging and their little butts swaying back and forth.

When I mention these same words to Lyric I get a sideways glance and a casual stroll over to the door or the treat/food/toy container. I don't think I've ever seen her tail wag more than back and forth a couple times. But... just the tip wags, not her whole body. I've even tried the high pitched sing song voice that whipped FPs 1,2 and 3 into a frenzy. All I get from Lyric is a look that seems to say "what the heck is wrong with you? You're crazy"
Back in April I had a friend watch the three dogs while I was in Toronto for a week. Her comments about the gang were bang on, especially the one she made about Lyric "she seems old before her time". My 6 month old puppy was better behaved and less active than the two older dogs.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about having a nice, quiet, mellow dog. She is a fantastic dog with so many amazing qualities and definitely a keeper if she doesn't make it through training. It just seems odd that I haven't found anything yet that truly gets Lyric excited.
I suppose she'll be a good guide dog since she's so subdued and not excitable in the least.

Anyone else ever have a dog this laid back?

Fortune's Family

2006-08-18T20:59:00.000-04:00

7 females (4 yellows, 3 blacks) born in late 2002
It was fun getting to know some of Fortune's sisters and their foster families. We formed our own little group and shared the ups and downs of raising one of these special puppies. It was a great support system for the two 'first timers' (and for E and I as well as we struggled through raising puppies that weren't so easy to handle). Recall soon approached and so we decided to have some fun and make the day memorable for all. We dressed the four sisters up as characters from the Wizard of Oz and had the staff in stitches when we walked through the door.

Recall day Oct 2003-Dorothy, The Tin Man, The Cowardly Lion and The Scarecrow

Our girls were disqualified one by one over the course of 9 months and three of us adopted the puppy we had raised, keeping the sisters together as best we could. As time progressed our friendships blossomed and we began to share more parts of our lives with each other as three of us again fostered littermates. Our foruth member couldn't wait for the litter we hoped to foster so she took on another puppy immediately after recall. It's been an interesting few years with many trials and tribulations along the way. We've supported each other through breast cancer, other serious medical problems, disqualifications, break-ups, deaths of loved ones and other trying circumstances. We've also shared some special occasions such as graduations of puppies, milestone birthdays, retirement, a daughter's acceptance into vet school and the always enjoyable puppyfests, which included a roadtrip to Florida with 5 dogs and 3 women in a van!!

The sisters brought us together and they still play an important part in our lives. The "F Troop" girls are as different as we four humans from across the province, yet we all seem to make it work and have a blast when we get together.

Tagged

2006-08-16T20:46:00.000-04:00

I was tagges by MoonShadow and Erynn and Jake
Here's how this tag is played: The player of this game starts with "5 weird things/habits about yourself." Then you tag 5 friends and list their names. The furries who get tagged need to write on their blogs about their 5 weird things/habits, as well as state this rule clearly, then tag 5 more victims. Don't forget to leave your victim a comment that says "you're tagged!" in their comments and tell them to read your blog. We've been tagged twice so all the dogs have made lists.

Fortune's weird things/habits:

1. I like to walk in circles... a lot
2. Santa is NOT my friend
3. When I want to play with Molson, I pull his tail and then run really fast...over and over again until he finally chases me.
4. I love to launch into the water to retrieve a ball and I won't come out of the water until I find it. A spare must be kept handy otherwise I swim in non-stop circles looking for the ball (Circles are my thing)
5. I sound like a Beagle when I bark (or so I've been told)

Lyric's
1. I don't want to come inside at night because I like to chase fireflies
2. I am a black Lab(with a few splashes of white) but in the sunlight I look like a dark chocolate Lab
3. I love to have my ears cleaned and teeth brushed
4. I am very uncoordinated when I play fetch
5. I like to pull Molson's tail. Unlike Fortune I stand there (running would take coordination)

Molson's list
1. I whine if my master is out of my sight
2. I don't like to swim-I have a "bad fur day" afterwards.
3. My canine teeth are worn down because I carry a tennis ball around just in case somebody wants to play with me.
4. When I was young I got car sick all the time. Just sitting in a car made me feel sick. Now I love to go for car rides
5. My tail used to be nice and fluffy

We've tagged:
Labtails, K9-Crazy, Working With Cindy, Brown Dog Adventures, Poppy the Hearing Dog

WAMBO

2006-08-13T18:13:00.000-04:00

Don't ask me what it stands for-I have no idea! I do know it has something to do with antique boats, motorcycles and automobiles.

Lyric and I headed to the big metropolis of Wallaceburg-not usually a 'happening' place but it sure was yesterday. A handler had set up a booth promoting the organization I raise for, and it was only fitting Lyric and I attend since we are one of two families in the extreme southwestern part of Ontario who foster. There were three handlers with their dogs (a black Lab, a chocolate Lab and a Golden) and Lyric and I manning the table.

Lyric was absolutely amazing. She laid calmly beside the three 'working' dogs, didn't bat an eye when other dogs passed by and handled the crowded streets and sidewalks like a pro. Low flying airplanes didn't bother her at all, nor did the fire truck that went screaming past with siren blaring just as we were about to cross the street. At one point a little tyke, no more than 2 and a half approached and wanted to pet the doggie and 'horsie' (the golden retriever that was in harness and off limits). My three previous pups were kid crazy and would literally bend in half with tail wags and knock the kid over as they planted kiss upon kiss so I was somewhat apprehensive about how this would all go but I need not have worried. Lyric stood quietly and let the little guy pat her head, hug her and nuzzle close for a kiss which she offered up so gently I was stunned. The tyke offered her a cookie and it was incredible to watch this huge Labrador take the cookie from between his fingers without so much as a whisker touching him. I think everyone who witnessed that moment was in complete awe. Kid and Labrador laid on the ground and snuggled a bit before the mother had to pry him away.

It made me feel pretty darn good to read a handler's comment about Lyric "special thanks to Lyric who was a complete angel and behaved better than any other 10 month old pup i've ever seen. I know a few people who fell in love with her yesterday lol...." Lots of other people had postive comments about her as well.

Way to go Peanut!

3rd Annual Puppyfest

2006-08-11T21:43:00.000-04:00

Luna, Essex, Lyric, Fortune, Trillium, Frites and Molson

We spent a week up at the cottage and had a wonderful time. The youngin's (Luna and Lyric) kept the oldies entertained and well exercised as they chased each other around the yard. The dogs went for hikes and boat rides, played fetch, swam, rested briefly and then started all over again.

The three amigos-Fortune, Lyric and Luna

At the end of the day, our gang of 7 gave new meaning to the term "dog tired" as they laid scattered around the livingroom sound asleep.

We had one funny little incident during our holiday. Elizabeth put the dogs to bed... my three in my room, Fran's in her room and her two in their usual place. She said Lyric was a bit hesitant to go into her crate (she's usually very good) but I didn't think any more about it and went to bed a while later. I got up the next morning, let everyone outside for a quick "hurry up" before breakfast and met up with Elizabeth who was outside chuckling away. It seems her night wasn't as restful as mine because Luna was making strange sounds during the night and would not settle on the puppy pillow beside Frites. In the morning light she discovered the dog in her room had a splash of white on her chest. Yes, indeed, the puppies had been mixed up. Imagine that!!!

Collars are taken off at night to dry out

FP #4 Lyric (AKA Peanut)

2006-08-01T14:31:00.000-04:00

Lyric was born late in 2005. She arrived just in time to celebrate the holidays and Christmas Puppyfest at the cottage.

It was evident early on that Lyric was going to be one of my easiest, if not the easiest puppy to raise. She has been a calm, quiet and responsive puppy from day one. In fact, she's been so good that I often call her my little angel. She has her typical puppy moments but they are far and few between.

Lyric is very similiar to her sisterLuna, both in appearance and temperament. In fact, they are as identical as Eddie and Egan were. Thank goodness Lyric has a tiny white dash of fur on her chest and white patches on her paws (which definitely stand out) otherwise she may get lost in the sea of black Labs on recall day and during puppyfests at the cottage. There is no mistaking Lyric, that's for certain.

She's been a joy and I'm thankful to have been able to raise such a wonderful puppy. I can honestly say, other than playing too hard in the house (and one little incident in the spring), she has been a perfect puppy.

I dread her recall more than any I've experienced so far. Lyric wormed her way into my heart early on and it's going to be very, very difficult for me to say "See Ya".

Luna on left, Lyric on right (one month difference in age)

Beating the Heat

2006-07-29T15:59:00.000-04:00

It's been so hot we haven't ventured far from the air conditioning and puppy pool since the heat seems to affect Lyric more than any of the other dogs I've raised. I think we're all feeling it a bit more this summer than in years past. I know I am. Even the little blonde bombshell (Fortune), who is always up for an adventure, has declined evening walks and a trip to the beach, preferring instead to sleep on the floor vent. We filled the puppy pool with fresh water today and the gang had fun.

one big, beautiful black LabLyric has grown into a beautiful black Lab with personality plus and a great attitude. Each day she reminds me more and more of Egan, both in appearance and temperament. Her head is a bit smaller but she has a thick tail and short, stocky body, much like Egan had. Not delicate and petite like Miss Fortune.
The dash of white on her chest has remained the same size as when she was a puppy, and the racing strips on the front paws are quite noticeable when she's walking away. If it weren't for those white markings, I'd swear it was Egan living here.

No flash...she still blinks!

A Companion

2006-07-03T20:41:00.000-04:00

While cleaning out some old file folders I came across a journal entry written by a friend. It brought tears to my eyes when I read it the first time many years ago. I had just submitted my application and had no idea what an emotional roller coaster ride I was in for. The story brought tears to my eyes once again today as I thought about the puppies who have left their pawprints on my heart.

A Companion

I accompanied a friend to her foster pup’s Graduation. The next day I began to think of the emotional roller coaster ride being a foster family can bring. The first doubts rise when filling in the foster application, will we be accepted? Can we handle raising a puppy in a busy household? When the time comes can we give it back? The wait begins. The call comes, we are accepted and the excitement mounts as we wait for the date of pick up of a cuddly, eight week old pup. The joy we feel when the new member of our family is put in our arms. We recognize the faint smell of shampoo combined with that familiar, warm puppy scent. It is then we remind ourselves: “This puppy is so cute…but it isn’t truly ours” this is repeated to make separation a year from this first day easier. The puppy’s memory of mother & siblings soon fade and are replaced by love and care of its new foster family. There are days when we question our sanity: “Why are we doing this?” Begging the little monkey to come just isn’t working. As we fight the urge to chase it around the dining room table, our most expensive shoe succumbs to the needle-like puppy teeth. Or for some, endless nights of interrupted sleep, as the puppy slowly becomes secure in itself, sleeping alone in its crate. I believe that foster families take more photos of these puppies. Photographs are the strings that connect them to our hearts. Pictures that capture the glee of a puppy bounding into a pond, scattering the goldfish. Chasing a butterfly with abandon, these will be our memories. The hilarious stories will stay with us. Remembering, after 10 attempts, when the people in the food court of the local mall erupted with applause when the puppy finally marches onto the escalator, with a newly found confidence. Then one day, as it nears the puppy’s first birthday, we realize time is running out. With that sweet face, sleeping peacefully in the last shaft of the afternoon sun, we know we have done a sound job. Another important phone call is coming. This call pulls our family in two different directions. One of sadness because we will lose a member of our family that has grown up in our hearts. The other direction carries our pride, knowing the dedication taken in raising a foster puppy will be reflected throughout its life. The evening before the recall day is a quiet good-bye. Puppies love the taste of tears. The next day, at the Foundation, back in the same room, this time we hand the dog over, all papers in order. The drive home seems twice as long. The collar and leash are lying on the front seat. “No news is good news” is our mantra. For some the next telephone call brings heartbreak. With disqualification brings decisions: do we adopt the dog? The guilt when its decided to carry on fostering and release the pup to an adoptive family. We look ahead to the next puppy and wonder about the previous dog. For others, each event at the Foundation renews hope that we may catch a glimpse of ‘our baby” now mature and confident. Again we wait patiently; the next phone call confirms success, graduation. The roller coaster ride hits the highest peak. A grateful client searches for the right words while the foster family struggles with tears. Emotions simmer on the surface for clients and foster families. Pride swells to sadness, nervousness, gratefulness, anxiousness and pure happiness. It’s hard to imagine the dog standing like a sentinel beside its new owner was the same puppy that wouldn’t come out from under the bed on its first day home. We pray the client will keep in touch. They leave with a companion. The word companion as described in the dictionary: a person or animal whose company one enjoys; someone who shares another’s experiences, made to match or harmonize with another; to go with. This night a photograph of the Dog Guide Team will be added to the memory box. That past year brought a new set of memories, pictures and funny stories because we have been going through puppy hood again. With each trip to the mall or grocery store people ask that inevitable question “ How can you give them up?” We explain, educate and move along, and if we are lucky, knowing our previous dog is someone’s lifeline, a guide and a companion.
written by Boo

Please do not post elsewhere without permission

Happy Canada Day

2006-07-01T13:30:00.000-04:00

From our house to yours

Butterflies & Fireflies

2006-06-29T16:25:00.000-04:00

Lately Lyric has been chasing butterflies (and dragonflies, too). I sit and watch her as she runs and leaps around the yard, pure joy showing on her face.
The past few evenings she's been chasing fireflies as well. I can't see her (black dog, pitch dark of night- not a good combination) but I know that's what she's doing. I see a flicker of light back in the yard, then I hear her tags jingle as she runs to the area where the light appeared. The tiny light moves to another place and so does she. I wish there was a way to capture this on film but I don't have one of those fancy-dancy cameras capable of taking great night pictures.

As we approach Lyric's 9 month birthday, I've made a mental note to keep these precious memories close at hand for when the dreaded phone call comes. My first two puppies were recalled by 10 months of age so I'm not certain just how much time I have left with Lyric. I do know that time is slowly running out so we need to keep making memories.

I've also been thinking about the lessons Molson and the foster puppies have taught me: humility, patience, forgiveness, acceptance, perseverance, trust and now this latest ... to remember to enjoy the simple thing in life. Sometimes we get so caught up in the daily struggles our lives present that we forget to enjoy the simple things. A butterfly flittering through the sky brings more joy to a puppy than the few hundred dollars worth of toys that are scattered around the house and yard. Hmmmm.................

On another note, I suspect Lyric is heading into her first heat. I didn't have the pleasure of that experience with Fortune as her heat started after recall so I have no idea what I'm in for. All my other pets and puppies have been males. I've noticed a bit of attitude and independence in recent days and figure it can be attributed to 'hormones'. Oh yeah!!! Guess I better go out and pick up some Scooby Doo underwear for her- I've heard little boys underwear are perfect to protect carpets and allows for the tail to wag. ;-)

Ciao

Egan (FP#3)

2006-06-21T18:10:00.000-04:00

Egan arrived the size of a small bear cub. He was a huge puppy and grew into a fabulous looking Labrador, with a block shaped head, a thick tail and a short, stocky body. I realized very quickly he was going to be my most affection and cuddly foster puppy as he loved to curl up and cuddle, or just sit close and have his ears rubbed or his belly scratched. He never ventured very far from where I was sitting.

He was easy to handle, groom and work. Although, not the brightest pup of the lot, he still remains my favorite (despite Lyric being almost perfect). He would look at me with that sweet calf face of his, and I could never stay upset with him. He had a 'whatever' attitude and usually went with the flow.

Egan was fortunate to spend several vacations with his brothers Eddie and Essex. The three pups reminded us of little boys when they were together. They could be found digging for critters, building forts out of driftwood or wrestling with each other. They always broke away from the rest of the pack to do their thing.

Fortune was dq'd from training and returned home when Egan was 8 months of age. There were never plans to be a three dog household but sometimes circumstances dictate a decision that normally wouldn't be made. Molson, Fortune and Egan got along very well and brought much laughter with their crazy antics and different personalities.

Recall came and Egan was chosen by a patient trainer who seemed to really like him and his brother Eddie. Both dog were extremely similar in appearance and temperament so we knew if one dog graduated, the other was sure to follow suit. Sure enough, both are now guiding the way for their handlers. After having my first two puppies disqualified for medical reasons, I eagerly anticipated attending my first graduation. It was an experience I will never forget.

Ear Cleaning 101

2006-06-20T18:08:00.000-04:00

For the record-This post was a joke,... a spoof. Sort of like the story of how to give a cat a pill. I clean the ears of my foster puppies on a regualr basis so they are comfortable being handled. Fortune is another story entirely and she's never had an infection or smelly ears while in my care.

Egan getting his ears cleaned
Gather ear cleaning product, cotton balls (hide them so the dog can't see what you're doing)
Get reluctant dog
Squirt cleaning product onto cotton ball
Retrieve the dog who ran away as soon as he/she smelled the cleaning solution
Attempt to wipe out the ear with wet cotton ball
Retrieve dog who squirmed out of your grasp
Try to wipe out the ear again with wet cottan ball
Retrieve dog who is now hiding under the bed or in the most difficult place to get a good hold of him/her
Entice dog with a treat or toy
Make the decision that there has to be an easier way to clean ears
Call the Border Collie/Lab mix and give the command "hey, help me out and clean his/her ears"
Wait patiently for Border Collie/Lab mix to finish
Check ears to make sure they are clean and wipe with dry cotton ball
Reward both dogs with a pat and small cookie

Larry or Curly?

2006-06-18T17:02:00.000-04:00

Julia, this post is for you. Since it isn't apparent in any of the previously posted photos of Fortune, I've added these so you can determine which dog is Curly and, by process of elimination, which one is Larry! Obviously Molson is Mo ;-))

Maybe I should change the title to Larry, "Swirly" and Mo LOL

A Labrador's Paradise

2006-06-17T22:27:00.000-04:00

We found the neatest place to have our puppyfest. It was supposed to be at my house but plans changed when 7 dogs couldn't make it down this way so Fortune, Lyric and I headed East. I wasn't too sure what the plans were so I left Molson at home. He's almost 10 and usually after a puppyfest his hips bother him, plus I don't like him to over-exert himself in the heat (he has heart problems). In hindsight, I should have taken him. He would have loved it.

how many dogs does it take to carry one stick?

There were 9 dogs participating in Puppyfest June 06. We allowed them to swim on command and all were on their best behaviour.

Fortune and Roobie
Fortune spent most of the time as a Black Lab Wannabe. I'm sure the blacks and chocolate were just as dirty but it didn't show on them. The picture below has become my all time favourite picture of Miss Fortune (she kept her eye open in this one!).

It was a great day-well worth the 5 hours I spent on the highway and the wrong turn I made on the way home! Gee Sam and Nat-I must have the same road map you guys have! ;-)

Kent AKA Gumby, the bend in the middle dog (FP#1)

2006-06-16T18:26:00.000-04:00

Dear sweet Kent arrived in March 2002 with the handle "Khatadin". Thank goodness someone decided to change his name shortly after I picked him up! Molson took to him instantly, which was surpising since he was the first foster to grace our home. It was neat to watch Kent look to Molson whenever a command was issued and he'd mimic what his big brother was doing. It didn't take long for the little guy to learn commands and prove he had the 'right stuff'. Whenever that magic jacket was on, he performed perfectly. I could take him anywhere and knew he wouldn't disappoint me or misbehave. Nothing shook his confidence either-he was as solid as a rock no matter what we encountered. He was a typical Labrador puppy when he wasn't wearing his uniform.
Uncle Larry's moose in Collingwood

Our time together flew by much too quickly and before I knew it the dreaded phone call came. There was no doubt in my mind he had what it took to be a working dog-he was confident, obedient and eager to please. He loved people, he loved working and he knew when he could goof off and when he needed to be serious. That tail of his never stopped wagging either, he'd literally bend in the middle while wagging it. Imagine my shock and disappointment when I received a phone call saying he had been disqualified for medical reasons. I was heartbroken.

Kent was adopted by a very good friend of mine who spoils him rotten and is able to provide for whatever life throws his way. We affectionately refer to him now as the 6 million dollar bionic dog. ;-))

Fortune visiting Kent's family (l-r Fortune, Riley, Kent and Jade)

Blinky

2006-06-11T23:06:00.000-04:00

They say photographs of yellow Labs show the face and eyes more clearly than photos of black Labs.

I disagree!

Larry, Curly and Mo

2006-06-10T23:09:00.000-04:00

It was another fine spring day in Southern Ontario and so the three stooges and I spent most of the afternoon cleaning up the yard in anticipation of next weekend's puppyfest. We are expecting Lyric's sister and brother, 2 of Fortune's sisters, Egan's brother and a few other friends we have met along the way. Kent (foster puppy #1) heard about the party and plans to make an appearance as well. I'm keeping my fingers crossed the weather holds out because this house is much too small to accomodate 10+ dogs!

Lyric 8 months

Lyric Long Legs

2006-05-31T21:48:00.000-04:00

I was looking at Lyric today and couldn't believe how long her legs seem to have grown in a relatively short period of time.

No news to report. Things are still "progressing nicely".

One return, 5 vacate

2006-05-29T17:26:00.000-04:00

The dog came back, Mama Raccoon and 4 babies left. It took two nights for the raccoons to leave with Mama carrying one in her mouth along the back fence, over to the next street and then returning for the next. The last baby wasn't too happy about being left alone. I heard an awful lot of scratching and crying the final day.

The pack is complete and Nike is back to his usual bratty cat self instead of sitting at the door crying or trying to dash out. The AWOL dog appears to be back to normal as well.

.

Uninvited Guests

2006-05-22T06:41:00.000-04:00

I've been minus a dog for a week now. The "No Vacancy" sign hasn't been removed, however, some critters have decided to take up residence in my chimney. It would seem Mama Raccoon and her babies aren't bothered by all the noise and activity in this house. I heard scratching, purring and funny little squeaks for the first time on Saturday afternoon and I swear they were going to come through the panelling. The level of activity rose about dusk Saturday night so I went out and snapped a few pictures of one climbing out the chimney. Last night Mama (or Papa...I can't tell how many are camped out) wasn't quite so thrilled about being on Candid Camera as part of the neighbourhood was out taking pictures of the great escape.

The pest control people want to charge an arm and leg to come out on a holiday weekend and some won't take the adult(s) away if the babies are too young. The place they decided to nest is inaccessible from inside the house so I guess I wait for them to move out and then cap the chimney.

The strange part of this whole story is that neither dog is the slightest bit interested or concerned with the noise coming from the wall/chimney.

Tails of Mis(s) Fortune (FP#2)

2006-05-18T16:53:00.000-04:00

I was going through old emails between some friends and I and came to a series exchanged while we were raising 4 sisters from one litter. Reading the emails we all wrote during a period of about 8 months brought back some fond (and not so fond) memories of Fortune as a puppy. The overall theme in all my replies to my friends was that it was a good thing Fortune was cute and made me laugh once in a while!

Tails of Mis(s) Fortune

I suspected during the drive home from picking her up that life with Fortune wasn't going to be easy. And boy was I ever bang on!!! She was a challenge from the second we put her in the car and she continues to be my problem child.................. 3 and a half years later!

For the first 3 months I affectionately referred to her as "Fang" or " My Mis(s) Fortune, give or take an S depending on her day". I thought Molson was a super hyperactive dog but he was mellow and kind compared to this girl. Talk about ADHD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder and Tactile Defensive (she hated to be touched). Fortune literally shredded jeans and sweatshirts on a whim... while I was wearing them. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, except the crate, could prevent my hands and other body parts from being maimed or my clothing destroyed. She'd be all sweet and willing to work and then all of a sudden would lunge and clamp her jaws on whatever part of me she could get. Putting her in the crate kept my body parts safe but my ears paid a horrible price. Anyone within earshot would have thought I was pulling her apart limb by limb by the incredibily pathetic wails coming from within the house. "Practice, Patience, Praise, Persistence and Play" became my mantra. There were days I really wanted to trade her in for a new model -she drained me physically and emotionally. I stuck with it though- stocked with plenty of bandaids and old, ratty jeans and sweatshirts.

She was a wilful "child" who marched to her own drummer and obeyed when she felt like it............which wasn't very often. I wasn't totally green this time, I'd raised Molson and one other puppy (he was almost perfect in every way) and thought I had the skills necessary to successfully raise and train this puppy. It was tough but we made it through thanks to the support of my friends who all had a wicked sense of humour and frequently turned an unpleasant experience into yet another humourous moment in the ongoing saga of life with Fortune. When Fortune was about 8 months of age something finally clicked in her brain and she became sweet and obedient. So much so that I actually took her to Toronto for two days because we had been invited to visit the set of Sue Thomas FBEye. For weeks, I debated between taking her and staying home...she was so unpredictable. Yet when that light bulb finally clicked I couldn't believe the dramatic change in our relationship. The trip to Toronto was a success, with Fortune meeting many cast members of the show, including Jesse (the dog who played Hearing Ear Dog Levi), Deanne Bray and Yannick Bisson.

Shortly after our trip she was recalled for formal training. She passed all the early medical testing and went through assessments for different training programs. She found a place in one and remained there for a considerable length of time until she became ill and was disqualified.

She returned "home" and it was like she had never left, as far as the critters were concerned. Nike immediately sniffed her nose and began to play with her, Molson was beside himself with utter joy and Spazz went back into hiding. Fortune is still hyperactive and still gets herself into trouble more times than not but I can't imagine not having her in my life. She is a blessing in disguise.

Molson

2006-02-09T20:33:00.000-05:00

Since you're probably tired of hearing how 'perfect' Lyric is (LOL), I thought I'd blog about the different dogs I've raised.......starting with Molson who is a Border Collie/Lab mix . I picked him when he was only 4 days old (DOB July 23, 1996). There were 11 puppies in the litter, 9 were black and white (typical Border Collies), one was solid white and then there was My Golden Wannabe! He stole my heart the first time I saw him.........good thing too, because he wasn't the easiest puppy to raise. Molson was a highly intelligent and active puppy which caused us both a lot of grief in the beginning. Mainly because he was the first dog I'd ever had and I can honestly say I had no clue what I was doing. It was a learning process for us both as I struggled to stay one step ahead of him and remain top dog! We attended obedience classes once Molson was 9 months of age and according to the instructor my "advanced pupil was bored and acted out during class"-he needed to be "challenged". No kidding!! Apparently he learned things too quickly. "Barky Dog" was his nickname through all three different obediences sessions. He's still a barker (thankfully none of the foster puppies picked up that behaviour) but only when he's happy, playing fetch or when I leave him.... he suffers from major separation anxiety. Reading information about seperation anxiety doesn't do justice to the damage a dog can do (especially when they can get themself out of a crate no matter how you rig it) nor does the written material cover the range of emotions one feels when your precious puppy/dog has literally destroyed your home while you were out for a couple of hours. There were times I dreaded going home. The destructive behaviour ceased when Mo was about 18 months of age and the anxiety manifested itself with barking and whining (which can be almost as annoying!) instead. Heaven forbid I leave a room or the house, especially if we are visiting friends. Those who know Molson affectionately refer to him as a velco dog because he is never more than a few feet away from me. And if he is away from my side, he's constantly watching my every move or whining until I return. His anxiety was so severe this past summer that he actually swam out to me in the lake when I returned from tubing. He hates the water and usually only get his legs wet to retrieve a ball. Molson is getting up there in age and I see him slowing down as the years pass. He still loves to play with Fortune and the puppies who grace our home but he's also quite content to lay on the deck and survey his kingdom. He has a wide range of tricks he can perform, which includes telling "stories". I laugh every time he does it because his face gets all contorted and he tries really hard to whisper instead of making that high pitched, loud offensive bark he's known for.

The beginning may have been rough, but the last 8 yrs have been fantastic. We've been through a lot together and he has remained my faithful friend. He's taught me lessons in patience, humility, loyalty and most importantly, forgiveness. He's been a great playmate for the foster puppies as well.

Fall Celebrations

2005-10-29T10:55:00.000-04:00

We had another Puppyfest in North Eastern Ontario to celebrate the birth of our next foster puppies and the upcoming graduation of a previous pup. The gang of DQ'd dogs had a wonderful time running through the woods and wrestling with each other.

.

A Note From Fortune

2005-10-11T20:59:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone, Fortune here (the Career Change Dog). Lisa keeps talking about a new puppy coming soon and says I will be very happy to have a new playmate. Not that Molson isn't fun or anything but.... he's getting old and can't keep up with me any more. I noticed the other day that his face is the same colour as mine now. Do you think I've made him old before his time??? In case you don't know, Molson is King Tut around here. He never had to wear a green jacket like me and he was allowed on the couch and bed when I wasn't. How fair is that? He's been around for 9 years and is pretty attached to Lisa.
Molson is a Border Collie/Lab mix.

Being a Career Change Dog certainly has it advantages. I'm able to sleep on the couch now and even the bed once in a while. The absolute best thing though, is being able to swim and jump into the lake. Lisa says I am dog paddling before I even hit the water. Being a typical Lab, I LOVE to swim.

I don't get to go on outings any more in a 'magic' jacket but every once in a while there are events where all dogs are welcome. I went to the Royal Botanical Gardens and met a cute little guy named Calvin there. At first I ignored him (must be that training I had way back when) but it didn't take long for me to decide to play with every dog I met. Here's a picture of me 'ignoring' Calvin. I hope I get to see him again some day. Next time I won't walk past him without saying hello first!!

Hey Calvin... listen to Sam, she's real smart and she'll teach you what you need to know before you head off to doggy college.