Circus Act

In order to go to school today, Kelsey put me on the floor of the passenger seat of her car.  Silly Human...she thought she could shut the door, walk around the car and get in the open driver's side door.  I proved her wrong by jumping out the driver's door and running around the car to meet her halfway.  Hello!
In an attempt to foil me, Kelsey walked over to shut the driver's door.  Silly Human...I jumped past her and plopped down on the driver's seat.  Ready to go! Apparently not, because Kelsey booted me out of the car, shut the driver's door and walked me back over to the passenger's side.
In an attempt to foil me again, Kelsey put me on the floor of the passenger seat and commanded me to STAY.  Silly Human...I just jumped across the center counsel and stood on both the driver and passenger seats wagging my tail, while Kelsey attempted to walk around the car.
After a few deep breaths, Kelsey made a final attempt to foil me.  This time she hooked my leash around the interior car door handle and tied it tight.  Silly Human...I jumped to greet her on the driver's side but my efforts met an abrupt end and my butt met the passenger floor for the first time all morning.  Darn it....Silly Doggy.

Proof I finally figured this car riding thing out.

Now that everyone was in their proper place, we headed off to school with Kelsey muttering under her breath that it was a good thing the circus had left town or they may have asked us clowns to join their act. GRIN!  What can I say, I'm nothing if not pure entertainment.

Sleep AYOR

Boggle (the fuzzy blue thing in the picture) spent a good portion of last night sitting in the empty puppy crate and crying.  He has grown very accustomed to snuggling up at night next to whatever puppy in training is residing in my home and was especially fond of his most recent bunkmate, Apple (she let him sleep on top of her).  I told him he only had to wait one more night and a new trainee would be moving in.  I have always told Boggle that you, "Sleep At Your Own Risk."  He's never heeded to my warning and just walks into the crate and curls up to every puppy as if they've been lifelong friends.  Hopefully his next bunkmate, Barron, will be just as accepting of my crazy kitty!  Fingers crossed...  

Madison Delta Gamma

Hi All,

Barry here...I like being a dog cuz girls luv us!!! My pals and I got to visit Delta Gamma in Madison just a couple days after we visited them in Appleton. And you know what, us pups make instant squeals from everyone who misses their dogs at home.



Scout was pretty popular too, until little Miss Iris came to visit, and lil ole Blondie got all the attention!!!

I just can't believe they went to her after seeing this handsome mug!!!

Woof for now,

Barry

Kathy took Jala to Sharon Long's grooming kennel at Sun-Golden Kennels. Jala got to see her daddy, Lincoln the apricot boy in the middle right and her mommy, Violet, the blue/black girl in the bottom left. Jala was trimmed and bathed & very tired after as seen in the bottom right picture where she fell asleep in that position.

Anniversary

One year ago today, I sent my first email to OccuPaws inquiring about becoming involved in the organization.  In the year since then, I've had the wonderful opportunity of:

• Welcoming 14 puppies in training into my home (I made the mistake of feeding some, so they've come back again & again & again...)
• Attending dozens of events and fundraisers.  My favorite to date is Puppies on Parmenter.  This year I plan to actually walk around and visit all of the businesses and not get rained on!
• Gaining a wonderful extended family of puppy raisers, puppy sitters, and volunteers.
• Meeting hundreds if not thousands of people who probably never would have spoken to me otherwise if not to inquire about OccuPaws and the miracle on the end of the leash I was holding. 

Thank you to OccuPaws for all of the incredible experiences I have gained over the past year.  My house may be covered with dog hair that I'll never be able to remove and my left arm may be permanently longer than my right but the memories and opportunities I've gained will surely last me a lifetime.  I look back on the past year with an incredible fondness and I look forward to the coming year with complete excitement.

Thank you OccuPaws!

Visit To Appleton

Gordy, Barry, and Promise joined Mark, Barb and Marlette in a trip to Appleton, WI to speak to the Lawrence University Delta Gamma Chapter and some of the Alumni about OccuPaws and how the Delta Gamma Chapter in Madison has been so helpful.

Thank-you for inviting us!!!

Pans, Pans everywhere

OK, where is the counter so that I can surf it? When I got home the other day I found muffin tins and pie pans all over the tops of the counter. So, when I put my paws on the counter, the pan fell off and startled me! Does this mean that I am supposed to stay off of counter tops? I think that mom is hoping that I will train myself to stay with all four feet on the floor. Hummmm, good luck mom!..... Scout

Date with a guide Dog

Date with a Guide Dog on Channel 47

http://www.fox47.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/vid_2658.shtml#.TzmlWQM5DPw.facebook">http://www.fox47.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/vid_2658.shtml#.TzmlWQM5DPw.facebook

Domesticated-ish

I was very domestic today as I assisted Kelsey in making Valentine's bandannas for all of the puppies who attend the Sprecher's Date with a Guide Dog fundraiser tomorrow.  I served a dual assistance role as model and cutting board holder-downer; until I got my first lesson of the day...holding down stuff is officially a cat's job.  I was booted off the cutting board by two angry felines before the first bandanna was completed!  As it turns out, neither Kelsey nor I are very domestic and we had to call in Kelsey's mom for backup in order to complete the actual sewing and ironing of the bandannas.  Come to Sprecher's tomorrow 11-5 to check out me and my fellow puppies-in-training sporting our new bandannas.  

Capital K9

Today Kelsey took me and her students to the state capital for a legislative day.  We got to meet with many senators and representatives to talk with them about how important leadership and professionalism development is for high school students.  I didn't talk much, but my wagging tail and goofy grin served as an excellent icebreaker.
We also took a tour of the capital, where I got to sit under the desk of one of the WI Supreme Court Justices.  It was a perfect fit!  I wonder if any of them are looking for a Guide Dog?  I could be a very good decision-maker.
I was so excited to be at the capital that sometimes I forgot that all the floors were made of marble.  Several times, my feet went slipping and sliding all over!  The kids laughed at me but I don't mind being silly sometimes.

Pet Fair

My friend Scout and I had a great time at the Pet Fair in Milwaukee yesterday! We met lots of people that were interested in OccuPaws. Enjoy the pictures of our booth. Barry

My new friend

Hi there! I have a new friend, he is a cute little chocolate lab by the name of Scout. Mom and dad brought him home the other day. He is full of energy, and does not quite know how to "settle" the way Gordy and I do. But, he will learn. He is very smart and willing to learn. He also needs to learn that mom and dad are not very happy when a puppy puts his/her feet on counter tops.

I wonder what Gordy will think of him when he comes home to visit from "college"?

Barry