Nelson

We sure do like Ginnie's photography. (Even if I do cheat some and drop out backgrounds....) Nelson is turning into one good-looking boy!

Tucker again

And one more....

Speaking of Tucker

I've been waiting for Carol to post this photo, but I'm not waiting any longer. :-) Our lone and lonesome Golden should have his photo available for fans!

A Busy Day

This is only the fourth late afternoon crash I've seen Marshall take. This is following a busy day of tagging along with foster brother to dog training for a big show...a long neighborhood walk...and going to Target to buy a digital camera...following by "here" training in the back yard...taking advantage of the excellent distraction of the attractive female shitzu across the fence!

Milliken and Mary Kate go to the Doctor

What a day! I woke up this morning and it was freezing cold, and I thought, "Why is it so cold?" My heater had stopped working! So, I called the heater repair man to come fix it, and I had to explain that I was not going to be at home because I had a vet appointment. After calling the heater man, I got a call from Mary Kate's teacher at school, and she told me that she's not acting well today. Mary Kate is my 5 year old daughter with autism. So, then I had to call Mary Kate's doctor for an appointment for today.

Needless to say, I was late leaving for the vet's office today, by about 20 minutes. I did not feed him before leaving the house, which was a good thing today, because he was "dry heaving" in his crate from motion sickness. I didn't have a mess to clean up! The appointment with Milliken at the vet's office went very well. He weighs 36 pounds, and I was told that one other pup weighed as much, but most pups were about 33 pounds. He's not overweight, he's just healthy (and strong!!!). So, he got his vaccinations, and we went back to Spartanburg. My heater had been fixed by the time I got home...YAY!!! Then, I picked up Mary Kate from SOAR Academy.

At my second doctor's appointment today, we saw Mary Kate's gastroenterologist. She's impacted, and has been that way for about 2 months. She also has not had a normal bm during that time, either. That would explain her behavior lately-more than usual, she's been very hyper, inattentive, aggressive, unresponsive, and tired-just generally cranky. It's very difficult to know when her behavior is out of the ordinary or normal for her. It's common for autistic kids to have problems with their bowels. So, we're going to have a fun weekend getting her bowels moving again!

Milliken is so easy to care for compared to Mary Kate.

Progress staying on "place"

Tucker is suddenly making real progress staying on place. This has been hard for him to learn, but the past few days he will stay there without a correction for up to 15 min. Although there's always something he can see that he wants (even though there are toys on place with him). I think his neck has stretched out a couple inches - he hangs his head off place and tries to reach the item without his feet touching the floor - quite a contortionist. Then he sighs and gives me the big-brown-eye-treatment: "I'm soooo booorrrrred!"

Off to the bank

Today Marshall made a visit to the bank. People on the street were amazed that this little guy of just 16 weeks was walking calmly by my side. I think I detected Marshall's first "sit and ignore the stranger and look at my handler" response, when talking with some businessmen on the street. But I'm not ready to say that just quite yet. Up until now, he's been very social in seeking attention on his outings.

At the bank, I didn't realize I had let go of the leash. He wandered off a bit (very calmly), but I quickly put him in a sit. Very soon, I realized he was laying at my feet without being asked. I'm sure this isn't all me. It is amazing to see this breeding. It's almost like he knows when he's "working" when the leash is on because, trust me...at home, we all know he is very adventurous!

Revolving Glass doors

Marshall went to work with me again today. Our work load is especially crazy, so his late afternoon trip outside had to be a quick one. Donned with his DFA visor, we took the elevator rather than the stairs. Made a very quick rest stop and headed back through the building lobby. To offer a quick challenge, and training opportunity, I opted for the revolving door rather than the regular door. All the doors are glass and to a little dog, look like the right path. Marshall was a little nervous about the situation, but quickly figured it out and maneuvered through the revolving door quite well for being in a hurry. What a trooper!

EMPTY YOUR POCKETS

I think you fellow puppy raisers will identify with this one. I had a doctor appointment today - just a routine check of an arthritic back, so no paper gown, etc. When I laid back on the exam table kibble fell out of my pockets, onto the table, floor, and, of course, the doctor's shoes! After a moment of confusion on his part (thinking maybe this lady has that eating disorder where she eats dog food, paper, etc), and laughing on my part - I was able to explain, and clean up the mess! So don't forget to empty your pockets before you go to the doctor! ;o)

More from Milliken...

Milliken is getting better at "Let's go", especially when I give him lots of treats. We walked for about a mile today, and I only had to correct him several times. You can tell that he would rather be investigating a stirring leaf or a noisy bird than to stay by my side for "let's go." He's getting more and more disciplined by the day.

I also took Mary Kate and Milliken to the playground today and I sat on the bench to watch her with Milliken by my side. He wanted so badly to go play with her, but, he realized he didn't have a choice-he stayed with me against his wishes.

He's getting better at riding in the car, too. He used to really hate to get in the car, but, now he knows when he gets in the car that he'll be seeing something new, and so he is more calm. After getting in the car, he moans and "talks", and then accepts that he's just going to have to sit there and trust me. And he does.

Learning about crosswalks

Puppies consider crosswalks to be BORING!!! But they behaved pretty well anyway! :-)

I promise that Ginnie was not trying to decapitate all people in the photos, but things tend to happen that way when one is concentrating on the important parts...the DOGS!

Nikki has good sits

She's waiting patiently for the cue to go. Behind her, Lucy and Otto appear to be waiting mostly for cookies.

Heading out!

Marshall and Mackey lead the way down Main Street.

Mauldin contemplates correct parking....

For his first big puppy outing, he really did do quite well!

Puppies Do Greenville

We had fun today in downtown Greenville! 12 puppies and I lost track of how many people. Probably more like 20, many who were wearing first-edition samples of our new DFA t-shirts (shortly to be available for online ordering). I was pleased that all the pups took the walk--with all the people and traffic and commotion--mostly in stride. We had a touchy moment or two from the newest youngster to join the group for outings, but he came around nicely with some time to adjust. Look at the attached photo--very good-looking crew, and check out how many puppies are looking at their handlers with superb attention!