Echo does a "thing" that I have never experienced with any other dog.
---
Let me back up.
I've known, since I was in kindergarten, that dogs are sensitive about their feet, and, not too particular about their genitals. As opposed to us.
The point is dogs consider their feet their "private parts".
---
So, I am trying to figure out Echo.
---
She has been sleeping with me, since our first day together. In fact, at the start of this blog, there is post about the first night we were together.
---
Now, she sleeps with her head on my pillow, with her back against my chest. (I sleep on my side)
---
She has started dong this "thing". I know what she wants from me, when she does it. I'm not sure why she chose this particular thing to express it.
---
The first time it happened, we settled in to bed, together. ... and she groaned. It was the "all is right with the world" groan, and we were fine, for a while.
THEN, she, without moving her body, or disturbing the arm I had over her, started FLAILING her legs.
When she, finally, settled, the pads of her back paws were on the heel of the palm of the arm I had thrown over her, and the backs of her front paws were tucked in the part of my palm between my thumb and forefinger.
---
At first, it was occasional. NOW, she does this, pretty much, daily, and she wants to be held, in this fashion, for about 30 minutes a day.
---
Don't get me wrong, I like it. It has become "Dad" and "Little Girl" "cuddle time".
---
I have questions, though:
A) Is this a "collie" thing?
B) Is it an "Echo and Kevin" thing?
C) Or is it something else?
Friday, February 20, 2015
Sunday, February 8, 2015
CGC
I mean no offense to anyone reading this, TRULY.
From the time that Echo came to live with me, I have felt like the "Canine Good Citizenship"(CGC) certification from the American Kennel Club has been hanging over my/our head.
Echo's breeder has told me how her "smartest dog EVER" had to do it twice ... and how much Echo is like that dog.
On the day that I received Echo into my home. Jeanmarie Kautzman talked to me about the INCREDIBLE task I had taken on, in getting her to CGC certification.
From day one, our trainer, Ursula Pettyjohn, RIGOROUSLY pushed us toward the test, and had HIGH standards.
---
Then, "my little girl, and I, took the test today.
Going in, I was MUCH more confident in her, as an obedient dog, than I was in me, as a competent "handler".
-----
I thought it was going to be just one other dog/handler "couple", and us. I was hoping to go first.
I was wrong.
The first of two other handlers showed up ... with two dogs to test.
The second showed up with THREE dogs to test.
... and Echo and I were chosen to go last. .... dammit!
---
After working with various trainers, since September 2012, I had this concept in my head about how difficult the CGC certification was to achieve, and after 2+ years of training, I wasn't sure that Echo and I were up to the task.
I thought we were REALLY close, though. Just enough that I decided to give it a shot.
---
Then, I saw the other 5 dogs go through the test.
2 of the 5 passed.
As I was watching, I couldn't help think that, in training, my dog and I were held to a MUCH HIGHER standard, as a pup, than these dogs are being held to at this moment.
---
And, for the first 9 (out of 10) tasks, Echo was ... there should have been videos put on YouTube of Echo demonstrating how to pass those tasks, PERFECTLY!
---
The final task, we had to do twice.
---
Echo is a VERY friendly dog.
In fact, in the 2+ years I have had her, she has only met ONE person that she has not liked. She regards ALL dogs as potential playmates. ... Our trainer, on more than one occasion, has called her "an incorrigible flirt".
---
When confronted with doing "reaction to another dog", for the second time, Ursula pulled me out of "dog handler" mode, and told me to re-engage Echo like I always do ... "my little girl".
I trusted Ursula, and did what she said.
And, once again, Echo gave a "text book" performance of how that task is supposed to be done.
---
So, here we are:
From the time that Echo came to live with me, I have felt like the "Canine Good Citizenship"(CGC) certification from the American Kennel Club has been hanging over my/our head.
Echo's breeder has told me how her "smartest dog EVER" had to do it twice ... and how much Echo is like that dog.
On the day that I received Echo into my home. Jeanmarie Kautzman talked to me about the INCREDIBLE task I had taken on, in getting her to CGC certification.
From day one, our trainer, Ursula Pettyjohn, RIGOROUSLY pushed us toward the test, and had HIGH standards.
---
Then, "my little girl, and I, took the test today.
Going in, I was MUCH more confident in her, as an obedient dog, than I was in me, as a competent "handler".
-----
I thought it was going to be just one other dog/handler "couple", and us. I was hoping to go first.
I was wrong.
The first of two other handlers showed up ... with two dogs to test.
The second showed up with THREE dogs to test.
... and Echo and I were chosen to go last. .... dammit!
---
After working with various trainers, since September 2012, I had this concept in my head about how difficult the CGC certification was to achieve, and after 2+ years of training, I wasn't sure that Echo and I were up to the task.
I thought we were REALLY close, though. Just enough that I decided to give it a shot.
---
Then, I saw the other 5 dogs go through the test.
2 of the 5 passed.
As I was watching, I couldn't help think that, in training, my dog and I were held to a MUCH HIGHER standard, as a pup, than these dogs are being held to at this moment.
---
And, for the first 9 (out of 10) tasks, Echo was ... there should have been videos put on YouTube of Echo demonstrating how to pass those tasks, PERFECTLY!
---
The final task, we had to do twice.
---
Echo is a VERY friendly dog.
In fact, in the 2+ years I have had her, she has only met ONE person that she has not liked. She regards ALL dogs as potential playmates. ... Our trainer, on more than one occasion, has called her "an incorrigible flirt".
---
When confronted with doing "reaction to another dog", for the second time, Ursula pulled me out of "dog handler" mode, and told me to re-engage Echo like I always do ... "my little girl".
I trusted Ursula, and did what she said.
And, once again, Echo gave a "text book" performance of how that task is supposed to be done.
---
So, here we are:
Thursday, August 7, 2014
I am amazed, and bemused
I live with an animal that can out run me, even when I could run.
Given her musculature, and inbred skills, she could knock me down at any time she chooses.
She has teeth that could, if she chose, rip my throat out in an instant. Which she could easily do, because we have been sleeping in the same bed for almost 2 years, now.
---
Today, my Echo and I went through training for here "CGC" (Canine Good Citizenship) certification.
Even though, she is an incorrigible flirt, and has problems not trying to interact with other dogs, it appears that another task of the 10 is going to be a greater challenge.
---
Before I go on, let me explain some things about Echo.
In the almost 2 years that I have had her, she has only met ONE person that she has not liked, and sh has met A LOT of people. She is one of the most friendly, and gregarious dogs I have ever met.
She likes people, and other dogs. She is spellbound by people on bycicles and motorcycles, and sheep.
Her 4 favorite people, EVER, are, in order: are me, my wife (Amy), Ursula (our trainer), (Ursula and Amy MIGHT be tied ... or Ursula might be second) and Jesus (my son).
---
So, today, in training, we were working the CGC tasks.
Once she figured out that we were "working", and she wasn't going to get "play time" with any of the other dogs, she was PERFECT.
UNTIL ...
---
Let me back up again, for a moment.
The first time, almost 2 years ago, that Echo and I went to an Advanced Class with Ursula, one of the first things that we did was a simulated test of a CGC task: separation from the owner/handler, while held by a stranger.
On that day, Echo was the ONLY dog that passed that task. She was about 9 months old. The other dogs in the class were 2-5 years old, and had been in training for most of their lives.
---
The CGC standard is that, for this task, is that you have to leave your dog with a stranger, and, more or less, they cannot bark for you, or get overly agitated ... for 3 minutes.
---
We have done this in this past, in training, recently, with other handlers she knows and likes.
After about 30 seconds, she has hit her limit, once I have gone out of sight.
---
Today, we tried it with Ursula as the person holding her. (Remember that Echo LOVES Ursula)
30 seconds was okay.
When we went for a minute, she was anxious, and barked twice. Ursula said she jumped, twice, as well.
---
On one hand, I REALLY want her to pass the CGC, and "Public Access Dog"(PAD) certifications, ... and get the VA to prescribe a Service Animal for me. ... So, I was a bit disappointed.
On the hand, hearing her "distress" bark, twice, and the SHEER JOY I saw from her, when I reappeared in the room was, in a weird way, gratifying.
The "distress bark" ripped out my heart. My first instinct was to run to her.
When I reentered the room, we locked eyes, she gave me a look, and a "posture".
---
While I want her to be completely successful when we go for the CGC, I am not unhappy that THIS is the 1 task, out of 10, we are struggling with.
On my end of things, she has been "Daddy's 'Little Girl'" for a long time.
Today, for my perception, she CEMENTED, in my mind, that she feels the same way.
---
Final anlysis:
I'm frustrated because Echo and I have not earned CGC or PAD certifications.
On the other hand, Echo and I go out often and meet people that have "Service Animals", supposedly accreddited by law, and Echo behaves better than them. (Her vest says "Service Dog In Training")
What I learned today: "My Little Girl" wants to be with me ALL THE TIME ... and, she is motivated, and smart enough to figure out how to be by my side ALL THE TIME. ...
Just don't separate us.
Given her musculature, and inbred skills, she could knock me down at any time she chooses.
She has teeth that could, if she chose, rip my throat out in an instant. Which she could easily do, because we have been sleeping in the same bed for almost 2 years, now.
---
Today, my Echo and I went through training for here "CGC" (Canine Good Citizenship) certification.
Even though, she is an incorrigible flirt, and has problems not trying to interact with other dogs, it appears that another task of the 10 is going to be a greater challenge.
---
Before I go on, let me explain some things about Echo.
In the almost 2 years that I have had her, she has only met ONE person that she has not liked, and sh has met A LOT of people. She is one of the most friendly, and gregarious dogs I have ever met.
She likes people, and other dogs. She is spellbound by people on bycicles and motorcycles, and sheep.
Her 4 favorite people, EVER, are, in order: are me, my wife (Amy), Ursula (our trainer), (Ursula and Amy MIGHT be tied ... or Ursula might be second) and Jesus (my son).
---
So, today, in training, we were working the CGC tasks.
Once she figured out that we were "working", and she wasn't going to get "play time" with any of the other dogs, she was PERFECT.
UNTIL ...
---
Let me back up again, for a moment.
The first time, almost 2 years ago, that Echo and I went to an Advanced Class with Ursula, one of the first things that we did was a simulated test of a CGC task: separation from the owner/handler, while held by a stranger.
On that day, Echo was the ONLY dog that passed that task. She was about 9 months old. The other dogs in the class were 2-5 years old, and had been in training for most of their lives.
---
The CGC standard is that, for this task, is that you have to leave your dog with a stranger, and, more or less, they cannot bark for you, or get overly agitated ... for 3 minutes.
---
We have done this in this past, in training, recently, with other handlers she knows and likes.
After about 30 seconds, she has hit her limit, once I have gone out of sight.
---
Today, we tried it with Ursula as the person holding her. (Remember that Echo LOVES Ursula)
30 seconds was okay.
When we went for a minute, she was anxious, and barked twice. Ursula said she jumped, twice, as well.
---
On one hand, I REALLY want her to pass the CGC, and "Public Access Dog"(PAD) certifications, ... and get the VA to prescribe a Service Animal for me. ... So, I was a bit disappointed.
On the hand, hearing her "distress" bark, twice, and the SHEER JOY I saw from her, when I reappeared in the room was, in a weird way, gratifying.
The "distress bark" ripped out my heart. My first instinct was to run to her.
When I reentered the room, we locked eyes, she gave me a look, and a "posture".
---
While I want her to be completely successful when we go for the CGC, I am not unhappy that THIS is the 1 task, out of 10, we are struggling with.
On my end of things, she has been "Daddy's 'Little Girl'" for a long time.
Today, for my perception, she CEMENTED, in my mind, that she feels the same way.
---
Final anlysis:
I'm frustrated because Echo and I have not earned CGC or PAD certifications.
On the other hand, Echo and I go out often and meet people that have "Service Animals", supposedly accreddited by law, and Echo behaves better than them. (Her vest says "Service Dog In Training")
What I learned today: "My Little Girl" wants to be with me ALL THE TIME ... and, she is motivated, and smart enough to figure out how to be by my side ALL THE TIME. ...
Just don't separate us.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Conversation with Amy
Amy follows a lot of dog pages on Facebook. One of those pages asked the question: "Can you identify your dog?"
So, Amy, in our discussion about this, went on to say that Echo had a "white star" on her face, and "socks". She, then, asked me to tell her which sock was lowest on Echo's legs.
I told Amy the following:
It wasn't a "star", per se, it was a sliver of white, above her brow.
The lowest "sock" is on her left hind leg.
She is white, with an overlaid mask, "jacket", and tail of blonde. At the crook of her tail, she has a spot of black/merle ... that's what makes her a "sable" collie. ... Also, while her tail is blonde, Echo has a white "flag" at the end of it.
Right in the middle of her hips she has a spot that, while "blonde" is darker than any other blonde on her body.
While her eyes are hazel, in her right eye, at "9 o'clock", as you look into it, exactly, there is a spot that is "ice blue".
Her skin, under her fur, in what would be a person's arm pits, and at the top of the inside of her haunches, has what I call large freckles. They are black. Amy calls them "liver spots".
... Oh! between her "mask" and "jacket" of blonde, over the white, there is this ... peninsula of blonde on the left side of her neck. If you look down from her head toward her backside, it looks kind of like the Korean Peninsula ... or the shape of the state of Delaware.
The interesting thing about all of the above is that, while Echo was in the room while I was saying this, she was not in my line of sight. I had, shortly before this, turned my head opposite of where she was laying, and didn't turn to look at her, in this conversation. ... Just to prove my point. and I didn't have to say it.
While I couldn't see Echo, Amy was near Echo, and Amy was in my peripheral vision. She checked Echo for what I said, after I said it. Because, I, apparently, brought up some details that she had never noticed before.
Amy's final conclusion: "You know your dog."
I refrained from shouting: "DUH!?!?!?" because I'm not stupid.
Our 28th wedding anniversary is in 20 days. I've learned a FEW things in that time. (grin)
So, Amy, in our discussion about this, went on to say that Echo had a "white star" on her face, and "socks". She, then, asked me to tell her which sock was lowest on Echo's legs.
I told Amy the following:
It wasn't a "star", per se, it was a sliver of white, above her brow.
The lowest "sock" is on her left hind leg.
She is white, with an overlaid mask, "jacket", and tail of blonde. At the crook of her tail, she has a spot of black/merle ... that's what makes her a "sable" collie. ... Also, while her tail is blonde, Echo has a white "flag" at the end of it.
Right in the middle of her hips she has a spot that, while "blonde" is darker than any other blonde on her body.
While her eyes are hazel, in her right eye, at "9 o'clock", as you look into it, exactly, there is a spot that is "ice blue".
Her skin, under her fur, in what would be a person's arm pits, and at the top of the inside of her haunches, has what I call large freckles. They are black. Amy calls them "liver spots".
... Oh! between her "mask" and "jacket" of blonde, over the white, there is this ... peninsula of blonde on the left side of her neck. If you look down from her head toward her backside, it looks kind of like the Korean Peninsula ... or the shape of the state of Delaware.
The interesting thing about all of the above is that, while Echo was in the room while I was saying this, she was not in my line of sight. I had, shortly before this, turned my head opposite of where she was laying, and didn't turn to look at her, in this conversation. ... Just to prove my point. and I didn't have to say it.
While I couldn't see Echo, Amy was near Echo, and Amy was in my peripheral vision. She checked Echo for what I said, after I said it. Because, I, apparently, brought up some details that she had never noticed before.
Amy's final conclusion: "You know your dog."
I refrained from shouting: "DUH!?!?!?" because I'm not stupid.
Our 28th wedding anniversary is in 20 days. I've learned a FEW things in that time. (grin)
Life is Good
On November 17th of last year, I posted this: http://echoservicedog.blogspot.com/2012/11/wow-change-of-perspective.html
Do the following, in order: 1) follow the linked song; 2) read the text below the video box CAREFULLY.
While we haven't succeeded in completing all the training that I hoped we would, at this point, I AM "her veteran/Dad", and she IS the brightest spot in my life.
By the way, way "my little girl/puppy" will become "my little girl/dog" in 12 days. On the 14th of June, Echo will be a year old.
Do the following, in order: 1) follow the linked song; 2) read the text below the video box CAREFULLY.
While we haven't succeeded in completing all the training that I hoped we would, at this point, I AM "her veteran/Dad", and she IS the brightest spot in my life.
By the way, way "my little girl/puppy" will become "my little girl/dog" in 12 days. On the 14th of June, Echo will be a year old.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Catching Up
I haven't posted in a while. The holidays were busy. They were good. It was a quiet one, for a change.
It was a big time for Echo, as well.
Let me explain:
Part of the original deal from the breeder that put Echo in the AAD program was that she be spayed as soon as it was feasible.
According to our vet, and everyone else we talked to (Jean, primarily), she should not be spayed before she turned 6 months old.
Well, she turned 6 months old on December 14th.
It was originally scheduled for the 12th, but there was some kind of communications snafu.
Echo was spayed on the 26th of December.
---
The surgery went fine.
She came home that afternoon.
She was, obviously, in discomfort, but we kept her medicated.
She never appeared to be in any real pain.
She slept most of that night, generally, cuddled up next to me.
You have seen pictures of "her" pillow, the maroon one. Well, we put that with another large pillow, in the floor, in front of the couch facing the fireplace. I put the mat, that came with Echo, on it. I built a nice warm fire in the fireplace, and we settled onto the pillows together.
---
She felt somewhat better the next day.
---
Basically, over the next few days, we kept her medicated with everything the vet gave us.
The goal was to attempt to keep her as still as possible for the first few days.
Of course, that was only going to be somewhat successful. According to information I can find, physically, she is the human-equivalent of 5-6 years old. Mentally, and emotionally, she is in her early teen years.
She isn't going to be kept quiet, and lying down for very long, no matter how she is feeling.
It's cute, though. She will do something that is "all puppy", and then look up at you, with this endearing look. You can hear a little girl's voice in your head, saying: "I'm 6 months old."
---
I'm happy to report that the sutures are healing well. She doesn't even seem to be conscious of them. We have not had to use the "cone of shame" even once. The only things that seem to bother her are the section of her belly, and the part of her left foreleg that were shaved for the operation, and the IV. Even that is pretty minimal. The main thing that bothers her is the edges of the shaved area on her belly.
---
So, Echo is spayed, recovering, and doing fine.
---
If anything, I think this entire process was rougher on me than her, given the way that she is acting. It was especially rough on me that first day.
I took her into the vet shortly before 8 AM. I received a briefing from the vet that would be doing the surgery, with her in the room. She was led off, after that. I was told that I would receive a call, if everything went okay, after she went into the recovery room. AND, if something went wrong, I would receive a call immediately.
So, I kept my bluetooth earpiece on ALL day, and my cell phone was always within reach. (My cell is rarely too far from me, but, I only put on the earpiece when I need it.)
FINALLY, I received a call, shortly before 2, saying that I could pick her up at 5.
I picked up Amy from work, and we went to get her together.
Once we were in the vet's office, it seemed to take FOREVER for them to bring her out. ... It was a nice visit, though. Our vet, Doc Jo, was there. All of our favorite support staff were there. Heather, Doc Jo's long-time tech, ran through all the care that Echo would need with me, and gave me a detailed, 3-page, "after surgery" care handout, with all the meds that they were sending home with her.
It was nice.
It was caring.
It was "due diligence", in terms of what needed to be done for her over the next few days.
It was ANNOYING!
I, just, wanted to see "my little girl", and make sure she was okay.
FINALLY, Heather brought Echo out. Echo wouldn't look at Amy or I, in the eye, BUT she laid back both ears as soon as she saw us. When I walked up to her, and went down on one knee, she kept her ears laid back, and did the "big dog lean" into me. She wouldn't look me in the eye, but she did everything else.
Heather remarked that, because Echo wouldn't look either of us in the eye, she must be mad at us.
I'm pretty sure that Heather was right, but not for the implied reasons. ... Because, as Heather was saying this, Echo was circling me, doing "the lean", while not making eye contact.
I don't think Echo was mad at me for the surgery, or her pain. I think she was mad at me because I wasn't there with her. Because I left her there. ... She has a history of reacting badly to me "handing her off" to others.
So, while Echo is "greeting" me, and I am, on one knee, returning the greeting, I hear Heather ask Amy: "So, she's 'Daddy's little girl'?" ... And Amy says: "From the first day we had her." ... AT THAT POINT, there was a collective "AW!", from EVERYONE in the waiting room (it was, mostly, staff, at that point).
THAT was the only part of that entire day that I find gratifying.
Because Heather had noticed that her old halter was chafing Echo (because it was too small, now), we took her to Mud Bay, next door, and got her a new one, quickly. ... I think the new one looks rather good on her.
Then, we took her home, as quickly as possible. And, as stated before, we settled as quickly and comfortably as possible.
---
This was stressful, for me.
The last female dog that I have owned, and was spayed was Bandit, my 5th Birthday gift (1970).
ALL of "my dogs" (those that I have wanted, and claimed me) have been male, ever since. Most of those have been "snipped", but that is VERY different. It's not major surgery.
Most of that first night, we sat in her space, and she snuggled up to me.
---
In the end, though, I think the process has made us closer than ever.
It was a big time for Echo, as well.
Let me explain:
Part of the original deal from the breeder that put Echo in the AAD program was that she be spayed as soon as it was feasible.
According to our vet, and everyone else we talked to (Jean, primarily), she should not be spayed before she turned 6 months old.
Well, she turned 6 months old on December 14th.
It was originally scheduled for the 12th, but there was some kind of communications snafu.
Echo was spayed on the 26th of December.
---
The surgery went fine.
She came home that afternoon.
She was, obviously, in discomfort, but we kept her medicated.
She never appeared to be in any real pain.
She slept most of that night, generally, cuddled up next to me.
You have seen pictures of "her" pillow, the maroon one. Well, we put that with another large pillow, in the floor, in front of the couch facing the fireplace. I put the mat, that came with Echo, on it. I built a nice warm fire in the fireplace, and we settled onto the pillows together.
---
She felt somewhat better the next day.
---
Basically, over the next few days, we kept her medicated with everything the vet gave us.
The goal was to attempt to keep her as still as possible for the first few days.
Of course, that was only going to be somewhat successful. According to information I can find, physically, she is the human-equivalent of 5-6 years old. Mentally, and emotionally, she is in her early teen years.
She isn't going to be kept quiet, and lying down for very long, no matter how she is feeling.
It's cute, though. She will do something that is "all puppy", and then look up at you, with this endearing look. You can hear a little girl's voice in your head, saying: "I'm 6 months old."
---
I'm happy to report that the sutures are healing well. She doesn't even seem to be conscious of them. We have not had to use the "cone of shame" even once. The only things that seem to bother her are the section of her belly, and the part of her left foreleg that were shaved for the operation, and the IV. Even that is pretty minimal. The main thing that bothers her is the edges of the shaved area on her belly.
---
So, Echo is spayed, recovering, and doing fine.
---
If anything, I think this entire process was rougher on me than her, given the way that she is acting. It was especially rough on me that first day.
I took her into the vet shortly before 8 AM. I received a briefing from the vet that would be doing the surgery, with her in the room. She was led off, after that. I was told that I would receive a call, if everything went okay, after she went into the recovery room. AND, if something went wrong, I would receive a call immediately.
So, I kept my bluetooth earpiece on ALL day, and my cell phone was always within reach. (My cell is rarely too far from me, but, I only put on the earpiece when I need it.)
FINALLY, I received a call, shortly before 2, saying that I could pick her up at 5.
I picked up Amy from work, and we went to get her together.
Once we were in the vet's office, it seemed to take FOREVER for them to bring her out. ... It was a nice visit, though. Our vet, Doc Jo, was there. All of our favorite support staff were there. Heather, Doc Jo's long-time tech, ran through all the care that Echo would need with me, and gave me a detailed, 3-page, "after surgery" care handout, with all the meds that they were sending home with her.
It was nice.
It was caring.
It was "due diligence", in terms of what needed to be done for her over the next few days.
It was ANNOYING!
I, just, wanted to see "my little girl", and make sure she was okay.
FINALLY, Heather brought Echo out. Echo wouldn't look at Amy or I, in the eye, BUT she laid back both ears as soon as she saw us. When I walked up to her, and went down on one knee, she kept her ears laid back, and did the "big dog lean" into me. She wouldn't look me in the eye, but she did everything else.
Heather remarked that, because Echo wouldn't look either of us in the eye, she must be mad at us.
I'm pretty sure that Heather was right, but not for the implied reasons. ... Because, as Heather was saying this, Echo was circling me, doing "the lean", while not making eye contact.
I don't think Echo was mad at me for the surgery, or her pain. I think she was mad at me because I wasn't there with her. Because I left her there. ... She has a history of reacting badly to me "handing her off" to others.
So, while Echo is "greeting" me, and I am, on one knee, returning the greeting, I hear Heather ask Amy: "So, she's 'Daddy's little girl'?" ... And Amy says: "From the first day we had her." ... AT THAT POINT, there was a collective "AW!", from EVERYONE in the waiting room (it was, mostly, staff, at that point).
THAT was the only part of that entire day that I find gratifying.
Because Heather had noticed that her old halter was chafing Echo (because it was too small, now), we took her to Mud Bay, next door, and got her a new one, quickly. ... I think the new one looks rather good on her.
Then, we took her home, as quickly as possible. And, as stated before, we settled as quickly and comfortably as possible.
---
This was stressful, for me.
The last female dog that I have owned, and was spayed was Bandit, my 5th Birthday gift (1970).
ALL of "my dogs" (those that I have wanted, and claimed me) have been male, ever since. Most of those have been "snipped", but that is VERY different. It's not major surgery.
Most of that first night, we sat in her space, and she snuggled up to me.
---
In the end, though, I think the process has made us closer than ever.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Echo's Name
Amy has, repeatedly, said that she wants to "re-name" Echo. I have kept that from happening.
Until now, I didn't know EXACTLY why, but I knew it was the wrong decision for us, and her.
---
First reason:
Since early 1996, all of our dogs have been "foreign nationals".
Tasselhof and Radar were born in Panama. Gimli was born in Germany. Echo was born in Canada.
---
Second reason:
All of the AAD dogs had names that were pertinent to the goal of the program: "Liberty", "Freedom", etc.
... And, in the blur of information that I was given initially, I was told that "ECHO" was a "Canadian thing" of similar standing.
It wasn't explained to me. I don't know if Jean knew the specifics or not ... We have not had the time to discuss it.
I, just, accepted it.
---
Well, I, finally, found out what my "little girl" was named for.
She was named for the Canadian Forces "Operation ECHO".
While it wasn't the Canadian commitment to D-Day or Passchendaele, it was significant for it's era.
---
AAD, already, had "Freedom" and "Liberty".
What else could expect for a name, given that the dog is Canadian?
Well, there is Quebec, ... given the the French influence, you could expect "Equality", or "Fraternity".
---
But, REALLY?
Okay, I have a Cana-dog. (Not a problem. Tas and Radar were Pana-mutts. Gimli is a Deutschland Dackel. (Dackel is German for dachshund))
There is NO WAY I am going to look into this sweet face and call her: Equality, Fraternity, or Passchendaele. (The last one is the most acceptable of the bunch.)
That leaves "Juno", and "Echo".
She's not a "Juno".
Besides, given the multicultural nature of the people that are in and out of my house, Amy and I would offend some of our closest friends, if they heard: "Jew, no!"
---
So, she is going to stay my little Echo, the Cana-dog, eh.
---
I still kick myself for not making "eh" her "marker word"!
Until now, I didn't know EXACTLY why, but I knew it was the wrong decision for us, and her.
---
First reason:
Since early 1996, all of our dogs have been "foreign nationals".
Tasselhof and Radar were born in Panama. Gimli was born in Germany. Echo was born in Canada.
---
Second reason:
All of the AAD dogs had names that were pertinent to the goal of the program: "Liberty", "Freedom", etc.
... And, in the blur of information that I was given initially, I was told that "ECHO" was a "Canadian thing" of similar standing.
It wasn't explained to me. I don't know if Jean knew the specifics or not ... We have not had the time to discuss it.
I, just, accepted it.
---
Well, I, finally, found out what my "little girl" was named for.
She was named for the Canadian Forces "Operation ECHO".
While it wasn't the Canadian commitment to D-Day or Passchendaele, it was significant for it's era.
---
AAD, already, had "Freedom" and "Liberty".
What else could expect for a name, given that the dog is Canadian?
Well, there is Quebec, ... given the the French influence, you could expect "Equality", or "Fraternity".
---
But, REALLY?
Okay, I have a Cana-dog. (Not a problem. Tas and Radar were Pana-mutts. Gimli is a Deutschland Dackel. (Dackel is German for dachshund))
There is NO WAY I am going to look into this sweet face and call her: Equality, Fraternity, or Passchendaele. (The last one is the most acceptable of the bunch.)
That leaves "Juno", and "Echo".
She's not a "Juno".
Besides, given the multicultural nature of the people that are in and out of my house, Amy and I would offend some of our closest friends, if they heard: "Jew, no!"
---
So, she is going to stay my little Echo, the Cana-dog, eh.
---
I still kick myself for not making "eh" her "marker word"!
Crossroads
I've been sitting on some information for a while.
I couldn't say anything until I had permission. (Hence, the suspension of this blog.)
---
As you know, Echo was one of the dogs that the "All American Dogs" program (AAD) had in training to be a service dog.
Well, on or about December 6th, AAD went "sideways". In fact, it no longer exists.
---
One of the first things that the person left in control of what was left (Jean) did was to make decisions about the dogs that were in the program.
Jean's original goal for Echo was to place her with a veteran that loved her, and she would love in return. ... and, hopefully, Echo would make that veteran's life better.
---
To, more or less, cut to the chase: I'm a veteran. If you have read this blog, then you know I love Echo, and she loves me. ... and, thanks to the bond that has been created between us, she makes my life better.
Jean came to this conclusion before I did.
---
On December 6th, I was told it was going to happen. Today, finally, it did.
The final paperwork making Echo my dog was handed to me this last afternoon.
---
I expected ... I don't know ... some kind of disappointment, or regret from Jean, today, when this happened.
She gave me gifts. (her favorite pictures of Echo, in a really nice frame ... and EVERYTHING she had about Echo, and collies, to include a nice "baby picture" of Echo) ... THEN, she gave me a big hug.
---
At the start, I said that this blog was going to be a "love letter" of Echo's journey to being with "her veteran". ... That I was going to chronicle all the love and care that she was given, for that person.
I didn't know that "her veteran" was going to be me.
---
Echo and I have a lot of options before us. I'm not sure which one we are going to take.
It will, probably, be late January, or early February, before those decisions are made.
---
If she doesn't move on into service dog training, that raises the question of the continuance of this blog.
At that point, it is, probably, better if blogging about her took place on my personal blog.
If that happens, I will post a link to it on this blog, as my final post.
I couldn't say anything until I had permission. (Hence, the suspension of this blog.)
---
As you know, Echo was one of the dogs that the "All American Dogs" program (AAD) had in training to be a service dog.
Well, on or about December 6th, AAD went "sideways". In fact, it no longer exists.
---
One of the first things that the person left in control of what was left (Jean) did was to make decisions about the dogs that were in the program.
Jean's original goal for Echo was to place her with a veteran that loved her, and she would love in return. ... and, hopefully, Echo would make that veteran's life better.
---
To, more or less, cut to the chase: I'm a veteran. If you have read this blog, then you know I love Echo, and she loves me. ... and, thanks to the bond that has been created between us, she makes my life better.
Jean came to this conclusion before I did.
---
On December 6th, I was told it was going to happen. Today, finally, it did.
The final paperwork making Echo my dog was handed to me this last afternoon.
---
I expected ... I don't know ... some kind of disappointment, or regret from Jean, today, when this happened.
She gave me gifts. (her favorite pictures of Echo, in a really nice frame ... and EVERYTHING she had about Echo, and collies, to include a nice "baby picture" of Echo) ... THEN, she gave me a big hug.
---
At the start, I said that this blog was going to be a "love letter" of Echo's journey to being with "her veteran". ... That I was going to chronicle all the love and care that she was given, for that person.
I didn't know that "her veteran" was going to be me.
---
Echo and I have a lot of options before us. I'm not sure which one we are going to take.
It will, probably, be late January, or early February, before those decisions are made.
---
If she doesn't move on into service dog training, that raises the question of the continuance of this blog.
At that point, it is, probably, better if blogging about her took place on my personal blog.
If that happens, I will post a link to it on this blog, as my final post.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Exception (birthday)...
Okay, I have not TOTALLY suspended posts on the blog.
---
Echo is 6 months old, today!
She is beautiful, sweet, loving, graceful (except for those "puppy-clumsy" moments), and a joy to be with.
The worst thing I can say about her is that she needs to be brushed, badly.
(Give me a break, I've had smooth-coated dachshunds for the last 21 years!)
I'm going to get a good brush for her tomorrow. ... and then, try to figure out the best way to use it.
---
Echo is 6 months old, today!
She is beautiful, sweet, loving, graceful (except for those "puppy-clumsy" moments), and a joy to be with.
The worst thing I can say about her is that she needs to be brushed, badly.
(Give me a break, I've had smooth-coated dachshunds for the last 21 years!)
I'm going to get a good brush for her tomorrow. ... and then, try to figure out the best way to use it.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Notification
Until some ongoing issues are resolved, I suspended posting to this blog on Thursday, December 6th.
---
Echo is okay. In fact, she is asleep on the couch, near me, as I write this.
As of our veterinarian visit last Friday, she is, officially, 39.8 pounds. My guess is that she has broken 40 pounds since then.
"Doc Jo", also, said that Echo has all of her adult teeth, now. I guessed that. Echo has stopped most of "puppy chewing".
She is scheduled to be spayed on the 26th of December.
I hope that happens before her first "heat".
We tried to get her in to be spayed yesterday, but there was some kind of SNAFU with that.
---
Once all of the issues around Echo have been resolved, I will post the pertinent details.
There is a distinct possibility that this is the next to last post on this blog, and further posts about her will be moved to my personal blog: "Fixing A Hole".
That is not a bad thing.
---
Just in case there are any lingering doubts, go back and re-read this blog.
I'm not going to let anything bad happen to "my little girl".
Echo is going to be fine.
The humans involved with her are working on getting their .... stuff ... together.
When I can, I will let you know how that works out.
---
Echo is okay. In fact, she is asleep on the couch, near me, as I write this.
As of our veterinarian visit last Friday, she is, officially, 39.8 pounds. My guess is that she has broken 40 pounds since then.
"Doc Jo", also, said that Echo has all of her adult teeth, now. I guessed that. Echo has stopped most of "puppy chewing".
She is scheduled to be spayed on the 26th of December.
I hope that happens before her first "heat".
We tried to get her in to be spayed yesterday, but there was some kind of SNAFU with that.
---
Once all of the issues around Echo have been resolved, I will post the pertinent details.
There is a distinct possibility that this is the next to last post on this blog, and further posts about her will be moved to my personal blog: "Fixing A Hole".
That is not a bad thing.
---
Just in case there are any lingering doubts, go back and re-read this blog.
I'm not going to let anything bad happen to "my little girl".
Echo is going to be fine.
The humans involved with her are working on getting their .... stuff ... together.
When I can, I will let you know how that works out.
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