It's been a few days since I posted to the blog. The primary reason is that with the Thanksgiving weekend I have not been able to get Echo out and about as much.
Some notable things have happened, though.
---
On Wednesday night, she wanted something. I couldn't figure out what. Then, Echo, Gimli and I went into the garage. Gimli became fixated on two old "rope" toys that had been purchased for Tas and Radar. (The fairly longs ones (about 2 feet long), with a knot in the middle.) So, we took one inside.
It went back and forth between Echo and Gimli for about half an hour. At that point, I noticed that the end that they had been working on the most had a red tinge (the rope is white). So, I checked the gums of both dogs, and took the toy away for a bit. I found no evidence of bleeding gums, or whatever. (Radar was a VERY obsessive dog. Once he started chewing on a toy, he would chew until the toy was destroyed, or his gums bled.)
I didn't think much of it, until Thursday night. Amy, Gimli, Echo and I were gathered in front of our fireplace. Echo was in the floor chewing on the rope toy. Gimli was sitting on a couch. Amy and I were watching the TV in that part of the room.
It was then that I started noticing shiny things on our carpet. We have white berber carpet. The things that were catching my eye were the same color, but they were reflecting the light.
Since that time, Amy or I have found 6 puppy teeth in our carpet. Apparently, the next round of teething has started.
---
Echo seems to be growing, again. So, on Thursday night, Amy did the "bathroom scale" test with Echo. I have no idea as to the accuracy of our bathroom scale, but, it said that the difference between Amy alone on the scale, and Amy holding Echo on the scale, was 40 pounds.
She is 5 and a half months old.
According to Wikipedia's article on Smooth Collies, adult females of the breed can weigh as little as 45 pounds, and adult males can be as heavy as 75 pounds.
Echo, according to the calculator in a previous post, is the human equivalent of 4.8 years old.
I think she is, easily, going to be more than 45 pounds as an adult. ... I wouldn't be surprised if she is more than 45 pound by New Years.
Echo is not overfed, or fat, either. If anything, my concern is that we might not be feeding her enough.
She is sleek. In fact, if you go back to the Wikipedia entry for Smooth Collies, her body lines look an awful lot like the picture from 1915, in the "History" section.
Gimli acquired the nicknamed "Big'Un" (that's "Big One", for those of you that don't speak "Southern" (it's pronounced similar to the last name: "Biggin")) because upon reaching his adult weight, he weighed as much as Tas and Radar, combined. (Gimli is a standard dachshund, and Tas and Radar were miniatures.) Gimli fluctuates between 22 and 24 pounds.
Echo's nickname, for me, has always been "Little Girl". Amy and Jesus, both, have started calling her that, on a regular basis.
It has become comical. "Big'Un" is a dog that weighs about 23 pounds, and has a "shoulder height:" of bout 8 inches. "Little Girl" is a dog that weighs 40 pounds, and stands over 2 feet, at the shoulder, and she has A LOT of "growing up" to do, physically.
---
More later. Enough for now.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
An email I received
I think, at this point, it is appropriate to share excerpts from an email I received from AAD's lead trainer, Jean. I am editing what you will read. I'm fixing some format issues. I am deleting things not relevant to this blog. AND, like Dragnet, the names have been changed to protect privacy.
"Echo's would-be veteran was not the first veteran who applied for one of our dogs and then made a decision not to get a service dog right now.
When they apply, they have no real idea what a tremendous commitment and responsibility owning a service dog really is. It is AAD's responsibility to give the whole picture; this not only includes the obvious benefits, but also the long list of challenges and realities they never thought of. This is a very important part of our process; not just for them, but also for our dogs.
We want them to really think about whether having a service dog is a good choice at this time in their life and whether they are ready. They all think they are at the time they fill out an application."
I'm not going to disagree with anything she said.
Being a responsible owner of a dog that is only a companion has serious challenges and realities that start before you purchase a dog, and continue until after the dog's life ends.
I'm still learning about what all is involved with a service dog. So far, it has turned into much more than I imagined.
That's not a complaint.
I wouldn't trade my time with Echo for anything. The process we are going through with Echo is making Amy, Jesus and I better owners for Gimli. (I'm not sure he thinks so. Very often, all he sees is that Echo gets more attention than he does.)
But, as Jean put it, the realities and challenges of having a dog that is both companion, and, in a sense, employee, are much greater than responsible pet ownership.
"Echo's would-be veteran was not the first veteran who applied for one of our dogs and then made a decision not to get a service dog right now.
When they apply, they have no real idea what a tremendous commitment and responsibility owning a service dog really is. It is AAD's responsibility to give the whole picture; this not only includes the obvious benefits, but also the long list of challenges and realities they never thought of. This is a very important part of our process; not just for them, but also for our dogs.
We want them to really think about whether having a service dog is a good choice at this time in their life and whether they are ready. They all think they are at the time they fill out an application."
I'm not going to disagree with anything she said.
Being a responsible owner of a dog that is only a companion has serious challenges and realities that start before you purchase a dog, and continue until after the dog's life ends.
I'm still learning about what all is involved with a service dog. So far, it has turned into much more than I imagined.
That's not a complaint.
I wouldn't trade my time with Echo for anything. The process we are going through with Echo is making Amy, Jesus and I better owners for Gimli. (I'm not sure he thinks so. Very often, all he sees is that Echo gets more attention than he does.)
But, as Jean put it, the realities and challenges of having a dog that is both companion, and, in a sense, employee, are much greater than responsible pet ownership.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Relative Age
One of my favorite classes in college was Educational Psychology. In particular, the parts that talked about what kinds of thought processes developed at different ages.
Then you apply that to dogs. But, dogs develop differently than humans. In general, the 7 years of human development for every year of a dog's life works. When you look at things from a "big picture" standpoint. In a dog's life, however, it's more compressed, and some years are more meaningful than others.
Here is a chart that begins to explain what I mean:
So, according to this chart, Echo was, in human terms, older than 14 months old, when she came to live with me, but, is not, yet, the human equivalent of 5 years old, yet. ... AND, Gimli, in human terms, is pushing 50 years old. ... and there is some question on why they don't get along all the time?
Let's get more exact about things:
(The widget above is a fully functional calculator calculator that you can use from this blog. It's not a picture, and it won't re-direct you to another site.)
When I tried this calculator with Echo's age, at the time she came to my house, it said she was the equivalent of 2.6 human years old. It says, as of November 14th, she is the human equivalent of 4.4 years old.
This same calculator said of Gimli, as of October 30th, that he was the human equivalent of 42.3 years old.
Keep in mind that, as the creator of this calculator acknowledges, that different breeds, and dogs of different sizes/muscular structure age at different rates.
---
And different experts say different things.
For instance, according to the chart, if I was a dog, I would be closing in on my 7th birthday. On the other hand, when I used the calculator, it said, if I was a dog, I would be 8.3 years old.
---
But the overall relationship remains the same. ... In terms of my dogs.
Gimli is roughly "middle aged".
Echo, on the other hand, is pre-school/kindergarten/1st Grade age.
That is a PRETTY BIG difference, especially when the preschool kid is a foot taller than the adult, and has 50% more body weight!
---
Then again, one of my favorite sayings is that "'Age and Treachery' will beat 'Youth and Ability' ANY day."
Gimli proves that on a regular basis.
---
Have fun with the chart, and the calculator!
Then you apply that to dogs. But, dogs develop differently than humans. In general, the 7 years of human development for every year of a dog's life works. When you look at things from a "big picture" standpoint. In a dog's life, however, it's more compressed, and some years are more meaningful than others.
Here is a chart that begins to explain what I mean:
Canine Age
|
Human Age
|
2 Months
|
14 Months
|
6 Months
|
5 Years
|
8 Months
|
9 Years
|
1 Year
|
15 Years
|
2 Years
|
24 Years
|
3 Years
|
28 Years
|
4 Years
|
32 Years
|
5 Years
|
37 Years
|
6 Years
|
42 Years
|
7 Years
|
47 Years
|
8 Years
|
52 Years
|
9 Years
|
57 Years
|
10 Years
|
62 Years
|
11 Years
|
67 Years
|
12 Years
|
72 Years
|
13 Years
|
77 Years
|
14 Years
|
82 Years
|
So, according to this chart, Echo was, in human terms, older than 14 months old, when she came to live with me, but, is not, yet, the human equivalent of 5 years old, yet. ... AND, Gimli, in human terms, is pushing 50 years old. ... and there is some question on why they don't get along all the time?
Let's get more exact about things:
(The widget above is a fully functional calculator calculator that you can use from this blog. It's not a picture, and it won't re-direct you to another site.)
When I tried this calculator with Echo's age, at the time she came to my house, it said she was the equivalent of 2.6 human years old. It says, as of November 14th, she is the human equivalent of 4.4 years old.
This same calculator said of Gimli, as of October 30th, that he was the human equivalent of 42.3 years old.
Keep in mind that, as the creator of this calculator acknowledges, that different breeds, and dogs of different sizes/muscular structure age at different rates.
---
And different experts say different things.
For instance, according to the chart, if I was a dog, I would be closing in on my 7th birthday. On the other hand, when I used the calculator, it said, if I was a dog, I would be 8.3 years old.
---
But the overall relationship remains the same. ... In terms of my dogs.
Gimli is roughly "middle aged".
Echo, on the other hand, is pre-school/kindergarten/1st Grade age.
That is a PRETTY BIG difference, especially when the preschool kid is a foot taller than the adult, and has 50% more body weight!
---
Then again, one of my favorite sayings is that "'Age and Treachery' will beat 'Youth and Ability' ANY day."
Gimli proves that on a regular basis.
---
Have fun with the chart, and the calculator!
Not an "Up" day, Not a "Down" day. So, it's sideways.
Echo spent Sunday, and Monday morning with her new obedience trainer, Ursula. She came home this morning. "Little Girl" was hungry and tired when she got home. After Jean left, I fed her, took her out, and went to do some things in the bedroom, with Echo in tow. She, immediately, crawled up on the end of the bed, and crashed, hard. She kept on trying to keep her eyes open, and lift her head to keep track of me, but the "ZZZzzz Monster" got the best of her.
Ursula's assessment of her was good, overall. She was pleased with Echo's compliance with "sit", "down", "up", and "wait" commands. Ursula was surprised with how quiet Echo was. Collies are notorious for inappropriate barking. Echo lives with Gimli, a notorious inappropriate barker. The combination would lead one to believe that she would be almost incurable. Not Echo. Given those two things, her barks are pretty rare. And, she decided that Ursula's husband was her favorite person in the training compound. Apparently, he had a "canine shadow", whenever he was around. In a positive way, it was decided that Echo should receive private lessons, as opposed to training in a class environment.
On the down side, it was noted that Echo does not interact with other dogs well. In fact, she tends to do things that could start fights with other dogs. Apparently, Gimli is very patient with her. Possibly too patient.
---
Actually, to back up a bit, Echo had a big weekend, even before going to the trainer. We didn't go out for "socialization". "Socialization" came to our house.
I've talked about the "Teen Horde" before. From early Friday night, until after Echo left to go to Ursula's on Sunday, anywhere from 6 to 10 members of the "Teen Horde" were in our house, continuously. Most of these members of the group had never met Echo before. It was a new experience for everyone.
So, Echo was receiving new "socialization input" from about 7 Friday night until about 11 Monday morning.
---
Other than eating, going outside, and spending a little bit of time playing with favorite toys (less than an hour), Echo has been asleep, pretty much, since about noon on Monday.
Lots of information for that young brain to process.
---
Now for the real "downside".
I don't know what happened. Mainly, because I know next to nothing about the person, but "The Veteran", Jean, Echo, and I were supposed to meet today. It was to be "The Veteran"'s first meeting with Echo and I.
I was looking forward to it. ... forget that, I was EXCITED that Echo could meet, and start helping a veteran this early in her life! I was excited about helping "The Veteran" to get to know Echo, and vice-versa.
Then, "The Veteran" backed out. Not just of the meeting, and Echo, as "The Veteran"'s service dog, but the entire idea of a service dog, entirely.
---
Which I find to be a bit odd. "All American Dogs" does not actively solicit veterans that have need of a service dog to take one of their dogs. Quite the reverse, to receive an AAD dog, you have to apply for it, one of the service dog trainers (not an obedience trainer) has to do a "home visit", the application has to be approved, ... etc.
While the information about the service is readily available, to get the service, you have to seek it out.
There would not have been a scheduled meeting with Jean, Echo, and I, if "The Veteran" had not sought out AAD's services.
---
I find this to be a bit odd. ... Something doesn't make sense.
---
Anyway, I feel sorry for Echo and "The Veteran".
From what I know of "My Little Girl", giving "The Veteran" the help that is needed, would have made her a VERY happy dog, for a long time.
From what I know of "The Veteran", I think Echo could have been a solution to a number of problems.
---
Not my choice.
Ursula's assessment of her was good, overall. She was pleased with Echo's compliance with "sit", "down", "up", and "wait" commands. Ursula was surprised with how quiet Echo was. Collies are notorious for inappropriate barking. Echo lives with Gimli, a notorious inappropriate barker. The combination would lead one to believe that she would be almost incurable. Not Echo. Given those two things, her barks are pretty rare. And, she decided that Ursula's husband was her favorite person in the training compound. Apparently, he had a "canine shadow", whenever he was around. In a positive way, it was decided that Echo should receive private lessons, as opposed to training in a class environment.
On the down side, it was noted that Echo does not interact with other dogs well. In fact, she tends to do things that could start fights with other dogs. Apparently, Gimli is very patient with her. Possibly too patient.
---
Actually, to back up a bit, Echo had a big weekend, even before going to the trainer. We didn't go out for "socialization". "Socialization" came to our house.
I've talked about the "Teen Horde" before. From early Friday night, until after Echo left to go to Ursula's on Sunday, anywhere from 6 to 10 members of the "Teen Horde" were in our house, continuously. Most of these members of the group had never met Echo before. It was a new experience for everyone.
So, Echo was receiving new "socialization input" from about 7 Friday night until about 11 Monday morning.
---
Other than eating, going outside, and spending a little bit of time playing with favorite toys (less than an hour), Echo has been asleep, pretty much, since about noon on Monday.
Lots of information for that young brain to process.
---
Now for the real "downside".
I don't know what happened. Mainly, because I know next to nothing about the person, but "The Veteran", Jean, Echo, and I were supposed to meet today. It was to be "The Veteran"'s first meeting with Echo and I.
I was looking forward to it. ... forget that, I was EXCITED that Echo could meet, and start helping a veteran this early in her life! I was excited about helping "The Veteran" to get to know Echo, and vice-versa.
Then, "The Veteran" backed out. Not just of the meeting, and Echo, as "The Veteran"'s service dog, but the entire idea of a service dog, entirely.
---
Which I find to be a bit odd. "All American Dogs" does not actively solicit veterans that have need of a service dog to take one of their dogs. Quite the reverse, to receive an AAD dog, you have to apply for it, one of the service dog trainers (not an obedience trainer) has to do a "home visit", the application has to be approved, ... etc.
While the information about the service is readily available, to get the service, you have to seek it out.
There would not have been a scheduled meeting with Jean, Echo, and I, if "The Veteran" had not sought out AAD's services.
---
I find this to be a bit odd. ... Something doesn't make sense.
---
Anyway, I feel sorry for Echo and "The Veteran".
From what I know of "My Little Girl", giving "The Veteran" the help that is needed, would have made her a VERY happy dog, for a long time.
From what I know of "The Veteran", I think Echo could have been a solution to a number of problems.
---
Not my choice.
Monday, November 19, 2012
A potential veteran for Echo!
Yesterday, I posted about Echo, potentially, being paired with a Veteran in the next few days. I wrote from the perspective of Echo's "Dad", in that post.
Since she came to live with us, I have grown to care about her very deeply. Between the loss of Radar, last year, and retirement from Active Duty, in the military, it's been a rough year for me.
Echo has helped me A LOT, in that time. My wife has commented, multiple times, how Echo's presence, in my life, has helped me.
---
That is not the point of this post. Though, it is close to it.
When I first heard of The Veteran (I am, purposefully, not giving a name, or, even, a gender to this person. I don't want to give personal information out that I don't have explicit permission to reveal.), I was told that The Veteran, mainly, needed Echo for companionship, and, maybe, some stability issues.
At that point, I started doing things to make sure that Echo was EQUALLY comfortable sleeping in her crate/kennel, and my bed. ... That way her Veteran has options, depending on his level of comfort with Echo.
I started doing more things with her off of her lead. HOWEVER, when working off lead, I pushed even harder for Echo to focus on me (her person). ... With the idea that she would transfer that focus to her Veteran, eventually.
---
To "The Veteran":
Watch her. You know "body language", learn hers. Echo will tell you more with a glance, or a shift in the position of one of her ears, than most people will tell you in a 10-minute conversation.
When she "tells" you something, respond. ... With words, or actions, it doesn't matter. ... It's rude, when someone says something to you, to not respond. ... Echo will tell you, if you watch, when she thinks you are being rude.
Finally, Echo is a puppy. She passed 5 months old this last week. Depending on what expert you read, she is not going to be an "adult" dog for 7-17 months. She will want to play "games" with you. Those games are her games, not anything else. ... She, still, likes to play whatever game it is that we played her first morning here (watch out for the claws on her paws ...and THANK GOD, that she no longer has those needle-like puppy teeth). But, play that game with her. ... Find ways for her to chase you (NEVER chase her). ... THOSE kind of things will "bond" her to you. NOTHING in a "treat bag" will do that. ... The "bond" that comes from a treat bag is only as good as the treats in it ... and the value of "high value" treats has to forever escalate for that bond to be maintained. ... At some point, there are no more "high value treats". ... You are left with whatever bond that you and the dog have formed. So, form the bond, and the quality of the treats are superfluous, to an extent.
Once you have that bond, she is going to want to please you, and be near you as much as possible. Along those lines, Echo has a "soft soul." A kind word, looking into her eyes with a smile on your face, or a good scratch along her sides are going to get 10 times more from her than a single harsh word ever will.
Back to her being a puppy, there are going to be times where she is "done". It could be that she is tired, and wants "her spot" to take a nap. (In all likelihood, there is going to be a spot in your living area that she is going to claim as "her spot". When she goes there, she is telling you that she needs to rest or nap.) Then, there are times where she is going to hit "information overload". When that happens, she is going to get kind of crazy. In those times, you are going to have to find a way to get her to stop and rest. I would suggest, since Jean is going to have you "tethered", that you go to "her spot", and keep her there for about 10 minutes, or so. She will struggle, at first, to stay "crazy", and, then, she will settle in for a nap.
Another thing you need to know about Echo is that she is a "noisy" dog. Her "noises" are a good sign. If you pet her the right way when she is relaxing or trying to get to sleep, she groans. When she yawns, and it is a good thing, she does kind of a squeak. Those are just a few examples. But those noises are a sign of a happy dog.
If she uses her voice, on the other hand (barks, yips, or "bipes", to cite a few examples), something is not right, and you need to pay attention to it. Collies are known to be barkers, but Echo is not. If she uses her voice, then it is something that you need to pay attention to. For instance, a few nights ago, she went out and sat in my backyard, staring at the back fence. Then, she started barking at a specific area of the fence. Apparently, there was something on the other side of the fence, because her barking got Gimli's attention, and he "worked" the back fence for about 10 minutes. There was something there, but it never came into the backyard, while the three of us were out there.
Which brings us to another quirk of hers. It might be a "collie thing", but Echo has it. According to everything I have read about collies, they like to figure things out. They want to know more than "how", or "what". They need to know "why". To that end, Echo ... well, you have heard me talk about Echo "planting". Echo has two kinds of "plants". The first is Echo not sure/afraid/startled by something. In this case, she stands, and won't move. All four feet are planted, and if you pull on her lead, she leans in the other direction. ("Little Girl" understands the physics of "leverage", and will use all of her weight against you.) The second is the "plant" caused by curiosity. In that instance, she is going to "sit" and watch whatever it is that she is trying to figure out. Once again, if you try to move her, she is going to use the physics of leverage against you. If it's possible, in this case, let her watch. She is watching, and analyzing what she sees. Whatever it is, let her figure it out. You will be amazed by the results.
That is enough, for now. Jean wants me to come up with a comprehensive, yet concise, document that expresses these kind of things, and Echo's day-to-day things.
This is a decent start, AND I hope to have a hard copy of this kind of material to give you on Wednesday.
If this works with you and Echo, you are a lucky person. She is an AWESOME puppy, and should grow into being a wonderful dog.
I look forward to meeting you.
Echo has helped me A LOT, in that time. My wife has commented, multiple times, how Echo's presence, in my life, has helped me.
---
That is not the point of this post. Though, it is close to it.
When I first heard of The Veteran (I am, purposefully, not giving a name, or, even, a gender to this person. I don't want to give personal information out that I don't have explicit permission to reveal.), I was told that The Veteran, mainly, needed Echo for companionship, and, maybe, some stability issues.
At that point, I started doing things to make sure that Echo was EQUALLY comfortable sleeping in her crate/kennel, and my bed. ... That way her Veteran has options, depending on his level of comfort with Echo.
I started doing more things with her off of her lead. HOWEVER, when working off lead, I pushed even harder for Echo to focus on me (her person). ... With the idea that she would transfer that focus to her Veteran, eventually.
---
To "The Veteran":
Watch her. You know "body language", learn hers. Echo will tell you more with a glance, or a shift in the position of one of her ears, than most people will tell you in a 10-minute conversation.
When she "tells" you something, respond. ... With words, or actions, it doesn't matter. ... It's rude, when someone says something to you, to not respond. ... Echo will tell you, if you watch, when she thinks you are being rude.
Finally, Echo is a puppy. She passed 5 months old this last week. Depending on what expert you read, she is not going to be an "adult" dog for 7-17 months. She will want to play "games" with you. Those games are her games, not anything else. ... She, still, likes to play whatever game it is that we played her first morning here (watch out for the claws on her paws ...and THANK GOD, that she no longer has those needle-like puppy teeth). But, play that game with her. ... Find ways for her to chase you (NEVER chase her). ... THOSE kind of things will "bond" her to you. NOTHING in a "treat bag" will do that. ... The "bond" that comes from a treat bag is only as good as the treats in it ... and the value of "high value" treats has to forever escalate for that bond to be maintained. ... At some point, there are no more "high value treats". ... You are left with whatever bond that you and the dog have formed. So, form the bond, and the quality of the treats are superfluous, to an extent.
Once you have that bond, she is going to want to please you, and be near you as much as possible. Along those lines, Echo has a "soft soul." A kind word, looking into her eyes with a smile on your face, or a good scratch along her sides are going to get 10 times more from her than a single harsh word ever will.
Back to her being a puppy, there are going to be times where she is "done". It could be that she is tired, and wants "her spot" to take a nap. (In all likelihood, there is going to be a spot in your living area that she is going to claim as "her spot". When she goes there, she is telling you that she needs to rest or nap.) Then, there are times where she is going to hit "information overload". When that happens, she is going to get kind of crazy. In those times, you are going to have to find a way to get her to stop and rest. I would suggest, since Jean is going to have you "tethered", that you go to "her spot", and keep her there for about 10 minutes, or so. She will struggle, at first, to stay "crazy", and, then, she will settle in for a nap.
Another thing you need to know about Echo is that she is a "noisy" dog. Her "noises" are a good sign. If you pet her the right way when she is relaxing or trying to get to sleep, she groans. When she yawns, and it is a good thing, she does kind of a squeak. Those are just a few examples. But those noises are a sign of a happy dog.
If she uses her voice, on the other hand (barks, yips, or "bipes", to cite a few examples), something is not right, and you need to pay attention to it. Collies are known to be barkers, but Echo is not. If she uses her voice, then it is something that you need to pay attention to. For instance, a few nights ago, she went out and sat in my backyard, staring at the back fence. Then, she started barking at a specific area of the fence. Apparently, there was something on the other side of the fence, because her barking got Gimli's attention, and he "worked" the back fence for about 10 minutes. There was something there, but it never came into the backyard, while the three of us were out there.
Which brings us to another quirk of hers. It might be a "collie thing", but Echo has it. According to everything I have read about collies, they like to figure things out. They want to know more than "how", or "what". They need to know "why". To that end, Echo ... well, you have heard me talk about Echo "planting". Echo has two kinds of "plants". The first is Echo not sure/afraid/startled by something. In this case, she stands, and won't move. All four feet are planted, and if you pull on her lead, she leans in the other direction. ("Little Girl" understands the physics of "leverage", and will use all of her weight against you.) The second is the "plant" caused by curiosity. In that instance, she is going to "sit" and watch whatever it is that she is trying to figure out. Once again, if you try to move her, she is going to use the physics of leverage against you. If it's possible, in this case, let her watch. She is watching, and analyzing what she sees. Whatever it is, let her figure it out. You will be amazed by the results.
That is enough, for now. Jean wants me to come up with a comprehensive, yet concise, document that expresses these kind of things, and Echo's day-to-day things.
This is a decent start, AND I hope to have a hard copy of this kind of material to give you on Wednesday.
If this works with you and Echo, you are a lucky person. She is an AWESOME puppy, and should grow into being a wonderful dog.
I look forward to meeting you.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
WOW! ... A Change of Perspective
I had a meeting with Jean, today, ostensibly about Echo. I was expecting it to last about an hour, or so.
It didn't. It went a bit longer than that.
---
We met at the coffee shop that Echo visited on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, I had one 12 ounce DECAF latte, and that was too much for Echo.
Today, I had two 16 ounce FULL STRENGTH lattes, and was thinking about a third, before we were done. (I'm pretty sure that is why I am still awake. Even for me, this is late.)
---
The upshot of this meeting is I am not sure how much longer this blog is going to continue.
If it does continue, I'm not sure how much longer I will be the only author. (I can allow others to write on it.)
---
This is a good thing.
---
Echo is scheduled to meet a Veteran on Monday. I'm going to meet him, as well, to tell him about Echo.
Echo is going to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with him.
The best way to describe is that they are "taking each other out for a 'test drive'".
---
If the "test drive" is successful, then, Echo is "'placed' with her Veteran".
99% of me wants Echo to "knock this guy's socks off", and, if he does MOST of the right things, she will.
---
BUT, that means Echo will be someone else's dog in NO MORE than 10 days.
We are back to that AWFUL dichotomy that is the crux of this kind of effort.
If she can go and be what her Veteran needs ... and they can bond ... and all that ... I am going to be SO PROUD of her that I can't do a good job of expressing it.
On the other hand, I thought I was going to get, at a minimum, a year with her. If she goes when I think she will, because she is such a charmer, I will have had her less than 3 months.
---
This song came to mind, at this moment. I would caution that you should listen to ALL of the lyrics.
Just how many times have I called Echo: "little girl", or "my little girl", in this blog?
If she is treated right, she can be the bright spot in her Veteran's life.
THAT is what I want for her.
It didn't. It went a bit longer than that.
---
We met at the coffee shop that Echo visited on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, I had one 12 ounce DECAF latte, and that was too much for Echo.
Today, I had two 16 ounce FULL STRENGTH lattes, and was thinking about a third, before we were done. (I'm pretty sure that is why I am still awake. Even for me, this is late.)
---
The upshot of this meeting is I am not sure how much longer this blog is going to continue.
If it does continue, I'm not sure how much longer I will be the only author. (I can allow others to write on it.)
---
This is a good thing.
---
Echo is scheduled to meet a Veteran on Monday. I'm going to meet him, as well, to tell him about Echo.
Echo is going to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with him.
The best way to describe is that they are "taking each other out for a 'test drive'".
---
If the "test drive" is successful, then, Echo is "'placed' with her Veteran".
99% of me wants Echo to "knock this guy's socks off", and, if he does MOST of the right things, she will.
---
BUT, that means Echo will be someone else's dog in NO MORE than 10 days.
We are back to that AWFUL dichotomy that is the crux of this kind of effort.
If she can go and be what her Veteran needs ... and they can bond ... and all that ... I am going to be SO PROUD of her that I can't do a good job of expressing it.
On the other hand, I thought I was going to get, at a minimum, a year with her. If she goes when I think she will, because she is such a charmer, I will have had her less than 3 months.
---
This song came to mind, at this moment. I would caution that you should listen to ALL of the lyrics.
Just how many times have I called Echo: "little girl", or "my little girl", in this blog?
If she is treated right, she can be the bright spot in her Veteran's life.
THAT is what I want for her.
October 14, 2012
On Wednesday, I ran into a couple of issues. First, on Monday and Tuesday, I had pushed Echo to her limits. On Monday, by having her out in "working mode" for too long, and on Tuesday, by keeping her in the coffee shop longer than she was ready to take. Then, because of outside commitments, I was not going to be able to do much with her on Thursday, and, as it turned out, on Friday.
So, I needed to do some work with on Wednesday, but I needed to make sure that I did not push her beyond her ability to work. I had the truck. Amy didn't drive it to work. So, there was the perfect opportunity. Echo has visited Amy's workplace several times, and was pretty comfortable in that venue. We needed to hit the grocery store. Another great opportunity, especially with Amy there to help me.
---
So, about 4:30, I started getting us ready to leave (Amy's workplace is about a 15 minute drive away).
Once again, I ran into the same difficulties as Monday and Tuesday with the vest. She ran when she saw it in my hand. Once it was on, she was perfectly fine.
She, still, does not want to get in the truck.
It's kind of weird. I'm not sure what the problem is, because, once she in the truck, she is fine. In fact, on the ride to Amy's workplace, she did more than just curl up and take a nap in the backseat. She sat up and looked out the back windows. She seemed to enjoy the ride.
I think the problem might be the truck, itself. Let me show you (it's not the best picture, but it's the first one I could find (it's from last winter)):
As you can see, the floor of the truck is rather high, and the rear doors are "half doors". So, there is not much space between the front seats, and the back seats, for Echo to jump up into. She is, physically, capable of making the jump. Given her rapid growth in size and strength over the last few weeks, I am not sure if she knows that. Also, it could be the small amount of space to jump into.
(Before I go any further, yes, I have a big truck with a grill guard (no gun rack, though). I'm from Texas. I, also, have two Stetson cowboy hats (that I don't wear, much), several firearms (I didn't say I have any ammunition for those firearms) and a pair of Justin "Roper" cowboy boots. I'm pretty sure that there is some kind of state law that says I have to have those things, or give up my ability to claim Texas as home.)
When I try to coax her to the truck, she "plants", and wants nothing to do with it. BUT, if I pick her up, and put her in the back seat, she is happy to be there. She treats that narrow bench seat much like she treats her spot in front of the couch. The spot, with the maroon pillow, featured in SO many pictures on this blog.
---
So, we arrive at Amy's workplace. Once again, she does not want to get out of the truck, and I lift her out. She didn't back away from me. She came to me, when I opened the door. She, just, was not going to try to get out of the truck, herself.
Once in the parking lot, she wanted to explore. She wanted nothing to do with the buildings around the parking lot. She wanted to explore the parking lot. ... Until, she saw Amy through the glass doors of Amy's workplace. Then, the head went down to shoulder level, the ears laid back, and the tail did, what I have called, the "family wag". THEN, she was ready to go inside.
She gave Amy an appropriate greeting. Amy gathered her stuff, and we headed back out the door.
Once again, she wanted to explore the parking lot. She "planted" every time I tried to get her to the truck.
So, after getting Amy and her stuff in the truck, I picked up Echo, and put her in the backseat.
Just like before, once in the backseat, she was as happy as a clam. She reached, with her nose, over the console, and touched Amy. Then, listened to us talk for a bit, looked out the windows, and, then, did the "dog doughnut" in the backseat.
If you don't know what the "dog doughnut" is, Gimli is doing it in this photo:
---
So, we arrived at Safeway. Once again, Echo did not want to get out of the truck, under her own power. I lifted her out. (There is a part of me that thinks she likes me picking her up, and carrying her, sometimes.)
Amy took her lead, and I got a shopping cart.
Echo and Amy followed me through the store.
There were times where I had to stop, and Amy and Echo moved on.
There were times where people asked Amy questions about Echo. So, she stopped, talked to them, and introduced Echo to them. (Amy did a good job of that.)
While doing the actual shopping, however, we ran into a problem.
Let me give you a bit of personal history, to put this in perspective: My Dad, for most of his life, was a retail store manager. From the time I was in 3rd grade to into my college years, he managed stores for Wal-Mart, back in the days before the "super-stores", like the one we have in Lacey. Dad was a FANATIC about the floors in his stores. They had to be be clean, waxed, and highly polished. ... My Dad would LOVE the floors in the Safeway we do most where we do most of our shopping.
That is where Echo ran into a problem.
She has this wonderful, soft coat, and, because she is a puppy, her paw pads have not gotten rough, the way on older dog's do. So, every time that Amy put her in a "sit" (and she does a REALLY pretty "sit"), her rear end would start sliding backwards ... and her front paws would start sliding forwards. The state of the floor was preventing her from sitting, and "my little girl" was doing her best to do as she was told. On one hand, I felt sorry for her, because she was trying SO HARD to be good. On the other hand, it was pretty funny to watch.
Finally, the shopping was over, and we headed to the checkout counter.
---
To the best of my knowledge, this was Echo's first time to try to go through a checkstand.
Knowing this, I went for the shortest/quickest line possible. Well, between the "closeness" of the checkstands, her frustrations with trying to sit when commanded, the time in the store overall, and the number of people around her, she began to "hit the wall".
So, Amy took over checking out, and I took Echo.
I walked her to one door. (This was her third time in THIS Safeway.) She saw the automatic door in operation, and was having none of it.
So, I walked her across the front of the store, to the other door. Again, we were stopped by a person, this time, one of the managerial staff. The most amusing part of this encounter is that once I explained Echo (service dog in training, and breed), the person asked me if Echo was a "miniature". I told her that Echo was not a miniature, Echo was only 5 months old. At that point, the Safeway employee was blown away by how well behaved Echo was! (Another "proud Dad" moment.)
---
After that, I moved Echo to the other doors.
Keep in mind, this was Echo's third visit to this store. To get to this point, she had gone through these kind of doors FIVE times. (In and out the first time, in and out the second time, and in the third time)
Once again, she was having none of it. She "planted" and was not going anywhere near the doors. So, I pulled out "the big guns": mozzarella cheese. For each piece of cheese, I could get her two steps closer to the door. Once at the door, she didn't care about the cheese anymore. She WAS NOT going out those doors.
Thankfully, Amy had passed us by this point.
While the doors were open, Amy stuck just her head around the edge of the door, looked her in the eye, and said: "Let's go home, little girl."
At that, Echo trotted out the door like there was no issue in the first place, giving Amy the "family wag".
---
The rest is "more of the same". She didn't want to get in the truck, until I picked her up. She didn't want to get out, until I picked her up. She wanted to explore the driveway and front yard, until Amy opened the door and she heard Gimli. Once in the house, she was a happy dog ... that wanted to go "hurry" in the back yard.
So, I needed to do some work with on Wednesday, but I needed to make sure that I did not push her beyond her ability to work. I had the truck. Amy didn't drive it to work. So, there was the perfect opportunity. Echo has visited Amy's workplace several times, and was pretty comfortable in that venue. We needed to hit the grocery store. Another great opportunity, especially with Amy there to help me.
---
So, about 4:30, I started getting us ready to leave (Amy's workplace is about a 15 minute drive away).
Once again, I ran into the same difficulties as Monday and Tuesday with the vest. She ran when she saw it in my hand. Once it was on, she was perfectly fine.
She, still, does not want to get in the truck.
It's kind of weird. I'm not sure what the problem is, because, once she in the truck, she is fine. In fact, on the ride to Amy's workplace, she did more than just curl up and take a nap in the backseat. She sat up and looked out the back windows. She seemed to enjoy the ride.
I think the problem might be the truck, itself. Let me show you (it's not the best picture, but it's the first one I could find (it's from last winter)):
(Before I go any further, yes, I have a big truck with a grill guard (no gun rack, though). I'm from Texas. I, also, have two Stetson cowboy hats (that I don't wear, much), several firearms (I didn't say I have any ammunition for those firearms) and a pair of Justin "Roper" cowboy boots. I'm pretty sure that there is some kind of state law that says I have to have those things, or give up my ability to claim Texas as home.)
When I try to coax her to the truck, she "plants", and wants nothing to do with it. BUT, if I pick her up, and put her in the back seat, she is happy to be there. She treats that narrow bench seat much like she treats her spot in front of the couch. The spot, with the maroon pillow, featured in SO many pictures on this blog.
---
So, we arrive at Amy's workplace. Once again, she does not want to get out of the truck, and I lift her out. She didn't back away from me. She came to me, when I opened the door. She, just, was not going to try to get out of the truck, herself.
Once in the parking lot, she wanted to explore. She wanted nothing to do with the buildings around the parking lot. She wanted to explore the parking lot. ... Until, she saw Amy through the glass doors of Amy's workplace. Then, the head went down to shoulder level, the ears laid back, and the tail did, what I have called, the "family wag". THEN, she was ready to go inside.
She gave Amy an appropriate greeting. Amy gathered her stuff, and we headed back out the door.
Once again, she wanted to explore the parking lot. She "planted" every time I tried to get her to the truck.
So, after getting Amy and her stuff in the truck, I picked up Echo, and put her in the backseat.
Just like before, once in the backseat, she was as happy as a clam. She reached, with her nose, over the console, and touched Amy. Then, listened to us talk for a bit, looked out the windows, and, then, did the "dog doughnut" in the backseat.
If you don't know what the "dog doughnut" is, Gimli is doing it in this photo:
---
So, we arrived at Safeway. Once again, Echo did not want to get out of the truck, under her own power. I lifted her out. (There is a part of me that thinks she likes me picking her up, and carrying her, sometimes.)
Amy took her lead, and I got a shopping cart.
Echo and Amy followed me through the store.
There were times where I had to stop, and Amy and Echo moved on.
There were times where people asked Amy questions about Echo. So, she stopped, talked to them, and introduced Echo to them. (Amy did a good job of that.)
While doing the actual shopping, however, we ran into a problem.
Let me give you a bit of personal history, to put this in perspective: My Dad, for most of his life, was a retail store manager. From the time I was in 3rd grade to into my college years, he managed stores for Wal-Mart, back in the days before the "super-stores", like the one we have in Lacey. Dad was a FANATIC about the floors in his stores. They had to be be clean, waxed, and highly polished. ... My Dad would LOVE the floors in the Safeway we do most where we do most of our shopping.
That is where Echo ran into a problem.
She has this wonderful, soft coat, and, because she is a puppy, her paw pads have not gotten rough, the way on older dog's do. So, every time that Amy put her in a "sit" (and she does a REALLY pretty "sit"), her rear end would start sliding backwards ... and her front paws would start sliding forwards. The state of the floor was preventing her from sitting, and "my little girl" was doing her best to do as she was told. On one hand, I felt sorry for her, because she was trying SO HARD to be good. On the other hand, it was pretty funny to watch.
Finally, the shopping was over, and we headed to the checkout counter.
---
To the best of my knowledge, this was Echo's first time to try to go through a checkstand.
Knowing this, I went for the shortest/quickest line possible. Well, between the "closeness" of the checkstands, her frustrations with trying to sit when commanded, the time in the store overall, and the number of people around her, she began to "hit the wall".
So, Amy took over checking out, and I took Echo.
I walked her to one door. (This was her third time in THIS Safeway.) She saw the automatic door in operation, and was having none of it.
So, I walked her across the front of the store, to the other door. Again, we were stopped by a person, this time, one of the managerial staff. The most amusing part of this encounter is that once I explained Echo (service dog in training, and breed), the person asked me if Echo was a "miniature". I told her that Echo was not a miniature, Echo was only 5 months old. At that point, the Safeway employee was blown away by how well behaved Echo was! (Another "proud Dad" moment.)
---
After that, I moved Echo to the other doors.
Keep in mind, this was Echo's third visit to this store. To get to this point, she had gone through these kind of doors FIVE times. (In and out the first time, in and out the second time, and in the third time)
Once again, she was having none of it. She "planted" and was not going anywhere near the doors. So, I pulled out "the big guns": mozzarella cheese. For each piece of cheese, I could get her two steps closer to the door. Once at the door, she didn't care about the cheese anymore. She WAS NOT going out those doors.
Thankfully, Amy had passed us by this point.
While the doors were open, Amy stuck just her head around the edge of the door, looked her in the eye, and said: "Let's go home, little girl."
At that, Echo trotted out the door like there was no issue in the first place, giving Amy the "family wag".
---
The rest is "more of the same". She didn't want to get in the truck, until I picked her up. She didn't want to get out, until I picked her up. She wanted to explore the driveway and front yard, until Amy opened the door and she heard Gimli. Once in the house, she was a happy dog ... that wanted to go "hurry" in the back yard.
An Apology
Before I go on to Wednesday (another fairly big training day), I want to apologize to Ty. (More on who Ty is, later.)
I know Jean gave you the assignment of reading the entire blog before Wednesday. I am sorry to add to your workload. However, I need to post this stuff, and you need to read most of it.
I look forward to meeting you on Monday.
I know Jean gave you the assignment of reading the entire blog before Wednesday. I am sorry to add to your workload. However, I need to post this stuff, and you need to read most of it.
I look forward to meeting you on Monday.
October 13, 2012
I had worked Echo hard the day before. I pushed her past her limit, at least once. Yet, I needed to work her on Tuesday.
So, I came up with a plan that called for less work, but new input.
---
We followed the same basic routine for the day. But, it was raining fairly hard. So, I pulled out the raincoat.
---
I wasn't going to "go there", but, to tell what happened truthfully, I have to.
Echo has no problem wearing her vest, or her raincoat. She has no problem with taking it off.
She didn't get the raincoat until she went to Kathy's. So, I have no prior experience with that.
Since coming back from Kathy's, Echo runs away when someone picks up her vest. She reacts the same to the raincoat, and the halter.
Echo will do her best to avoid the vest or raincoat being put on her.
Once they are on, she is fine.
---
I don't know what happened in those 2 weeks. I don't know if it is just a "puppy" thing, or something happened with Kathy to make her not want to wear the vest.
I know that Echo doesn't want to go through the process of the vest being put on her, now.
I, also, know that this problem did not exist before she went to Kathy's 3 weeks ago.
Keep in mind, that she is just 5 months old. This could ENTIRELY be a product of her being a 5 month old puppy.
All I know is that this problem did not exist 3 weeks ago.
I have no idea why it exists now.
---
Anyway, we had a stressful time getting first the vest, and, then, the raincoat on her.
---
The "upside" to all of this is that, once I put her lead on, she figured out what was happening.
She was at the door and ready to go.
---
My plan for this day was to simplify things, and not over work her.
We would go the strip mall. Walk down the strip mall, and go to the coffee shop.
If I timed it right, Echo and I would end up spending about 15-20 minutes in the coffee shop.
Amy had the truck, and I asked her to pick us up on her way home from work.
---
So, we arrived at the strip mall with no issues.
It was raining. So, the park was empty, and there were no one in the parking lot of the middle school to distract her.
We arrived at the convenience store.
Echo was ready to go in. In fact, she seemed a bit "miffed" that we didn't. It took shredded mozzarella cheese to get her to move on.
---
Last time we were here, we stayed in the parking lot. We didn't get near any of the businesses in the strip mall.
This time, we skipped the parking lot, and headed to the businesses.
I wasn't going to take her into any of them. I, just, wanted to walk her past all of the storefronts, most of which are large windows.
It just so happens, that the first business that was logical for us to go to first was Companion Veterinary Hospital. Apparently, they keep, at least, two cats roaming in the clinic. One of which is a manx.
The cats saw this big dog, and did the "cat thing". Turned their bodies toward her, the fur bristled, ... I couldn't hear anything through the glass, but, given what I saw from their faces, I am sure both of them hissed at Echo.
For Echo's part, she would watch them, look up at me, and I could see the "wheels turning in her head". If I could caption the looks she gave me, it would be: "These are the weirdest looking/acting 'dogs' I have ever seen."
Once again, it took mozzarella to move her. After that, for about 4 businesses, she would fixate on the windows, looking for the cats.
---
After she figured out that there weren't going to be cats at every window, we moved along the strip mall pretty well.
She, still, wanted to look in, and figure out the place, but she stopped looking for cats.
The "Garlic Jim's" pizza place, kind of , caught her nose, but other than that, there were no issues.
---
Then we went to the coffee shop.
On our previous trip to the strip mall, she had found the coffee shop more interesting than the Subway shop.
This time, we went in there. That made her happy.
Once again, while I was engaging the people behind the counter, she "yipped". It was not a full bark. It wasn't one of her "noises". She vocalised.
I, once again, probably, did the wrong thing and acknowledged it. I didn't give her a treat, to shut her up, but I responded, vocally, to it.
Anyway, in the process of ordering my coffee, I explained about Echo. I was asked about her breed, and her age.
I explained how this was "training" for Echo. The three people behind the counter were pleased that they could help.
Once my coffee was fixed, we went and found a table.
The situation was not great, but, eventually, we found a space where Echo was comfortable in a "down".
At this point, I figured we would be there about the time it would take me to drink my coffee, about 10, or so, minutes.
Traffic was not cooperating with Amy.
That was "the plan". Get to the coffee shop, about 10-15 minutes before Amy could get there. Have a coffee, while Echo was under the table, not push her limits, and give her a ride home.
We are back to "best laid plans".
Amy's "15 minute commute" was almost 30 minutes.
Taking the raincoat off of her helped. Giving her a drink of water mollified Echo for the first couple of times. Giving her the "kong" toy, that I had brought along, occupied her for a while. ... But, there eventually came a time where she was giving a "yip" about once every two minutes, unless I COMPLETELY focused my attention on her. I, literally, could not take a sip of my coffee, without her breaking the "down" or yipping.
It wasn't a big break of the "down". It's not like she stood up, or anything. She would, either, move up to a "sit", or shift her "down" with an audible thump.
The "yips" concern me. When I look down at her, after a yip, she has this look ... and I have never received this look from her before. If I was going to caption it, the caption would read: "I'm totally focused on you. Why are you focused on this person, and not me?" ... and I have only received this when I am talking over a counter to someone.
---
So, eventually, Amy shows up. We pack everything up, and head out. The coffee shop employees invite Echo (and us, as an afterthought) back anytime.
---
I loaded her in the truck, and we headed home.
Just like the trip home from getting her from Kathy, there were no issues. She didn't get car sick. She didn't drool. She just laid down in the back seat, and took a short nap.
So, I came up with a plan that called for less work, but new input.
---
We followed the same basic routine for the day. But, it was raining fairly hard. So, I pulled out the raincoat.
---
I wasn't going to "go there", but, to tell what happened truthfully, I have to.
Echo has no problem wearing her vest, or her raincoat. She has no problem with taking it off.
She didn't get the raincoat until she went to Kathy's. So, I have no prior experience with that.
Since coming back from Kathy's, Echo runs away when someone picks up her vest. She reacts the same to the raincoat, and the halter.
Echo will do her best to avoid the vest or raincoat being put on her.
Once they are on, she is fine.
---
I don't know what happened in those 2 weeks. I don't know if it is just a "puppy" thing, or something happened with Kathy to make her not want to wear the vest.
I know that Echo doesn't want to go through the process of the vest being put on her, now.
I, also, know that this problem did not exist before she went to Kathy's 3 weeks ago.
Keep in mind, that she is just 5 months old. This could ENTIRELY be a product of her being a 5 month old puppy.
All I know is that this problem did not exist 3 weeks ago.
I have no idea why it exists now.
---
Anyway, we had a stressful time getting first the vest, and, then, the raincoat on her.
---
The "upside" to all of this is that, once I put her lead on, she figured out what was happening.
She was at the door and ready to go.
---
My plan for this day was to simplify things, and not over work her.
We would go the strip mall. Walk down the strip mall, and go to the coffee shop.
If I timed it right, Echo and I would end up spending about 15-20 minutes in the coffee shop.
Amy had the truck, and I asked her to pick us up on her way home from work.
---
So, we arrived at the strip mall with no issues.
It was raining. So, the park was empty, and there were no one in the parking lot of the middle school to distract her.
We arrived at the convenience store.
Echo was ready to go in. In fact, she seemed a bit "miffed" that we didn't. It took shredded mozzarella cheese to get her to move on.
---
Last time we were here, we stayed in the parking lot. We didn't get near any of the businesses in the strip mall.
This time, we skipped the parking lot, and headed to the businesses.
I wasn't going to take her into any of them. I, just, wanted to walk her past all of the storefronts, most of which are large windows.
It just so happens, that the first business that was logical for us to go to first was Companion Veterinary Hospital. Apparently, they keep, at least, two cats roaming in the clinic. One of which is a manx.
The cats saw this big dog, and did the "cat thing". Turned their bodies toward her, the fur bristled, ... I couldn't hear anything through the glass, but, given what I saw from their faces, I am sure both of them hissed at Echo.
For Echo's part, she would watch them, look up at me, and I could see the "wheels turning in her head". If I could caption the looks she gave me, it would be: "These are the weirdest looking/acting 'dogs' I have ever seen."
Once again, it took mozzarella to move her. After that, for about 4 businesses, she would fixate on the windows, looking for the cats.
---
After she figured out that there weren't going to be cats at every window, we moved along the strip mall pretty well.
She, still, wanted to look in, and figure out the place, but she stopped looking for cats.
The "Garlic Jim's" pizza place, kind of , caught her nose, but other than that, there were no issues.
---
Then we went to the coffee shop.
On our previous trip to the strip mall, she had found the coffee shop more interesting than the Subway shop.
This time, we went in there. That made her happy.
Once again, while I was engaging the people behind the counter, she "yipped". It was not a full bark. It wasn't one of her "noises". She vocalised.
I, once again, probably, did the wrong thing and acknowledged it. I didn't give her a treat, to shut her up, but I responded, vocally, to it.
Anyway, in the process of ordering my coffee, I explained about Echo. I was asked about her breed, and her age.
I explained how this was "training" for Echo. The three people behind the counter were pleased that they could help.
Once my coffee was fixed, we went and found a table.
The situation was not great, but, eventually, we found a space where Echo was comfortable in a "down".
At this point, I figured we would be there about the time it would take me to drink my coffee, about 10, or so, minutes.
Traffic was not cooperating with Amy.
That was "the plan". Get to the coffee shop, about 10-15 minutes before Amy could get there. Have a coffee, while Echo was under the table, not push her limits, and give her a ride home.
We are back to "best laid plans".
Amy's "15 minute commute" was almost 30 minutes.
Taking the raincoat off of her helped. Giving her a drink of water mollified Echo for the first couple of times. Giving her the "kong" toy, that I had brought along, occupied her for a while. ... But, there eventually came a time where she was giving a "yip" about once every two minutes, unless I COMPLETELY focused my attention on her. I, literally, could not take a sip of my coffee, without her breaking the "down" or yipping.
It wasn't a big break of the "down". It's not like she stood up, or anything. She would, either, move up to a "sit", or shift her "down" with an audible thump.
The "yips" concern me. When I look down at her, after a yip, she has this look ... and I have never received this look from her before. If I was going to caption it, the caption would read: "I'm totally focused on you. Why are you focused on this person, and not me?" ... and I have only received this when I am talking over a counter to someone.
---
So, eventually, Amy shows up. We pack everything up, and head out. The coffee shop employees invite Echo (and us, as an afterthought) back anytime.
---
I loaded her in the truck, and we headed home.
Just like the trip home from getting her from Kathy, there were no issues. She didn't get car sick. She didn't drool. She just laid down in the back seat, and took a short nap.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Big Day (October 12, 2012)
Before I launch into "Echo's Big Day", I want to let you know that I have more pictures and video from before Echo went to stay with Kathy. I might get to that tomorrow.
So, onto "Echo's Big Day":
It started off as normal. When Amy woke up to get ready for work, she took Echo out. She took a picture, as well. During a break at work, she found another picture of Echo. She created the following:
In the picture on the right, Echo weighs about 16 pounds. On the left, she weighs about 35 pounds. The white mark on her forehead has stayed about the same size.
The original plan for this week was for me to take Amy to work each day. That way, I could take Echo places for socialization. For various and sundry reasons, that did not happen this morning.
So, I took the "Gunny Highway" approach (Clint Eastwoods' character in "Heartbreak Ridge"): "Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome."
About a mile's walk from our house is a "strip mall". It has a convenience store, the dry cleaner I use, a coffee shop, a Subway sandwich shop, a fairly active parking lot, and there is a bus stop in front of it. (among other things)
Echo needs : physical exercise, mental exercise, exposure to new stimuli, get over her apprehension about parking lots, get used to being under a table in an eating place, etc.
Getting there, experiencing the place, and going back home, fulfilled ALL of those criteria. So, that's what we did.
---
To give you an idea of the area we are talking about, here is a shot from Google Maps:
View Larger Map
I will be referring to the map as we go along.
For starters, find Alder Glen Dr SE. We live just to the right of the apex of that street. Near the "Map" button.
Anyway, I have found that Echo works best if she hasn't eaten in a while, and has an opportunity to run off some of her "puppy energy". I had fed her about 10:30 that morning. So, about 3:30, I put us together (filled the treat bag, put her vest on her, made sure I had appropriate cap and jacket, etc), and we headed out.
I've mentioned walking her to the part and back, before. The park in question would be Thornbury Park, in the middle of the map. We headed out that way. It's a route she is familiar with, and gets that we are on a walk. This part of the world has been discovered. She does not need to explore it.
When we got to the end of the street, she "planted". You can see a gray smudge in the park, near the end of Alder Glen Dr. That is a half basketball court. There were a number of kids playing basketball there. I have found that if you want to break Echo's attention, put her in spot where she can see other dogs, or kids. Actually, this time, it worked in my favor. Instead of making the turn to go back to the house, I was able to get her to turn right on 54th (heading west, or left, on the map) rather easily, after dangling a Cheerio in front of her.
Things went pretty well, until we got to the large white building on 54th. That is Aspire Middle School for the Performing Arts. Their cheerleaders were having practice in the parking lot. Echo was FASCINATED. This is one of the things I love about Echo (apparently, it's a "collie thing"). Every other puppy I have had would have barked, charged, or been skittish. Not Echo. She "planted" and watched. Watching her, it's as if you could see the wheels turning in her mind, as she attempted to figure what she was seeing. No Cheerio was going to break her concentration. So, I pulled out the "big guns", shredded mozzarella cheese. Dangling that in front of her face would get her to move about 10 feet. Then, she "planted", and watched. Until she could be enticed with cheese, again. Using this process, it took us about 5-10 minutes to get past the school.
Then, it was onto the intersection of 54th and Ruddell. On that corner (the northeast one), is a bus stop with a small shelter, and a bench. It was my intention to spend 10-20 minutes there. Let her acclimatize to the traffic, and do some work on sitting next to me, and waiting. As with all plans, this one was decimated almost as soon as we got there. Ruddell, at that time of day, is a pretty busy street. I figured that she would be skittish or want to watch. She could have cared less. On the other hand, the area around the bus stop is like a miniature park, outside of a gated community. She wanted to go check out all the scents in the grass. The only thing that distracted her was a bus going the other way, and, then, for only a few seconds. Seeing that there was no real training to be had there, I decided it was time to move on.
We headed south on Ruddell. Our destination was the series of blue colored roofs on the map. The strip mall I mentioned earlier.
As we approached the strip mall, we encountered a number of people that wanted to engage Echo. I explained that she was a in training to be a Service Dog, that she was "working", at the time, and that she shouldn't be distracted. All of them were very gracious, and let her work. ... After commenting on how beautiful she was. (I had a "proud Dad moment" or two. ... I think she is a gorgeous puppy, but to hear others confirm the opinion is nice.)
Once we arrived at the strip mall, I decided the first thing we should do is explore the parking lot. Some of Echo's trainers have said that she exhibits anxiety in parking lots. Once again, "best laid plans", and all of that. She could have cared less.
At this point, I want to interrupt the narrative, and tell a story that happened a few weeks ago. Kathy had come to my house to work with Echo and I. We went to Thornbury Park to work. One of the things Kathy wanted to try was introducing Echo to new people. We came across a woman that was stretching out for a jog, and worked on it. Instead of letting me handle Echo, the woman took charge of the situation. The introduction went correctly, except for the fact that this woman "handled" Echo, and I didn't. ... It struck me as odd. (This relates to the story I am telling, I promise.)
Back to the parking lot ...
So, we were behind the convenience store, on the north side of that parking lot. That is where the dumpsters are. There was a woman putting something in the dumpster. The dumpsters are surrounded by chain link fence, with a gate. Echo was fascinated by the sound and movement of the gate. At this point, I am working on "acclimatization", so, I let her watch. When the woman was finished, she saw Echo and came over to us. I, originally, thought that she was an employee of the convenience store. I was wrong. Immediately behind the convenience store is Companion Veterinary Hospital. The woman was a Vet Tech at the Hospital. We talked, and Echo did a marvelous job with her greeting.
During this conversation, a person in a white lab coat comes out of the Vet's. Because I am still engaged in conversation with the Vet Tech, I, only, give a cursory glance to the person. Then, I notice that Echo is responding to the person walking up. Echo is using her "friend/family" tail wag, while holding her "sit". This strikes me as odd, so, I look at the person walking up. It is the "woman from the park"! I find out in the ensuing conversation that the "woman from the park" is Dr. Paula Sommerville, THE veterinarian of Companion Veterinary Hospital.
(In follow-on conversations via email, Dr. Sommerville has volunteered her waiting room for further "socialization" of Echo. More on that later.)
After that, we moved to the convenience store.
This convenience store has an ATM, and I needed to use it.
I took Echo in, and there was someone at the ATM. I didn't want to try getting her to sit in a line. So, we went on a tour of the store. She did great. Except for the candy aisle, and near the "fast food" area. Too many interesting smells in the carpet. Which I find interesting. Within the house and backyard, Echo has shown time and time again that her nose is nowhere near as acute as Gimli's.
We, finally, were able to walk up to the ATM. I put her in a sit, and she held it pretty well. In the course of the using the ATM, I had to put her back in a sit about 3 times. (The ATM was a bit more "cranky" than I am used to.)
I hadn't eaten all day, and was hungry. This strip mall has a "Subway" sandwich shop. So, that was our next destination.
Getting in was fine.
While checking out the menu, I began to notice that Echo was beginning to "hit her wall". She was doing good, but her ability to stay that way was fading fast.
When we were waited on, the lady that fixed my sandwich gushed over Echo. In the process of making my sandwich, I told her the story of Echo, the All American Dogs program, and that Echo was a smooth coat collie.
Like I said before, however, I could tell that Echo was "hitting her wall:". In the process of getting my sandwich, she "yipped" about 5 times. It wasn't a bark. It was a "yip".
After we got through the line, and went to a booth, she did GREAT! She did "under", and she did "down". She perked up a few times at people moving past, but there was no noise, and she did not try to get out from under the table.
I finished eating, and, as we were going out the door, the person I took to be the manager said that Echo was welcome back anytime. (Another "proud Dad moment")
By this point, I knew that Echo was "hitting her wall". It was about 4:45, and we had started at 3:30. But, I "went for the gusto". There is a bus stop in front of this strip mall, and the next stop on the line is the one at 54th and Ruddell (where we started). The bus was supposed to be at the strip mall shortly after we were done at Subway. So, we went to the bus stop, and waited. As we waited, I could tell that Echo was "losing it". She was hitting her limits of ability to "work".
Then, the bus came, and I tried to get her to join me on the bus. "Little Girl" was having none of it. She "planted", and was not getting on the bus, for anything, not even mozzarella cheese, AND she gave me "the look". When the bus driver began to be testy, I gave up.
At that point, I knew I had to get her home as soon as possible. She had hit "overload", and she was no longer capable of working. She was, just, a puppy.
The bad thing was that we were almost a mile from home, and we were going to have to walk it.
We were fine walking past the business area.
Once we hit the residential area, well, this cartoon begins to tell the story:
To follow this metaphor, she read every post, and every comment from the strip mall to Alder Glen Dr. She didn't post any comments, but she was an avid reader.
Then there was the school. The cheerleaders were still practicing. This was rougher than the first time.
Finally, we got home around 5. She went into the backyard, and peed twice. After that, she found "her spot" in the living room (that maroon pillow) and crashed HARD for about 2 hours.
---
Shortly before 7 that night, Echo woke up.
So, I grabbed the treat bag, and we worked on "commands" for about half an hour.
We started off with "sit", "down", and "up". With a treat after each success.
Then, on "sit" and "down", I started throwing in, randomly, "wait".
Then, I started doing "sequences" of three commands at a time, before the treat. ... For you military people out there, it was "grass drills" .... down, sit, up, treat .... sit, down, up, treat ... when she did an "automatic sit": up, sit, down, treat ... up, down, sit, treat ... you get the idea.
The fun part is that Gimli "played along". He knows the traditional "sit", and "down". His up is to perch himself on his rear-end, with his body vertical.
It was fun. I had to refill the treat bag twice, in this process.
We did that for about 30 minutes.
After that, Echo crashed HARD.
---
It was a BIG day for my LITTLE girl.
So, onto "Echo's Big Day":
It started off as normal. When Amy woke up to get ready for work, she took Echo out. She took a picture, as well. During a break at work, she found another picture of Echo. She created the following:
The original plan for this week was for me to take Amy to work each day. That way, I could take Echo places for socialization. For various and sundry reasons, that did not happen this morning.
So, I took the "Gunny Highway" approach (Clint Eastwoods' character in "Heartbreak Ridge"): "Adapt, Improvise, and Overcome."
About a mile's walk from our house is a "strip mall". It has a convenience store, the dry cleaner I use, a coffee shop, a Subway sandwich shop, a fairly active parking lot, and there is a bus stop in front of it. (among other things)
Echo needs : physical exercise, mental exercise, exposure to new stimuli, get over her apprehension about parking lots, get used to being under a table in an eating place, etc.
Getting there, experiencing the place, and going back home, fulfilled ALL of those criteria. So, that's what we did.
---
To give you an idea of the area we are talking about, here is a shot from Google Maps:
View Larger Map
I will be referring to the map as we go along.
For starters, find Alder Glen Dr SE. We live just to the right of the apex of that street. Near the "Map" button.
Anyway, I have found that Echo works best if she hasn't eaten in a while, and has an opportunity to run off some of her "puppy energy". I had fed her about 10:30 that morning. So, about 3:30, I put us together (filled the treat bag, put her vest on her, made sure I had appropriate cap and jacket, etc), and we headed out.
I've mentioned walking her to the part and back, before. The park in question would be Thornbury Park, in the middle of the map. We headed out that way. It's a route she is familiar with, and gets that we are on a walk. This part of the world has been discovered. She does not need to explore it.
When we got to the end of the street, she "planted". You can see a gray smudge in the park, near the end of Alder Glen Dr. That is a half basketball court. There were a number of kids playing basketball there. I have found that if you want to break Echo's attention, put her in spot where she can see other dogs, or kids. Actually, this time, it worked in my favor. Instead of making the turn to go back to the house, I was able to get her to turn right on 54th (heading west, or left, on the map) rather easily, after dangling a Cheerio in front of her.
Things went pretty well, until we got to the large white building on 54th. That is Aspire Middle School for the Performing Arts. Their cheerleaders were having practice in the parking lot. Echo was FASCINATED. This is one of the things I love about Echo (apparently, it's a "collie thing"). Every other puppy I have had would have barked, charged, or been skittish. Not Echo. She "planted" and watched. Watching her, it's as if you could see the wheels turning in her mind, as she attempted to figure what she was seeing. No Cheerio was going to break her concentration. So, I pulled out the "big guns", shredded mozzarella cheese. Dangling that in front of her face would get her to move about 10 feet. Then, she "planted", and watched. Until she could be enticed with cheese, again. Using this process, it took us about 5-10 minutes to get past the school.
Then, it was onto the intersection of 54th and Ruddell. On that corner (the northeast one), is a bus stop with a small shelter, and a bench. It was my intention to spend 10-20 minutes there. Let her acclimatize to the traffic, and do some work on sitting next to me, and waiting. As with all plans, this one was decimated almost as soon as we got there. Ruddell, at that time of day, is a pretty busy street. I figured that she would be skittish or want to watch. She could have cared less. On the other hand, the area around the bus stop is like a miniature park, outside of a gated community. She wanted to go check out all the scents in the grass. The only thing that distracted her was a bus going the other way, and, then, for only a few seconds. Seeing that there was no real training to be had there, I decided it was time to move on.
We headed south on Ruddell. Our destination was the series of blue colored roofs on the map. The strip mall I mentioned earlier.
As we approached the strip mall, we encountered a number of people that wanted to engage Echo. I explained that she was a in training to be a Service Dog, that she was "working", at the time, and that she shouldn't be distracted. All of them were very gracious, and let her work. ... After commenting on how beautiful she was. (I had a "proud Dad moment" or two. ... I think she is a gorgeous puppy, but to hear others confirm the opinion is nice.)
Once we arrived at the strip mall, I decided the first thing we should do is explore the parking lot. Some of Echo's trainers have said that she exhibits anxiety in parking lots. Once again, "best laid plans", and all of that. She could have cared less.
At this point, I want to interrupt the narrative, and tell a story that happened a few weeks ago. Kathy had come to my house to work with Echo and I. We went to Thornbury Park to work. One of the things Kathy wanted to try was introducing Echo to new people. We came across a woman that was stretching out for a jog, and worked on it. Instead of letting me handle Echo, the woman took charge of the situation. The introduction went correctly, except for the fact that this woman "handled" Echo, and I didn't. ... It struck me as odd. (This relates to the story I am telling, I promise.)
Back to the parking lot ...
So, we were behind the convenience store, on the north side of that parking lot. That is where the dumpsters are. There was a woman putting something in the dumpster. The dumpsters are surrounded by chain link fence, with a gate. Echo was fascinated by the sound and movement of the gate. At this point, I am working on "acclimatization", so, I let her watch. When the woman was finished, she saw Echo and came over to us. I, originally, thought that she was an employee of the convenience store. I was wrong. Immediately behind the convenience store is Companion Veterinary Hospital. The woman was a Vet Tech at the Hospital. We talked, and Echo did a marvelous job with her greeting.
During this conversation, a person in a white lab coat comes out of the Vet's. Because I am still engaged in conversation with the Vet Tech, I, only, give a cursory glance to the person. Then, I notice that Echo is responding to the person walking up. Echo is using her "friend/family" tail wag, while holding her "sit". This strikes me as odd, so, I look at the person walking up. It is the "woman from the park"! I find out in the ensuing conversation that the "woman from the park" is Dr. Paula Sommerville, THE veterinarian of Companion Veterinary Hospital.
(In follow-on conversations via email, Dr. Sommerville has volunteered her waiting room for further "socialization" of Echo. More on that later.)
After that, we moved to the convenience store.
This convenience store has an ATM, and I needed to use it.
I took Echo in, and there was someone at the ATM. I didn't want to try getting her to sit in a line. So, we went on a tour of the store. She did great. Except for the candy aisle, and near the "fast food" area. Too many interesting smells in the carpet. Which I find interesting. Within the house and backyard, Echo has shown time and time again that her nose is nowhere near as acute as Gimli's.
We, finally, were able to walk up to the ATM. I put her in a sit, and she held it pretty well. In the course of the using the ATM, I had to put her back in a sit about 3 times. (The ATM was a bit more "cranky" than I am used to.)
I hadn't eaten all day, and was hungry. This strip mall has a "Subway" sandwich shop. So, that was our next destination.
Getting in was fine.
While checking out the menu, I began to notice that Echo was beginning to "hit her wall". She was doing good, but her ability to stay that way was fading fast.
When we were waited on, the lady that fixed my sandwich gushed over Echo. In the process of making my sandwich, I told her the story of Echo, the All American Dogs program, and that Echo was a smooth coat collie.
Like I said before, however, I could tell that Echo was "hitting her wall:". In the process of getting my sandwich, she "yipped" about 5 times. It wasn't a bark. It was a "yip".
After we got through the line, and went to a booth, she did GREAT! She did "under", and she did "down". She perked up a few times at people moving past, but there was no noise, and she did not try to get out from under the table.
I finished eating, and, as we were going out the door, the person I took to be the manager said that Echo was welcome back anytime. (Another "proud Dad moment")
By this point, I knew that Echo was "hitting her wall". It was about 4:45, and we had started at 3:30. But, I "went for the gusto". There is a bus stop in front of this strip mall, and the next stop on the line is the one at 54th and Ruddell (where we started). The bus was supposed to be at the strip mall shortly after we were done at Subway. So, we went to the bus stop, and waited. As we waited, I could tell that Echo was "losing it". She was hitting her limits of ability to "work".
Then, the bus came, and I tried to get her to join me on the bus. "Little Girl" was having none of it. She "planted", and was not getting on the bus, for anything, not even mozzarella cheese, AND she gave me "the look". When the bus driver began to be testy, I gave up.
At that point, I knew I had to get her home as soon as possible. She had hit "overload", and she was no longer capable of working. She was, just, a puppy.
The bad thing was that we were almost a mile from home, and we were going to have to walk it.
We were fine walking past the business area.
Once we hit the residential area, well, this cartoon begins to tell the story:
Then there was the school. The cheerleaders were still practicing. This was rougher than the first time.
Finally, we got home around 5. She went into the backyard, and peed twice. After that, she found "her spot" in the living room (that maroon pillow) and crashed HARD for about 2 hours.
---
Shortly before 7 that night, Echo woke up.
So, I grabbed the treat bag, and we worked on "commands" for about half an hour.
We started off with "sit", "down", and "up". With a treat after each success.
Then, on "sit" and "down", I started throwing in, randomly, "wait".
Then, I started doing "sequences" of three commands at a time, before the treat. ... For you military people out there, it was "grass drills" .... down, sit, up, treat .... sit, down, up, treat ... when she did an "automatic sit": up, sit, down, treat ... up, down, sit, treat ... you get the idea.
The fun part is that Gimli "played along". He knows the traditional "sit", and "down". His up is to perch himself on his rear-end, with his body vertical.
It was fun. I had to refill the treat bag twice, in this process.
We did that for about 30 minutes.
After that, Echo crashed HARD.
---
It was a BIG day for my LITTLE girl.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The "other" beginning
I have material for four MAJOR posts to this blog either in my head, or on my computer waiting to be posted. I'm putting those on hold for a while.
I told Amy that I wouldn't write anymore tonight. However, a part of Echo's story has not been told, and I think it needs to be told, at this point.
My post called "The Beginning" and subsequent posts about this process were all about her. Which is fitting. My goal for this blog is for it to be all about her.
The only reason I introduced all the members of my family, in a post, was to make my writing about her more understandable. It's easier to say "Jesus" than "my second foster son, who is the best friend of my nephew, who is my first foster son" ... and easier to read.
In context, however, most of this does not make sense, unless you know how I came to have Echo, in the first place, from my perspective.
---
To set the story it is important that you know I am involved with the American Legion, in the state of Washington. I am the conductor of the official American Legion Band for the state of Washington, and an officer in my local American Legion Post.
As the director of the American Legion Band for the state of Washington, I have to conduct Legion Band performances at the annual State conventions.
As an officer of my Post, since I have to be there anyway, it is logical to select me to be a delegate, representing my Post, to the State's convention.
So, in July of this year, I represented both the Band and my Post at the state convention for the American Legion.
On the first day of the convention, one of the presentations was from the group "All American Dogs". It was a good presentation.
Now, keep in mind that this is a group of veterans ... Some from WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq. But, it's all former military. ... They talk and gossip like old women. ... The room is NEVER quiet. ... UNTIL the word "volunteer" comes up, and then you can hear a pin drop.
THAT is what happened. The "All American Dogs" group put on a magnificent display. Everyone was supportive, and clapping. ... The person at the microphone told about needing a "puppy-raiser" volunteer for Echo, and the room went silent. ... There was hardly any movement in the crowd.
---
Fast-forward to August of this year.
The American Legion for the state of Washington is having a "college". (A weekend-long seminar on what the American Legion is, and does.)
I was there, representing my Post, with another Post member. There were about 100 people there.
One of those people was affiliated with the "All American Dogs" program.
On a break, she talked about "All American Dogs", and Echo. One of the things she related was that Echo was donated to AAD by her breeder, and that if someone did not volunteer to "puppy raise" Echo, then, she would have to be returned to her breeder, and the veteran she was destined to help would have to do without.
Once again, in a room that was ALWAYS noisy, you could have heard a pin drop.
I asked the person for a brochure, and said that I wanted to talk it over with my wife. ... The person "gushed".
Amy and I talked it over. Amy called the contact number. The person on the other end "gushed".
Amy and I talked about it. We decided to do it. (I was thinking that Amy would take the lead on it, at the time.)
So, Amy made the call, and we committed.
---
There was no "job interview" for what I am doing.
There were no "candidates" to make a "list" or a "short list" from.
Especially, given the terms of the agreement, NO ONE wanted the role in Echo's life I, now, have.
Her breeder didn't want her back.
All American Dogs couldn't do anything with her, unless someone stepped up as a "puppy raiser".
And, I stepped up.
In the terms that AAD was presenting to people, Echo was an unwanted dog. Most unwanted dogs end up euthanized.
I told Amy that I wouldn't write anymore tonight. However, a part of Echo's story has not been told, and I think it needs to be told, at this point.
My post called "The Beginning" and subsequent posts about this process were all about her. Which is fitting. My goal for this blog is for it to be all about her.
The only reason I introduced all the members of my family, in a post, was to make my writing about her more understandable. It's easier to say "Jesus" than "my second foster son, who is the best friend of my nephew, who is my first foster son" ... and easier to read.
In context, however, most of this does not make sense, unless you know how I came to have Echo, in the first place, from my perspective.
---
To set the story it is important that you know I am involved with the American Legion, in the state of Washington. I am the conductor of the official American Legion Band for the state of Washington, and an officer in my local American Legion Post.
As the director of the American Legion Band for the state of Washington, I have to conduct Legion Band performances at the annual State conventions.
As an officer of my Post, since I have to be there anyway, it is logical to select me to be a delegate, representing my Post, to the State's convention.
So, in July of this year, I represented both the Band and my Post at the state convention for the American Legion.
On the first day of the convention, one of the presentations was from the group "All American Dogs". It was a good presentation.
Now, keep in mind that this is a group of veterans ... Some from WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq. But, it's all former military. ... They talk and gossip like old women. ... The room is NEVER quiet. ... UNTIL the word "volunteer" comes up, and then you can hear a pin drop.
THAT is what happened. The "All American Dogs" group put on a magnificent display. Everyone was supportive, and clapping. ... The person at the microphone told about needing a "puppy-raiser" volunteer for Echo, and the room went silent. ... There was hardly any movement in the crowd.
---
Fast-forward to August of this year.
The American Legion for the state of Washington is having a "college". (A weekend-long seminar on what the American Legion is, and does.)
I was there, representing my Post, with another Post member. There were about 100 people there.
One of those people was affiliated with the "All American Dogs" program.
On a break, she talked about "All American Dogs", and Echo. One of the things she related was that Echo was donated to AAD by her breeder, and that if someone did not volunteer to "puppy raise" Echo, then, she would have to be returned to her breeder, and the veteran she was destined to help would have to do without.
Once again, in a room that was ALWAYS noisy, you could have heard a pin drop.
I asked the person for a brochure, and said that I wanted to talk it over with my wife. ... The person "gushed".
Amy and I talked it over. Amy called the contact number. The person on the other end "gushed".
Amy and I talked about it. We decided to do it. (I was thinking that Amy would take the lead on it, at the time.)
So, Amy made the call, and we committed.
---
There was no "job interview" for what I am doing.
There were no "candidates" to make a "list" or a "short list" from.
Especially, given the terms of the agreement, NO ONE wanted the role in Echo's life I, now, have.
Her breeder didn't want her back.
All American Dogs couldn't do anything with her, unless someone stepped up as a "puppy raiser".
And, I stepped up.
In the terms that AAD was presenting to people, Echo was an unwanted dog. Most unwanted dogs end up euthanized.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Pictures for October 23, 2012
The first picture takes some explaining.
Echo eats all of her meals in her crate.
In this picture you see Gimli, outside of Echo's "X-Pen", in our living room. I am the person in the picture. I am getting ready to feed Echo.
More backstory: Echo's original food used salmon as it's meat base. I grill, A LOT. TINY portions of meat from my grill becomes Gimli's "high value" treats. If I say so myself, I do a pretty awesome "planked" salmon filet, on the grill. My family, including Gimli, agrees. So, since the first time I dropped a piece of Echo's original kibble on the floor, and Gimli "floor sharked" it, he has considered Echo's food a treat.
The funny thing is, by the time this picture is taken, Echo's food has been switched to the "puppy formula" of the food that Gimli has been eating for about 4 years. Other than the shape of the kibble, there isn't much difference. ... He, still, thinks he is getting a treat.
(On a side note: both dogs in my house are eating an "age appropriate" formula that has none of the following: corn gluten, corn, wheat, or soy protein. It's main ingredient is lamb meal. The next two ingredients are two different forms of rice. ... Amy, the kids, and I, on the other hand, had "doctored" Hamburger Helper, and a salad for dinner.)
Oh, by the way, Amy likes the Food Network show "Chopped". That's why you see one of their judges on the TV screen.
Echo eats all of her meals in her crate.
In this picture you see Gimli, outside of Echo's "X-Pen", in our living room. I am the person in the picture. I am getting ready to feed Echo.
More backstory: Echo's original food used salmon as it's meat base. I grill, A LOT. TINY portions of meat from my grill becomes Gimli's "high value" treats. If I say so myself, I do a pretty awesome "planked" salmon filet, on the grill. My family, including Gimli, agrees. So, since the first time I dropped a piece of Echo's original kibble on the floor, and Gimli "floor sharked" it, he has considered Echo's food a treat.
The funny thing is, by the time this picture is taken, Echo's food has been switched to the "puppy formula" of the food that Gimli has been eating for about 4 years. Other than the shape of the kibble, there isn't much difference. ... He, still, thinks he is getting a treat.
(On a side note: both dogs in my house are eating an "age appropriate" formula that has none of the following: corn gluten, corn, wheat, or soy protein. It's main ingredient is lamb meal. The next two ingredients are two different forms of rice. ... Amy, the kids, and I, on the other hand, had "doctored" Hamburger Helper, and a salad for dinner.)
Videos from October 21, 2012
There is this bush right next to our deck. Echo, apparently, has decided that underneath that bush is one of her favorite spots in the backyard.
Friday, November 9, 2012
I Haven't Found a Curl in Her Forehead ...
Another timeline break.
Echo and I had a good day. We did a training walk, first thing today, with Gimli. It went well. After that, most of the day was a combination of "re-connect", and working on "bond". In terms of bond, it was all about getting her to stay with me, without a lead. ... Other than when she needed to sleep, it went very well.
When she needed to sleep, she went to her spot in the living room, or my bed and crashed.
After her early afternoon nap, we played a variation on the game we played the first morning we had together. Unlike the last time we played that game, while her mouth was open most of the time, she did not try to "mouth" me, at all.
Just before Jesus and Amy came home, we had a wonderful game of "chase" in the backyard. She chased me all over the yard, and was a pretty happy puppy.
Once Jesus, and Amy came home, for the first hour or so, it was a different matter. She wouldn't follow commands. She resisted putting on her vest (unlike this morning for the walk, where it went on without a problem). She didn't jump up or "misbehave". On the other hand, she didn't behave, either.
In other words, she didn't do anything overtly wrong, but she wasn't going to take direction either.
Once I left for my commitment this evening, she went to her spot in the living room, and was out like a light. Since then, she has, pretty much (except for a drink of water or two), been there all night. She will, occasionally, rouse for a minute or two, and then, she is down again.
Tomorrow, I plan on doing serious work reinforcing "Sit", "Down", "Up", and "Wait".
I'm beginning to be concerned that she refuses to do things for others that she will do for me.
For instance, Jesus, for the first time, took her on a walk. He took Gimli, also, because she tends to do better with Gimli along. She, still, did the "plant" of the legs, or stopping and sitting to watch things, that she doesn't do with me.
Another example is that, this morning, when it was Gimli, her and I going for the walk, she had no problem with me putting her vest on. Tonight, when it was me putting her vest on her in front of Jesus, and Amy, she was having none of it. She didn't resist, per se. However, unlike the rest of the day, where she had to be near me most of the time, once I picked up the vest this evening, she would just walk off. It was very passive-agressive.
Which brings me to the poem, by Longfellow, referenced in the title of this post. It goes:
I haven't found the curl, yet, but I am beginning to think it is there.
Echo and I had a good day. We did a training walk, first thing today, with Gimli. It went well. After that, most of the day was a combination of "re-connect", and working on "bond". In terms of bond, it was all about getting her to stay with me, without a lead. ... Other than when she needed to sleep, it went very well.
When she needed to sleep, she went to her spot in the living room, or my bed and crashed.
After her early afternoon nap, we played a variation on the game we played the first morning we had together. Unlike the last time we played that game, while her mouth was open most of the time, she did not try to "mouth" me, at all.
Just before Jesus and Amy came home, we had a wonderful game of "chase" in the backyard. She chased me all over the yard, and was a pretty happy puppy.
Once Jesus, and Amy came home, for the first hour or so, it was a different matter. She wouldn't follow commands. She resisted putting on her vest (unlike this morning for the walk, where it went on without a problem). She didn't jump up or "misbehave". On the other hand, she didn't behave, either.
In other words, she didn't do anything overtly wrong, but she wasn't going to take direction either.
Once I left for my commitment this evening, she went to her spot in the living room, and was out like a light. Since then, she has, pretty much (except for a drink of water or two), been there all night. She will, occasionally, rouse for a minute or two, and then, she is down again.
Tomorrow, I plan on doing serious work reinforcing "Sit", "Down", "Up", and "Wait".
I'm beginning to be concerned that she refuses to do things for others that she will do for me.
For instance, Jesus, for the first time, took her on a walk. He took Gimli, also, because she tends to do better with Gimli along. She, still, did the "plant" of the legs, or stopping and sitting to watch things, that she doesn't do with me.
Another example is that, this morning, when it was Gimli, her and I going for the walk, she had no problem with me putting her vest on. Tonight, when it was me putting her vest on her in front of Jesus, and Amy, she was having none of it. She didn't resist, per se. However, unlike the rest of the day, where she had to be near me most of the time, once I picked up the vest this evening, she would just walk off. It was very passive-agressive.
Which brings me to the poem, by Longfellow, referenced in the title of this post. It goes:
There was a little girl,Who had a little curl,Right in the middle of her forehead.When she was good,She was very good indeed,But when she was bad she was horrid.
I haven't found the curl, yet, but I am beginning to think it is there.
Pictures from October 21, 2012
Amy was in the backyard with Gimli and Echo. She found the best way to get them on camera is to do this thing where the camera shoots 8 pictures in a "rapid fire" way.
I promise that Echo is in all of these shots. You might have to look closely for her.
I promise that Echo is in all of these shots. You might have to look closely for her.
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