Yahooooo & Yippeeeee!

At last!  Luc is a certified Penny's From Heaven therapy dog!  It's been a long time coming, but Luc finally accomplished not licking (kissing) when meeting people.  Therapy dogs must not lick so as to not carry germs from one person to another.  :D  It's hard on him, but he realized that he gets lots of petting and love without giving uninvited kisses.

Patsy and Denise from Penny's From Heaven Foundation and Luc.

Patsy almost cried she was so happy when Luc passed this last requirement.  Luc passed all the other tests in December, 2010.  I'm very grateful that Luc was allowed more time to get this one thing under control.  He is a lover, first and foremost, but has gained the discipline to not lick.  There were times that I was not sure he'd get pass this test; however, I begin to think he would about 3-4 weeks ago. 

I also want to express my thanks to Charlotte and the staff at Stay 'n Play.  They allowed Luc and me to hang out in the lobby on numerous occasions so that we could work on the "no licking" command.  We couldn't have done it without their support and encouragement. 

Hip, hip, hooray!!! 

Until next time, God bless.

Sun Shining At Last!

It has been dreary around here for weeks.  BTW, Luc here.  Maggie and I have been cooped up in the house for days because it was either rainy or too cold to stay outside for any length of time.  Remember, Maggie and I are Texas dogs and we are use to mild or hot weather.  Besides, Mom doesn't like for us to track in mud; and when we are wet, we have to go to our crates until we dry out.  Bummer.  My crate is fine for sleeping in at night, unless I decide I want to sleep on the big bed instead of the crate.  Forced occupation of the crate during the day does not agree with me.  Thank goodness it is only for an hour or so until my fur is dry, then it's the couch, floor or big bed. 

We've big happenings around the place.  Another calf was born yesterday, making for three within the last month.  My daily walks are shorten; we stay in the open spaces.  My dad does not take us around where we can slip off into the brush looking for something interesting to chase as in newborn calf.  I guess they do not trust me or Maggie to not give the new calf a chase.  Hmmmm, just the thought of it sends chills down my spine -- it is so much fun to see a cow, calf, deer or rabbit fleeing across the pasture with me hot on their trail.  I get low, straighten my tail to its full length, stretch my neck and nose out as far as I can  -- like an arrow, and put all my strength into speed.    However, you might call me a sprinter because I can go just so far before I begin to slow down.  Maggie  gives chase too; but she is light on her feet, not quite as fast as me, but can go long distances with hardly breaking a doggie sweat or breathing hard.  One of these days we will catch something; I just know it!

This is me in the crate that Mom uses so that I am safe when riding in the car.  I'm waiting to be let out so we can visit the Stonebridge Health Center (below) as part of my therapy dog training.  I've passed everything to be a certified therapy dog except I just can't resist licking whoever comes within the length of my tongue.  I am learning to resist most of the time these days, but it sure is hard.  Mom has taken me to Stay n Play and the health center several times the past few weeks to work on the "no licking" thing.  I just know I'll pass the next time Denise from  Penny's From Heaven tests me.

Yesterday, Friday, Mom took me to The Natural Gardner where I ran into two of the cutest, little girls.  I came up chest high on one of the girls and the other was a bit taller.  They petted me, pulled my ears, held  my tail, and I got a lick or two in several times.  The oldest heard Mom say, "No lick," and then she started saying it.  So, I quit licking them for the most part.  But, they tasted great.  After a few minutes, though, Mom had me lie down away from the girls to give me a little respite from all their attention.  But, I was so excited to meet them.  Nothing is really cuter or more interesting than a little person.  :D

I visited one of the ladies, Betty, staying at the above health center.  The activities director was very excited to see me and is sending Mom a list of residents that want to see me the next time I visit.  Betty is 86 years old and loves my visits.  I have to be pretty calm around her because she is a little frail, but I sure enjoy her attention.

Since the sun is out, I think Mom is planning to work in her gardens today.  She had six cubit feet of soil amendments delivered about ten days ago between rains.  I really like it when Mom works outside.  I love to watch and study her as she moves dirt from one place to another.  Sometimes I plop down right beside her so I can carefully watch her every move.

Geez, I've been on the computer too long and so must say my goodbyes for now.  Until the next time,
God bless.

The Big Test

The big test for therapy dog certification by Penny's From Heaven Foundation was Saturday, December 18, at 2 PM. As you know, Luc and I have been working towards this since the end of last June.

Denise from Penny's From Heaven Foundation checks our tote bags to see that all items, such as a down mat, paper towels, antibacterial wipes, brush, bendryl, lint roller, water, water bowl, ID tags, emergency numbers, and etc. are packed.

Bosley and Weasel waiting to be tested.

Tuxon is his usual laid-back self.

And, of course, here's Luc.

And how did the testing go?  Well, Bosley, Weasel and Tuxon passed and are certified therapy dogs.  Luc passed everything but the "no kissing" part and is not certified.  He is almost there but not quite. 

Frankly, it has been difficult to train for that part because when we are out on field trips, people do not seem to understand why I'm correcting him to not lick even though I explain.  The best way is to approach a person, explain that your dog is in training to be a therapy dog, and ask them if they will pet your dog.  Since Luc is a licker, I'm then giving a little yank on his leash and saying "no lick."   It has been hard for me to ask strangers when I know his nature to lavish kisses upon any and every stranger and known persons.  I've also been hesitant to constantly work the lobby at Stay n Play for fear of being in the way.  But, that notion is over.  Charlotte at Stay n Play assured me that I will not be a pest, and it is the best place to correct this behavior because opportunities abound with people and staff coming and going and I do not have to explain. 

At this point, it was decided that we do not need to do a full retest when Luc is consistent in not licking.   Denise of Penny's From Heaven is returning to Austin in January at which time she will make arrangements to test Luc on this one item.  However, should Denise and Patsy, executive director of Penny's, decide otherwise, I'm okay with redoing the entire test. 

Wild man, Luc, has come a long way from when we started this training in June.  He was well-mannered and obedient at home, but he was wild and very hard to handle in public.  If you will recall, Luc enthusiasm was involved when I broke one of my ankle bones last December.  Nevertheless, we'll get certified soon or maybe not so soon.  Whatever.  lol

Until next time, God bless.

Oh Boy, Ooh Boy, Ooooh Boy

Oh boy, ooh boy, ooooh boy did I ever have a great time Saturday at the Christmas On Mercer Street fair, Stay n Play Pet Ranch, Home Depot and back to Stay n Play.  It's Luc here.  Mom took me on a field trip to end all field trips. 

First, we went to Stay n Play so I could run around on the agility equipment.  I did the ring jump, the bar jump, weave poles, climbed an A frame, walked a raised 12" board, and crawled through a dog tunnel.  The tunnel is too small for me to run standing up; but when Mom throws treats into the tunnel, I'll crawl anywhere.

Next, we went to Home Depot where I met a lot of new people.  I must have a friendly face and am handsome because when people see me they start ooooowing and aaaaawing.  In a way it is embarrassing; however, seeing and meeting people is totally awesome and exciting.  New and strange smells hit my nose from everywhere.  I'd get a kiss or two in before I hear that "enk" sound, which means no, from Mom.  At one point I got so annoyed hearing that sound that I turned my back to the object of my affection and sat down.  That showed 'em.

The high point of the trip was the Christmas on Mercer Street! 

People, strollers, horses, rides and food were all over the place.  Bands and singers were belting out Christmas music from the stage.  I walked through the crowd without embarrassing my mom.  Also, I'm getting the Christmas spirit and am wondering what Maggie and I will get for Christmas, maybe some special treats and a new toy or two.  Maggie doesn't particularly like toys, but I do!  Balls are my favorite.

Tents and vendors lined 4 blocks along Mercer Street -- that's about 1 block in New York or Houston speak.

After the Christmas music, some local dance studio students performed on stage.  One group was doing some kind of a dance with fans, but Mom couldn't get her camera out of her purse quick enough to take a picture.

Kids (eye-candy to me) were riding ponies.

This is me in my uniform behaving myself but inwardly drooling over the eye-candy (kids).  I like nothing better than to cozy up to a kid except chasing a ball .  Kids smell strange but exude so much energy. 

This is a weird looking ride but the kids seem to enjoy it.  The thing pulling it looks just like the riding mower Mom uses when cutting the grass at home.

Our local fire department was there along with a couple of sheriff's deputies.

Now this is the biggest, four-legged animal I've ever seen.  Thank goodness my mom did not get me real close.  I may not have been able to control myself to not bark and lunge at it.  That is one big, big horse and I don't think it would have reacted in the same way that the cows do...........i.e., run away.  It looks like it would have stood its ground and I would have looked very foolish giving my most fierce bark while it simply looked at me.  And besides, we might have been kicked out of the fair for making a commotion because a couple of deputies were standing a few feet outside the picture frame.

Lastly, we went back to Stay n Play for a Canine Touch seminar.

Donna showing Mom and others how to use a touch technique to redirect energy and tension to reduce stress and pain that we canines' experience and cannot tell our companions where it hurts.  I can understand a lot of words spoken by my human but for some reason my human cannot understand what I'm saying.  Hrrrrump, humans think they are soooooooo smart; but, to tell the truth, I wonder.

Emmett, who is shy, reluctantly volunteered to be part of the demonstration. He looked a little nervous at first when peering over the table to the floor, but after a while he settled down when Donna started working on him.  

This is Chopper who is really a neat guy.  He is enrolled in the next therapy dog class and I am looking forward to getting to know him better.  He's my kind of guy because he likes to hang his tongue out on the side of his mouth just like I do.

This is Otis, the biggest, darned German Shepherd I ever laid eyes on.  He makes me look like a shrimp, but he is a gentle giant and the nicest dog you'd ever want to meet. 

Well, that's it for one of the most exciting days ever.  It was an oh boy, ooooooh boy, oooooooooh boy kind of day.  But, as mentioned before, I have to sneak into the computer room when Mom is out of sight; so, I'd better click on the publish post and get away from here before caught.

Until next time, God bless.

Field Trip

 Luc and I took off this afternoon on a field trip as a part of his therapy dog training.  He was totally wild jumping up and down, running through the house with a pillow in his mouth when I was trying to put on his vest, collar, scarf, and leash.  I was dreading the outing since he was so wild; however, I was pleasantly surprised.  As soon as we walked out of the house to the Jeep, he was an almost "normal" dog. 

Cows were next to the water tank which was a short distance from where the car was parked.  He did not even try to chase them.  He sat and stayed when told so I could open the back of the Jeep and open the gate into the crate in the car.

The plan was to stop by the UPS office to ship my "new" Canon camera to the factory repair center.  The shutter sticks....ugh!  I'm back to using the Nikon Coolpic which doesn't do such a bad job. 

Before taking Luc into UPS, I went in alone to explained to the manager that Luc was being trained as a therapy dog and asked if I could bring him into the store while getting the package off.  The manager gave his okay, and again I could hardly believe how well-mannered Luc was.  He only stood up twice to look over the counter to introduce himself.  :D

Luc and I were in a narrow pathway while drivers were going in and out with dollies loaded with packages.  It is important that a therapy dog not get scared with strange or loud noises or, in this case, big stacks of boxes being wheeled past them.  Luc made an A.  He did not get nervous or or make a sudden move to get away; he sat still as mouse right next to me

Luc gave a few kisses but not very many.  As soon as I corrected him, he quit and allowed people to pet him without giving them a Luc bath. 

We stopped by Home Depot to pick up a kitchen faucet.  Luc was really, really good.  Again, a kiss or two but for the most part he was a well-behaved dog.  I am encouraged!  If he continues to improve, I think we might get a therapy dog certification from Penny's From Heaven Foundation.  Then it's off to volunteer our services.

Luc and I will be doing 3-4 field trips a week until the test date of December 18.  Did I mention I'm encouraged?!As soon as we get home, I take off the vest, leash, etc., and allow him to do whatever he wants to do, which usually means that the second he comes in the door he grabs the nearest pillow and runs away with it dangling from his mouth.  I never correct that behavior except to simply remove the pillow and I especially do not correct since we've been in training.  Hopefully, he is making the connection that good behavior is required when the vest and the leash goes on as well as a ride in the car.  When the vest comes off, then it's back to goofy Luc with virtually very few expectations. 

Until next time, God bless.

Back At It

Luc here.  My mom and I were back to training again Sunday for the therapy dog certification. 

Patsy and Denise of Penny's From Heaven Foundation clowning around while everyone was getting organized.

Here are Tuxon and Darlene.  Tuxon is so laid back that he makes me look bad.  He almost never makes a mistake.  I've tried to talk to him, dog-to-dog, about being so perfect but Darlene and Mom keep us apart.

About an hour into the 2-hour lecture, I got bored and started rolling around to chew on the vest straps.  I was jailed again.  As a matter of fact, I was jailed twice Sunday.  The second time was during lunch.  I have perfected my soulful eye stare while watching every morsel Mom puts in her mouth.  She did not even allow me to use it on her or anyone else.  When the food came out, I went in the cage.  It was a revolting development.

I failed one of the practice scenarios because I sat down on a "patient's" broken foot.  I weigh 85 pounds.  I don't know what the big deal is about kissing, but it seems to upset my mom, Patsy, Denise, and Laura.  Then Mom failed a scenario because Patsy snuck up behind her and grabbed my tail.  It didn't bother me, but evidently Mom is suppose to always be aware of what is going on a full 360 degrees.  She's got to increase her awareness meter of everything at all times. 

Two or three people actually took my leash away from Mom to show her how to "correct" me when I lick.  What is worse is that I heard my mom thanking them!  Let me just say that after that I wanted out of there.  It was the end of the day and I was more than tired of rules and corrections.  Besides,  I want to visit with these people but on my terms.  It is now a challenge between me and Mom to see who is going to win. 

I need to get going before I'm found at the computer.  So, take care and until next time, God bless.

Another Training Day

Last Monday and today, Friday, my mom took me to Stay n Play Pet Ranch for more training.  By the way, my name is Luc.  I keep hearing my mom talk about my excessive kissing.  She is trying every trick she can think of to make me stop; of course, I know I'm not suppose to kiss everyone.  But why would I stop kissing except when  I smell delicious treats in her hand for when I do stop for a few seconds? Bad behavior sometimes does pay off!  It's a toss up as to which I like best:  treats, catching a ball on the fly, or running away from my mom with shoe or pillow in my mouth. 

Anyway, Mom took me to the Stay n Play lobby for an hour or so.  It is a playground filled with people coming and going, new canine friends, bags of treats and food, toys -- you name it and the place has everything a dog like me would want.

Here I am in the lobby trying to give my teddy to Charlotte of Stay n Play.

This is me again pretending to be a calm, controlled, well-behaved dog.

As I was watching Charlotte doing some work, I noticed this very attractive dog photo on the bulletin board.  Come to find out that this beauty (female, I think) is from the Paws Humane Society Shelter here in Dripping Springs.  She is staying at Stay n Play while being treated for heart worms and is soon to be adopted by a veteran suffering from Post Traumatic Stress.  She and her new companion will be going through the Wounded Warrior training program by Penny's From Heaven Foundation.   

I'd better say my goodbye's before I'm caught on the computer.  So, until next time, God bless.

Working Towards Certification

Today was the big day for those of us in the prep therapy dog training at Stay n Play Pet Ranch to work with Patsy Swendson of Penny's From Heaven Foundation.  We had two hours of lecture and two hours of going through various scenarios that are encountered when working with patients at nursing homes, hospitals, rehab centers, etc.

Bosley and Becky before going into the meeting.  Sorry, Becky, I cut your head off.  :D  One of these days I'm going to include your face.  lol

Tuxon is his usual laid-back, well-behaved self.  Tuxon is 7 years old and went through Canine Assistance training when he was 18 months old.  He was too hyper to pass the certification test, but his previous training really shows when we are going through our paces.

Ooops.  Luc is in jail.  He was crated during the two hours of lecture because, frankly, I was hoping he would be calmed down enough to perform well in the various scenarios.  He was his usual hyper,  lovable,  kissing self.  We have two more training aids to try in teaching him when to kiss and when NOT to do so.  Even at 5 years old, Luc just gets so excited upon seeing anyone; he can hardly contain himself.  If he does not pass this certification, the only thing to do is to keep training until he does settle down to pass the certification.  The Penny's From Heaven group has very, very high standards.  I am sure the other therapy dog certifying organizations have very high standards, but Penny's is the certification I want for Luc. 

Patsy has been doing therapy dog volunteering and work for 35 years.  With that kind of experience, you listen!

Coffee break.  Check out Mr. Manners, Tuxon, quietly sitting under a table but staring at the pumpkin bread in Darlene's hand.  lol  Charlotte of Stay n Play furnished our lunch, for which we all appreciated, so we could keep working.

We have a lecture/work session next Sunday. I have one week to try to get Luc to understand that kissing is allowed by invitation only.  lol

Until next time, God bless.

Smile, You Are On Camera

There was a flurry of activity today out here in little Dripping Springs, Texas, at Stay n Play.  David Scott of KXAN TV in Austin is doing a series on the Penny's From Heaven Foundation, the Foundation's mission, and Patsy Swendson, Executive Director and Founder.  It is a four-part series which begins airing on November 10, 2010.  I haven't the time yet, but I understand the series will be available online.  As soon as I have more details, I'll post.

Patsy Swendson, right, and Jennifer, left, who is in the Penny's From Heaven therapy dog training program.

Julie works the camera for David Scott of KXAN TV.

Julie, Charlotte Biggs, co-owner of Stay n Play, and David Scott of KXAN.  Charlotte has really worked to get a therapy dog training program at the kennel and a Penny's From Heaven chapter here in Dripping Springs.

Andrew, who served in Iraq, is a 20-year Army veteran and his certified therapy dog, Coco.  Andrew, a wounded warrior, was interviewed by David Scott about what it meant to him to go through the therapy dog training at Penny's From Heaven Foundation.  I did not hear the interview but am looking forward to hearing Andrew's story on KXAN.

Here are Tuxon and Bosley, both of which are in the same therapy dog training class as Luc.  Tuxon is so laid back whereas Luc is not.  :D  Doesn't Bosley have the sweetest face?  He is the sweetest and gets around famously in his cart.  He is paralyzed from a crushed disk, but he has a lot of heart. 

This is Laura, our trainer, and Weasel.  Weasel gets so stressed out with all the dogs around.  Weasel is great with people, but she is pretty shy around giant dogs.   She hopes she is invisible when Luc looks her way. 

Last, but not least, are Luc and Melody.  Melody has Labs and loves Luc.  Unfortunately, she is giving him the "leave it" training toy.  lol 

It only took two hours for Luc to settle down with all the dogs and people around today.  Luc is a whirling dervish.  His name is the most called to sit, no kissing, down, settle, leave it, and just about any thought a canine can come up with to do, he does.  At the moment giving kisses to anyone who comes within the length of his tongue is at risk.  Kissing without an invitation is considered unacceptable canine behavior particularly when it is from a therapy dog.  However, Patsy from Penny's  told me that it can be "overcomed" for she has worked with worse.  I'm encouraged. 

Until next time, God bless.

Luc on Therapy Dog Training

Since I got away with posting yesterday and Mom is out doing the elliptical machine at the moment, I decided to do another post on this "therapy dog" training business.  Like I don't even know what it really means.  I do know I have to behave the entire hour+ while training.  Behaving means not kissing everyone in sight, not meeting and greeting other dogs, sitting for what seems like days but heard something about 1 minute, being in a down-stay position for 3 minutes, and there's new training equipment. 

This is called a gentle leader.  A leash attaches to the little ring hanging down, and where my nose goes, I go. This torture item restricts my over exhuberance greatly.  And, believe me, I know when it is on. It took less than 30 seconds to decide I hated it.  No more rushing over to greet another dog or person.  Sometimes when Mom is not watching, I use my dew claws to get it off.  Then I can go about my natural instincts to tear off, pulling Mom, to investigate any new smell, greet a canine friend or a new person, or old.  I'm not particular.  I love everyone.  Last Saturday, however, something strange happened; a squirt of water came out of nowhere.

I noticed this green bottle in the possession of Tuxon's mom.  I'm beginning to think she gave it to my mom because Mom was walking a little straighter, like empowered, and with more confidence at the training park as well as at Tractor Supply.  We stopped at Tractor's Supply for something on the way home Saturday from training; and as we were leaving, I spotted two of the most interesting black dogs.  Just as I started pulling towards them to introduce myself a small stream of water from out of nowhere hit my nose. Naturally, I jumped back and proceeded to ignore the black dogs as we were leaving the store.  I mean, how would you feel if some water hit you in the face when you wanted to make new friends?  I'm going to sniff around the new pack that holds my stuff to see if I can find a green spray bottle.  If found, I'll chew a few holes in it.

 

The bag is neat.  It has lots of pockets for treats, paperwork on various vaccinations and shots, clicker, water bowl, water, my toys, Mom's camera, wheels, a retractable handle, -- it holds just about anything that might be required for me.

I do have a small gripe which I've pretty much kept to myself. I like to mark terrority at the training park. Laura, the trainer, must have eyes in back of her head. She catches me just about everytime and scolds both me and Mom. Mom tries to keep me moving when we are inside the training area, but I'm quick to mark a spot. Well, as of the last week or so, Mom has to mark my "mark" with pink flags so the area can be sprayed with some solution. I mean, really, a pink flag! How humiliating to any red-blooded, handsome, male Labrador Retriever!

Mom will be coming back in soon so I'd better say my goodbyes; so until next time, God bless.

Luc Shows You How To Do Geometry and Algebra

My mom is outside doing the yard, so I thought I'd sneak in here to write my own blog entry.  It's been at least a year since I posted.  You know I've been in something called "therapy dog" classes.  I love to learn new things, but geometry and algebra are my most favorite subjects.

I don't mean to brag, but I'm quite good in calculating on the fly.  Allow me to show you how it is done.

 I am ready for the first problem.  BTW, the weather is deliciously cool for this type of problem solving.

Man, this is an easy one -- a softball throw.  I'm no pansy.

In for the kill, errrr, catch.

I got it, of course.

I just love problem solving that I have a hard time giving up the ball for another throw.  I particularly like to mouth it and sometimes Mom gets her finger in the wrong position and I bite down a little too hard.  No matter, no blood is drawn or even a skinned finger.  I try very hard to keep track of where she has her fingers on the ball but I get soooooo excited when its math time.  It's a lot more fun than therapy dog training.

I see it.

Stretccccch.........got it. 

The first two problems were easy ones.  What's up with Mom?  She knows I like a real challenge!

Time out. Grass bur.

Now she's cooking.  This looks like a good one.  Ok, calculating distance, speed, best angle and how high to jump.

Keep your eye on the ball and don't let anyone tell you that geometry, algebra or higher math is hard.  It isn't; stay focused.

Got it. 

I hope you have a better understanding of math calculations from this lesson.  Remember two things:  1) Stay focused, and 2) math calculations are not hard.  I've also been very lucky because I've not been caught at the computer.

As Mom says, until next time, God bless.