Birthday: August 21st 2003 Likes: I like the vet, baths, going bye-bye in the convertable. Pet-Peeves: I don't like squeekey toys or the ice cream truck (Trucks aren't suppose to follow you singing.) Favorite Toy: Sticks and mommy's old shoes Favorite Food: Anything put in my mouth. Favorite Walk: Around the neighborhood where I can see crabs and turtles and on the trails in Tennessee. Best Tricks: I do all sorts of stuff. But the one that blows everyone's mind is that I do the conga. Arrival Story: Mommy wanted to get my sister, Hershey, a little brother. Well, my grandpa's puppy, Prissey, was having puppies, and I was the biggest one in the litter. Mommy came up and picked me out before my eyes were even open. She would come and hold me every week. Then, when I was four weeks old, she came up and we were all laying under the big truck. She couldn't see me, and said, "where's my boy?" I got up and walked to her. She took me home that day. She took me early to get me started on shots and on good food so I'd be healthy. When we got home, she gave me a bath and brought Hershey out to meet me. She told Hershey they found me in the yard. I don't think she believed Mommy. At first Hershey just ignored me. Then, a few days later, she pierced my nose and my lip for looking at her and to prove she was boss. She's smaller than me now, but sissy is the boss. Bio: Mommy says Im the sweetest baby there ever was. I love everybody. I go to the vet and everyone comes out to see me and say "hi". I have lots of friends there. When I need to wake mommy up for something, I wake her up by giving her kisses. I also love my sister, but would like to be the boss. I don't see that happening any time soon. I also love to go swimming. I may be part shepherd, but I don't like cows. My grandpa has cows at his place, and when I was little, we went up to to run and play. Sissy was chasing the cows. The baby cows saw me and started chasing me. I ran as hard as I could to the big truck and tried to get on top of it, but it was too high. Mommy came to my rescue. Now, I leave the cow chasing to Hershey. Forums Motto: Super Service Boy! The Groups I'm In: **~spoiled rotten pups and kitties**~, *¨¨*DOGGIE CONNECTION*¨¨*, +++Hurricane Katrina/Rita Survivors and Rescuers+++, BARF or Raw feeders, Boy Dogs Rock!!, Dogster Weight Loss Support, Dr. House Group, Home Cooked Food and Recipes, Knoxville Dogs, Mac Help, Molly Inspires Foundation, No Breed is a Bad Breed, Pawsome Pages, Pets and their owners, Pets with alergies, Service Dogs Group The Last Forum I Posted In: Service Dog handler removed from Farmers Market I've Been On Dogster Since:
Six years ago last night we brought you home. I had no idea then what change you would bring to my life. You are my partner and my protector.
I remember that day. You were sleeping under the truck and I went and asked, "Where's my boy?" You were asleep under the truck and stretched and then came out. You knew that I was talking to you. I picked you up and told you we were going home. First we had to make a stop. We took you to see the doctor to make sure you were all OK. He called you an alligator moose. Then we went home and gave you a bath.
Then you met Hershey. She came out and we told her that you needed a Mommy and a Daddy. She ignored you and was not happy but after a little while, she discovered she loved you too. Now, she loves to be around you.
I will always remember the day that my life changed. I will always remember the day you became my little boy.
It is hard to believe that you are six years old already! You are such an amazing soul and an amazing little boy! I hope you know how much I appreciate everything you do for me on a daily basis. You will never ever cease to amaze me. You have taken to your role as a SD like a duck to water, and I truly believe that God sent you to me. I hope you enjoyed your birthday dinner and your presents!
Harley and I started back at work on Monday. The first three days were professional development, and were a mixture of loud craziness and boring long meetings. Our school district has the motto, "We work hard, we play hard". When we went in the first day, we had a meeting in the library, and the principal had the song, "Back in the saddle again" playing fairly loud. We were sitting at a table and one of the other special ed teachers came up and asked me how the "situation" was with the service dog. I pointed down and she jumped back because she hadn't seen him. The principal said that he kept thinking he was going to step on him because he would forget he was there. He did introduce Harley with the new faculty and explained his purpose and the rules of etiquette
Tuesday we had district Orientation. This was nuts. At the beginning, the tech lady was on the stage singing southern rock songs complete with principals and band directors playing electric guitar, key boards and drums. Then the superintended dressed up like ZZ Top and put on his own little show. We went up into the balcony and sat on the front row (where there was leg room for Harley). Harley did fine. At one point, they had trumpets and saxes out playing and Harley seemed to like that. He perked his ears and was wagging his tail (on beat). We were sitting with a bunch of teachers from our school and they all said later that they were really impressed. Then we went to lunch where several teachers asked me to train their dogs.
Wednesday was boring and we started with a 2 1/2 hour Special Ed department meeting. I could tell then that the teachers at my school had accepted him. Each school's department head's were introducing the teachers at each school and when she didn't introduce him, the other teachers from my school chimed in that she had forgotten the newest one. So, then the district department lead introduced him along with explaining him. Then we went and got lunch and went back and finished up in my classroom. He is really feeling comfortable in my room. But because I am an inclusion teacher, I go to four other classrooms with my students to help them with their regular ed classes, so we aren't in my room but 1/2 the day.
Thursday the kids started. I was a little worried at first because we got there, got out, and Harley stopped by the car and wouldn't go forward. I thought, "Oh no, not today. not the first day of school". I used cheese and got him in (Oh, the power of cheese!) Once we were in the school, everything was fine. He did great. The school had done a call out to all the parents about the service dog on campus, so many of the students knew he was going to be there. I went around to all the classes on my hall and explained to the kids why he was there and that they couldn't pet or talk to him and why. They were great, as kids normally are when I explain this to them. Harley alerted in my class so the kids got to see that on the first day too.
We meet our classes every other day, so today was basically the second first day of school, and we were in different classes than yesterday. Harley did fine. I realized what had spooked him about going in. They are doing some major construction right by the school. This morning, he stopped again by the car and looked at the new BIG and LOUD equipment. So, instead of walking towards the front door (which is toward the equipment), we walked around to the side where there are doors going directly into our hallway. He did great...not a problem. I also rewarded him because I want him to see going to school as a good thing. A couple of times I put Harley in a down stay while in another class room so I could help a student (I have some tough ones this year) and he did fine. He did watch me the entire time and the kids noticed that, but that was good.
Dogster Obsessions: The Starter Kit for Dogs by Wildebeest
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