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Simon Sez's View

ADOPT 2010 Stroll

Hi! It's me, Simon, again! I wanted to tell you what my mom thinks about rescuing dogs. She's been rescuing golden retrievers for about 25 years now. She had to give it up a bit when she began experiencing some bad emotions. She basically became very frightened to leave her house for about 5 years! She had to have a friend help her with any type of shopping, and she was too scared to go into many stores. The noise and crowds caused her to feel very panicky and upset. She also became very afraid to go out of her house at night. That makes for a very lonely life. Then I came along. She was asked to help find a home for me and my sister when we were about 8 weeks old. She found a great home for my sister, but finding a home for me was tougher. Then she fell in love with me. I really turned on my charms for her. We became great friends, and she found out that she wasn't as anxious and scared when I was with her. She learned a LOT about psychiatric service dogs, and asked her doctor and therapist if it was a good idea. They both thought the idea was grand. So she began training me in my basic manners. We even took some obedience classes and that was amazing for her. Then she sent me off to a trainer for 3 months. I really missed her and she missed me. But, I came back ready to learn my skills for helping her. We did lots of training. I had to get used to all kinds of noises, places, surfaces, people and such. I had to learn to find the doors in stores. I learned to find her car. I had to learn to lie under a table and be very quiet while she went out to eat with a friend. Can you believe she learned to do this without beingt scared? And, I helped her when she was anxious because I could get her out of the store or some other places and into her safe car. I have been working with Mom for two years now, and it's fun. I take my job very seriously. And, when I'm not working I take care of her and have fun. Now we have to work on trusting me when going out at night. I'll keep her safe! I even have a brother named Marco. He is a rescue, too, as a puppy, and he became a school therapy dog for 7 years in my mom's special ed classroom. Then the school passed a no pets policy, and he had to retire. But, he now enjoys working with the kids at the local children's psychiatric hospital every week. He's getting old, but he loves his work and Mom, too. Mom has always had rescue dogs for her buddies. We really are grateful to her, and we show her our love constantly. You all take care now and remember to adopt a rescue. They all need good homes like mine.

Barkingly yours,
Simon Sez

I love my mom!

We just finished a big day. We went to two different doctors' appointments, shopping for some tools, and out to lunch. I was a very good boy, and Mom said I did a good job. I like being her helper.

I noticed we hadn't posted anything since I was a pup in 2007. I was just going for my training, and I told you about my brothers and me getting out of the fence. Since then we lost Gabe at the age of 16 in 2009. We miss him a lot. Marco is now almost ten and I'm four!!

We had the garage. driveway and backyard redone last summer, and I like our new "playpen" as Mom calls it. Those silly rabbits still get into the yard though. That makes Mom sad because they have babies and Marco gets them. They aren't very smart, are they?

What's everyone been up to? Please leave a comment and let us know.

Simon Sez

Now What??!!

Mom's been working on my coat. I don't blow coat like my brother Marco, but Mom says it's a silly coat. Dense and hard to get a brush or comb through. She uses those scissors sometime to make me beautiful coat lighter.

I know something's up. Every night I like to be asked to crawl up on Mom's lap while she settles into the lounge chair. I used to stay all evening there, but I'm so big now, she complains. The last week or so she keep talking about a lady name Tammie. She says I'm going on vacation to visit Tammie and get some more manners. I got enough manners!! Only today I got out with my other brothers (Gabe, the old man, is great at getting that gate open. The lock was out because Mom was mowing.) Well, we decided freedom was the way to go, and flew past her down the street. Okay, the old man tottered and hitched because he can't run a straight line anymore. But, I came running right back when Mom told me to come have a cookie. I love cookies!! Peanut butter is the best, but any will do. Strider likes them, too, and he came along to get his share. We went right in the house like good boys. Gabe kept working his way down the road, and since he's totally deaf in his old age, he didn't know about the cookies. Mom had to get in the car and go find him. He's safe now, too. Brown noser Marco never left the yard. And, he got cookies, too! No fair!

Okay, back to this vacation thingy. Do any of you friends know what a "working vacation" is? She says I'll learn to sit, down, stay, walk better on my lead, come when called, and other stuff like that. I ALREADY know those words! Okay... I do ignore them more than Mom likes. But, I'm just a kid.

Oh, oh! She's calling me for something called Frontline? I don't got no evil fleas or ticks!!!! I'm going to hide now. If you gots any advice for me, I'd sure appreciate it!

Simon Sez