Dogster

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First Dalmatian Service Dog

Newest Member of the Family

Well I'm 9 years old now and Mom said "one day she woke up and it hit her I'm going to be retiring from service work some day maybe not now but it might be soon I might cross over the rainbow bridge. Given that Dals live 12-13 years old. Some might live less and some more. I hope I live to the ripe old age of 16. I love my family and especially my human Mom. Service work has been a royal blessing for me. I have accompanied my Mom the last 6 years of her life every other day to the infusion center and that will go on the rest of her life for her medical condition and kidney problems. I have logged in so many hours at doctors I have lost count. Often times mom will order me a piece of bacon to have while she has lunch at the infusion room. Sometimes I don't get any and sometimes I do. I have to say I think and hope I have added quality to the lives of those that have or had cancer and moved on over the rainbow bridge I would see them soon. Mom doesn't have cancer but it is something else she has that requires her to have electrolytes to remain with us. Her kidneys don't recognize it. My brother Shep goes sometimes when I want a day off or so. She has a nice balance. Well I got off track again!

So she brought this new puppy home and called him Coffee and told me I had to train him in service work she had no energy. So far I have taught him to steal clothing items shoes, socks, and other items mainly. Then he takes his leash and sometimes tries to walk us around when we are leashed. Not certain what that does in service work. He is smart but acts like a "dumb blonde" sometimes. Mom says next week is force retrieve training with Coffee so he will pick up items around the house. He is leaving his toys all over the place and she likes them picked up in the evening after he is done playing. Tonight he ate two toys and had to toss them out and not pick them up. He has that lesson confused. ARGH. Mom said she wanted a dog with character like me. However, I'm unique. Coffee is too. I think he will work out just fine.

It is sad that I'm going to turn things over to him but I think he will be fully trained within the year hopefully. He is not afraid of anything yet that I have found. He is mellow as well as his older brother Shep. Of course Coffee wants my ears I told him to find a bassett hound they have longer ears and leave mine alone. He is always bitting at my ears. ARGH. I know it is puppy and he will outgrow it, I survived Shep and I will survive Coffee. LOL. Well it is late and Coffee wants to do a few entries. Got to get my zzzzZZZZ's before tomorrow.

Seven Years Old!

Wow on Friday I celebrated my 7th birthday okay I think I'm 49 years old. I had a terrific day. Mom gave me the day off of service work and then we loaded into the car when she got done with her appointments and headed off to Logan's steak house for a huge steak!!! Yes, I got french fries, steak, and mac and cheese!!! What a terrific birthday until my Mom told me I had to share with my brother who was sitting at home waiting! Logans' didn't give me a yeehaw. So Mom gave me one on the way to the car with her weak voice. Well, Mom and Shep ordered a collar and it is in the mail. So I got no gifts on my special day! I did lots of pets and scratches and Mom let me sleep in her recliner so I have conquered that for my own chair now! Such is a dog life!

Mom asked me when I wanted to retire from service work. I'm still going strong and health is holding out except I'm always hungry, thirsty and wanting to go outside. I personally think it is the bacon the IV center gives me with extra salt on it. Mom doesn't let me have much.

My brother is still doing the dog show gig and still no rosettes! He will tell you what he has done. We have been off dogster for a while as Mom is very sick and I'm busy running her to the IV infusion center for medication in the IV. She has magnesium problems and potassium problems and can't take the oral stuff. So keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

I'm busy working with Mom on my service dog book. She got a new camera and it is going well. She loves being a camera bug.

Well off to enjoy my time off this weekend. Paw prints in your hearts everyone! Pepsea

News

Well I suppose my brother the Collie told you everything. We lost our two beloved friends Blair and Buck. We miss seeing their photos. Shane is now up sending us photos of himself and we wish we were closer.

Mom had her appendix removed on Friday late night. We were so lucky they didn't go at a dog show. She didn't rupture them they were just very enlarged and causing havoc on her system. She was running fevers and run down all the time. She had pain in the right lower side but was ignoring it. Her cancer doctor checked her cat scan for her enlarged spleen and found her appendix were enlarged. Things moved very fast on Thursday evening and Friday. Her surgeon worked her into his schedule and she is now home recovering without any problems.


My brother and I are very busy helping Mom around the house and keeping an eagle eye on her so she don't have any problems. We are keeping her up and walking her every few hours as well and making her do her IS. We don't want her to miss the next dog show coming up. We even have cut back on the barking as well for food. We know that is a difficult task for her to do right now with not being able to bend over but we are okay in eating on the bed or the sofa.

I tried my hat at obedience but I'm too much of a service dog in tending to my mom when she zips by me with her power chair. I split on the judges as I had more important things to do. "S"

Yes, My father passed away since I last wrote as well. Coach is in dog heaven and we miss seeing him dearly. He has one puppy still in the show ring showing. Mom is trying to find a mate for me as well so Becka and Coach's line can continue since it is a top show line with all champions and westminster champions award of merits. If anyone saw Major at westminster take award of merit that is my nephew. My sister's kid. Pepsea