Suki the Therapy Dog!!!

She passed, she passed, she passed!! On August 24th 2008 Royal's Suki Atae passed her CGC/TDI test!

We had a chance to get her tested at a facility she'd never worked in before, and took it. Initially I wanted to test her at the facility we always work at, you know home field advantage and all... Our test was cancelled almost 2 months prior, and never re-scheduled. I decided to use this other facility to do a practice test and also take the test at our normal facility two weeks later. We didn't need to use the second test. She passed on foreign turf, with short notice, and with some mistakes in training that our teacher had "lead us astray" with.

The final part of the test is a 3 min. separation. She did great, and I went to get her after my timer was up. The volunteer that was holding Suki was smitten (as was everyone watching her). The judge had left the room for something & was not around when I went to claim my dog. The volunteer said, I think Suki passed, she did really great. We just waited, what seemed like forever for the judge to come back in. Finally she poked her head in and said PASS! I jumped up and down, and Suki got a big bone!

Yippie!! That was the one thing I wanted to do with my dog, for sure & she got her title by 14 months old! Now what???? he he he he! I don't think it will be long till I have another goal, she's just too smart to be done, just yet.

Yippie!

I was the last to test & had a very captive audience. Everyone loved Suki & I heard one woman say to James (husband) "that's the nicest Shiba I've ever seen". They all petted her & I think she knew how well she'd done, she was almost prancing!

In a few weeks I can start scheduling her "engagements". It takes some time to get all the forms and paperwork back from TDI & AKC. She will get what looks like a doggie ID card with her photo on it, stating that she is a certified Therapy Dog. I'm so proud of her, and so excited at what we can do now.

Impatient Cow

My husband loves this little kid joke.
Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Impatient Cow.
Impatient Cow "mooooo" who?
(The mooo comes in before the asker can finish
Impatient cow who?)

Anyway, that's really how I feel. Suki's CGC test was supposed to be on July 8th. It was cancelled because the AKC judge was double booked. It STILL has not been rescheduled. I've emailed the training coordinator twice, and talked to her in person once. I've really tried to be polite & kind, but I'm starting to loose my patience. I'm able to train for free until the test starts, but the $13 in gas to get there & back, isn't exactly free.

I have been given 3 new opportunities to get Suki out in therapy work, but only after her test is completed. My dear friend Joelle works at a senior apartment complex, and so wants me to come out to visit. My Mom just started a job and a really high end assisted living facility and they have given me permission to come in. Finally my Aunt starts her classes up again at the educational center for handi-capped kids in a few weeks, and wants me to come, but has to schedule ahead of time, and can't with out a copy of our certificate. UGGGGGGG.

I kind of feel like I'm whining, but I'm just so excited. The day the test was cancelled I was nervous & really excited. I was so mad when they called at 4:00 PM (the test was at 6:30 PM). I just want this finished, so I can stop thinking about the test!

CGC Test is next week!! EEK!

The dream of getting Suki to be a therapy dog is fast becoming a reality. Her CGC/TDI test is next week!

Her training is going super well, we do have one obstacle though. She's clingy to her Monica (that's me :)). One section of the test requires me to leave her with the evaluator for 3 minutes. She cannot pull or act distraught. I've been getting nervous and a touch discouraged, because she does act distraught and will pull if allowed to.

My trainer trains for worst-case scenario. She acts as the evaluator for class purposes. During this section of practice she does not interact with the dog at all. Suki does not respond well to that, she will look for me constantly and when I approach at the end of 3 minutes she will pull for me. That sounds really bad, but there is a silver lining. During the test the evaluator will be talking to my dog, and engaging with her. Last night we practiced with Catie, Ariadana, Jill and another helper at the training center. We started giving Suki treats & talking to her while I was away from her (she didn't even remember I existed when that was happening ;)). We whittled down the treats, but continued to engage her and talk to her. With those modifications she did EXPONENTIALLY better! She still looked for me, (after the treats were not coming) but that's ok. She didn't pull, and stopped stress panting. Good news! I have so much more confidence now after working on that section.

The rest of the test we've really had good success with. If for some reason she does not pass one of the other sections I'll be shocked. So it looks like we are in really good shape for the test next week!

Service Dog

I've always wanted a dog that could help people, I think I found it in Suki. People just adore her. They are so drawn to how mild mannered, and sweet she is. From day one I wanted to get her CGC, now I think it's a necessity! People need to spend time with her, I just can't keep her to myself, that would be selfish.

I don't know what kind of service we will provide yet, but I know she is made for it. I'll keep you posted :).

Almost Seven Months Old...

Wow, how time flies!

We are so blessed that we decided Shibas were right for us. She is such a perfect dog for our lives. She has her little issues, like every dog, but she truly is a great fit.

She loves loves loves people, she loves loves loves walks, dogs, playing ball, when I cook in the kitchen, going to dog school, training, and even the vets office!

Today I think she finally realized the term "You want to go for a ride?" is just for her, and she jumped in the car merrily.

I can't believe how people have taken to her. People's faces just light up when they see her. She is adorable, and getting prettier every day. Cate says she looks majestic, I think that's an apt description. Donna was right when she said we needed to get her a tee-shirt that said "I'm Suki the Shiba Inu". Everyone wants to know about her.

Suki and Pearl our wondercat really got along well. Unfortunately Pearl had to be put down a few days ago. Her kidneys could not keep up with her, she would have been seven in April. Suki looks for her sometimes even still. Pearl was just wonderful. Peaches likes to beat up on Suki, chase her and make her cower. Suki just goes back for more, again and again. We have decided that Peaches is basically villainous.

Suki's training is going well. She knows most commands. Her stays are a little rough, but she is only 6.5 months old. We really think that she will do well with therapy work. That's the goal thus far.

New Photo website

Here is our latest website of photos. They are all in chronological order.

http://comparecenter.com/cgi-bin/photo/index.cgi?m ode=view&album=/Monica/Pets
For some reason when you cut and paste this link in your browser it takes you to the main site. Click on Monica then Pets and you'll find lil' miss Suki.

Enjoy!!!

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!

My buddy Winnie tagged me...

Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to post in their Diary the rules & their 7 pawsome facts. Then choose 7 furry friends to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to bark them a pmail, or send a fun rosette, letting them know that they have been tagged and to read your Diary fur the rules.

Facts:

1) I am a 4.5 Months Old
2) I love to jump and run in everyone's leaves along the road
3) I love dogs more than people, more than food, more than air
4) I love to lick our cat Pearl, untill she crys
5) I have more energy than 12 "normal" dogs
6) I get sad when people don't want to meet me along our walks
7) I have a very good dogs life

I'm gonna tag:

1) Moby
2) Gem Fluffy O'Rourke
3) Peaches
4) Henry
5) Nina
6) Brand E
7) Kenji

Suki's first 4 days with us

Day one was pretty good compared to the trauma she was going through. Her first major road trip was 7 hours from Michigan to New York. She did amazingly will, no messes or getting sick. She cried, and we laughed at how cute it was. I know so cruel, but trust me it was adorable. She met James her papa. He loved her at first sight. She made one mess in the living room, I'm taking full responsibility. She was so distracted while eating, I didn't know she was done. He couldn't get over how small she was. The first night was a bit hard, lots of crying. We only got about 3 hours sleep.

Day two she made an appearance at Sunday School. The kids LOVED her, as well they should! Dad came over and met her, he fell head over heels. She walked herself over to the neighbors to introduce herself. They all thought we couldn't have made a better choice that lil miss Suki. She slept so well a little over 6 hours last night. I think we all needed it.

Day three: work day! She has been progressively getting better and better in her crate. Just a few little protests and then settles right down. I'm totally shocked. I was expecting this to be much harder. We visited the vets today, even the vet loved her! I let a woman in the waiting room hold her while I was checking out, and when I looked back the woman was gone, and Suki was now with another person. She was making the rounds. She has grown to love everyone, because everyone has chicken! She starts bolting toward total strangers, because she believes everyone has a chicken pocket, just like I do. We went to the pet store to get a collar, everyone fawned all over her. She picked out a large pink pully pig that she just loves. She dragged it right off the shelf it was on. Mom & Dad V came over last night to meet the new addition. They adore her too. She found a new favorite thing, the drain pipe from the gutters. She stuck her head under it and her face in it. It was raining a little bit so there was a little stream of water coming down. She slept almost 6 hours tonight.

Day four is going well so far. We had a nice walk/run this morning. I can tell when she has the urge to start running. Her ears go back and she looks ready for anything. I run along side, trying not to jerk her when she stops on a dime. It's quite a sight. She thinks it's marvelous. We went to another pet store to get her new food, Wellness. She loved this outing, she met a very fluffy Bichon in need of a grooming. She tackled him! He didn't seem to mind much. Everyone loved her, once again. Of course she loved everyone else too. The chicken really helps. We went for an afternoon jaunt and she charged a neighbor loving him to death. He of course magically had a treat to give her. It is quite incredible how everyone thinks to have these wonderful things on hand. Today at 5:30 she has a "play date" with a little dog down the block. Her name is Rosy, and she has tons of energy to burn off. I think they will be grand pals.