Birthday: August 27th 2007 Likes: SWIMMING, therapy dog visits, ice cubes, cashews Pet-Peeves: Dolce, when she won't leave him alone. Favorite Toy: Stuffed toys (which are off limits because they get shredded!) Favorite Food: He's a lab, he literally will eat ANYTHING. Favorite Walk: Along the bike trail! Best Tricks: Shake, giving me the puppy eyes Arrival Story: Washington came to me to be my fourth guide dog in training. He went through training very well (he is a smart guy, what can I say!) and went back to guide dog school. We all had high hopes that he would become a guide and change someone's live.
Sadly, on election night, we got a call from our guide dog club leader. Washie had been career changed for pinpoint cataracts. I was so upset (he was my first dog to not make it) and BEGGED my parents to let me keep him. Well, they said yes! and now Washie will live out the rest of his years with us. At first, not being able to work really killed him, but he has adjusted well and now loves lazy summer days with lots of swimming and snoozing. Bio: Washington is still a working dog. He recently has become a certified therapy dog through TDInc. He mainly will be doing visits at the local crisis nursery for children who have been taken away from there families. He LOVES being able to go out again, and he is so gentle and sweet to the little kids. He can't understand why some are scared to pet him though ;) Forums Motto: CC'd Guide Dog, Therapy Dog The Groups I'm In: *** WE LOVE OUR TROOPS***, Cesar's Dogster Pack, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Guide Dogs Yaaay!!, Guide Dogs/PIT/CC'd/CCI, Horsester, Lab's are 4 us!!!, Labrador Retreivers ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Labs Labs and more Labs!!, Lovable Labs!!!, Pups Against PETA!, Service Dog Trainers/Raisers, Service Dogs Group, Service Dogs in Training, Workin Labs The Last Forum I Posted In: The Latest News on Pebbles
Wow, today I had my first visit as a certified therapy dog! I went to the crisis center for children who have been taken away from their families because of abuse or other problems.
I was a very sweet boy, but some of the kids were frightened of me. I just rolled over to show them I was a nice dog. These children have already gone through so much in their lives and I wanted to give them labbie love :)
This three year old boy picked up a toy drill and said "BANG BANG BANG! I am going to shoot your dog!" It made me very sad because this little boy was not pretending- someone in his life must have used a gun around him or showed him that it was ok to be cruel to animals. Happily, though, I have been asked to come back and visit the kids every week. My heart goes out to all of the children there and I hope they all can live in a happy, safe, and stable environment some day.
Lately I have been having a ton of fun with my family. It is summer, so the kids can swim with me ALL DAY! They don't really want to, (and tried to keep me from swimming all day by blocking the pool) but nothing has worked so far. I will continue to jump in the pool and then track water all over the house via the doggie door :)
Well it is spring break right now for my family, and they are puppy sitting a dog for our neighbors. Her name is Mindy and she is an Australian shepherd mix. Dolce, Mindy, and I have a great time creating havoc around the house but this morning was especially fun.
Dad has forgotten to turn off the sprinklers in our yard (the grass doesn't need it at the moment) so there is a huge mud puddle. Dolce recently discovered her love of digging and got mud all over her legs and face. I must say, she looked mighty cute! Mindy and I were playing and ran all through the mud. Then all three of us went into the house. There were muddy paw prints everywhere.
My dad had a great time cleaning up the house and giving all three of us baths. We had a great time! The humans tried to block off the mud from us... but I'd like to see them try to keep us from having fun ;)
I came home to my puppy raisers today! I am so happy that I get to live with them for the rest of my life. We will have tons of fun together... and who knows, I might be allowed to play fetch now! At the moment I am just happy to be able to sit at my mom's feet again.
At first I was a little sad that I couldn't be a guide dog because of my cataracts. They don't bother me much now, but if they get worse my family wants to see if surgery is an option. But, I will be a therapy dog! I just can't wait to see people smile in hospitals or nursing homes. After all, who could resist me? I am so handsome ;)
