Recertification Test

B and I woke up to six inches of fresh snow, and blizzard-like conditions. As I have to cross several summits, including Donner Summit, I was a little bit nervous about going, but figured I'd try and if it got bad, I'd just turn around and we'd go to Santa Rosa for our Recertification Test later on.

When we got to Truckee, the sun was shining through a small spot in the clouds, and there was a gorgeous rainbow, so I figured it'd be okay. 

The Donner Summit crossing went okay, just extremely slow, and it was really snowing hard, and I couldn't even see the edge of my hood at times. We went through three separate chain controls (where each vehicle is stopped and inspected by Cal Trans inspectors). Boreal ski area was on a wind hold, and it was pretty bad up there. You know it's really bad when the entire ski area goes on a wind hold (the chairlifts are dangerous in high winds). Incredible start to the first day of spring!

Then at the top of Donner Summit, I passed a bus with Japanese characters painted on the side of the bus that was stopped and 180° to the highway (facing opposite direction to traffic), so I guess they skidded even though they were fully chained up. Or maybe they threw some chains on the other side that I couldn't see, and skidded. There were quite a few wrecks up there.

I had to stop at the Gold Run rest stop to use the restroom, and brought B inside with me, as I was trying to hurry because it was getting really late. I thought it'd be faster for B to "hurry" in the designated dog area, then go inside with me to the bathroom, rather then to make two trips back and forth to the car. 

I thought I was alone as there were only two other cars at the rest stop, then all of a sudden I hear all these voices chattering away. B was sitting with her back to the door, so her tail was sticking out a little bit from under the stall. So I figured they were talking about her tail and a dog being in the bathroom. It only sounded like two or three women talking.

Then when I opened the door, to my shock, there was a long line of about 40 older women from Japan, and all these camera flashes going off in my face. They must have been from that bus up on top of the summit. I guess they will go back to Japan, and B and I will be featured in some of their vacation slide shows, where they might chuckle and comment something like, "those Americans sure love their dogs".
 
Gosh time flies! I can't believe it's been six months since I last saw K and my classmates and their partners. Everyone looked great, including the dogs. 

One part of the test was the food temptation test. I got very nervous because B loves food. B did very well on the food test. I was so nervous, I was like a deer in headlights. K had to remind me it was okay to praise B for not going for the food temptation. Shame on me, as I normally give her a lot of praise and love.

After we finished everything, K told us we passed the recertification. My two classmates and I had some questions. K answered our questions and concerns. 

The drive was a lot easier and quicker going back home even though it was raining the whole way and very foggy at the top of Donner Summit. We got home in two hours (instead of nearly the four hours it took us to get there).

Valentine's Day Walk

B: "Hurry up, let's go!"

B: "We're going back, already?!"

First Snowshoe

This is the first chance we've had to go snowshoeing. B really enjoyed it. The snow was so fresh and soft, it was like walking on clouds. It's so nice to just be able to go into the backyard and then hit the trails from there.

Sorry for the blurry shots, I only had the phone with me, and it was getting dark.

B: "Hurry up and get those things on so we can go!"

Is that a bear coming? So we turned around
and headed for home.

Taken on the trail

Closer view of lake, taken from
same spot as above photo.

Taken from my deck once we got home.

Visiting Dad at the Hospital

B: "Get well soon!"

"Therapy Dogs" Spreading Christmas Cheer at Hospital

These "Therapy Dogs" were spreading Christmas Cheer to the patients in Med/Surg.

It was very kind of these dogs and their people to take time out from Christmas Day to visit and cheer up patients.

Their people said these dogs are "American Labrador Retrievers". Both dogs weigh 125+ pounds and are apparently normal size for their breed.

They visited my father, along with other patients, and both dogs were very gentle and sweet. 

Sorry for blurry photos, taken with phone. 

 

Guess Who . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .  B went to visit today?

B had a wonderful time, and passed out this evening from exhaustion in front of the fire in the fireplace because she was so excited to see Santa Claus and other dogs. 

B gave Santa her Christmas List, which I'm sure had tennis balls and treats on it. ;-)

Enjoy the photos of B with Santa.

B in her CCI vest

B in the Christmas spirit

Saturday at Work

A quiet day at work. B does very well, and is content to hang out under the desk.

Dog Get Together

Today B and I met a CCI Board Member that is local, and her two CCI Therapy dogs.

We hiked at Paige Meadows. After the hike, we went to the local high school to use their tennis courts for the dogs to play.

At the tennis courts, we threw balls for the dogs. B really was having a lot of fun. Then this man from California Fish & Game comes up to us and requests that we put our dogs away, as they are about to release a bear back into the wild. So we run to the cars, put the dogs in the cars and run back hoping to see the bear go by, but we missed it.

It was great to meet her and her two CCI Therapy dogs.

First Snow

What a beautiful girl!

Meeting Teddy. . .

We are just in from our walk. We didn't finish our walk, because . . . . . .

as we came around a corner in a sagebushy area . . . . . .

We met Teddy. . . . . .  

bear!  

We were walking this trail just before dinnertime, as a last walk of the day. 

We were coming to an area where the manzanita is thick, and where the trail curves. B halted, and I figured she was looking at a squirrel that was nearby as she was looking in that direction. 

I had to force B into moving forward, and then we practically stumbled onto a black bear that was on all fours and engrossed in something on the ground. The bear jumped, then stood up, then got down on all fours, and started running up the hill. 

B and I ran down the hill for an eighth of a mile until we were back home. That was scary! We were within ten feet of that bear. 

B was much smarter than I was. I should have paid attention to why she was not wanting to continue on our walk. Smart girl!

I had been talking to B the whole time as a lot of locals do that as a tactic to avoid bears by alerting the bears to voices of people nearby, so the bears have a chance to run off before being seen. I'm not sure why that bear didn't hear us, but it did seem very engrossed in whatever it was looking at, perhaps eating manzanita berries which is a delicacy for bears. 

B will be wearing a bear bell from now on. It looks like a large jingle bell, and it attaches to the dog's collar with velcro.

Photo was taken later, but illustrates the bear bell.

First Visit to Lake

B was playing with the waves at first.

A beautiful autumn day

Gorgeous day! We explored an aspen grove not far from home.

 

First Day at Home

B listening and watching her first Stellar's Blue Jay.

Graduation!

Graduation day was wonderful, and such a great day for all of us.

First, we met our puppy raisers, then had lunch with them. Lunch was generously provided by the Petaluma Lions Club, and they did a great job - everything was delicious and the tables were beautifully set. 

B's puppy raisers are two amazing women. I was so impressed with K and S, and so thankful to them for doing such a great job with B. I really enjoyed meeting with them and having lunch with them. B has had a wonderful life with the puppy raisers, including learning a lot and being exposed to a wide variety of different things, including other animals. 

The graduation ceremony itself was very touching and emotional for most of us. 

After the ceremony, I was fortunate to be able to visit further with B's puppy raisers K and S, and to meet B's breeder caretaker (B's mother Z, and her person D), and B's grandmother B (whom she is named after, how sweet!), B's half-sister G, and their person B. I thought it was wonderful that D and B support CCI and all the puppies that Grandma B and Mother Z have had. It really does take a village to raise and train one little puppy, and I am so appreciative of all of the people involved with CCI. 

After everyone left, we said good bye to our classmates and their partners that were heading home. I choose to stay one extra night rather than brave the Friday commute traffic. Luckily I had some classmates keeping me company, and we all went out to a wonderful dinner at Old Chicago Pizza in Petaluma. After dinner, we all had a nice visit, and our dogs played.

In all, it was a wonderful class and amazing experience. I will miss everyone and their partners, but look forward to keeping in touch with everyone.  

Our Official Graduation Photo

 

Last Week of Class

This whole week has been a blur. We have been more "hands on" with our dogs this week, going on field trips, plus busy with establishing a routine with our dogs. 

We had our final exams today, and everyone and their dogs did well.

Tomorrow is graduation and we are all so excited to be starting our new lives with our partners. I think everyone has the perfect partner for them. I am really looking forward to meeting the puppy raisers. They have done a wonderful job with B, and I am so grateful to them and everyone at CCI.

Introducing My New Partner

My new partner is a beautiful Golden Retriever / Labrador Retriever mix. She is two years old, and so smart. 

B is a joyful girl, and always has a wagging tail. She enjoys cuddling, but is always ready to work at a moment's notice to alert me to sounds.

I am grateful to her breeder caretaker, her puppy raiser, and to the trainers, for doing such an excellent job with B. Thank you! I really feel very blessed, and I am so grateful for having B as my partner.

Thank you also to everyone associated with CCI, because you are providing so many people with wonderful, smart, confident and joyful Assistance Dogs. 

Visiting the Charles M. Schulz Museum

I wanted to see the Charles M. Schulz Museum because he and his family have done a lot for CCI. 

So after class, I made a quick trip to the museum, and it was very interesting.

Besides the museum, there is also the ice rink, and the gift shop, where I picked up a few souvenirs.

Here are some photos, but if you're ever in the area, I highly recommend a visit. 

Approaching the museum, note Snoopy
on top of his doghouse on the right

Amazing 2-story high wall mural made out of
actual published Peanuts comic strips

Close up of wall mural

a small section of the upstairs

Everything is so detailed,

even the bathrooms!

Nice touch! Tile repeats throughout
the bathrooms, including the stalls.

Snoopy and Woodstock playing in wet cement?

Snoopy's Home Ice

Art gallery and gift shop, note the replica of Charles M. Schulz'
Hollywood star in lower right corner.

Sopwith Camel, taken from the upstairs of the gift shop,
picture taken in honor of my father, a pilot

An example of how international Snoopy was

pictures taken in honor of a friend in Italy

Seventh Day of Class

Since it is Sunday and our day off, this will be very short. Normally I would have driven to the coast, and/or visited with friends, which I was really looking forward to. Since I had a bad cold, I chose to kennel the dog and just stay in and rest. I was really bummed as it was a beautiful autumn day outside.

Some of my classmates got out and saw some of this gorgeous area, so I was very happy that at least they got out and got to have some fun!

I am grateful for the CCI kennel staff in taking excellent care of the class dogs.

Once we picked up our dogs from the kennel, we took them to one of the dog playgrounds here on the CCI campus, and let the dogs play together. They all had a blast.

In all, it's been a quiet day, and I really hope I get my voice back tomorrow so that the dog is able to understand what I want and be able to respond accordingly.

So tonight will be an early night.

Sixth Day of Class

Everyone seemed relieved it was Saturday. It was such a beautiful day out, and we have all had a long week, especially those of us with colds. The trainers were wonderfully patient with us, and I'm sure they both were looking forward to having Sunday off also.

We started with reviewing the dogs' second night at "home" in our dorm rooms. All dogs did very well. Then we moved on to soundwork, and did that most of the morning. We worked with the timer and also an alarm clock.

The National Board was here for their board meeting, so we were all looking forward to meeting the board members and sharing with them how much we appreciate CCI, the staff, and the wonderful dogs. I know I would have liked to be able to talk more to the board members, but I had lost my voice due to this cold, so I didn't really talk to them as I had hoped to. I'm sure my awesome classmates and their TAs (Training Assistants) did a great job in expressing all of our appreciation to the board members.

We all had a wonderful lunch with the board members, which was delicious Mexican food. I wasn't able to get the name of the restaurant that catered it, but the food was absolutely perfect. Some "volucheers" and some CCI staff generously came in on their own time on this weekend day to assist with the set up and clean up of lunch.

After lunch, we learned some new commands, which were, "bed" and "shake". We also learned how to explain to people that may approach us that these dogs are working dogs, and that it really is best not to pet them. When petting the dog, the dog then thinks it is off duty and doesn't have to work. If you ever meet anyone with a service or assistance or working dog, it really is best to ask the handler what they prefer before acknowledging the dog, as everyone is different and has different ways and methods. Some may allow shaking the dog's paw, but some may prefer you not do that. All dogs and classmates did very well, as usual, with using "bed" and "shake".

As the day went on, I was losing more and more of my voice. I stopped trying to give the dog commands because it was starting to get a little confused, especially if I started saying the first syllable of the command hoarsely then lost my voice on the second syllable. So it was only setting it up to get into the habit of not always responding, which I don't want to occur. It is a smart dog, and it is testing me because it is still getting to know me, and getting to know what I will accept and not accept, and that's only natural.

At the end of the day, the trainers reviewed the day with us, and said they were very pleased with everyone doing so well. They also gave us the choice of kenneling or not kenneling our dogs for Sunday. I chose to kennel it because I wanted to rest, and especially to get over this cold quicker and hopefully get my voice back. I thought maybe I could get a few naps in and it would be bored, so maybe it would get to play with other dogs in the kennel.

Saturday evening most of us just hung out and started to recoup from the long week. We really learned a lot, and as the trainers pointed out just before end of today's class, that we all have made amazing progress with our dogs. I agree, and it's thanks to the breeder caretakers, the puppy raisers, and the trainers who ensure the dogs are fully trained and ready before class begins, and then the way the trainers present the material to us, we learn quickly and easily.

Fifth Day of Class

We are all happy that it is Friday and close to the end of a very long first week of classes, as we have class tomorrow. We are learning a lot. Almost everyone has a cold, so it's been not easy. We are all trying our best and the trainers are really understanding of those of us who aren't feeling 100% including myself. 

I am very impressed with CCI as a whole, and how the trainers adjust the schedules to fit everyone's needs the best, and the wonderful accommodations (the living in these beautiful newly remodeled dorms, but also the trainers understanding that we all have different needs).

Anyway, the dogs were all very excited to work for their partners, and unfortunately I was moving slow today. I really hope we all feel much better tomorrow, but we are fortunate to get Sunday off. I will probably rest on Sunday, and try to regroup for a new week, hopefully where we all are back to our normal health.

I am not a trainer, and this is just IMHO (In My Humble Opinion). The dogs all seem so wonderful, they are such beautiful and handsome, extremely happy dogs, and so excited to work for us all. Even though I have been through two classes before elsewhere, I am so impressed with this program here at CCI, the dogs, the "voluncheers" and all the staff. I leave class each day for the evening feeling confident and empowered, and I think that says a lot for the coursework and how hard the trainers work with us on the material (everything from the textbook to training to dog handling).

Some of us, including myself, were a little bit nervous about our first field trip today, and everyone was talking about it before class started this morning. When class started, the trainers were quick to reassure us about our abilities to do well on the field trip. Everyone and their dogs did well at yesterday's practice lunch, and luckily, today's field trip went well. Kudos to the staff of CCI and to Fresh Choice in Rohnert Park and their staff for ensuring a successful field trip for our September 2012 class!

This morning we worked on timer sound training and also added a new sound, an alarm clock. So that went very well and it was interesting. My pre-match did very well, but was a little hyper. As I didn't feel very well this morning, I didn't walk the dog as far as usual before class like I normally would have. One of the trainers suggested that I throw a ball for the dog and also let it run in the enclosed play yard with other dogs.

After we did the soundwork, we went back to the classroom for the lectures on how to load and unload the dogs into our cars, and also about safety. Then it was time for the dogs to receive their new CCI Working Dog vests! They are beautiful vests, as they are blue with yellow. All of the dogs seemed excited to receive their new vests.

We then went to Fresh Choices and my pre-match did very well in line, and in allowing me to balance a tray with a bowl of steaming hot soup, salad, dessert, and a drink on it. Then we started to find a place to sit down, and two little toddler brothers ran past several times, very closely and brushing up against the dog each time they ran by. I was not appreciative of that, as I had hot food and was worried about holding the dog's leash and wondering if the tray would go flying. Luckily, thanks to the dog, it did very well, and did not even react to the little boys. 

The dog also did very well under the table, as I accidentally dropped a piece of a hard boiled egg, and it did not try to grab it at all, nor did the other dog that was under the table with it. So kudos to both dogs for a job very well done! The dog had a bumpy moment, because a staff member came up to the table with a small portable manual vacuum and went towards the dog with it, so it jumped from a down to a sit, which was totally understandable. I must really commend this dog very highly as it startled, jumped then got right back into a down stay, all on its own! I am so proud of it. So smart, and so well-trained.

After we left the restaurant, we had more soundwork, then we had another lecture, then we ended for the day. So as usual after class, I did the homework and quizzes. Then the dog and I went outside to the play yard so it could run and play with two other dogs, including its friend from lunch today. It was such a beautiful evening that we all hated to go inside. The trainer's suggestion worked out very well, as due to my bad cold, the dog was still able to get its workout in while I was able to not have to do so much. I tried something new in the play yard. It's a stick thingy with a cup for holding a ball inside it, and it makes it easier to throw balls for the dog. It is wonderful, and I will buy one. Below is a short video of my pre-match (Black Lab mix) stealing a ball from a classmate dog (Yellow Lab mix). I hadn't realized she was stealing the ball at the time of filming this, so unfortunately shut the phone off just as she was running off with the ball.

Anyway, the dog and I are off to bed, as we both have a very busy day again tomorrow. Tomorrow we are having a Mexican lunch, as they are apparently having a board meeting here at the CCI campus (as it is the National Headquarters). The Board members requested that they include our class and the trainers at their luncheon, which is very sweet and thoughtful of them. They may regret it later due to our colds, but hopefully not!