In Training

Having fun

2009-12-06T18:05:00.002-06:00

Today was one of those days where we got to stay home and chill for the majority of the day. So, the puppies celebrated by playing.

Hosta running...

Hiding in the doorway.

Movin' on up

2009-12-06T17:52:00.002-06:00

This morning when Hosta got out of his kennel, I noticed he was getting rather large for the little kennel. So, I planned on setting up the larger kennel.

Apparently, he thought he needed a bigger kennel too - because after his lunch, he went into Ellie's kennel, curled up and went to sleep.

Lost-a Hosta

2009-12-06T12:46:00.003-06:00

Last seen: In the kitchen playing with Ellie while I was baking banana bread.

Clues: Ellie comes to me to "tattletale" that Hos isn't playing with her anymore.

My reaction: He couldn't have gone far, all the rooms are blocked off. Did he somehow get past the gates without me hearing it and get in one? Did I close him in the pantry? Where could that little guy have gone?

Beginning to get a little bit panicked as I just can't find him. I looked under couches, tables, behind the curtains, checked every room even though the gates were still up. I checked all the cabinets too.

Still no luck - where o where has my little puppy gone?

Then, I finally check one last place...

I guess I should have looked their first. He definitely loves his kennel.

More cute pictures

2009-12-04T19:58:00.002-06:00

I just can't stop taking pics of the two of them, they are just too stinkin' cute!

Ellie blinking from the flash, laying on her dog bed in the corner of my room, and Hosta curled up as tightly as possibly to her.

I like this one, because it looks like Ellie is protecting him as he is curled up in her feet.

Doing lots of growing.

2009-12-04T19:36:00.003-06:00

I've had Hosta 3 weeks today, and he's now officially 3 squares big! And, I've had to let out his collar 2x since he came home. My little guy is growing up!

Baby, it's COLD outside

2009-12-04T19:26:00.001-06:00

so, I'll just sit by the fire (er, heater) and warm my fuzzy paws.

The call we won't be getting.

2009-12-03T19:09:00.002-06:00

Fellow county puppy raiser, Becka, who has Trego, got the call this week that Trego (and all the counties minus Ellie) will be heading back to formal training in January. Becka shares her thoughts way better than I ever could.

[My sister with Ellie (on the left) and Trego (on the right) when they were only 10 weeks old.]

Ellie and Trego were best buddies for the first year of their lives and then Becka and Trego moved to California. That didn't matter, it was fun following Trego's adventures - and my what adventures did she have! Good luck Trego, Doniphan, and the rest of the counties - it'll be fun to see what your next adventure will be!

And, yes, I didn't think I would be, but I'm rather bummed I won't be getting the recall call. I love my Ells and I'm so thrilled she'll be with me, and I'm so excited to see all her siblings go on to do great things. GOOOOOO Counties! Your sis will be cheering you on (as loud as she can, considering how scary cheering sections are! *grin*)

Ellie's Commands

2009-12-01T19:36:00.009-06:00

With being busy with potty training a goofy little puppy, I have been neglecting working with Ellie on her commands. Well, I made a promise to myself I was going to fix that as soon as I could. So, here is Ellie and I running through a few of her favorite commands. Of course, after not being worked consistently for 3 weeks and for having a 10 week old puppy annoying her, she does pretty good - although could use some fine tuning. Hopefully, sometime I can get someone who has a video camera or phone video us doing all her commands since we had to remain relatively stationary. Unfortunately, some of them are hard to see since we go out of frame a bit.

Commands shown in the video (but in no particular order) are:

Sit

Down

Bow

Jump On

Closer

Heel

Bang

Show Me Your Tummy

Down & Under

Back

High Five (& Other Paw)

Off

Wave (which I verbally gave her the wrong command, but signaled wave with my hand - and she followed my hand - which is what I wanted... Oooops on me for telling her the wrong thing.)

I think Ellie and I are going to start working on things like Agility and Rally and I'm looking into dock diving - but having a hard time finding training in this area.

The observer

2009-11-30T20:36:00.003-06:00

Hosta is very funny. He enjoys sitting and observing the world. Of course he is willing to jump in and have a good time every once in awhile, but for the most part, just enjoys sitting back and watching. In the video below, he watches as Ellie retrieves her favorite toy - the Goughnut. I think Ellie's favorite part of being released is she can play as much as she wants to with that toy and we don't have to worry about an obsession.

Puppies Playing

2009-11-30T18:51:00.005-06:00

I tried to get a few videos of Ellie and Hosta playing.

This one I was trying to get a video of Hosta chasing Ellie around the yard and his little labby butt tucks. I didn't do so well, but I have to use the video in my laptop so it's hard to hold the computer, the toy and follow doggies around the yard!

Ellie loves to fetch her Goughnut.

I tried to put the laptop on a table and then video Ellie and Hosta playing and I could have a free hand. Only Ellie would participate. She makes some good air in the middle.

Hosta's Parents

2009-11-30T18:28:00.005-06:00

Hosta's mom is Mistletoe, Callie's SD's sister. Unfortunately, this is the best photo I have.

I ran across this pic of Hosta's dad Pepto. You can see where he gets his red coloring from.

Ellie and Hosta

2009-11-29T20:02:00.003-06:00

So, I don't know why I ever worried about Ellie adjusting to life with Hos. She's been a great playmate and role model for Hos. She loves doing her commands so fast that Hos has a hard time keeping up! And then she tries to show off all her commands, not just the ones I asked for! Apparently, she thinks Hos is ready for the advanced stuff! HA HA! She's a hoot. Hos adores her and she is really starting to like Hos.

Hosta and Ellie playing and wrestling in the living room. Ellie is so good with the Hosta man. She lets him crawl all over her and it's the cutest thing.

Ellie watches Hos play with his toy.

Then, when they are tired, Ellie lets Hosta curl up with her. At first she thought he had kooties, but now, she's really starting to appreciate the kinship.

And then, they become bookends.

Aren't they cute together?

Geocaching with the CC's

2009-11-28T19:44:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving is visiting with GDB Puppy Raiser Emily and her gang! She brought Ellis and Gelly and we were planning on going geocaching. I had never been, but decided it would be a fun thing to learn so Ellie and Hosta and I can go trekking on our own. So, with Emily showing us the ropes and Ellis, Gelly and Ellie (say those three names fast - it's a tongue twister!)

Ellie and I's first find!!!! Gelly and Ellis were very happy for Ellie for a first successful find!

Had to zoom in, because it was cute! Kudos to Emily for holding all three dogs so I could take the pic! Now that's a real puppy raiser for ya!

Surprise - Surprise. We were in a park along a busy street and fellow KSDS puppy raiser B and Trego (Ellie's sister) saw us and pulled over and stopped us. It was quite a surprise since B and Trego live in California, but were also visiting the area for Thanksgiving! Ellie and Trego definitely remembered each other. It was quite an unexpected reunion.

Our third find! Emily has pics of our second find. I love how attentive Ellie and Gelly is to Emily! I swear - Ellie/Gelly are sisters in another life.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-28T19:30:00.002-06:00

This is a bit of a belated Thanksgiving post, but we had a good one. It's always nice to have a holiday dedicated to being thankful and I have so many things to be thankful for!

The puppies enjoyed it too. Hosta gets up close and personal with my parent's dog Charlie. Charlie wasn't quite sure what this little terror was, but tolerated him well enough. If Hosta got to silly and puppyish, Ellie was quick to step in and redirect him. Ellie is an amazing big sis.

Ellie and Hosta are the best of friends. Hosta looks up to Ellie with adoring eyes and always insists on being close to her.

Charlie loves to cuddle. He's such a good doggie.

Cuteness Factor

2009-11-28T19:20:00.002-06:00

No real reason for this post other than to show off some adorable photos of the Hostaness!

He is a funny puppy - he loves to sleep on his back with his front legs straight up in the air. Not sure how this is comfortable, but if he enjoys it...

He is doing really well adjusting to work life. He has his own little bed under my desk and he usually sleeps on it - till he gets hot, then he moves it aside and just sleeps on the floor.

Like this - he got hot and moved the "bed" away and decided sleeping on the cooler floor was better.

He's officially 10 weeks old now. Scary how fast he's growing!

Here's the link!

2009-11-23T07:47:00.002-06:00

If you remember from my birthday post about Hosta being famous - well, today was the big day!

Fox4 KC's Pay It Forward Segment.

I was so shocked at the moment I could hardly talk! So, I'm glad they got fellow PR Larry to do a lot of talking! Great job Shelly! Thanks so much!!

Puppy party

2009-11-21T20:08:00.003-06:00

Today, Ellie and Hosta got to go to a fun puppy party. We were learning about other things to do with our dogs and today's experience was in agility. Ellie just LOVED it. I've been working in the back yard with her on some things to help her build confidence and she took awhile to get the confidence to go over the jumps, but, she eventually got it and now loves it.

Ellie and the trainer at the beginning of the session.

This young man wanted to take Ellie over the obstacles. See how Ellie shows off her jumping skills? We started low, but Ellie quickly progressed over the highest one. She's so ready to go on to the next one! I think Ellie and I will have to get enrolled in a class!

Hos wasn't about to be outdone though. Of course, him being a wee little puppy, he got the lowest setting and was just asked to step over it. He did this quite well. Maybe eventually, he can join us at agility classes.

This is kind of out of order, but this is Ellie's first attempt at the jump. 3 weeks ago Ellie would have REFUSED this jump. But, after our work, she has learned she can do new things and jumped over it the first time! GO ELS!

After Hos' step over the bar, Hos was worn out, so decided to spend the rest of the puppy party like this!

First Vet Visit

2009-11-21T18:59:00.004-06:00

Today, Hosta had his first vet visit. He did amazing. I did learn he's gained 4 pounds since last Friday. WOW, sounds like a lot! They grow so fast when they are little. He's now hit double digits though! YAY for that! 10.5# was his official weight. He's also 12" tall. SO TINY still!

Hos and I in the waiting room. He was really good. He did want to meet the other puppies, but gave up soon. We were sitting in front of some turtle doves. They were cooing and dancing around in their cage. Hos didn't seem to mind.

Yep, still waiting. He was just too stinkin' cute - I had to snap this one!

Hos was so good on the table, he just sat there like he does it all the time. The tech was very impressed with his behavior for a 9 week old puppy.

While we were waiting for the vet, Hos enjoyed laying on the tile floor. I love this shot of him because it shows his white spots on his eyebrows. It makes his face really striking.

I am so disappointed this photo is so ark. I think it would have been super cute with his head tilt.

Soon the vet came in. Hos was a good little patient and didn't even flinch when the took his temp!

Afterwards, he decided to rest under the bench.

Hosta's Famous!!!

2009-11-17T20:08:00.007-06:00

Well, today started out simple enough. And then, I got to work. I walk in and find that my coworkers decorated my desk and made me this cute banner. (It was also my coworker in the cube next to mine's birthday and he got a banner too.)

[Hosta standing under my Happy 30th Birthday Lisa banner designed by my coworker]

[Hosta's puppy paws. His front paws are bigger than his back paws].

When I brought Hosta home, I noticed his paws weren't the same size. His front paws were almost twice the size of his back paws. I've never had another dog that has different sized paws and I think it's just one more thing that makes Hos a really unique pup!

Then, close to noon I got an enormous surprise. I had thought it was weird that I wasn't allowed to go for my normal lunch break - and was getting a bit hungry. Then, when I was getting ready to take Hos out for his potty break, I was asked to go in with a client. I told them Hos hadn't gone out for awhile and had been sleeping and probably ought to be taken out first and I would just need 2 minutes to take him out. Usually, they are very accommodating, but this time, they insisted that I just go and meet this client. I really couldn't understand - and hoped Hos wouldn't pee or something all over the floor and embarrass me.

So, as I was getting his puppy clean up kit ready since I wouldn't be able to take him out, they insisted that I go out and meet the client by the presses NOW! I couldn't quite understand what the rush was, but I went. I decided to carry him to ensure he wouldn't make a mess. I walked through the doors to the presses and stopped in my tracks. The whole company was standing in front of me and there was someone with a video camera. I noticed Larry and Cadillac in the back and to my left was KSDS Service Grad S helly. I still didn't quite understand what was going on.

Soon, Kathy Quinn, local Fox News anchor stepped from behind my coworkers with Cadillac and came up to me. She said I had been nominated for the "Pay It Forward" award. I was dumbfounded, speechless, and shocked to say the least. Shelly, a KSDS SD recipient, and amazing friend, had nominated me. It took everything in me not to cry and to try to make fluent sentences as I was interviewed. Hosta had an appearance as well. It will air on Monday, and after it airs, I'll put a link to it on here so you can all see!

[Fox News KC Anchor Kathy Quinn interviews me about puppy raising and what it means to me as Shelly gives me the award. A videographer is on the left of the pic and is filming the entire thing.]

[I had put Hosta in Shelly's lap after she gave me the award so I could finish with some interview questions with Kathy.]

[Me, Shelly (in the wheelchair) and Hosta, and Kathy Quinn]

[Me and Shelly with Hosta in her lap]

Thanks so much Shelly for your thoughtfulness. I am so appreciative and honored. Thanks for being such a great friend!!!

And, after that, a coworker's kids came in to visit with Hos! He loves kids - and the kids really enjoyed cuddling with him.

[Two coworker's daughters come to visit Hosta. The older one is holding Hosta as the younger one looks on and the mom reaches out to touch Hosta's nose.]

It was a great day! Other good things that happened: Hosta slept through the night last night. Hosta alerted to the door to go piddle outside. I got to eat lunch with Shelly and her mom!

Just for fun

2009-11-16T20:42:00.002-06:00

Everyone at work was dying to meet the little Hos. (or Hot Stuff as apparently Hosta sounds like)

[Hosta with his tiny tongue sticking out while he is taking a nap near my keyboard]

[Hosta's big front feet] When I was taking this pic - I noticed his front feet are quite a bit bigger than his back feet. It's super adorable. I love how puppy's feet are so soft.
[Hosta and me sleeping on the job] Shhhh... don't tell the boss!

[Sleepy Hos with his head on his foot after meeting all my coworkers!] I love how he has dramatic white spots on his eyebrows that make them really stand out.

Hosta likes his kennel

2009-11-16T20:05:00.003-06:00

Hos has already grown to love his kennel and he runs in it every time he needs a break or just wants to nap. He's such a smart little puppy. I'm so grateful to the wife of one of the most recent guide graduates - she made Hos' little puppy quilt. He loves it!

Growing like a Hosta

2009-11-15T20:42:00.003-06:00

With a new puppy - I guess the puppy growth charts (or pictures) begin all over again!

[Me holding Hosta's tiny little paw between my fingers]

[Hosta asleep on my rug with lots of squares on it]

Well, he's not quite 3 squares big - just barely over 2 squares actually. He's tiny, but mighty in spirit! I can't believe how much he's wriggled into my heart already.

First Day - part 3

2009-11-15T13:27:00.005-06:00

So, after the Girl Scout presentation, Larry had told me we had another presentation to some Boy Scouts. I was game, but was thinking it was a bit odd that boy scouts would meet at a local, private dog park/day care. But, we have had some presentations in some unusual places, so I didn't think a whole heck of a lot about it. I bathroomed Hosta and we prepared to go in for the presentation. But, my was I surprised when instead of a presentation - was a roomful of friends there to celebrate my 30th birthday.

[Me, holding Hosta as I walk in and see everyone - I was quite surprised]

[Me, still holding Hosta with my mother who came up from Wichita to celebrate my birthday]

[Me holding Hosta, still surprised about everyone being there]

[Me, holding Ellie's leash, with my sister, holding Hosta by the table of food and balloons (that picture on the table is a picture my parent's neighbor took of Ellie and I)]

My sister had planned it all and invited puppy raisers, graduates, coworkers, friends and family. Of course, all the dogs were allowed and partied with each other in the doggy play room. It was quite clever of her and sneaky that no one let on that this was happening. She had even asked everyone to bring or send a donation in my honor to KSDS! HOW COOL IS THAT!?
[KSDS Grad S. with Hosta, who is asleep on her lap. I'm standing on her left.]

[KSDS grad C., me, and KSDS grad R. talking in the doggy play room while various dogs run loose around us.]
[Hosta on a leash by me, and Ellie, on another leash gets a drink of water.]

[Hosta drinking from a metal bowl with his paisley scarf on (it was the closest thing I had to something that looked like a Hosta)]

[Lots of golden retrievers, yellow labradors, and black labradors playing in the puppy play room]

[The cookies included yellow lab shaped cookies with a puppy cape in icing and some cute little cupcake shaped cookies to help me feel young!]

I don't know how to describe this pic other than some balloons with a photo my parent's neighbor took of Ellie and me before she was released.

[Me, holding Ellie's leash, my sister, with Hosta, my dad, and my mom.] I was so glad they could all make it up - and quite impressed with their talents at such a great party with such great friends!

Thanks to everyone who showed up. It was quite a great day!!! And Hosta was quite tired by the end of being passed around!

First Day - part 2

2009-11-15T12:38:00.002-06:00

There is no rest for the weary this weekend. Our first day home included a presentation to over 50 girl scouts. When Hosta and I walked in the gymnasium, all the girls started swooning - you would have thought Hosta was a member of the Jonas brothers or something! It was cute and I swear he puffed up just a bit knowing the shrieks of delight for him.

He of course couldn't do much in the way of showing off commands, but he was an expert at looking cute!

[Hosta quickly fell asleep with over 75 people watching him]

He turned around to watch me as I stepped back to get more girls in the picture.

[a close up of Hosta sleeping with his head between his front paws.]

[Hosta prefering to sleep touching my foot]

I was so happy that he was such a confident pup and he was great after the presentation when all the girls came up and wanted to pet him and hold him. He was a really good sport. I think he'll go far!

First Day - part 1

2009-11-14T21:12:00.002-06:00

Hosta had a great night. He cried for about 5-10 minutes in his kennel then went right to sleep and slept till 5 am when he woke up and had to "hurry up". He did his business quickly, then went right back in his kennel, cried for a few minutes then started snoring. He then slept till Ellie got up wanting her breakfast at 7 am.

He is a slow eater. As in VERY slow. He loves his food - he just prefers to savor every morsel. Something which makes Ellie drool - even though she's already eaten!

After that, he was raring to go so we took a trip outside to see all the leaves and just walk around the back yard so he could explore!

[Hosta mid-leap jumping over a huge pile of leaves as he runs towards me. Ellie has her nose to the ground in the background]

He is significantly more confident than Ellie even at his young age. It's really nice. He reminds me of a nice mix of Ellie and Runza. It's like he has the best qualities of both dogs. I'm so excited to get to watch him grow up and mature.

[Hosta near my feet in the yard]

He likes to be near me, which is common for puppies. But, he hasn't quite figured out how to look up!

[Hos standing in the doorframe of the house to the backyard. The perspective makes him look very tiny]

[Ellie standing with her hackles raised watching intently while Hosta takes a leap of the deck to the first step to come be near me]

As you can see by the pic with Ellie's full alert pose and her hackles raised she is still a pretty sensitive dog. I think a neighbor (who never any other time has done yardwork) was doing yardwork. She doesn't like anything new or out of the ordinary. As you can see, Hos doesn't seem to care one bit! He even came in an sat at my feet while I was blowdrying my hair this morning. He's a brave boy!