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hearing dog
Bosley's Operation
on Thursday April 5th, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Bosley is recuperating. His paw was operated on yesterday, and I was then given one very groggy boy at the end of the day. Think 80 lbs of dead weight. He could hardly walk and his eyes were hanging down to there. The vet tech hoisted him into the back seat of the car, and my pockets were filled with pills and my brain with instructions. Once home, my brother wasn't answering the phone, so that meant I had to haul an 80 lb dog out of the back seat, and s-l-i-d-e him down to the ground without...Sick Dog Update
on Sunday April 1st, 2012 at 09:25 AM
Bosley has gone through more blood work, an x-ray and Lord knows what else. His operation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Because his "thumb" is being amputated, his balance will not be affected. Dew claws and dew claw digits don't do a whole heck of a lot. Bosley's dew claws are high enough on his leg to not affect his ability to run. He does use them to hold stuff, but his gait will not be affected. Whew. If it were affected, I'm sure the Dog School would have immediately...Welcome to Bart!
on Wednesday February 8th, 2012 at 12:34 PM
A big welcome goes out to Bart, Deb's new hearing ear dog. He's an adorable little white poodle who looks a lot like Lambchop and has the sweetest personality. Deb is currently at Dog Guides of Canada bonding with Bart, and Bart with Deb. They are there for the two week long training period where the dog and his new handler get used to each other, as well as learn how to work together. Deb and Bart attend classes, then go through sound work practice sessions. Sound work, by the way, is when...Doggy Boots One More Time?
on Sunday November 6th, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Our winters can get quite cold. Fortunately, these cold snaps only last a week or so, but during those cold weeks, the temperature can drop to a nippy minus 30 with a minus 40 windchill. Bosley does not like winter boots. I've tried them a number of times. Each time I give in and let him go barefoot... but during those few weeks in the winter when the mercury drops into the deeps, I get worried. The poor dog goes out to do his business, then frequently comes back holding first one paw, then...Follow Up to Last Post
on Monday August 8th, 2011 at 01:19 AM
Well, the ongoing saga of insanity continues. The same guy starts yapping at me in the elevator a couple of days ago. To the point where I got off the elevator on the main floor and started to cry. In one short elevator ride, I got hollered at yet again. He accused me of letting the dog crap all around his car (which is pure bollocks) and yadda yadda yadda. The superintendent was on the main floor and saw me and then immediately went and confronted the guy in the parking lot. I took a few...GOOD DOG!
on Thursday December 9th, 2010 at 01:40 AM
Over the weekend, Bosley alerted me to a sound. I then followed him to see what he was alerting me to. He took me to the kitchen wall, then back to the treats. Huh? There was nothing at the kitchen wall. Not a thing. So I ignored him. No treat. A very short time later, same thing. He hit me with his paw, led me to the kitchen wall, and there was nothing there. This is unusual for a more experienced service dog. The newer ones will try to cadge a bonus treat this way, but they soon realise it...Smart Dog! (Or, "My dog is NOT spoiled, part 2")
on Sunday September 26th, 2010 at 09:10 AM
Normally, a hearing ear dog needs time to latch onto a sound, especially a new one. For example, a timer needs to ring for at least 10 or 15 seconds, or even a little longer. It gives the dog time to wake up, recognize the sound, figure out where it is coming from, and then alert me to the sound. Once the dog learns where the sound is coming from and what the sound means, this identification of the sound and whereabouts becomes faster and faster. However, for the first couple of times with a...Possible Moving Woes
on Saturday September 4th, 2010 at 04:09 AM
I'm a worry-wart. I admit it. But I'm going to worry anyway, so may as well worry online and share my worries with others. LOL I'm tired of living in an apartment. It is a smallish apartment, but even if it was a big one, it is still an apartment. In the apartment I rented in Etobicoke (which was huge), there was a beautiful, fenced-in area, that I could let Bosley run in. Here, I have a fenced-in area, but it partially consists of bush, complete with wild animals, so I can't let him run as...Travels to Nova Scotia
on Monday August 2nd, 2010 at 04:11 AM
Cape Forchu Lighthouse, YarmouthWell, my brother (Mick), Bosley and I dropped the cat off at a local kitty hotel, and off we went to Nova Scotia. We had an absolutely delightful time! In terms of accessibility and accommodation, I have to admit, it was pretty uneventful. Bosley was accepted at the various hotel/motels where we stayed. Oddly enough, the only two times we had a bit of a "situation" was in Edmunston, New Brunswick. On the way down to Nova Scotia, we stopped at Edmunston and I...Leader Dog in training! WOOF!
from Pups The Traveling Labrador
on Monday March 1st, 2010 at 09:36 PM
I arrived at Dogs for the Deaf yesterday. Whew, it was a long flight to Oregon. I was so glad to arrive and get some fresh air. WOOF.
Here I am just arriving and unpacking my suitcase.
I have my own Hearing Dog Leash!
I started learning stay commands already! I passed with no problem!
I helped Dogs for the Deaf update their website. Look at my pawsome training vest!
Dogs for the Deaf is such an incredible organization.
I feel so proud to be visiting them and learning what it takes to become a...
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