All about the Dogs at L.L. Bean...

I guess every year L.L. Bean host's a thing called the Dog Day's of August...

Well, N.E.A.D.S. had a booth so Rick and I headed up..

Check out this boot... boy would I like to chew on that.

The Gang's all here...

Me & T lay quietly together...

We got to watch a dog do something called Agility...

But this is what I do best's...





Meet my Brothers

I have two brothers in the program... here they are.

This is Elmer.

And Edgar.

And me, Otis aren't we a Handsome group...







It's Official @ Steeplegate Mall, N.H.

Off to a big place... I guess some smart people are trying to help all Service Teams and wanted us to come mingle...

Some training first...

Then some photo oops... this is Me (Otis) CC a full service dog and of course Ginger!

Then some schmoozin with the public...



Rick was deep in conversation... Hello!

There was a guy next to us that kept putting us to the test! We all passed :P...

First, he put this jumpin stuffed puppy in front of us then he flew a helicopter...

Then we took a little break... We had to take a potty break.

Anyway we went outside and of course Ginger went right away on command, I took a second to go pee but Rick was very happy. Well then we headed back in... I still had to poo!

So, just inside I stopped and went... Rick's always telling me I have to get used to going on any surface...

What's the big deal?

Rick was all worked-up because he had to pick up my poo. (he-he-he). While Sue stood guard to make sure no one else got involved she smiled and said "it's official" your now a puppy raiser, to Rick...

She said "it happens" we all go through it. I'm not sure that made Rick feel any better...







OK that's "Behind" us...

Look at this guy that stopped by to say Hi...

Sue says he's a Gorgon Setter and says you don't see many but, he sure was a Handsome Guy!



Service Dogs at the Beach...

Last week was Service Dog Awareness Week so some of us from the Maine Chapter went to Old Orchard Beach to show our stuff...

We started out on the beach... Ginger wanted to show me around...

Lets go check out the water

Rick keeps talking about Sharks. I don't know what they are and I'm not sure I wanna know.

I'll wait here...

OK, off to the Chapel where we started out with some wicked good video's...

Then the two Sue's had some words of wisdom...

Cook-Out and Kids...

Sue and her family had a Cook-Out for all the service puppy's and friends at her farm...

We sat around, talked, Slept and then Slept some more, they said I even snored but I don't think so...

Then we walked around and this nice lady gave us some directions, I don't know what all the hub-bub was all about... something called a CGC, whatever???

But then as everyone was winding down we got to my favorite part... they say I need to be around little people.

This is my Favorite little person...

Its been a long day...

Good Night

Distraction?

Sorry, no pic's this time, just had to share... Working Otis in a grocery store is one of my duties. Many different smells and distractions.

Well yesterday while walking through the grocery store Otis had a nice pace for me ( which isn't always the case, he's a slug) so we started down the pet food isle... half way down is a spilled bag of dog food and a teenager with a squeaky toy that she thought just had to be tested until it was worn - out.

Oh Boy, I have a dog that just can't get enough food and thinks a squeaky toy is a call to arms...

Trust me perfection isn't how I would describe the work we did through this maze but, very good for a not quite six month old Black Lab is. I was pleasantly surprised as well as the other people in the aisle.

Phew... that was just what Dr. Dave would have ordered. Lets give it a couple months and try the exact scenario again... stay tuned!

Beach Bum...

I just had to add these pictures that Bernice sent over during our puppy swap...

Isn't Otis a handsome Boy?



Baby's & Hosses...

A day at the farm turns into training for all...

First I get to work with Duke, then introduce Otis...

Otis is not overly impressed... I tried to tell him he was just a big dog but he wasn't buying it.

Sue the ultimate trainer gives it a try... but Abbie thinks Otis just needs a hug...

Abbie can make anyone feel better.

Come on Otis just stick with me and and everything will be OK...