A Little Loud Noise Never Hurt Anyone!

We had our last Saturday meeting at the Wyoming Antelope Club courtesy of owner/puppy raisers Lois and Bill Gagne.  It was a bit like being in the middle of a popcorn machine while the popcorn is popping. Very noisy, but an excellent exposure for the dogs.

Pinellas puppy raisers waiting for our AC to start the meeting

 After AC Carolyn gave us a brief update on things, we got down to the obedience class.  In addition to the constant report of guns in the background, our pups needed to do sits, stays, and downs.

AC Carolyn is leading the raisers in a circle of obedience having us all put our pups in a sit.

Here the pups are sitting waiting for one of the pups to walk by.

 Then, one by one, each pup would walk around the circle trying to get as close as possible to the other dogs without lunging.

Jam is looking behind Fred as if there is something large and freaky back there.  There isn't.

AC Carolyn demonstrates the proper way to down a dog.

This is puppy Katy.  It is not possible to convey how cute this goldadore is. She is a fuzzy ball of adorability.

Larry, Gabrielle, Trapper, Sylvia and Sylvia's perfect pooch watch the obedience class.

After obedience, we climbed an open staircase, went to look at several stuffed animal heads on the wall (the pups seemed not to notice the mounted, wild animals on the walls, which may have been a good thing) and wandered around for a bit.

All in all, it was a fun, loud and busy meeting!

Feb. 11, 2012 Meeting Information and Details about Past Meeting

January 30, 2012

We had a great BIG meeting last Thursday at the Courthouse.  A special thanks to Karen Hamilton for setting the meeting up and also to Jen Gerrity for coming up to host the body language class.  Our combined group sure is large.  I learned quite a bit about dog posturing and while looking through photos over the weekend noticed that most of them have my dogs with their tongues covering their noses.  I always thought it was cute, but now I know it’s a sign of stress.

Also thank you to the puppy raisers who attended both the Pass-a-Grill yard sale and the St. Pete Farmer’s Market on Saturday.  Thanks for taking a little extra time out of your life to represent Southeastern Guide Dogs.  I got a nice thank you email from the host of the yard sale.

Frances Lucas and I attended puppy raiser day with our families on Saturday.  Jimbo and Kenny did great.  Jimbo is such a mellow dog, and was placed with a first time guide dog user.  I think they will make a great team.  Frances’s 90 year old mom recorded most of the day on her Ipad.  I can tell you I spent as much time watching her as I did the dogs.  Frances, your mom is a piece of work.  Kenny was matched with a fellow who was blinded last April in Afghanistan.  Kenny’s forever home includes 5 children and a 6^th on the way.  He will be moving to the capital region where I’m sure his partner will keep him very busy with children everywhere.  I’ve been asked not to post his name or his photo due to his job, so I’ve distorted him.  Frances and I both agree that puppy raiser day brings everything full circle for what we do.

Carolyn and Steve with Kenny and his person in the middle.

Jimbo looking up into the camera.

Jimbo with his new people and Francis, his puppy raiser.

Michele and Gail Reese have started their blog as well to follow:  http://puppygail.blogspot.com/                           

Upcoming meetings: 

February 11^th at the Wyoming Antelope Club, 3700 126^th Ave N, Clearwater (Pinellas Park, sort of).  Their phone # is:  727-573-3006.  Thanks to Bill & Lois Gagne for setting this one up.

February 23^rd, heavy traffic walking, Clearwater Mall (Gulf to Bay)  Will let you know where we will meet later in February.

March 3^rd: Southeastern Guide Dogs Walk a Thon.  Hopefully everyone is fund raising for that, or will at least sign up to walk!!! 

Carolyn and Sunny