Coastie Takes Us to the Coast Guard!

Thursday, our meeting took place at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station near the Clearwater-St. Petersburg Airport. It was an amazing meeting for several reasons:

Group shot with hanger in the distance. We are waiting for meeting to start. Photo by Jeremiah Khokhar.

• The Coast Guard!
• The planes and helicopters!
• The film crew! (oh yeah!)

Since there were so many photographers at the meeting, I did not take all of these photographs.  The ones not credited are mine. One photographer in particular needs a special mention as he has been following Coastie since he was a little baby: Jeremiah Khokhar.  He has done all of his baby puppy photos and he came out to the meeting just for Coastie.  The best photos are his and there are links back to his facebook site or his website.

Coast Guard Commander kneeling beside a sitting Coastie who has his coat on.  Coastie seems to be smiling and looking up. Stephanie is standing behind Coastie.  The helicopter is behind all of them and has both of its orange doors open. Photo by Jeremiah Khokar.

When we first got there we walked through a gate to a large hanger which was beside a ginormous plane that was testing all four of its engines and was VERY LOUD.  So loud that the very littlest of our group (Coach and Tabina, four months old) really didn't want to hang around.  So Steve and I left early with the little guys and gradually the big pups followed us.

Coast Guard Commander with Stephanie and Coastie and the four engined plane with the props turning in the background.  Photo by Roger Reese.

Then we went to another plane (and here is where I wish I had asked the commander for the specific name of each type of aircraft!) that had a drop down panel in the back, which the dogs where able to jump up on and walk through and then out the front of the plane down the stairs.  The entire interior of the plane was metal and a very different surface for their feet, which was a very good exposure for them.

Yellow lab Coastie waiting his turn at the plane. Photo by Jeremiah Khokhar.

Stephanie and Coastie prepare to walk up the ramp into the airplane where about 5 Coast Guard airmen wait. Photo by Roger Reese.

Our last aircraft was a helicopter.  They were going out to do a training flight on some new software and equipment they had installed.  We were able to let the dogs jump up into the cabin and then meet the coast guardsman sitting inside (it was a she!).

Brian stands outside the helicopter as Liz explores inside.

Michele and goldadore Gail look out from inside the helicopter. Photo by Roger Reese.

 Some dogs made the leap, most, had to be helped as it was a pretty sizable jump.

Stephanie and Southeastern Guide Dog puppy Coastie are at the front of the helicopter with photographer Jeremiah Khokhar and a Coast Guard member.

Then, we walked some distance away and watched as it taxi'ed down the strip and out to a take-off point.

Far shot of the helicopter as it starts up.

 Most of the dogs thought the noise from the helicopter was pretty manageable.  The first plane was the doozey!

The film crew for Coast Guard: Florida is up against the fence filming us as we watch the helicopter taxi away.

 And we had a film crew follow us.  Well, not us exactly.  They were there filming the Coast Guard and we just happened to make good copy.  So they filmed us visiting the Coast Guard.

The sound guy is watching the video guy as they film us for reality show Coast Guard: Florida.

 After all, who doesn't love puppies?

Group shot of us watching the helicopter.  Most pups are unconcerned. Some are lying down.  Some are standing and looking the other way.

Bobby, a big chocolate lab, has decided he doesn't care and turned his back on the helicopter.

Orchid, a yellow goldadore, lies unconcerned on the asphalt, while nearby, Babe, a yellow lab stands and looks at the ground.

Brian is giving black lab Liz a kiss while Gail, a golden retriever,  has decided she is quite close enough and won't come any closer, thank you very much! Fellow golden Katie is fine with the noise of the helicopter.

A photo of the whole group, puppy raisers and their puppies with the helicopter in the background. Photo by Roger Reese.