Harness Time

Well, this past week I got this new contraption that my furraiser calls a harness.  I guess it's like the one that I hope to be wearing when I get paired with a blind person.  It's heavier then my jacket and a bit awkward as well but I think I'm getting the hang of it.

My furraiser took me shopping for school supplies this weekend and I got to wear the harness.  I had alot of practice in it walking back and forth and with all the other people trying to get last minute things for thier kids.  I also got to wear the harness when me and my furraiser went to church.  I've learned how to comfortably stretch out on the floor with it on and go to sleep.

The only thing that I have noticed is that even though the harness has a big sign on it that I'm working, people just can't resist wanting to pet me.  It really distracts me from what I'm supposed to be doing.  I wish people would learn what it really means to be guide dog.  Oh well...maybe some day they will.

Wags and Wiggles for now,
Waffles

What a weekend!!!

I had the most fun this weekend.  Saturday I got to go on a boat ride with my fellow pups in training.  It was so fun to see Oakley and Baity again.  Before we got on the boat though their furraisers put some blue stuff on thier noses and made them look funny.  Kinda like the lifeguards that you see with the white on their noses.  Apparently, the white labs sunburn the tops of their noses.  They looked funny but I bet a sunburn woulda hurt worse.

I got to look over the side and watch the water as it went by but I was just a content to sit by my sister, Judy.  It kinda felt like a car ride.  When Judy would sit up into the wind, her ears would fly out like the Flying Nun.  I had to bark out loud at her.  Oakley would do it too while he stood out the front of the boat watching.

Me and Judy enjoying the ride






Judy the flying dog

Look at the water!!!

 











Sad news though.  Judy went home on Saturday after the boat ride.  Ray, her furraiser, came back because Tillie got sick and he picked Judy up while he was here.  I missed her so much and sat at the window crying for her to come back.  It's so lonely without them.  I love Max and all but he just doesn't play like my sisters do.  I'm sure I will see her again though.

Wags and Wiggles,
Waffles

First Baseball Game - Knight's Stadium

Yes I know, I've been slack in posting.  But I hope that everyone is having a wofferful summer.

What have I been up to?  Well back in June, I went to my first baseball game.  My furraiser's daughter was singing the national anthem with some of the other children from the Charlotte Children Choir.  They were awesome.  However, it was soooo hot but my furraiser helped with giving me plenty of ice to keep me cool.  I also got to meet Homer the mascot for the Knights.  It was a bit scary at first but when I found out that I'd get petted, I was all about that.    We didn't stay for the whole game cause they didn't want me to get overheated.  I'm kinda glad because even in the shade I had a hard time keeping cool.

Later in June, my furraiser and family flew out to Colorado.  I didn't get to go but I had a great time spending it with another furraiser.  They had a puppy named Oakley.  He was much younger than me but he was almost as big as me.  I wonder what they feed him because he looks like he is on Miracle Grow.

I haven't really done much lately.  However, right now I have my sister Judy and her friend/sister Tillie at my house.  I so love it when MY family gets to come and visit me.  We are having a blast playing but I think Tillie just does NOT like cats.  And I think the feeling is mutual...BOL.



Judy, Tillie and me all waiting for a treat


 

That's all for now.

Wags and Wiggles,

Waffles

Northsprings Elementary School

Wednesday I got the pleasure of visiting Northsprings Elementary School in Columbia, SC.   I also got to meet Ann Humphries and her guide dog, Brego.  Brego is a graduate of Southeastern Guide Dogs and was paired with Ann about a year ago.  He has his own website as well at http://www.sitstaygive.org/Brego

This was such a rewarding experience to be able to show off to the elementary school kids all my skills and for them to learn all about the school.  There were 4 sessions which Brego and I both got to showcase what we know.  Brego even showed the kids how he stops Ann from falling off the stage by standing in front of her so she can't go any further.  He even did it without being told.  I was impressed and I think my furraiser was too.

In the last session, we were filmed to be shown on the local community channel.  I've never been on TV before so I hope my hair wasn't all messed up....BOL.

At the end of the programs, my furraiser and Ann were introduced to the school's blind teacher.  She had told them that they had just had a student transfer in that was considered legally blind.  Both of his parents were serving our country, with his mom just coming back from Iraq and his dad just being deployed to Afganistan.  WOW, that young gentleman had some major changes in his life.  Anyways, the teacher said he was a little afraid of dogs and wanted them to talk to him to make him a little more comfortable about his blindness and that there are people out there to help him.

We all met the young lad and he was awesome.  He told us of his parents and even told us he wanted to be a doctor when he grew up.  Ann talked to him about being able to regain her freedom with Brego and my furraiser even let him pet me.  He was all smiles and such a wonderful young man. 

To be able to see Brego and Ann work as a team and to meet this young gentleman makes all the hard work worth it.

Wags and Wiggles,
Waffles

P.S. Pictures to come as soon as available

Irish Dancers

Last night, my furraiser's daughter had another school concert at the Northwest School of Arts.  Their theme was British Isle music.  The singing was good and they had bagpipes and Irish Dancers.

The bagpipes were very loud and the sound they made hurt my ears.  I was a good girl though and only howled once really low.  My furraiser wasn't too happy about it but it really hurt my ears.  She would have howled too if her ears were as sensitive as mine.

Anyways, they also had some Irish Dancers from the Rince na h'Eireann school of Irish Dance.  They were pretty cool and I even got my picture taken with them.  My furraiser must've moved though because it is kinda blurry.  The last dance they did was the Riverdance while the choir sang behind them.  It was very cool and my furraiser wanted a picture of the choir and the dancers with me but they all moved before she could get me up there. 

All in all, it was good to get out and hear the beautiful voices of the kids. 

Wags and Wiggles,
Waffles

Kindergarten Graduation

Puppy camp was fun but I was glad to come home.  I so missed Max and Emily.  OH and my furraiser too.  I had fun and did lots of new things with the other furraiser.  My furraiser said the others told her I was a perfect lady (hahaha I got 'em all fooled).

Guess what???  I graduated this past Saturday from kindergarten.  I've got all the basic commands, sit, stay, down (well, I'm still kinda working on that one) all down pat and I'm even good at not being distracted by our newest member of our group Baity, once I've got all my energy out...BOL.

We had a really good class and did lots of practice with distractions.  The newest puppy Baity even got a chance to learn some things and get good exposure too.  I even got to play with my sisters a little bit.  After training class and graduation, we all got to have treats while the furraisers got to have cookies and cupcakes.  Not fair if you ask me cause I wanted a cookie too.

Anyways it was a very nice day for our cap and gown graduation.

Wags and Wiggles,
Waffles

Puppy Camp starts tomorrow

Tomorrow starts puppy camp for me.  I get to go to a new house with all new rules and play toys...WMT (that's wag my tail) for you fur people.  I'm not even the least bit nervous cause I know I'll have fun but I think my furraiser is getting a little sad on me. ...geezzz...it's only for 2 weeks.

I know though she is nervous about my behavior.  I say, what behavior!!!!  I'm just a puppy and I'm beautiful and cute and smart... oh and did I say beautiful????

My furraiser will be getting my sister, Judy.  I know she will love it here.  My furraiser is so loving and we have lots of play time (when I'm not working).  She will learn alot of new things too.  I don't think she has ever been on the lightrail train.  It's fun but crowded.  She will get to do some new things and I think that's kinda the purpose of this camp.  We all get to learn new things and how to adjust to different people and situations.  It will be fun and I'm sure Judy will go back spoiled....BOL.

I won't be posting in the next 2 weeks but maybe my furraiser will post with her adventures with my sister, Judy.

Wags and Wiggles,
Waffles