More Spring Break pictures

I had lots of fun with Molly and Mackenzie over spring break!

 Kenzie and me

Molly and me

 Mom taught Kenzie and Molly how to make hair bows for their headbands. Notice they are using me as their model. No, they didn't bother to ask my permission first. Don't they know I'm NOT A GIRL?!

I'll just take a nap and maybe when I wake up, they'll be on to something else.

 Now this is what I call fun! 

Look at all my new toys!

Which one do I want to choose first?

I need to go in for a closer look...

I need an even closer look!

Molly finally had to help me choose. Thanks, Molls!

Kenzie gave me a cool bandana, the same one that she used to put on Cheyenne. I like the look, but...... maybe not PINK.  I'm a Boy after all.

All this playing makes me tired. I think I'll take another nap.

Dad finally got his turn with the camera and took a picture of mom and me with the grand daughters just as they were leaving to go home.  It sure is quiet around here without the girls. But I am finding it easy to catch up on my naps.

Thanks for spending your spring break with us, Kenzie and Molls!

I love you!

Smokey

My very first public appearance in my service jacket

My first public appearance wearing my service jacket was to the US Post office.

I usually don't wear my jacket in the car.

Dad put it on me when we got to the post office.

I'm ready to go in now!

I wonder if these people have kibbles?

Once again, I am being trained to sit at every door.. going in... and going out.

It takes alot of time and people at the post office that afternoon were very nice to give me the right of way.

Once inside, I waited in line with all the other customers.

Molly gave me lots of pets while we were waitng for our turn at the service counter.  The other customers seemed curious about me but didn't ask any questions this time.

Many people have been told not to bother service dogs when they are in jacket because they are working. That will be true as I get a litle bit older, but right now it's okay for pets and attention because I'm still a puppy. Mom and dad want me to have a positive experience wherever I go.

After a short visit, we were all done.

That was quick and fun. Where will we be going next?

Mom took our picture outside. Can you find me in this picture? 

Our next stop was the very busy King Dollar Store in Angleton.

Lots of people stopped to greet me and asked questions about me.

I think I'm going to like this town!!

Love,

Smokey

My first trip to the beach

Molly and Mackenzie came to visit me over Spring Break.

We went to the beach one afternoon - my first time to see the Gulf of Mexico.

We parked at Stahlman Park and took the boardwalk ramp to the beach.  I wasn't scared to walk on it, even though the spaces between the boards were bigger than my paws.  I just had to go slow.

The sand was really fun to play in. At first I didn't know what it was. I even tried to eat it. But it didn't taste like kibbles. Then I found out how much fun it was to dig in the sand!!

 I was having so much fun digging in the sand I didn't care about checking out the ocean. 

 But when Molly and Mackenzie ran for the waves and I decided to follow...

 I had fun chasing the foam and running in the waves. I found out that salt water doesn't taste too good.

 I helped Molly and Mackenzie build sand castles...

Dig for shells..

And I enjoyed myself immensely! 

 See?  Aren't I cute??

Got Sand anyone?

At the end of the day, the only picture mom got of herself was of her stinky feet.

LOL.

Love, Smokey 

Meeting the family!

On March 12th I got to go to my first party.

It was my first outing to meet and greet my new family.

It was Molly's 8th birthday party.

Molly is mom and dad's grand daughter.

This is Molly and me.

Molly is great fun...and she loves me!!  We had lots of fun getting to know one another...and we shared lots of hugs and kisses too!

 I got to meet some other members of my new family, too.

This is Clint and me. He thinks I'm adorable.

 Gosh, I'm so lucky. Clint loves me too!

 I got lots of kisses and snuggles from Clint. I think Karen may have been a bit jealous!  But she thought I was pretty precious too!

 I got to meet baby Charlie too. He just turned 1 year old.

I think he likes me too, but doesn't everybody?

Mom and dad thought I was really good at the party. There were about 15 people there and I was passed around alot and got lots of attention. But I was so good. I am very laid back and nothing really bothers me.  But mom and dad said that before I go to another birthday, I have to learn the words to the Happy Birthday song so I can help sing!...

Love, Smokey

Lending a hand...

I am a big helper. Within 3 days of being in my new home, I have learned how important it is to bring in the mail. 

 Sometimes I am very reluctant to leave the house and the comfort of my new bed. Have I mentioned how much I like naps?

 Coaxing sometimes doesn't even work. Dad, do you have any kibbles in your pocket to bribe me with?

Okay, mom's got the camera in hand and is waiting for me at the mailbox. I'd better hurry to see what she has for me.

 First I have to sit at the mailbox. Sometimes the mail person leaves kibbles in the mailbox for me...(but not always)!

 But all dad gets are bills!

 I'm too little to get the mail by myself so dad has to give it to me to carry in.

 Look at me go!  I like to carry the mail cuz it makes me feel so big!

 Man, this letter is heavy!

As a service dog, I am learning the command "Sit". I have to sit at every door before it is opened.

I can only enter when I am given the command "Forward In".

 I am also learning the command "Give". Here, dad asks me to give him the mail. See how fast I'm learning?  I hope to trade this letter for ....kibbles!

Yes!  Score!!  That's just what I wanted. Thanks, Dad! 

Y'all stay tuned to see what I learn next.
Love,
Smokey

Notes from mom and dad:

Bringing in the mail is NOT a required skill of guide dog puppies. Puppy raisers are discouraged from teaching the pups "tricks" like shake hands, roll over, speak, etc...  However, Smokey was reluctant to leave the comfort of his new home, and he was putting everything he found in the driveway and the yard, etc in his mouth.  But his overwhelming desire to please will make him a great service dog - he literally prances in the house with the mail. Teaching him this activity served two purposes -- 1) it got him off his bed and excited about going outdoors, and, 2) with mail in his mouth, he doesn't stop to scavenge the driveway for rocks, pecan hulls, bugs, etc.