Angleton Market Days

Angleton hosted it's first Market days on March 26-27 at the Brazoria County fairgrounds. The weather was perfect for an outing, so we had to check it out.

 It's good to live in a small town because I can go to these kind of events without feeling overwhelmed with throngs of people who might step on a little guy like me. We asked permission for me to attend, and I was eagerly welcomed.

 I barely got inside the gate before people were pointing and staring at me, saying, "look at that cute little puppy in his blue jacket". Everybody wanted to pet me and ask questions about my training and my future. The ladies in the booth thought I was precious. Well, everybody did!

 Some of the booths were in the indoor exhibit hall. I was very well behaved.

 People want to pet me wherever I go. I love meeting new people and each one smells different.

 Where did mom go? I thought she got lost in the crowd, but she was just shopping. There were alot of booths with jewelry and purses and makeup - all the stuff mom likes. Dad is getting restless so we'd better head outside.

This little boy talked to us for a long time. He had alot of questions about me, and he also told us all about HIS dogs. This booth - hand cut and painted yard art - was his grandmother's booth.

 Now this is interesting. Have you ever seen a blue easter bunny? Do you think he has any kibbles in his basket?  I'm going to check it out...

Happy Easter, Ya'll.

Love, Smokey

I'm a Texas boy!

As the bumper sticker says,

"I was not born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!"...

The state flower of Texas is the Bluebonnet...

It grows wild in east and central Texas, but down here on the gulf coast it must be planted..

 Lucky for me, our neighbors down the street have this little crop near their mailbox.  They smell sweet and makes for a great picture or two! (Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Boyd)

Uh oh. I just heard that the Mosquito is the Texas State Bird... I hope mom won't make me pose for pictures with them, too! 

Later, Smokey



My first puppy meeting

Greg and I are a little behind on blogging, but here is the story about Smokey's first puppy meeting on March 20.  This was our first puppy raiser's meeting with all the new puppies. We got to meet all the recent arrivals from Florida, plus the "teenagers" who have been in the group since October.

 As usual, our meetings are on Sunday afternoons at HEB Central Market in Houston.

 As you can see, everybody loves me. I instantly assummed the position of  greeting all the many shoppers. Say, do you think I could get a job here?

 We meet upstairs in the conference room. I'm too small to walk up the stairs (plus I haven't learned how to manage stairs just yet) so we are taking the elevator. When I grow up to be a guide dog I will have to recognize elevators and be able to find them for the person I'm guiding.

 Here we go... My first elevator ride.  I'm not scared.

Dad, can you mash the floor #2 button for me cuz I can't reach it. Thanks.

Gosh, its high up here. Our meetings are in a room adjacent to this 2nd story landing. From here, I can see ALL over the market place and see lots of people. I won't get too close because I am still a tiny bit afraid of heights.

Quick, mom, take my picture while dad holds me. It's still a long way down!

 This is my sister, Parkie, wearing the red collar and leash. This is the first time I'd seen her since our loooong ride here from Florida. Don't we look alike?

 Yay! Kisses for the both of us!  It was so good to see you again, Parkie!

Now, let's meet the other new puppies!!

This yellow lab puppy is named Hannah. She will be raised by Carol and Bob, our area coordinators. Hannah is pictured here in Christie's lap. Christie and her mother, Sue, brought Hannah back from Florida after they returned the puppy they were raising, Bruce, for final harness training. Christie was really sad to return Bruce, so it made it easier on her to have Hannah drive back home with her and her mom, Sue.

 This is Ellie. Her black lab puppy is named Addy. You can follow Addy's adventures on Facebook - her facebook page is Addy the Guide Dog in training. Also be sure to check out Addy's blog.

 This is Jenni and her black lab puppy named Lulu.

 This is Wendy, who is raising my sister, Parkie! We are both black lab puppies.

This is Abigal who, along with her mother, Sharon, is raising my other litter mate, named Suzette.

And, of course, you already recognize ME!...

After a few minutes to visit, we had to settle down and start the meeting. We guide dog puppies must be trained to sit under our master's chairs. It's easier for us puppies to do that at our young age because we're still so tiny. 

Carol leads our meetings and she put us in a big circle for our meeting today.

Carol asked me to come out and join her in the center of the circle. We are demonstrating the right way to do something.. But I don't remember what it was! Did I do good,  Miss Carol?

 After a few minutes to settle down, we pups take a nap while the puppy raisers talk about ...stuff... 

The dogs in this picture are (from top) LuLu, Houston, Star, and Parkie. 

Houston and I are the only boy dogs in the group.

Man, we are SO out-numbered!

 Next we go outside for some evaulations. The big pups split off to do some advanced work. Us new puppies are just showing how well we can walk on a leash.

We spent a while outside working on basic obedience before saying our goodbyes.

One of our homework assignments from Carol was to go shopping at Petsmart. We stopped by PetSmart in Pearland on our way home. We pups need to get used to all the smells that we will encounter in pet stores and grocery stores. This is the ultimate distraction test for a little guy like me - all the smells and toys are so inviting! 

Yummo..dog treats!

 Can you believe all the toys for good boys?

 Now, it IS getting to be dinner time. And, man, am I hungry?!

 Let's see if there are any kibbles waiting to be rescued from the floor.

Dad says it's time to leave. I will be coming back here, for SURE!

 We stopped at Whataburger on the way home - which was my very first dining out experience!

Guide dogs must stay under the table at restaurants, and scavanging for food is a big No No.. I was so good no one even noticed I was there.

Finally, we're heading home. It's been a looong day. But it was good to see all my puppy friends again. Until next time....happy naps, ya'll!

Later, Smokey

You gotta go where the people are

Posted by Greg
After Spring Break was over and Molly and Kenzie went back home, the house was so quiet.  Smokey was really missing all of the activity and fun they bring to the house.  He has to get used to being around people.  Melissa and I are really not all that exciting.  Where can he be around people of all ages? It just so happens that there was a girls softball tournament at the park a couple of miles from the house.  We took Smokey to check it out.  As usual, he was the center of attention for young and old.

I am getting to be a big guy, but my shadow is 

REALLY big.  I try to play with my image in a mirror, but I am pretty used to my shadow.  After all, it has been following me around my whole life.

When I am out and about with people, Dad puts my jacket on me.   It goes over my head.  If I make it to be a real guide dog, they will put the harness over my head every day.  The jacket simmulates that activity.  I usually like to bite the collar as he puts it on.  Sometimes it is a little bit of a struggle, but I am learning that it's going to happen with or without the struggle.  I also am learning that when the jacket goes on I get to see and do fun things, so I give in a little sooner each time.

I am still a vacuum cleaner on four legs.  Rocks, pieces of asphalt, bugs, pecans.... if it's in my line of sight, it goes in the mouth.

There is a lot of action at one of these softball outings.

I didn't realize how noisy little girls can be.  Do you know they have actual "cheer routines" while in the dugout ?  What is it with little girls ?

I like making new friends where ever I go.  This little guy had a twin brother.  They kept trying to confuse me by coming back one at a time.  I never caught their names.  They may have been identical twins, but I could tell the difference.  They smelled different to me.

Speaking of smells, there was a small vending area at the tournament.  Dad said somebody was cooking hot dogs.  I didn't think it was a good idea to serve dogs to little kids.  Didn't sound like a good idea, but it sure smelled good.  My nose was working overtime.

There were some little bitty girls playing that day too.  It was so cute, they had white lines marked on the field where they wanted them to stand.  One little girl had to be coaxed out on the field by her dad.  She went, but wasn't too happy about it.  Maybe her Dad should try kibbles like my Dad.

On the way back to the car Mom wanted to take some pictures by some signs.  We live pretty close to this park, so we will use these signs to gauge how quickly I grow by taking pictures there every month or so.  This sign is about Stephen F. Austin.  He was a big shot when they formed the state of Texas.  He had a settlement not very far from here.

Another sign talked about the indian tribe that used to inhabit this area. 

There is a lot for a little guy to see and learn.  I like seeing and doing new things.  If somebody says "let's go in the car", I am ready.  Even though I still have to get a boost to get in and out.

Later, Smokey