My Number One Doctor

I am getting ready to go back to Florida for final training. I need one more shot before I leave Texas. I am bummed at the thought of getting a shot, but happy to get one more chance to see my favorite vet - My Number One Doctor - Dr. Miller, owner of Veterinary Medical Center of the Gulf Coast.

Feb 2012

Mom took some photos to remember the moment, and we thought it would be fun to show you how much I've grown since I first went to see Dr.Miller in March 2011.

Feb 2012

March 2011

Below are some then and now photos taken at the front desk

Dad and me, Feb 2012

March 2011

These photos below show me waiting in the lobby with Dad

Feb 2012

March 2011

I moved from baby scales to big boy scales, as you can see in the photos below.

Feb 2012... 67.6 lbs

March 2011.....14 lbs

Aww, what a little baby I was! 

I remember being scared to sit on those baby scales.

Below, I'm waiting and watching....and trying to sit still. 

Hard to do sometimes, with all the distractions in a vet waiting room!

Feb 2012

March 2011

 Man, am I brave.

Getting a shot is no big deal, well, that's because I'm a big boy now.

It wasn't so easy when I was a baby.

Feb 2012...big boy shot

March 2011...baby boy

Below are photos taken with Dr. Miller.

I'm too big to hold now, huh, Doc?

Feb 2012..dad, me, and Dr. Miller

March 2011... me, Dr.Miller, and Vet Tech

I will report that this time I went to see Dr. Miller

 I noticed ONE BIG DIFFERENCE...

 yep, uh huh, sitting up there on that bench. 

I got to see the office pet, a cccccat. 

But the LAST time I visited Dr. Miller, I got a TREAT.

Hmmm... Cats are O.K., but if you ask me,

I'd rather have gotten the treat!

Hey, Mr. Cat, did you perhaps get my treat?

Thanks, Dr. Miller for taking good care of me during my puppy training year in Texas. I know that mom and dad's new puppy-to-train, Stross, will love you just as much as I do.

 

Be sure to visit Dr. Miller on Facebook (Veterinary Medical Center of the Gulf Coast) or visit his website at http://vetmedcenter.net/

Love

Smokey

Who's your Caddie, Daddy ?

One of my fav-o-rite things to do is to go golfing with dad.  I have to get up early cuz dad likes to be the first one on the course. That is okay with me, because that means BREAKFAST comes earlier than usual. Dad loads up my jacket, my bone, my water bowl, and my tie down...and of course some treats and off we go to have some fun. Just us boys.

Did you say EAT?

Dad uses a tie down (the chain attached to the steering column) so I will stay in the cart while dad hits the ball.  But, I am such a good boy, I wouldn't run off anyway, at least not too far from the treats.

Wheeeeeeeee!  Here we go. I love to ride in the cart. My ears flop in the breeze and my nose is in overdrive. Hey, where are all the other guys, dad?   I like to watch the birds, egrets, pelicans, butterflies and more. One time, we even saw an alligator, but we didn't get too close.

 Wish I could drive, but the course marshal says no one younger than 16 is allowed to drive. Does he mean 16 months dad? I'm 13 months!

Sometimes I think I could even be a caddy because I try to give dad advice on which club to use. Here, I am suggesting a 7 iron, but dad picked the 6. Hmmm. Guess what, he missed the green anyway! He shoulda listened to me, right people?

At the end of the round, we get to relax and unwind.  Dad takes off my jacket and lets me get a few pets from the staff. I always get lots of pets from the marshal and our regular golfing buddies. Vard, I will miss you!

Sadly, this is my last time to play golf with dad. I wonder if the trainers at Southeastern will take me out golfing when I move to Florida? I've heard they have golf carts at the campus! If not to play golf, just a ride or two, to remind me of my puppy-hood in Texas.  Please and thank you!

Later, yall!

Love

Smokey

Angels are among us

We just have to share this story. Yesterday we went to eat dinner at a restaurant in Pearland. As we walked through the dining room, we approached a table where 2 couples were sharing dinner together.  As we passed by their table, they commented on Smokey and asked about the service he would ultimately fulfill.  We chatted with them for a moment, answering the usual questions that most people have when they see the unexpected -  a dog in a restaurant. Most people are supportive, gracious and genuinely interested when they see Smokey and realize that he is in training for a special service.  After a few moments of dialog, we found a table and sat down to wait for our meal to arrive.

A few short minutes later, the 2 couples got up to leave the restaurant. On his way out, one of the gentlemen came up to our table and he asked, "Are you two volunteers?" and we told him, yes, we are. He then said, "Do you accept donations?", and before we could even respond he handed us a $50 bill and said, "Maybe you can find a good use for this". I think our mouths hit the floor at that point. We were almost speechless (if you can believe that!). 

We quickly collected our thoughts and thanked him for his generous gift. We explained that his gift was coming at the perfect time. March is Walkathon, Southeastern Guide Dog's biggest fundraiser of the year.  Southeastern is supported 100% by private donations and volunteers, no taxes dollars or government funding are accepted, and the guide dogs are provided free of charge to their companions in need. This gentleman insisted on remaining anonymous, but he told us he was visiting from out of state and wanted to help out with Southeastern's mission to help others in need. Wow! How great is that! Angels are among us, and this gentleman is one of them.

We gave this kind gentleman one of our blog cards, and we are hoping he will see this post and realize how much his gift of love touched our hearts. We appreciate his generosity and we are putting his money towards the Houston Puppy Raiser's "Sit Stay Give" pledge drive.  The Houston Puppy Raiser team is trying to generate enough funds to sponsor a puppy 1) to be named by us and 2) to be raised by one of us in the Houston area.

For more information about Southeastern Guide Dogs, go to www.guidedogs.org, or you can find them on Facebook.

Thank you for your support!

Love, Smokey

It's Yabba Dabba Doo Time!

Training makes perfect!

Puppy raisers for Southeastern are volunteers who provide foster homes to young puppies destined to become a guide dog. We are responsible to provide training and socialization, so the puppies become comfortable with home life, learn basic obedience, and begin to experience the world. Southeastern Guide Dogs equips their puppy raiser families with training materials and support, along with an area coordinator who guides and mentors them, sharing the goal of raising a successful guide dog.

Jen Gerrity, a trainer from Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc in Palmetto, FL made a field trip out to Houston on Jan 29th to meet with the Houston puppy raiser group. Jen works in the Puppy Raising Services Department at Southeastern. She is a BIG help to volunteer raisers when training problems arise.

This was our first time to meet Jen, although we have corresponded with her via email on a couple of occasions. We were very impressed with her passion for the pups, her enthusiasm, her encouragement and her training experience. Jen taught us ways to set the dogs up to be successful when giving commands.  We learned alot in this session!

Smokey gets to know Jen by smelling her. 

Jen says a pup sees the world through it's nose.

"Smokey, SIT!"

"Gooooooood  boy!"

While Jen addresses the group, Smokey demonstrates the "Down" "Stay" command.  "Gooooood boy!"

Jen checking out Smokey's leash manners.

"Smokey, FORWARD"

"Gooooood boy!"

"Smokey, COME!"
"Goooooooood boy!"

Jen's enthusiasm for the pups shows in her exuberant praise when they perform obediently.   The pups respond in tune, giving her their full attention; faces beaming, tails wagging, excited and happy with themselves to have pleased her.  It seemed so easy when she worked the pups!  

Next came time for the raisers to work their pups while Jen observed.

Here, Lauren is working with pup Suzette (who happens to be Smokey's sister).

Girl scout Ellie with pup Addy. Looking good!

Jen gives Meredith a few pointers for working with 7 month old Golden retriever pup Tulip.

Jenni with her easy going Lab pup named Lou-Lou

Golden Retriever pup Jane enthusiastically demonstrates the COME command!! (Shown here with co-raiser Chris)

And introducing our group's newest puppy - a male yellow lab named Jib!

Susan taking her very first walk with her new puppy, Jib.

Jen demonstrates the proper way to work with the little pups, pictured here with Payten. Payten is being raised by husband and wife team Sue and Steve.

This is our one and only chocolate Lab puppy named Hershey. Her raiser is Wendy.

 

Cindy with her new pup, Gumpy.  Gumpy is Cindy's grand-dog. 

Cindy raised Gumpy's dad, a Lab named Sparky. How cool is that?

Girl scout Gaby, with her new pup named Lou.

As I was looking over my photos from the day, I found this one of Hannah.  Seems she was having a lot of fun rolling around in the grass. We had puppy camp with Hannah when she was just 5 months old, so we have a special affection for Hannah!  Hannah is being raised by Carol and Bob. Carol is our area coordinator.

...And Hannah is such a gentle girl...so tolerant of new puppy Jib.

Jib and Gumpy - trying to show who's boss!

While we haven't yet been to the school, Jen's representation of the trainers at Southeastern prove to us first hand that pups raised in all locations will be given the best chance to succeed in their program. Southeastern's mission is to create and nurture a partnership between a visually impaired individual and a guide dog, facilitating life's journey with mobility, independence and dignity.

We thank you, Jen, for taking the time to come and work with us here in Houston!

A whole lot of love...

 ...is pictured here:

 These 5 guide-pups-in-training from the Houston puppy raiser group are going back to Southeastern Guide Dog school in Florida for final training.  Over the past 11 months, these pups and their loving raisers have become like family to us.

(Pictured L to R): Addy (raiser Ellie with mom Carol), Lou-Lou (raiser Jenni with mom Eileen), Smokey (raisers Greg and Melissa David), Hannah (raisers Carol and Bob), Suzette (raiser Sharon). 

This was our last group meeting together - farewell pups - go forth and make us all proud! 

We love you all.

Then and Now

We are in the final weeks of our year with Smokey. As volunteer puppy raisers for Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. we only get to keep him for 12 months.  We got Smokey at the age of 9 weeks on March 7, 2011. He will be returned to the guide dog school in Florida on March 3, 2012 for final training. Yes, the tears have already started at the thought of the upcoming separation! We are trying to make every minute count of the next 4 weeks with him, and we celebrate this wonderful journey we have had raising Smokey. What a gift it has been!  We will be posting more over the days and weeks to come, but here is a quick peek at some "then.... and  now" photos" of our special puppy. You can see he has grown up to be a big boy.

  

March 2011 - 9 weeks - 13 lbs

 

Feb 2012 - 13 months - 67 lbs

March 2011

 

Feb 2012

 March 2011

Feb 2012

Check back for more stories over the next 4 weeks as we reflect on our experiences raising Smokey.

Smokey boy, we are so proud of you and we pray that you stay healthy and learn all you need to know in final training to be a successful guide dog or a veterans assistant dog. We love you!