Fun Firestation Outing

About a month ago I stayed after puppy class and brainstormed fun outings with my leader. I had made a few suggestions of outings that I went on with my puppy group when I lived in California. One that I remember that was a lot of fun and really good for the dogs was going to a fire station. The pups were able to meet a fireman in his gear and walk around a firetruck with the sirens and engine on. So, she asked if I would be able to set something like that up. I said "of course"

So, the next day I called the Pleasant Grove Fire Station and they were very happy to oblige. I was so excited that they were willing to do this for us. We scheduled to do it on March 7th. Unfortunately, that morning they were out on a call. I called my contact at the PGFS (I had his cell number) and he said they were just dropping the patient off at the hospital and would be there soon. So the group went to the Library across the street and did some work on the "go to bed" command for a while. Then my contact called me and said that his truck got called out to another place but the other truck was coming and when they got there they would do anything that we wanted them to do.

About ten minutes later we headed back to the Fire Station. The captain was there and had one of his men get in all his gear including oxygen mask (which is good for the dogs to get used to the noise) and he gave us an overview of the gear and how the fire station works. It was really neat. Then the fireman in all his gear came over and we let the dogs greet him one at a time. They were all wonderful, not a single one was at all nervous or scared of him. They all ran up wiggling and let him pet them. It was so fun for the dogs and the fireman really enjoyed it too.

This is Dax with the Fireman. (Dax just got his recall for April 19, we wish him luck, he is a fun dog)
This is our only black lab in the group right now, Safari.

Our club Grandma, Myra. (Myra also has a recall for March 28th, leaving our group with three pups until April when we are expecting SIX new puppies. It will be fun to have a big group again.)

Fullerton was absolutely adorable (he is being handled by one of the new guys getting his puppy in April) He went up and sniffed the gloves, his tail was wagging but he was totally in control. It was so cute. :)

He gave the Fireman a few little licks on his mask too.

All the dogs did wonderful and I think it was a very successful and fun outing for the people as well as the dogs. The firemen also asked us a TON of questions about guide dogs and the training and stuff like that, it was fun to answer their questions. We didn't get to do anything with the engine since we ran out of time. But, it was still a great outing. I could not be happier with how it all went. I am so glad that I could set it up. :D

Growing, Growing, and more Growing

My boy is getting so big. He has been here for about 2 1/2 months now, boy has the time flown by. When he got here at 8 weeks he was a mere little 9 pound boy, today at 4 1/2 months he is a whoppin' 30 pounds. :D He is certainly getting big. So, here are some pictures of his growth so far.
^Fullertons day of arrival in his little crate. 8 weeks

^Fullerton in his little crate yesterday 4 1/2 months. When Dax leaves tomorrow he will get upgraded to the big kennel. The small one is a little cramped. :D

^ Fullerton in his small jacket at 11 weeks.

^Fullerton in his MEDIUM jacket at 4 1/2 months. Yes, at our last puppy class he got his medium coat.

^Fullertons first day, on the dog bed. 8 weeks. ^Fullerton on the dog bed at 4 1/2 months. You can really tell how much he has grown in this one. Look how much of the bed he fills up. *sniff, sniff* Can't believe how big he is getting. :)

^I also broke down and got him a Quiet Spot for his tags. It was really embarrassing when he would shake in the middle of class and make a ton of noise so I got one, in Camo, totally manly. Sure beats the hot pink one that I got for Adeline, I was gonna use it but decided that I would get more "oh, what a cute girl" comments than usual, so we stuck with something a bit more masculine. :) So far, I like it. It just came yesterday so we will test it in class on Tuesday. :D
And the boys doing synchronized "waits". I don't know why but I love when I can give multiple dogs commands and they both listen. It makes me smile. Ya, I am weird. :) Dax is leaving tomorrow afternoon, I will miss him, he is a great dog and the boys have really enjoyed their time together. Well, that's it I guess. Hope everyone has a good night.

No Interesting Title

Well, it's about time for an update. Fullerton is doing amazing! Don't get me wrong he is not perfect or anything I am just so impressed with him. He shows a real initiative and a willingness to work that I just love, love, love. He has a long way to go and I am so excited to get to be there to mold him and watch him grow. :) Anyway, last night was our first puppy class of the year, all the dogs were great. We worked on the food-induced-recall and dog distractions. (Which Fuller is great at, he isn't dog distracted at all, he would rather hang out with his momma.) After puppy class I came home with an extra puppy. I am very honored to have the opportunity to puppy-sit our clubs cross puppy, Dax. He is great, he is a very. . . "happy" puppy, but not over the top obnoxious. I really enjoy having him here. He is already making me think that having a golden or a cross to raise would be a lot of fun. :) Here are some pictures from Dax's first day here.
^Classic Dax playing with a kong

^Fullerton and Dax playing . . . sorry Dax, Fullerton was really frustrated that he couldn't get the toy so he started going for the ears instead. The play time stoped shortly after. The intense look on Fullertons face just cracks me up.

^The boys hang out in my room. You can really see the golden part of Dax he has a very Golden head (and personality, :)

^Dax playing in the snow (I am making this his new profile picture on my club website, it is so cute and totally shows his personality)

^ I really love Dax's head. It is so gorgeous!

^This is what the boys look like right this very minute. :) They are really great together. Dax is here until Monday and then his raiser will come and get him, but until then we are going to have loads of fun together. I REALLY like him (If I haven't made that quite clear yet, lol)

And of course a video of the boys playing. Fullerton was tired and tried to lay down and Dax kept trying to get him to play, Fullerton got sick of it and went a tad berserk before taking refuse under the bed. He makes me laugh. You will just have to see it. Oh, and when I scream it is not because Fullerton runs into me, I thought he was going to but instead he went through a six inch gap between me and the kennel to dive under the bed. He just gave me a bit of a fright, but all is well. lol