Graduation Day

Today was a very exciting day. Me and the other dogs who had passed our graduation had to go to Heyshott with our partner for a celebration. Me and Andy had to stand out the front and then Sandra listed all the people who'd helped to make me such a lovely dog and the first person to come out was Ruth. At first I couldn't believe it. I had to look twice and then I jumped as high as I could to say hello. After the celebration I found that Eric was there too - and he'd bought me some treats.

Andy made Ruth and Eric laugh when he told them how the other people where he works made an assault course for me and bribed me with crisps (I love crisps) to jump over the fences.

Ruth gave Andy a book of photos of me and my diary of when I was a little puppy-girl - a long time ago.

Training at Heyshott.

Andy came to visit us at Canine Partners class and he told me that as I'm so clever and such a good girl I can go down to Heyshott in Sussex for my final training on March 3rd. Ruth and Carol will be very sad when I go but I'm going to make them proud of me by doing the very best I can. When I'm ready I'll meet the person who I'll go to live with and be an assistance dog for. I hope they like me. I'm sure I'll like them.

Update

Since leaving Ruth and Eric I've had a lovely time with Carol, Gareth, Abigail and Jamie. I passed my bronze, silver and gold kennel club exams and am ready for the next stage of my training which will be down in Sussex. I don't know when I'll be going yet but everyone says I'm ready and will make a lovely Canine Partner dog for someone.

I went to visit Ruth, Eric and Foster for New Year and they made a big fuss of me and asked if I'd mind wearing this hat for a few seconds.

Becoming a Helper Dog

This morning Ruth made me a special breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon and then she took me for a walk by the river and had a bit of a cry while I played in the long grass. When we got home she packed up all my toys (80 or so) and my bed and my food and my treats.

She gave me lots of strokes and a hug when she said goodbye. She told me I'm a big puppy girl now and ready for the next stage of my training. She said I'll be the best helper dog ever but if there's ever a time when I can't be a helper dog I could come back and live with her and Eric and that would make them the happiest people in the world.

Visiting Elmo

This is a photo of me and Elmo looking smart in our special Canine Partners coats.

Today I went to see my brother Elmo at his house. He lives with Carol and Gareth and their children Abi and Jamie. I liked playing with Abi and Jamie. Abi threw a ball and I ran and got it and brought it back. Elmo doesn't like retrieving things yet but he did like running round and round the garden and play fighting with me. Elmo is going to start the next part of his training next week and so am I. I wonder what the next stage of our training will be.

Cambridge

Today Ruth took me on a long car journey to somewhere called Cambridge. We met Keli and Gil and they made a big fuss of me – which I liked. But then a swan on the river hissed at me – which I didn’t like. I had a jumbo bone while they had lunch in the restaurant. The waitress gave me some water and Ruth gave me the ice cubes from her drink. I liked crunching them.
I practised walking on my loose lead around Cambridge which is what I'll do when I'm a fully trained helper dog.

Chicken and Rice

My tummy was a bit poorly and I couldn’t concentrate at puppy class so Ruth made me some chicken and rice and we had lots of cuddles.