Back Home!

The top picture is a "graduation" picture where Jack is clearly not cooperating! Oh well! The second is Keeper with his trainer, Jeremy. The third is Keeper finally home!
We made it back home after a grueling travel day (Friday). We were at the airport by 7:00am for a 9:09 scheduled flight. The flight ended up being delayed because of the weather - Snow and Ice!! After finally boarding the plane we sat on the runway for over an hour to wait to be de-iced. We finally landed in Oakland at about 2:30 pm (California time) - which was 5:30 for us.
How did Jack and Keeper do? Well overall Keeper did well. She did not like to be confined for that length of time and Rich walked her up and down the aisle a few times. Of course, she received lots of attention from passengers and crew alike. Including the pilot! She really didn't enjoy the takeoff and about hit the roof when the brakes came on for the landing. It took both Rich and I to hold her down.
Meanwhile Jack was not a happy camper. If he wasn't sleeping he was screaming. I really fell sorry for the people on that plane with us. The staff was very accommodating and helped whenever possible but Jack was clearly having a bad day and didn't understand what was going on. He kept saying "Jack bye" and pointing to the door. Explanations weren't working. He slept off and on but kept waking up when the "dings" went off.
I was never happier to be back in California. Jack was wonderful after getting off the plane. We had to make stops in Castro Valley and Walnut Creek on the way home to pick up cars and finally made it home around 5:30pm.
Keeper enjoyed running around the house and exploring. Ethan is afraid of her but that will get better.

Graduation Day!

This morning we took our Public Access Test. We passed! YEAH! Of course, we didn't doubt our ability! We have been well trained.
We then had paperwork and graduation pictures. Jack did NOT cooperate for pictures. I will try to post some tomorrow but they are not great! LOL
Tonight we are staying at a hotel near the airport for our early morning flight. Please pray that Jack cooperates on the way home! We look forward to being back in California!

Snow Day!

Well we woke up to 6 inches of snow this morning! As you can see Jack actually enjoyed playing in it. We did not have to go out in it much thankfully. Jeremy did some tracking exercises but it wasn't required and since we have a VERY VERY small chance of ever having to track Jack in the snow we stayed back and worked on behavior disruptions and obedience training.
Tomorrow is testing and graduation day! We will have our public access test tomorrow and then paperwork and graduation in the afternoon. Tomorrow evening we will be traveling to Columbus and staying at a hotel near the airport and flying out Friday morning.
Thanks for all the support!

Jack Gives Keeper a Treat!

Jack has been very hesitant about giving Keeper a treat because he doesn't like his hand near her mouth. But as you can see from the picture he is now giving her treats and not just dropping them on the floor for her.
Today we practiced handling her in public more with Jeremy observing. Have I mentioned how wonderful Jeremy is?? This man is amazing and SO patient. Not many men would be able to teach in a large room filled with eight dogs (plus many puppies in adjoining rooms making lots of noise), 13 kids (10 with autism) and as much chaos as you can imagine that would bring!!!!
And better still - he trained Brentwood Police Department's Police Dog! He was contacted by them 5 years ago to come and train their police dog after rave reviews from the Antioch PD. He trained their dogs also.
The weather: No snow yet but they are calling for a few inches tonight and tomorrow. We are hoping not because we are suppose to track tomorrow again. We certainly don't need practice tracking in the snow! Although some other dogs might. We have classmates from all over the country: Sarge will be going to Texas, Brock and Donut to Illinois, Rosie to Arkansas, Jasmine to Virginia, Kodiak to West Virginia, Popeye to Iowa; and of course Keeper to California!
Tomorrow will be our last day of training. Thursday morning is the testing and the afternoon is the graduations and paperwork. More tomorrow . . .

Day 7

As you can see Jack is enjoying being at 4 Paws. Here he is sharing his DVD player with Cailean! The other picture is Keeper, Brock (being walked), and Sarge in the back.
Today was an optional training day. They had tracking sessions as well as obedience training sessions to attend. We did some obedience training in the morning and after an outing to Super Wal-Mart and Applebee's we went back for another hour or so of training. This evening we walked back to the mall and practiced more tethering.
Jack loves being tethered to Keeper. He is starting to pay more attention to her although he still doesn't like her face near him.
We have had some sickness going around the class. So far we have not gotten the bug. Please pray we remain healthy for the remaining days here.

Day 6

Today was a low key day. Training was inside at the 4 Paws Facility all day. We went over grooming and general care of the dog. On the way back to the hotel the storm hit hard and it started pouring rain with lots or wind. Still no snow!
Here are some pictures of Jack sleeping with Keeper close by. Enjoy!

Day 5

It's hard to believe we have finished five days of training! We spent the morning tracking at a local park. Keeper is an excellent tracker! Jeremy had Jack and I go through a wooded area, into a grassy field and then back into another wooded area to hide. We never take a direct route when walking to our "hiding spot" to make things harder for Keeper. Neither Keeper or Rich saw us take our "walk" so there was no clue as to where to start. Jeremy had Rich take Keeper on the track and she found us without a problem, going the same route we had walked! It is amazing how she picks up Jack's scent and then takes off!
After lunch we all met at the local mall. As you can imagine the mall was crowded today. Jeremy observed each team in public to make suggestions and corrections. He also did a track in the store. Jack is enjoying being tethered to her. He is starting to sit by her on the couch but still doesn't like her face too close to him.
Sorry no new pictures today. Will try to get some tomorrow.

4th Day of Training

This morning we tracked twice. Keeper is an excellent tracker! She found Jack both times with no problems. I hid with Jack once and Rich hid the other time. In the afternoon we practiced more commands and behavior disruption.
This evening after class we wanted to walk over to the mall (our hotel is in the same parking lot). After practicing in the hotel hallways we decided to tether Jack to Keeper for the mall outing "homework". The mall was very crowded but both Jack and Keeper did very well!!! We were both very pleased! We walked to the Food Court and had dinner and then walked back. Jack seemed to like the "freedom" of being able to walk without having his hand held. He did not fight the tether at all! Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers!

3rd Day of Training

This morning we had our first tracking session. It was FREEZING! But thankfully no snow. It was clear, cold and very windy.
Each dog in the class had a turn to track their child (or children). When it was our turn Rich hid with Jack behind some trees in a park about a quarter of a mile from where Keeper, Jeremy (the amazing trainer) and myself waited. On the command "track" Keeper lead us to Jack and Rich. Amazing! We will be practicing again tomorrow morning with Jack and I hiding. This way Keeper learns to track Jack and not Rich or I.
In the afternoon we started learning the techniques of tethering. We also received her service dog harness. We took her into Petsmart with us after class, where of course all dogs are welcome, but we wanted to start small! She is still learning taking commands from us, especially me!
Jack is enjoying playing at 4Paws. They have so many toys and things to do inside and it is all in a big room with us so we can watch the kids. A wonderful set up!
Sorry, no new pictures today. I'll try to get some of tracking tomorrow!

2nd day of Training

Not a whole lot different than yesterday. Jack still not enjoying Keeper's presence. Keeper tries to get in his face and Jack does not like that. But they say that will come. Keeper actually prefers Rich right now so I am doing most of the training so Keeper learns to do the commands from me. To the left is a picture of Jack and some other boys watching a dvd. More tomorrow!

1st Day of Training

WOW! Today was both amazing and exhausting! Jack and Keeper have not yet bonded but we were not expecting it to happen right away. Jack is neutral over the whole idea and ignores her.
But tomorrow is a new day and Jack and Keeper will both be getting into a new routine. I did manage to get a few pictures but only one of them together - both sleeping! We will try for more tomorrow! Thank you all for checking on us and praying for a quick adjustment for both Keeper and Jack.

In Ohio!

After a long day of traveling we finally made it to our hotel at 12:45 a.m.! Jack did fairly well on the plane although there were some frantic cries of "I want help!" when he was trying to get out of his car seat. Luckily there were many young children on the flight so his cries blended in well. He slept for about 2 hours and spent the other 2 playing with the portable dvd player. (Not actually watching anything, just pressing lots of buttons.)
We will be leaving to meet Keeper very soon! I hope to post some pictures tonight!

Leaving in the Morning!

We will be leaving for Oakland International Airport in the morning. We are very thankful we have a direct flight to Columbus, OH. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we are not sure how Jack is going to do on the plane. On Tuesday morning we will be meeting Keeper and should have pictures up that day!

KEEPER!!

Today the long awaited email arrived! The following is a message to Jack from his new friend Keeper! We can't wait to meet her next week!



Hello!

My name is Keeper and I am a year old Black Lab born 9-23-2006. My name is Kepper because everyone says that I am a "Keeper". I am not sure what that means but they say it with love so it must be a good thing! I love to play ball and I like Nylabones too, especially the liver flavored ones. Have you ever chewed on one of those? They are pretty darn good! I can't wait to meet you next week. I am so excited to have my very own child! I hope you will play games with me and let me sleep in your room! See ya really soon my new buddy! Love and doggie kisses, Keeper

Still Waiting!

We are still patiently waiting for our e-mail from Karen, the Director of 4-Paws. She said we will know by Tuesday which dog they have matched up with Jack. We can't wait for this info and will post a picture and information as soon as we receive the e-mail.