Ebony's first Halloween

We have a skelton decoration set up in our office and every time we walk by Ebony tries to steal one of the bones. Here she is grabbing a leg bone and making a run for it.

Some assorted Halloween pictures

Practicing "leave-it"

Wally, Tango and Ebony on the deck practicing the "leave-it" command with a little coaching from Ming.

Another busy weekend

Saturday was a very challenging day for Ebony. First she spent 3 hours greeting people at the Edmonton Autism Conference. Dogs with Wings had a booth set up to let parents know that they are now training service dogs to assist children with Autism.

Saturday night was extra special. First we attended the 2007 graduation where they unveiled the new name, logo and expanded service dogs program for Dogs with Wings. Three of Ebony's siblings from the C-litter (Champion, Chase and Cessco) where among the graduates. Following the grad we attended the first annual Dogs-with-a-Cause Charity Auction and Gala Dinner. We were so busy taking pictures of the graduates and their puppy raisers that we forgot to take pictures of Ebony. Thank goodness Bill and Wynne shared a picture that they took.

Puppies gone wild......

Here is a video of the gang playing a wild game of tag in the back yard

ATCO welcomes Ebony

This morning ATCO employees (from the 112 ST/105 AV office) welcomed Ebony to their staff meeting. Elisa spoke about the Society and what they can do for children and adults with disabilities and Ebony dazzled everyone by showing some of the skills that she has learned. After the presentation several ATCO employees had their pictures taken with her.

She's ba-a-a-ck!

When we picked her up on Sunday, we hadn't seen Ebony in 12 days. We were shocked by how much she had grown. I would not have recognized her if I passed her on the street. She has gotten quite a bit taller and longer. She is also quite skinny. I was concerned that she may have forgotten some of the skills she had learned before I left but I was pleased to discover that she remembered everything. She did teach herself a few new bad habits however. She likes to jump up on people, counter surf (steal things off of table tops and counters) and she has discovered that she can bark. I will have to put my new training to work to see if we can discourage her new undesirable skills.
The SPIRIT conference was amazing. I learned so much about clicker training and shaping. It was wonderful to be able to share ideas and training methodologies with a diverse group of trainers from across North America.

I'm getting some much needed training

WGADS is sending me to a Service Dog conference so there won't be any new posts for a week or two. Coincidentally, the focus of the conference is early puppy development so I am really looking forward to learning new techniques and improving my clicker skills. I would have loved to have taken Ebony along but she is just too young to bring on a plane and expect her to sit quietly for 4 hours. Rob, a long time WGADS volunteer, is going to be taken care of her and bringing her to work with him. She is going to grow so much while I am gone that I'm sure I am going to have a shock when I pick her up. This will be the first time that I have taken a trip and left Wally and Tango at home. Between missing Ebony and leaving my 'kids', I am going to be experiencing severe puppy withdrawal and lonesomeness.

Family portrait

Now that Ebony knows what down and stay means I am finally able to get a good 'family' picture. Here she is with her Golden Retriever Daddy Wally and her step sister and playmate Tango (a former foster puppy and a WGADS flunky but we love her dearly).

Long weekends are exhausting

Poor Ebony has just survived her first long weekend. She is used to coming with me to work and sleeping all day but this past long weekend changed everything. I was off for 5 days straight so she didn't get as much beauty rest as she is used to. Finally she couldn't take it any more so she passed out on the step leading down into our family room.

Anime Festival at Bellerose

This is the second year in a row that WGADS have been invited to the Anime Festival at Bellerose Composite High School in St. Albert. Ebony and her Dad Wally spent a couple of hours this afternoon visiting with the kids. The students love meeting the dogs and they generously donate proceeds from the festival to WGADS.

My assistant trainer

On my days off, I am helping WGADS by taking out some of the adult dogs and working with them. Today I took Dino and Diesel for some training at Westmount Mall. Ebony came along to act as my assitant. Here are a few pictures of Dino and Ebony as they were practicing their sit and down commands.

Now she is a TV star!

This morning, Seanna Collins did the Global News remote broadcast from the offices of Western Guide and Assistance Dog Society. They were announcing their new program for Autistic children and showcasing the amazing things that our Guide and Service dogs can do for their clients. Ebony got to see 3 of her brothers for the first time since she left the litter two weeks ago to move in with us. They had a wonderful time playing together and a good time was had by everyone. I think she is probably going to sleep for about 5 hours straight. Bonus! She also got the opportunity to try on a puppy-size graduation cap.....hopefully in 18 months she will be wearing the real thing and working closely with someone whose life can be enriched by their partnership.

The sisters finally meet

Ebony got to meet her big sister Charly today. They played together so nicely. Not only is Charly Ebony's big sister (they were born 18 months apart to the same parents) but Charly was also my last foster puppy. She is close to completing her training as a Service Dog and should be placed with a client within the next month or so. Saying goodbye to Charly was very hard but I am so proud of her.

First Dental Assistant now Chiropractor?

I had an appointment with my Chiropractor Dr. Renae Rogers. She and Dixie always graciously welcome my foster puppies. If I ever show up for an appointment and don't bring my dog they are so sad and disappointed. Sometimes I wonder if I will be refused service if I dare show up alone. They are always telling their other clients about the puppies and how wonderful they are. Dr. Rogers' Mom was so enchanted with my last foster puppy Charly that she bought her some stuffed toys. As you can see by the pictures, Ebony definitely made herself at home in the treatment office.

Ebony meets the teacher

Today Ebony and I met with WGADS certified instructor (and clicker expert) Maria so that she could see how we are progressing with clicker training. We walked around Zellers at Westmount Mall and practiced recalls, sit and down. I think Ebony passed the test but I definitely need more practice.