Winter Break!

YAY!!! We are on Winter Break!  But...I do have a long list of errands and chores that I need to get done before the holidays, so Ro and I will be heading out a lot.  This is a good thing though, we really do need to practice out in public more.  It seems that we only go to work and home with the occasional field trip if I'm not exhausted.  Things have been a bit more difficult as of late.  Ro is struggling with ignoring food...any type.  I worry about our public access test that is coming up in February so I plan on taking advantage of this break and getting some good training sessions in.  Hopefully we'll be able to meet up with Barb to get more tips and make sure I'm working on things correctly.
We'll let you all know how things are going! :)  Until then, Happy Holidays!

Our first basketball game

So Ro and I started coaching basketball mid-November.  Today we had our first game!  We had planned on riding the bus...but transportation neglected to send a disabled one.  Ro and I ended up driving over in our car and then waiting outside for 10 minutes before the girls were able to find someone to open the handicapped entrance on the other side of the school.  I've been coaching for 3 years now, and it can be very frustrating when you have warned the district, transportation and schools that they will need to make accommodations and they neglect to do so.  (ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S FREEZING OUTSIDE!!!!-good thing Ro had her booties on)
Anyways, we did end up having a lot of fun.  We didn't win, but the girls did really well.  I think I speak for both of us when we say we were very proud of them!! :)  I was proud of Ro as well.  There was even another service dog there who she did a great job of ignoring when we went past and chatted with for a minute. 
I tend to be very loud at games (shouting plays to the girls and yelling at refs for bad calls-with in reason!!).  Ro looked at me the first time like "You want what?!"  and then I think she realized that I was just going to be loud for awhile and settled down and watched. 
I realized I haven't posted in awhile, so I thought I should write down a few of my thoughts about how our partnership is going.  I love having Ro around all the time, it gives me someone to talk to.  She always listens, no matter how many times I tell her about how something is bothering me.  She is really well behaved, but loves food!  The one thing I'm finding is that I really have to keep an eye out for food to make sure she doesn't eat it off the floor.  She does listen to the 'leave' cue, but will take advantage if I'm not paying attention (and don't say 'leave')...she didn't do that before, so I know it's something that I must of taught her not realizing it.  Although I know that is a big problem, and each day we are improving, I think that things will work out just fine for us. I am so grateful at how well she gets along with the kids and know that most dogs couldn't handle the transition.  She does love attention from other people, but most don't pet her (and I've been better about saying 'no') so her wandering has lessened a lot.  She's even been helping Zander learn to walk! It's very cute, she'll walk next to him while he's toddling along.  He just smiles, unless she gets a bit ahead and then her tail whacks him and he usually loses his balance and cries...but then she turns around and gives him kisses.  (Hopefully one day I can get a picture of this!)   For now, here are some pictures I've taken in the last month.

 

Last week, I had to take a sick day on Friday because I caught 'pink-eye' from the kids at work.  On top of that I had been suffering from a sinus infection and a few other things.  So Ro went with me to my doctors appointment.  IT TOOK FOREVER! While we waited for test results for over 40 minutes we practiced cues.  She even practiced her nursing skills, as evidenced below...haha, jk!  But I was bored, photos seemed appropriate.

 This is Ro on Thanksgiving...poor doggy!  Smelling all that yummy food, but with her sensitive tummy she got her yummy 'Taste of the Wild' dog food with some veggies.

Halloween Costume

So we were picking up some final parts of the girls costumes tonight, and came across this one!  I thought it was pretty cute and wouldn't bother Ro much because it fit very similar to a vest (a little more cumbersome but not too much). I'll add more pictures on Monday when the whole family is dressed up!

Random Photos

So this month has been pretty crazy at work.  We've had parent teacher conferences, grades due, some trainings and classes that we had to attend...so we've been pretty tired!  I have managed to take some pretty cute photos of Ro throughout the month and thought it would be fun to put them up.  Also, our school photo came back-but I left it at work...it's the first school photo I actually really like!  Until next week when I bring it home, here are ones I've taken around the house and while we are out and about.

 This is Ro showing how great she can balance objects on her head...hehe, yes we are silly!

This is the same day, we had finished leg stretches and Zander was playing blocks next to us. 

 Then she fell asleep on my lap...cute puppy...ok dog...:)

Ro love her Wubba toy...she guards it, even when sleeping.  I guess she really isn't guarding it though, because if you grab her toys she isn't aggressive just expects you to play with her!  So it's more like she's preparing for whomever comes along to play...

This is Ro at Carraba's with Zanes foot (for you mom-haha!)-sorry bit of a joke. 

 So when we went to Petco one day, Anya picked out this frisbee thing because she loves the color green and thought Ro would like it.  Ro LOVES this toy...I couldn't get a picture outside while she was running with it in her mouth covering her eyes (like below) but let me tell you-it's hilarious!!  She can't really see, but she refuses to put in down and grab it differently so she'll run with her head super high trying to see the ground.  When she jumps the rock part at our house she'll almost stop but then jump across really funny like guessing where she'll land. 

Well that's all for today!  I haven't decided if Ro is going to dress up for Halloween with the kids...I wanted to do like me and as grinch (cuz I've been kinda grumpy lately) and her as the dog Max with the antler on his head-but we are off school so I didn't have to dress up and was more occupied getting the girls costumes together.  We'll let you know Monday what we decide! ;)

October

So lots has happened since I last wrote, but it has been so crazy that I never sat down and wrote an entry.  On October 15th, Ro and I went to a fundraiser for Canine Partners of the Rockies called 'Bow Ties and Tails'. 

Even though we are still pretty new as partners and learning how to work together, I think that for the most part we do a pretty good job!  I have to say that I was very proud at how Ro behaved!  Yes, she had her moments of being super excited, but after we calmed down she was awesome!  She looked very nice in her bow tie as well. 

We talked to a few people and looked at all the great auction items!  We almost won some dog massages for Ro, but didn't get back in time to beat the last bidder.  We got to watch a cooking demo (I had never been to one before-though I LOVE watching food network shows).  I finally got to meet George (Barb's husband) and Ro enjoyed seeing them both again.  Here is a photo we had someone take before we left!  Don't we all look good in our bow ties? ;)

On the way home Ro was pretty tired, but I couldn't help but snap another photo of her in her bow tie!!

 While we were there we also got to see one of the puppies in training, it was so cute so I had to snap some photos.  I know that CaPR recently had another litter of puppies that look very similar to Ro when she was a puppy.  If you have a moment, go check out the blog and photos of them!!  http://quinsqrew.blogspot.com/
For now, here is the little guy that was at the event.

School Pictures

Today was picture day at school. I was excited that my two daughters would also be having their first school photo day, but  I always dread this day for myself...I am not a big fan of being on camera by myself.  So reluctantly I went in for my photos before school (staff has photos before school starts).
When I got up to the camera for my turn, I was joking with the photographer as Ro sat patiently nearby saying "I would enjoy this so much more if she could be in the photo with me..."  She quickly replied "Why can't she?  She could be on your lap or something."  Needless to say I was thrilled!  Called her over and she came bounding over and I said "lap" so she placed her paws gently on me and we got to take our picture!
So, now I get to look forward to many more school photo days with me and Ro!  No more awkward photos! :)  Don't worry, I will make sure to post it when we get them back.
On a separate note, the other day Ro was sleeping and I just had to take a picture because it was adorable.  She does sleep this way quite a bit-but this seemed to be exceptionally cute!!

Ro's first field trip

I am so excited that Ro gets to join me and my classes on field trips!  We had our first one together on Friday to the Botanic Gardens.  Because I teach a unit about plants, it is the perfect place to kick start our learning and get the kids thinking about how and where plants grow.  I have a paraprofessional that works in my room for a few hours each day, so she helped me load on the bus and walked Ro on.  Ro had plenty of room to settle down on the floor for our 20 minute ride and she did fabulous! 

Once we got there we separated into our group and began to explore the gardens.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day! The sun was out, but it wasn't super hot so it made it really nice.  I wish I could post more pictures of our day out, but because there are students in the rest of the photos I can't.  :(  We practiced Ro's 'leave' cue by having students drop food near her and she did an excellent job of not eating it.  Ro even did some observations of the plants...

It's a bit blurry because I had to crop the kiddos out, but you can still see how cute she is!  

I also was carrying a water bottle and it kept falling, so she ended up practicing picking things up a lot as well. It was a lot of fun for me being able to spend the day with my students and have Ro along with us.  I knew it was going to be a great bonus having a service dog-but it truly was a dream come true!

Meeting 'Thomas the Tank Engine'

We purchased tickets to 'A Day with Thomas' a few months ago and the girls were super excited to go meet 'Thomas the Tank Engine'!  Unfortunately we had a family situation that Zane had to attend to, so he couldn't join us.  Luckily for us though, Barb was able to join us!  So Barb, Alexis, Anya, Zander, Ro and I went to go meet Thomas.  When we got there we were suddenly sent to a parking lot and had to ride a shuttle over to the museum.  I didn't realize we wouldn't be parking at the museum.  So we had to wait there until they could send the bus that had a lift for me.  THEN it started to rain! When the shuttle got to the museum the driver couldn't figure out how to get the lift to go all the way down.  I was suspended in the air for awhile while Barb had to round up all the kids-it's a good thing she could handle all of them (and Ro!). 
Once we finally made it in we decided that we should run to the bathroom to feed Zander and let Anya go potty.  Seems simple enough, but not so much!!  It was an adventure though, and on the way we saw Sir Topham Hat!  So we got a quick picture with him as well.  After that, Barb took the girls up to see a display train they had and they all rang the bell.  Zander, Ro and I hung out below!

When they were done we could see that Thomas had pulled up and unloaded the train ride before us, so we'd be up soon.  We headed over and on the way I was finding it hard to make sure that Ro didn't eat the kettle corn off the ground.  It was everywhere!!  So we will have to make sure to work on that...
On the train Ro went under the seats and we had one of the conductors take another photo for us! :)  All the kids (and Ro) got a Junior Engineer Certificate saying they rode with Thomas the Tank Engine.
Then the girls and Ro went to get a picture with Thomas, but in the end the wanted to charge us $50 for it, so after all that we don't have any photos to show that they met 'Thomas the Tank Engine' because the blue engine was not in any of our photos!!  Well, he is in the background of this one (the blue in the top left that you can barely see!):

Here are a few more of our ride on Thomas

On the way back to the van we had definately passed nap time and Anya threw a full on tantrum (the kind that embarrass you as their parent).  It was a good thing I had help because I don't think I could have got her on the bus alone.  We hurried back and loaded in the van.  All of the kids were asleep before we even left the parking lot.
Even though I was stressed out about other things going on in my life, it was a nice break and it was great to see Barb again!  Hopefully next time I'll be more enjoyable company! :)

Fun Photos

So today has been filled with cleaning, laundry and goofing around the house with the kids! :)  We also took some photos because Riley and Ro have been getting along pretty well!  Ok...Ro has always been doing good-it's just getting Riley to warm up to her.  He's been allowing her to come right up to him lately!  Their beds are still next to each other, so maybe that is helping!  Anyhow, here are some pictures of us just hanging out for the day.  I also added the one of her jumping over the little rock canal thingy in our backyard because she looks like 'Superdog'!  I wish I could take one from the side, but she's always running to me.  Anyhow, Enjoy!

Newspaper Article

Yesterday our article was published! To view it click here.  Scroll down a bit, it starts on the front page!  The kids at school keep coming up to us as we go through the halls saying "Mrs. U!  Ro is famous just like you now!"  Haha, kids are cute!  Things have been going pretty well this last week.  Ro has been helping me solve a lot of problems at work...For example, I was having a problem with two certain students.  No matter how many reminders I'd give them, every time we had our group lesson they would forget the rule that they couldn't sit in our library area on the ottoman.  Any ideas on what my solution was??!  Yep...Ro!

Now the kids have been sitting in the actual group area...and Ro watches over them!!  I just put her on the ottoman and they know they aren't supposed to touch her, therefore they don't touch the ottoman!  Problem solved!  Hopefully soon she can come sit right next to me, after they are in the habit of not sitting there-at least that's the plan. (and yes...that is cookie monster, her new favorite toy that she keeps at work)
Here is another picture of Ro at work.  The article talks about how she is able to fall asleep at random places, that is very true!  But one of her favorite spots is her kennel.  I think because it is quiet and near my desk...

 

 

 We are looking forward to a three day weekend, hopefully we will be able to get some things done around the house and go get some much needed shopping done! :)

Graduation (and update for the week)

Today we had the graduation with CaPR.  It took us awhile to get everyone ready...trimming nails (all the kids including Ro!) baths, hair washing, etc.!
When we got there Ro and I were doing wonderfully, and then we got out of the elevator and she could smell all her buddies!  After that it was hard keeping her from jumping all over the place, but I think that under the circumstances she did really, really well.  Managing the WHOLE family was a bit difficult-but it was great to see everyone who has helped Ro become the wonderful dog that she is today! :)  She was thrilled to see her puppy raisers, trainers and the people from the CaPR foundation.  I made sure to pack my camera before we left the house (even had the battery charged)...and then when we got there it totally slipped my mind :(  Totally bummed about that...so I e-mailed a few people that were there in hopes that they might have photos to share.  I used to be so good about getting pictures, and the past few weeks I haven't.  I need to set it on my lap so that I can see it at all times and maybe that will help!
We got some lovely gifts as well!  Not only did we get a graduation certificate, but we got a nice photo of the both of us with our placement date.  Ro got some treats (which she happily ate a few of when we got home!).  Then the Griffins got us a beautiful book of photos all the way from when Ro was a puppy through our placement training.  I think I might take it to work to show the kids, but not let them touch it because I don't want it ruined!  
So in the past week we had our final interview with 'The Front Porch' (local newspaper) and one of their photographers stopped by the classroom on Tuesday to get some pictures of Ro working with me.  She has really done a great job of not soliciting to be pet while her vest is on.  I think me being more adamant about it while at work has really helped.  I even had to get upset with someone who came up and started petting her after I had been very clear that she is not to be pet while at work.  The funny part was that Ro didn't really respond to the person petting her because she knew that she was supposed to be in her 'down' position.  (Such a proud mommy!)
We also had our first fire drill on Thursday.  Normally Ro doesn't come out of her kennel unless I call her to me (even if she went in there on her own terms) but as soon as the alarm went off she popped right out, had this look on her face like "What are we doing mom??" and listened to my cue's with diligent intent!  I was worried it would hurt her ears (because it hurts mine) but she seemed fine.  Once we got outside I had her sit at the front of the line, like she does in the morning, and she waited very patiently while I took roll and held up our 'green' card to say we were all accounted for.  I was told later that some of the students in other classrooms were worried that Ro would run away because I wasn't holding her leash!  It didn't even cross my mind that she would do that...I guess we are coming along faster than I thought.  I already trust that she'll do what I ask and wait for me. 
 Well, here are the few pictures that I have of her over the last week.  The first is of her taking a nap while the students were at specials.  The second is us today after the graduation-we were both very tired so we took a nap.  Alexis wasn't tired, so she was playing in her room and then took my camera to take a picture (it's a bit blurry but she did pretty good!).  I think the only time I am in photos lately is when Alexis takes them!  The last was of her sitting in the living room.

Our First week with Students

Things have gone fabulous so far at work.  Ro has done an excellent job with having 820 kids around her at work!  She also was a great listener when we got up in front of the whole school to talk about how she isn't to be pet.  I couldn't have asked for a better dog!  :)
We are figuring out a 'groove' and even though we sometimes take awhile to get going in the morning, we've managed to be on-time to work each day!  Again though, I haven't been good about taking photos...I get so caught up in the moment and making sure things are going well that I forget to take them!  We will definitely have some on Tuesday though...the local newspaper 'The Front Porch' got word that the 2nd grade teacher/basketball coach has a service dog, so they are doing a story on us!  Ro has already made the paper!! So they are coming on Tuesday to do a photo shoot during class and to finish our interview. 
Both the girls started school this past week, and Ro helped me pick them up from their first day!  She was so excited to see them, but did a great job of staying calm because she had her vest on.  What an amazingly smart dog...she has figured out that vest=work time.  Way to go Ro!
Well here are the few photos that I have taken the past few weeks.  I promise, I'll get better about taking more!

Back to School

Well today was our official start day and the students will be back next Wednesday.  Even though we didn't have to be back until today, me and Ro have been making trips to the school since last Wednesday so that I can be ready.  I like to have my classroom set up in a very specific way...so it takes me awhile to get it all done!  I was lucky enough to have my Mom and Dad come into town on Thursday evening so they could help me with a lot of things on Friday and a bit on Monday before they left.
Things have been up and down again since our last post.  I have been having a very hard time telling people they can't pet Ro...which led to her trying to pull towards people when we'd be walking past them.  This made me realize that I had to be a lot more strict about it because it was making things much more difficult.  I didn't want to start out with Ro feeling like my school was a place where she'd get lots of petting (although I'm sure there are plenty of people willing!) because I will be needing her help with things.  Anyways, long story short I sent an e-mail out to the staff explaining that Ro is not to be pet because she is a working dog, so today when everyone was back they were very respectful and things went much better than I anticipated!  She is pulling towards people much less and even in the last three days I have noticed a big difference when we are in stores (even with the kids are with me). 
Well I'm sure there will be lots to post about in the next week or so with school starting up and the kids returning.  Until then, I shall leave you with a funny story and picture!  The other day Zander dropped his binky and I didn't notice till I was across the room, so I asked Ro to get it for me.  She carried it back and I was laughing so hard!  So I snapped a quick picture because she looked like she was using it! :)

Family Reunion

We got back Monday night around 5:00am after a 19 hour drive in the car.  THAT was crazy and we were all super tired, except for Zander!  He only slept until about 9:00am...so guess who got the pleasure of waking up?!
Ro did amazing on our trip, couldn't have asked for anything better.  Our extended family did a great job of following my request not to pet her or bring dogs with them.  We left Monday and got to Idaho around 4:00 in the morning on Tuesday.  On Wednesday we went shopping for food for the reunion-it was a long Costco trip and a lot of the family was indecisive...so me and Ro ditched them and went around the store to practice her cues by ourselves.  After that we headed back to camp to set up our tent and things.  We had slept in some of our families tent the night before because they were waking up when we got there!  It was also one my husbands uncles birthdays, so we had cake and hung out around the campfire talking to everyone.
On Thursday we went to Silverwood Amusement Park.  It was SOOOO much fun! :)   I am a huge fan of Garfield (the comic book cat) and the theme park's mascot is Garfield!  I was determined to get a picture of me and Ro with Garfield and Odie to put in my classroom, but Ro was very nervous around a giant stuffed animal that moved, so I got a picture with me and the girls by him instead.  Ro wore her shoes for over half the day and did a great job with them.  We even did a train ride together that had a lift for my chair!  I would have taken a lot more pictures but our camera died about half way into the day.  I borrowed a cousins, but then that died shortly after!  Bummer!! But here is a picture of my favorite ride on the train with Ro!

 

On Friday more of the family came and we cooked on the campfire and got to know some of my husbands family a bit better.  Because there was so much grass and I have a hard time getting around on it, Ro and I played retrieve to get her some exercise.  She is doing so great with coming back to me and no one else, even with a bunch of distractions she'd bring it right to me!  She loved sitting near the campfire at night by me because it was so cold-in the middle of summer and the nights were FREEZING!!  Ro seemed pretty warm, and one night I was so cold I made her come next to me so I could stop shivering. Ro also got an extra dog bed to use outside the tent-but as you can see she shared it with Zander!

Saturday we played badminton and Ro sat on the sidelines while I attempted to play.  I fell out of the chair diving for the birdie once and Ro got really worried, but I had her in a 'settle' so she did her 'boof' (almost asking if I was ok) and then I called her over and she came over and gave me kisses!  Then Zane helped me up and we kept playing.  Everyone kept commenting on how amazing her focus was on me-awwww...makes me feel loved! :)

Sunday we woke up early, cooked breakfast and then broke down camp.  It took much longer than we thought it would and it took awhile to figure out how to fit us all back into the van.  Because we weren't expecting it to be as cold as it was, we ended up buying two new sleeping bags and a big blanket to keep warm after the first night-and they took up a lot of room!  Once we crammed in we headed back and drove straight through.  I sat in the back and hung out with Ro and the kids.  Here are some photos from the car ride.  Ro kept putting her head on Zander's carseat when he'd cry and that would calm him back down!