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!