tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44082458252074444112024-03-13T19:29:31.506-05:00"Speak"Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.comBlogger328125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-46294447879300090702011-05-01T12:40:00.004-05:002011-05-01T22:50:26.764-05:00Deductive ReasoningOn Friday night, Belle and I were greeters for the Helping Paws spring <a href="http://helpingpawsblog.org/2011/04/29/congratulations-to-the-spring-2011-graudates/">graduation</a>. As I listened to each graduate talk about what their dog meant to them, heard their gratitude for their dog's foster home trainers, sponsors and the staff of Helping Paws, I marveled again that such good can come from so little. At least as far as government funding is concerned.<br />
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The mission is simple, "Furthering the independence of individuals with physical disabilities through the use of service dogs". Helping Paws provides these incredibly trained animals virtually free to their graduates. They are able to meet their mission because of a host of volunteers, guided by a small, but highly capable staff, that do everything from providing office assistance to fostering and training these magnificent creatures. Beautiful dogs that will one day become the hands and feet and dearest friend of the people with whom they will be paired.<br />
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The cost of raising and training the dogs is met primarily through fundraising events, dog sponsorships (both individual and corporate) and a plethora of generous contributions by those that believe passionately in the mission of Helping Paws. The only government assistance received, albeit indirectly, is the charitable deduction received by the donors. On the other hand, with the help of their dogs, many of our graduates are able to work (or work more), thus reducing their reliance on services provided through government assistance.<br />
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Helping Paws is just one organization of many that quietly meet the needs of society's most challenged members. These organizations achieve their missions on shoestring budgets with a ruthless efficiency that is incomparable in most government programs. More importantly, they provide the human touch, the connection, the caring most needed by their clients but so often lost in the red tape of bureaucracy. <br />
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Unfortunately, one indirect source of government funding is being threatened. The tax deduction for charitable gifts is one of the items Congress is looking at to reduce spending. Oh sure, most people will continue to give regardless of the deductibility of the gift, but there's no doubt that the gifts made in anticipation of reducing a tax bill will decline. For some organizations, this drop in donations may mean the difference between life and death. I hope Congress considers the added cost of providing services that were once met by organizations that were forced to close because of a short-term budget fix.<br />
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Our system of government is unparalleled in history, but it can't do everything. In the world, the U.S. is unique in its philanthropic activities. If government is really "we the people", it seems to me our current support of local charitable organizations is the best of what "we" really means. A modern day recreation of the miracle of the loaves and fishes - many people sharing their time, their talents and funds on gifts that continue to give over and over again.<br />
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Isn't that miracle worth a tax deduction?<br />
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<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-58074979124626985402010-08-21T09:30:00.001-05:002010-08-21T19:29:29.233-05:00A Burr In The Butt-FluffEarly this morning I took the dogs and headed down to my favorite state park for a walk around Pike Island. When I arrived, there was only one other car in the parking lot. We headed off in to the fog and were about 1/2 way up one side of the island when Belle sat down and refused to get up. Normally when she does this, it's usually just a burr in her butt-fluff. I checked her over, found she was burr-less, but still she wouldn't budge. Until I turned around and started heading back the other way. Up she popped and happily moved forward - as long as it was opposite the direction we'd been going. After trying to turn her and continue on our original path she immediately sat and refused to budge. By now her behavior was starting to give me the creeps. We turned around again, and again, she happily walked at heel. Not far from where we were there is a cut-thru across the island. I took her down that path and she was her usual self, doing her deer prance and dance every time we passed one of the many that make up the herd in the park. When we got to the other side of the island, I took a right instead of the left that would take us back to the parking lot. We got about a 1/4 of a mile before she sat. No amount of coaxing would get her to move forward. I turned us all around and headed back to the car.<br />
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I don't know why Belle sat like that, and refused to move forward. For all I know, she was just hungry and knew that if we continued the way I wanted to go, breakfast would be delayed interminably. But she was clearly trying to tell me something she felt I needed to know. Despite my initial thought, "let's go, here", it also occurred to me she has other senses that are keener than mine. With that in mind it seemed wisest to listen to her "sit" and go home. <br />
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Belle's clear communication about where she would and wouldn't go got me thinking. How often do we ignore the stubborn "sits" in our lives because we think we know more or know better which path is right for us?<br />
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I disagree. Ever tried to teach a dog to come when called if the dog, just once, has been punished for doing so? All the treats in the world can't fully erase the memory of that penalty. The dog will forever hesitate when called.<br />
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The dog may know the cue, the human may know how to complete the tasks included in their job description. But to get either human or canine to offer behaviors, risk trying new skills, there must first be a fundamental trust that a solid swing will be valued as much as a hit. Without that trust, there's few that will take a chance. And that's a cost no company can afford.<br />
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Well, yes - Belle and I did!<br />
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Last week, Belle and I doggedly manned the Helping Paws table for the Federal Campaign at the Bishop Whipple Federal Building. For three hours (we were a popular table) I answered questions, listened to dog stories (everyone has one), and Belle showed off her awesome skills. The Federal Campaign is the employee fundraising campaign for federal employees. Helping Paws was just one of many organizations that were invited to strut their stuff, hand out brochures and hopefully, convince those that stopped by our booths to put our federal campaign number on their list of organizations they want to support with their employee charitable deduction.<br />
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Belle was a terrific ambassador. Her polite greetings were so well done, the woman at the booth next to us just had to take Belle's picture. The picture above was taken while Belle greeted a K9 officer (thank-you, Paula!). She even gave him a snuggle when I gave her permission to do so.<br />
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To all who stopped by that day and signed our dance card, thank-you! <br />
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<div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-70125782378095289962009-08-30T09:35:00.006-05:002009-09-02T12:57:24.874-05:00Pack-age DealYesterday was move-in day for my college student. With our arms laden with stuff, and Belle at my side we waited patiently for the very slow elevator in her high rise apartment complex to arrive. Belle, dressed in her pack, put on an awesome display of her best skills based on my voice cues alone as we navigated the crowds of students, parents and gear. As always, her amazing performance captivated those around us.<br /><br />In situations like this one, Belle and I have a lot of informal opportunities for educating the public on her purpose and her role as a demonstration dog for Helping Paws. Yesterday, we also had a chance to address an issue that is a growing concern for accredited assistance dog training programs; the proclivity of vendors and customers that believe that the presence of the pack and a "registration card" is all that is required for a dog to be granted public access. Googling *service dog vests* results in over 188,000 links - most of which are to vendors that sell the packs.<br /><br />This is what the first of these vendors had to say about assistance dog public access requirements:<br /><br /><p><b></b></p><blockquote><p><b>Getting Started is Easy:</b><br /><br />We simply require that a Service Dog is registered. Our company requires that you supply:</p> <ul type="square"><li>A doctor's <leo_highlight style="border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(255, 255, 150); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; display: inline; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" id="leoHighlights_Underline_1" onclick="leoHighlightsHandleClick('leoHighlights_Underline_1')" onmouseover="leoHighlightsHandleMouseOver('leoHighlights_Underline_1')" onmouseout="leoHighlightsHandleMouseOut('leoHighlights_Underline_1')" leohighlights_keywords="request" leohighlights_url="http%3A//thebrowserhighlighter.com/leonardo/highlights/keywords?keywords%3Drequest">request</leo_highlight> that this individual has a medical need for a “Service Dog”.</li><li>A Veterinarian's signed statement that your service dog is not considered to be vicious or in any way a threat to the general public.</li><li>Proof of the shots and vaccinations, etc. that are required to keep the dog in good health.</li></ul> Simply click on the link below, follow the prompts, and submit the completed forms to us with your payment of $49.95 + 1.50 S/H. Your custom created ID Card Package will be sent out within three (3) business days.</blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><br /><br />Why is this a problem? The answer lies in what is NOT required in the list above. The training required for a dog to meet the exceptionally high standards essential for dogs working in public places.<br /><br />A fully trained assistance dog trained through an accredited training program has spent up to three years of increasingly complex training and passed a series of public access tests before they are matched with a partner. They are taught a level of attention skills that are critical to tuning out the sights, smells, and sounds that would distract a family pet or even a dog that had completed basic obedience classes. In addition to phenomenal attention skills, the dogs are taught a wide variety of skills that meet their human partner's every day needs, but also just as important, skills that keep their human partner, themselves, and the general public safe. Once placed with their partners, the dog and their partner are required to retake the public access tests at pre-determined intervals to ensure both dog and partner continue to meet the highest standard of public partnership.<br /><br />The general public has enough trouble understanding what the access laws allow. Our graduates are challenged too often when they work with their dogs in the ordinary course of their everyday lives. And so, with my arms laden with boxes, having waited a painful amount of time for that elevator, I spent several more minutes explaining to the student who remarked to her friend upon disembarking from the elevator, "oh sweet, a service dog. My boyfriend just bought a pack on line for his puppy and now he can take the puppy with him everywhere" why that statement not only wasn't true, but how harmful that perception could be to those who require these invaluable dogs and have waited and worked hard to meet and complete the highest standards of accredited assistance dog programs.<br /><br />With any luck, our conversation will be the one lesson she and her friend will retain and pass on to their friends and fellow students. And they didn't even have to hit up their parents to pay for it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-42531245601291743682009-05-25T07:14:00.009-05:002009-05-25T07:59:19.882-05:00Di-Di DanceThere's a reason why puppies are so adorable. Our foster homes are discovering that reason as they struggle with the lack of sleep, the mess, and the expense of pups with intestinal issues.<br /><br />For some reason, there's always a stage with just about every pup where food just starts to go right through them. Whether it has to do with the fact that dogs in general (and retrievers in particular) have rather indiscriminate tastes and will eat almost anything they can swallow, just part of the maturation of their immune systems or something else entirely is hard to say. It just is. And "it" is a mess.<br /><br />I wish I could do more to help other than meager words (CAUTION: This advice is not meant to counter anything your vet tells you to do), but for what it's worth...<br /><ul><li>Make buckets of white rice - store it in single serving portions in the freezer;</li></ul><ul><li>Keep cans of pumpkin (not pie pumpkin - just pumpkin) in your cupboard and mix with the rice. My vet recommended this as a natural form of fiber. I can't promise it will work for what ails all dogs, but it works well with my dogs. Better yet, it's cheap and it can't hurt them;</li></ul><ul><li>The solution to pollution is dilution. Buy the best hose sprayer you can find and flush each poo puddle immediately;</li></ul><ul><li>Buy a bag of barn lime at Fleet Farm and treat your yard. It won't hurt your pets, it's a great natural fertilizer, and it will actually kill giardia - a bug that often causes doggie di-di, but is also hard to culture from stool samples.</li></ul><ul><li>Keep your dog as far as possible from lakes, ponds, golf courses or other goose poop collection sites (see above about indiscriminate tastes). Goose poop is laden with giardia.</li></ul><ul><li>Finally, find ways to laugh at it. It won't stop the flow, but it does help to cope. Check out this <a href="http://hpdmonday.blogspot.com/2008/07/poop-e-index.html">link </a>to see what helped me get through it with my second dog.</li></ul>Gotta run.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />.<br /></span>Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-42960592702339834172009-04-26T07:39:00.023-05:002009-04-28T06:18:02.344-05:00A Log of Dog BlogsFor those of you that love puppy fixes, there are some awesome blogs recently begun by foster homes from the <a href="http://cheerspuppies.blogspot.com/">newest litter</a> to begin their training for Helping Paws.<br /><br /><a href="http://pawls-paws.blogspot.com/">Pawl's Paws</a> - About Dempsey, the bruiser of the bunch (size wise that is). Check out the video of this little one already "getting dressed" in his pack!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSznEX8ML8R0TyfpqTXygoZRtFtwk8KyHcXfbh9xG97uLcMqOjsBNuG2fD3zEM7f2BM6Y_lqhHWx6oUlU17mIEqVauI1eyiaXO1PIwdfr6_LiNLSjMbOFdtA7l5lzqg42gjg3d8zaABPA/s1600-h/Dempsey_7525.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329032231435718034" style="width: 200px; height: 150px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSznEX8ML8R0TyfpqTXygoZRtFtwk8KyHcXfbh9xG97uLcMqOjsBNuG2fD3zEM7f2BM6Y_lqhHWx6oUlU17mIEqVauI1eyiaXO1PIwdfr6_LiNLSjMbOFdtA7l5lzqg42gjg3d8zaABPA/s200/Dempsey_7525.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">(<em>Dempsey's photo use</em></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>d by permissi</em></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>on)</em></span><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://4paws2serve.blogspot.com/">Four Paws To Serve</a> - The story of a service dog named Izzo. This little one is already melting hearts in her new hometown. (<span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Izzo's photo used by permission)</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihigfbZtQTR1s429AGpR8mozFsxz-FnZpOFoXbgLof-y7brB-X2geGcX7Y7jzykaoY7TrXkiPnbZOIUqDyUfjEDQSfUD0KlvforqEKjKlOHVCmHBAdXfn9p484GOBY2AdhQuLWZYDDucI/s320/watch+in+shadow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihigfbZtQTR1s429AGpR8mozFsxz-FnZpOFoXbgLof-y7brB-X2geGcX7Y7jzykaoY7TrXkiPnbZOIUqDyUfjEDQSfUD0KlvforqEKjKlOHVCmHBAdXfn9p484GOBY2AdhQuLWZYDDucI/s320/watch+in+shadow.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7B3kXugOkvWgyFUjSI7lWlsoJhmFTUtQ204qSJrDh9wfEUZBed9N-De2vInCa9Pjh2YHeVAjeQaO9QpuyzQtbip3oxMMMReYmxmEap8JQFAeG3tzzrZLtjIoAwrkN2JAXVrNX0tsq58/s1600-h/April_2009_Boston_037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329032742856345122" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 150px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7B3kXugOkvWgyFUjSI7lWlsoJhmFTUtQ204qSJrDh9wfEUZBed9N-De2vInCa9Pjh2YHeVAjeQaO9QpuyzQtbip3oxMMMReYmxmEap8JQFAeG3tzzrZLtjIoAwrkN2JAXVrNX0tsq58/s200/April_2009_Boston_037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bostonsmarathonblog.blogspot.com/">Boston's Marathon</a> - About Boston and her new life with an </div><div align="left">experienced foster home. </div><p></p><p align="right"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em></p><p align="right"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em></p><p align="right"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em></p><p align="right"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em></p><p align="right"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em> </p><p align="right"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em> </p><p align="right"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">(Boston's photo used by permission) </span></em></p><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:78%;"><p align="right"><br /></p></span></em><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br />In addition to the great pictures, videos and stories in these blogs is the fact that each foster home has a unique perspective; Dempsey is fostered by a first time foster home, Izzo's foster parents are a first time foster home but are also the parents of one of our Helping Paws graduate pairs, and finally, Boston is the third dog trained and fostered for Helping Paws by one of our most dedicated volunteers and a board member to boot.<br /><br />Each blog is wonderful. I know from experience how encouraging the on-line community can be in supporting our foster homes in their quest. Your comments and fellowship will mean the world to them as they tell their stories over the next few years.</div>Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-37760212061896519212009-04-18T06:48:00.004-05:002009-04-18T07:24:39.880-05:00Juxtapose or Just Suppose?In an e-mail this week, our HP instructor for the Monday class gave an excellent explanation of the difference between click and treat and luring the puppy to perform a certain cue. Her point was primarily that treats as a lure are short-term solution that ultimately inhibits our long term goal of encouraging our dogs to offer behaviors to solve problems to earn their reward. In short, to learn how to learn. <br /><br />Those of you that have read my previous posts know that this topic is near and dear to my heart as well - particularly as it translates to raising our human children. Yesterday's op-ed piece on raising our collective I.Q.'s by Pulitzer Prize winning editorialist, Nicholas D. Kristof illustrates the applicability of the Helping Paws method for all - human or other. Mr. Kristof summarizes the research of Professor Nisbett on how to raise how collective I.Q.'s as follows: <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><blockquote>Professor Nisbett provides suggestions for transforming your own urchins into geniuses — <span style="font-weight: bold;">praise effort more than achievement, teach delayed gratification, limit reprimands and use praise to stimulate curiosity</span> — but focuses on how to raise America’s collective I.Q. That’s important, because while I.Q. doesn’t measure pure intellect — we’re not certain exactly what it does measure — differences do matter, and a higher I.Q. correlates to greater success in life.</blockquote><br /></span>I do disagree with Kristof's conclusion that more intensive early-childhood education programs are the answer as long as the focus of that intent remains on the child. To be truly successful, the intensive education must be directed on the most important teacher any child will ever have - its' parent.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span>Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-30827892341831917152009-04-05T09:39:00.003-05:002009-04-05T10:01:18.860-05:00Pass MasterBelle and I are pleased to announce that Belle successfully completed her <a href="http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/publicaccesstest.php">public access test</a> yesterday. The test was held at Southdale Mall and is intended to "ensure that dogs who have public access are stable, well-behaved, and unobtrusive to the public". This test is a requirement for all service dogs placed by Helping Paws dogs regardless of whether they are placed with a client or are part of a demonstration team. Belle and I thank all the Helping Paws examiners and volunteers who participated in yesterday's test.Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-6476833501764515652009-03-29T08:37:00.004-05:002009-03-29T09:11:02.005-05:00Taking a Page(y)A friend of mine sent me a link about the life of a woman, <a href="http://www.grca.org/history_breed/pagey-tale.html">Pagey Elliott</a> who meant the world to the world of golden retriever lovers. She died recently at the age of 96.<br /><br />She is credited with being one of the first to bring golden retrievers to the U.S. She bred them - raising 50 litters over the course of her lifetime. But more importantly, she was a mentor and an educator for breeders all over the world. Her work is reflected in the breeding program at Helping Paws.<br /><br />We can all take a page from Pagey's life. What it means to love and learn and share what's been learned with all that are willing to listen. To find what we are passionate about and to give ourselves up to the quest of giving back or passing on the great knowledge we accumulate as a result of our curiosity. Her golden years are over now, but they will continue to gleam in hearts and minds and coats of those she leaves behind.Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-91152925612517377562009-03-27T06:33:00.002-05:002009-03-27T06:45:00.029-05:00AnticipationThis morning, there are ten families waking up for the last time before forever taking on the title of Helping Paws Foster Home. <br /><br />Of course, the person who wasn't excited for the arrival of a new puppy would be a very odd individual. But after meeting each of the foster families over the course of the last four weeks, and hearing their stories of why they decided to become fosters, I see again what the power of love for others can do. These families are taking on an awesome responsibility. Yet each is enthusiastic, excited, just-can't-wait-to-get-started-anxious for tonight's big delivery of their long-awaited pup. <br /><br />As the journey begins I have just one piece of advice. Enjoy every minute - fostering this pup will always be one of the best things you will ever do.Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-51985782912966433912009-02-22T06:07:00.005-06:002009-02-22T06:22:52.907-06:00Are You A Future Foster Home?I went out to <a href="http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/Companion_Dog_Helps_Teen_Live_a_Better_Life">Fox9 </a>to try and find the video played on yesterday's 5 PM news on the Hands On Volunteer Expo, but as yet the video is not yet posted. Instead, my search yielded another video on Helping Paws, done the summer of 2007, that demonstrates better than mere words could ever do, the joy, the freedom, and the love that these special dogs provide to everyone blessed with the opportunity to share their life and training.<br /><br />For those who visited our booth yesterday, or saw our demonstration on the Best Buy Rotunda stage and are considering becoming a foster home for Helping Paws, this video puts paid to the value of what you will do and mean to the life of another - usually a total stranger. Belle and I hope you will join us soon. I can guarantee the experience will be one of the highlights of your life.<br /><br />Fox9 provided the embed code for the video.<br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="video" data="http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/video/videoplayer.swf" width="320" height="280"><param value="http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/video/videoplayer.swf" name="movie"><param value="&skin=MP1ExternalAll-MFL.swf&embed=true&adSrc=&flv=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxtwincities%2Ecom%2Ffeeds%2FoutboundFeed%3FobfType%3DVIDEO%5FPLAYER%5FSMIL%5FFEED%26componentId%3D2136405&img=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia2%2Emyfoxtwincities%2Ecom%2F%2Fphoto%2F2009%2F01%2F21%2F2136407%5F20090121224714270%5F640%5F480%2EJPG&story=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxtwincities%2Ecom%2Fdpp%2Fnews%2FCompanion%5FDog%5FHelps%5FTeen%5FLive%5Fa%5FBetter%5FLife" name="FlashVars"><param value="all" name="allowNetworking"><param value="always" name="allowScriptAccess"></object>Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-43974884958560882482009-02-21T07:33:00.008-06:002009-02-22T11:22:47.037-06:00Expo - sing OurselvesBelle and I will be strutting our stuff for Helping Paws today out at the Volunteer Expo at the Mall of America. With all the puppies arriving we need to replenish our foster home roster from the fertile sources provided by the Expo.<br /><br />We will be on the Best Buy Rotunda stage at 12:30 with Molly S talking about the program and delivering our cues, Belle's beautiful (little) sister <a href="http://helpingpaws.org///images/rsgallery/thumb//Skye%2011-08.jpg.jpg">Skye</a>, and the gorgeous <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUBE7T4A5_PdVcy1_4_2eStRcsjLoXCAD8RUACbB2NqCF0IxAnHq3GyGsPE3MLoUCnSsT2GrJeSwBtT3U3Wu9x6CGx64vjTefoeb4qF05-bGbTYuUGKuA0E6Gj7vHI3G2JRZqEsXYbSo/s1600-h/Rio+4+x+6.jpg">Rio</a>. Come join us!<br /><br /><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Za4wGaQ6Clg&border=1&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Za4wGaQ6Clg&border=1&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br /><br />(Helping Paws dogs from previous Expo's can be seen in the following video @ 1:03 and 1:40)Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-85030774680161238952009-02-01T09:22:00.001-06:002009-02-01T09:24:27.893-06:00Cheers' Doggie Bloggie: Ten,X, diez, ti, zehn, deichThe magic of motherhood - perfectly pictured in every language.<br /><br /><a href="http://cheerspuppies.blogspot.com/2009/02/x.html#links">Cheers' Doggie Bloggie: Ten,X, diez, ti, zehn, deich</a>Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-19957601370809170302009-01-31T09:59:00.004-06:002009-01-31T13:42:09.173-06:00Miscellany<ul><li><a href="http://cheerspuppies.blogspot.com/">Cheers'</a> pups will most likely be born this week-end. Belle and I are hoping that she is the perfect maternity patient and will deliver all her pups; healthy, howling, and hungry between 2 and 3 this afternoon.</li><li>Cheers dad, the gorgeous, talented, incredible <a href="http://www.post-journal.com/page/content.detail/id/520971.html">Robin </a>will be on Animal Planet tonight at 8 PM during the Eukanuba National Championships.<br /></li><li>Bringing a fully trained service dog on a casual date can create some awkward moments - I had to do some pretty fast talking when Belle decided the date needed help with removing his socks.</li><li>Belle had a great day at work yesterday. She was about 5 for 5 for the short office stays (5 minutes or less), but only 2 for 4 for the longer drop stays. The key to her successful longer drops seemed to be not hearing my voice. The minute she heard my voice, she wanted to come find me.<br /></li><li>I'm really looking forward to being the TA for the Perfect Puppy class that will start in April.<br /></li></ul>Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-79089068933318177702009-01-18T09:50:00.002-06:002009-01-19T07:55:17.249-06:00A New Puppy Blog!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMB3lOng-uTxR86LLeiOakarQAdUgEKmKlXzZFrTWSd8tfj7NzZaDo7C0ztvXg3R9HOReAb3zi-hXn5glJ1ISaIKTHNKol7NS1mMvdIyry-xFEz4H4F0FaKLqUYKCEfT6ZbJseCBJqPc/s1600-h/Barack.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMB3lOng-uTxR86LLeiOakarQAdUgEKmKlXzZFrTWSd8tfj7NzZaDo7C0ztvXg3R9HOReAb3zi-hXn5glJ1ISaIKTHNKol7NS1mMvdIyry-xFEz4H4F0FaKLqUYKCEfT6ZbJseCBJqPc/s400/Barack.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293003039883560082" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ></span></span>Three cheers for <a href="http://cheerspuppies.blogspot.com/">Cheers</a>! She's started a blog and soon there will new puppy pictures of her pups - Helping Paws Service Dogs To Be!Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-47037662461748032092008-12-26T07:10:00.006-06:002008-12-26T10:23:25.910-06:00The gift returned...Today, more gifts will be returned than on any other day of the year. The reasons are many; too small, too big, too many, too too. The return of a gift rarely evokes an emotional response. It's simply a transaction. But how does one accept the return of a gift that was crafted with love and time and effort. A gift that brought as much joy to the giver as it did to the receiver, yet still wasn't the right gift?<br /><br />It is with sorrow that I share the news that Belle has earned a career change within Helping Paws. Her exceptional skills - due largely to her intelligence and playfulness - were outdone by her occasional willful independence. Willfulness is not necessarily a bad thing - but Belle's independent expression put her partner's safety at risk. That is a fatal error for a service dog. With much heartache felt by all, Belle was given a new role; Helping Paws Demonstration Dog. It's a role she has performed with aplomb during her training years and one in which all expect her to excel given her penchant for playing to the crowd.<br /><br />It is with joy that I also share the news that I will be Belle's new partner in this venture. To answer the question posed earlier in the post, I accept this returned gift with humility, gratitude, and a profound admiration for the courage and love it must have taken for Jesse to return her to a life for which she is better suited. And I pray that Jesse's next partner will be a perfect match.<style> */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.EmailStyle15 {mso-style-type:personal; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-ascii-font-family:Arial; mso-hansi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:windowtext;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]-->Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-57694761005631089092008-11-25T21:44:00.008-06:002008-11-25T22:36:27.437-06:00Insight on InstepLast week I started back to class. Not with a dog, but as a gopher. I knock on doors to nowhere, dole out retrievables, and smile nonstop watching these incredible dogs and their selfless trainers.<br /><br />Some years ago I attended a wedding polka. Not knowing the dance steps, I sat on the sidelines mesmerized by the fluid movement of the dancers to each foreign call. Watching the dogs as Eileen called M & M positions (so-called because the dog's movement from position to position creates an M), the memory was revived. Instead of swirling skirts, swirling tails. But the gracefulness and synchronicity were the same. Each partner in step with the other.<br /><br />And I marveled again at the beauty and intricacy of the dance.Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-56499222777027128022008-11-18T18:51:00.000-06:002008-11-20T18:53:08.366-06:00Happy 3rd Birthday, Belly Boo!Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-67639259641206498542008-11-04T21:00:00.005-06:002008-11-04T21:15:36.677-06:00Happiness is...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRRwXMq2lIMFntpiFSySYzpF0VN5mXYZz1vrKYK7ldtsAtkG7Uy72vn3iNeQ3MH9P2C1f8x5fh_RbHHRGTaLGZBRU3cymcjh0ct-g395spUnhtACMozAXmtIyXX4iFE__b2hlzn83d-U/s1600-h/Jesse+and+Belle+Jumping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRRwXMq2lIMFntpiFSySYzpF0VN5mXYZz1vrKYK7ldtsAtkG7Uy72vn3iNeQ3MH9P2C1f8x5fh_RbHHRGTaLGZBRU3cymcjh0ct-g395spUnhtACMozAXmtIyXX4iFE__b2hlzn83d-U/s400/Jesse+and+Belle+Jumping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265003922847589426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo credit: J Michurski - Helping Paws (posted by permission)</span></span>Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-44603231549365066222008-10-19T19:00:00.014-05:002008-10-19T20:34:49.994-05:00Surprised by Joy, Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwX6pZU-llcWvJcNwD_jEbhERLX6ele0EFnoafhZE6_8zB0ZSFIlpSRTYkxeh31D19iUCTwz6ncHFB-dlZncPYmk2dCZVWl_Ym-sWCrKW7GcpDXcoPEmhyxcIhY0tbus5qXJ_y8dCGmU/s1600-h/DSC04521.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwX6pZU-llcWvJcNwD_jEbhERLX6ele0EFnoafhZE6_8zB0ZSFIlpSRTYkxeh31D19iUCTwz6ncHFB-dlZncPYmk2dCZVWl_Ym-sWCrKW7GcpDXcoPEmhyxcIhY0tbus5qXJ_y8dCGmU/s320/DSC04521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259041960819692610" border="0" /></a>My thanks to the great comments left on the last post. I'd like to address a thought touched on in each comment - how sad it must be to see Belle move on.<br /><br />Let me put it this way. If I had a tail it would not have stopped wagging.<br /><br />At our foster folk celebration luncheon right after we dropped off the dogs for the last time, one of the first questions asked by Bella's (Belle's sister) foster mom, was if anyone else's dog had completely quit working for <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span></span>them. She related how they <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />First day of Team Training<span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . </span> </span></span></span> hadn't been able to get Bella to<br />respond to virtually any request since the previous week-end. A chorus of "me too's" rang out around the table.<br /><br />As we talked, it became apparent to all of us that as our dogs skill grew they also began to realize that we didn't need their help. Their experience with their new partners cemented that realization. It also underscored what I've increasingly felt about my relationship with Belle - that she had outgrown me.<br /><br />Seeing her with Jesse, hearing how the day's training went, knowing what it must be like for both to discover the wonder of each other makes me feel pure joy. The tremendous joy that can only come from doing something previously thought undoable.<br /><br />Belle's skills and enthusiasm will be put to work every day. She will be much loved and will give much love to her new partner. She couldn't have a more wonderful life. And that makes me really happy.Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-48449322919583340972008-10-15T16:34:00.015-05:002008-10-15T21:25:27.292-05:00Hope Wrapped Up In Gold<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad_s_P_jiCUaYCLRLTEaFh2uJy9q4ggkIaTtEWICnaaFw9De7uxzfv8AYyHgmF6K8w1ERR06MSGKk_Li-7CnAguI-_POX2PK0cyD1oI8yCoLZATU7-fO1rTyTpz_KOgDbkymNuhjiaqM/s1600-h/DSC04529.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad_s_P_jiCUaYCLRLTEaFh2uJy9q4ggkIaTtEWICnaaFw9De7uxzfv8AYyHgmF6K8w1ERR06MSGKk_Li-7CnAguI-_POX2PK0cyD1oI8yCoLZATU7-fO1rTyTpz_KOgDbkymNuhjiaqM/s320/DSC04529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257508261923009794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A winter day like many others</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Dawned bright and clear and cold</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But in the first blurred thoughts of morn<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Was hope wrapped up in gold.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />That day began a journey</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Of joy and love and fear</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For two apprentice partners<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Their pathway still unclear.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">As time passed on the partners learned</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Their unique strengths and skill</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And with help from many others</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Their destiny fulfilled.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Today one partner will go on</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">. </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);"> .</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);"> .</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo credit: N. Hiebert</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A new journey will unfold</span> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And give her gift to yet another</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Of hope wrapped up in gold.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><br />Of hope wrapped up in gold.</span><br /><br />May your partnership be blessed, Jesse and Belle. It's been a privilege to share your path.Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-8333808069815844162008-09-14T08:51:00.014-05:002008-09-15T00:08:52.066-05:002009 Tail Waggin' Dinner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXkradz4MIIzkmG8YE1T7y70Q21x0IR0QZr4rnxUZbJQeh1XxMAGsCclcwt_TACWdTW7dZyevBCmyJ9PKhu6rWosohk8ouJyO_D4Rh4SEC9F2Z2AbR-7s4dX8Nqu0ZEooBBRUMSrdGZc/s1600-h/Aplha+--+head+shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXkradz4MIIzkmG8YE1T7y70Q21x0IR0QZr4rnxUZbJQeh1XxMAGsCclcwt_TACWdTW7dZyevBCmyJ9PKhu6rWosohk8ouJyO_D4Rh4SEC9F2Z2AbR-7s4dX8Nqu0ZEooBBRUMSrdGZc/s320/Aplha+--+head+shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246108311837566082" border="0" /></a>The evening celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Helping Paws. Jenny Peterson was the keynote speaker. The theme for the night was how Helping Paws dogs touch the lives of others; from the volunteers and foster homes to the graduates who receive them - and as one slide so aptly put, "and everyone in between".<br /><br />Jenny is in a unique position to tell the story of Helping Paws. Her service resume includes:<br /><ul><li>First Executive Director of Helping Paws </li><li>Co-developer along with Eileen Bohn of the training manual used by all foster homes</li><li>Former Board member</li></ul>Finally, Jenny is the recipient of three Helping Paws service dogs including Alpha (shown above)*, the first dog trained and placed by Helping Paws. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span>Her warm, touching, and sometimes emotional speech told the story of this incredible dog. As Jenny noted, the hardest part of having a service dog is that they don't live as long as their human partners. Yet Alpha left a legacy of service that continues to touch each and every person with the privilege of witnessing or working with a Helping Paws service dog. Alpha taught Eileen and Jenny how to train the fosters who would work with the service dogs to come. A born ham, his demonstration skills made public outreach a breeze. He, with Jenny and Eileen alongside, paved the way for those who would follow.<br /><br />Last night, his followers enjoyed a full house, a full stomach, a full heart, and an empty wallet. Like any true Alpha, he's still leading us well on the golden path he first walked.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*Alpha - photo courtesy Jenny Peterson</span></span>Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-69846823864929961862008-09-12T22:07:00.002-05:002008-09-12T22:10:33.595-05:00Webbed Feat<a href="http://helpingpaws.org">Helping Paws</a> finally trotted out its new website...<br /><br />Check it out!Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408245825207444411.post-67587025939466343102008-09-04T18:40:00.006-05:002008-09-04T19:18:26.147-05:00SnuggleOne of the cues we teach our dogs is "Snuggle". When given the cue, the dog rests its head on your shoulder. For a person with quadriplegia - this cue gives them the chance to feel their dog. It's an incredible cue.<br /><br />An interesting thing happened during the meet and greet session between State Fair Demonstrations last week-end. A young man and his personal attendant came up to talk with me and to greet Belle. Belle's reaction was both instantaneous and spontaneous - she wanted to greet this man in the worst way. Until then, Belle had been a model of propriety with everyone she met. She politely offered a paw for shake, and if I released her, she would gently step next to them to get a head scritch. With this young man, however, Belle was beside herself. I asked the young man if it would be okay for Belle to do a rise on his lap and when he replied, "oh, yes!", Belle happily rose and then, unexpectedly laid her head right on his shoulder. No cue for snuggle - she just rested her head right next to his cheek and stayed there for a very long moment. Then she kissed him on the cheek. Those that were watching audibly groaned at the touching moment. It was an amazing experience to observe.<br /><br />In the days since the Fair, I've related this story several times. Each time I've told it, I've been asked, "why do you think she did that?" I still don't have an answer. Although Belle has worked with several HP graduates, none of our training is specifically designed to teach the dog to single out individuals in wheelchairs for this type of greeting - yet Belle somehow knew just what to do - and how to connect best with this young man. As her foster mom - it was such a proud moment to see what she could sense and then give so freely. I know what you're thinking, "she's a golden retriever - that's what they do". Still, this was different than her typical happy greeting behavior. She really wanted to give that man a snuggle - and she doesn't typically (at least with me) offer snuggle except on cue.<br /><br />I'll never know what prompted her incredible response. I'm just so glad I could witness it.Speak(er)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00739156252885244499noreply@blogger.com6