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Rocked it!!

I know! I've been MIA lately! Sooo much to do this time of year, ya know! Now that it is cool outside (or cold - whatever) I'm back to going to work with Dad most days. Lovin it!

BUT, I have also been practicing for my ORT which was yesterday. My last practice run at class was ok, but not fantabulous. In previous classes, I have done great, but my "find" looks different with the funny white boxes, so sometimes Mom has a hard time reading my alert. I'm a rock star, but sometimes Mom messes up reading me.

Sooooo... What happened at the test?? I ROCKED IT!!! 14.4 second find. Not my all time best time of 6.7 seconds, but rockin!




(Dagan in his search harness, waiting for his turn)

Now, on to competitions!! Yippy!

Wags,
Dagan

Sleep in!

Dear Mom,
I said I wanted to sleep in today. Your alarm went off and upset me. This is how I solve that problem.



I told you SLEEP IN! I will lay on your head until you comply. You will thank me for this later. Really.

Love,
Dagan

Who has a problem?

Ok, I super grumpy right now! Yesterday, the fam left me home while they were at work. Ok. I can deal. They do that every day. But, then they come home from work, let me entertain The Squirt for a while. Then - now this is when I get super irked - they packed The Squirt up and all left me! The audacity! And after a Thursday with no nose work out! Seriously?!? What are these people thinking.

So, I went to our room to sulk. But then, I felt like playing a game. So I pulled out the dominos. When I had no takers for that, I decided to try Skipbo. I still had no takers! Doesn't anyone know how fun I am?!?

That made me sad, so I got the Kleenex out. Cause that's what you do when you are sad, right??

But, after all that sad, the peeps got mad at ME when they got home! After THEY had the audacity to abandon me for hours and hours and hours.

What's the issue? I don't see any problems.



It's just the games I wanted to play and my kleenex discards. Oh - and the redvines that I used to make myself feel better. (it's not like they helped much! There was only ONE left! Rude!!)

Anyone see a problem here? I think these people are crazy.

Wags,
Dagan

How to Treat Puppy Sitters

When your parents go away and ditch you, make sure to show your sitters how grateful you are that they let you stay.



Share your toys (after removing the cookie from inside, of course) and let them pick the movie.




Then, be a super comfy blanket to keep them warm.

That's the way to do it!

Wags,
Dagan

Best day!!

Cool weather = back to work with Dad and no more sitting at home contemplating The Brat

That's a good day!
Wagwagwagwag,
Dagan

Ugh!

How's a dog supposed to sleep with this yahoo around? Scooter please sleep quietly! You (and all the laughing) is keeping me awake!

The sleepy,
Dagan

It's My Birf-Day!

Happy Birfday to me! Happy Birfday to me! Happy Birfday to mmmmmmeeeeeee! Happy Birfday to me! Today, September 28, is all about ME! What a great day! Well, at least after the people worked, it was a great day!

I had Mom email my friends and invite them to the dog park. SO fun! Even though it was super duper hot, we all had a great time!

First, we had to hear about the game plan!

(a group of dogs, including golden Montego, yellow lab Gertie and Dagan, with several others all looking up at something)

Then, I waited and waited and waited for someone to throw the stinkin' ball!

(Dagan, tongue out, watching the ball thrower)

FINALLY! We are off! Look at that star out front! Great form! All other dogs eat my dust!

(Dagan being trailed by 3 dogs after the ball. Dagan is mid-leap, full stretch)

Beau and Wally weren't interested in all us ball chasers! Pugs! Yeesh!

(Pug Beau in the back ground and Pug Wally up from, tongue hanging out several inches)

We ended the day with a little pal-ing around. I don't know this guy's name, but he is super beefy and totally fun!

(Dagan follows a brindle pitty mix around the park)

All that park-ness certainly puts a big fat smile on my 2 year old face! (And just a bit of drool!)

(Dagan, smiling and looking up at the camera, tongue hanging out, along with a little drool)

Here's to another year!
Wags,
Dagan

Why me???

I did NOT sign up for this!! Who invited this guy??

Calgon! Take me away!
Dagan

Mmmmm

When you have sore feet so you can go out and run around (I cut my pads!) if you look super sad, maybe you will get something super yummy too! Who knew that this existed?!?! SO good!



(Dagan with his nose in a peanut butter jar - licking out the ends)

Mmmmm... Peanut butter!



(Dagan looking into the camer with peanut butter and drool spread across his face)

What Mom?? Why are you laughing at me? Not nice! I will just go back to my jar.



(Dagan holding the jar with his foot and his tongue as far in as it will go)

Smack*smack*lick*slobber,
Dagan

Please?

Can you hit the snooze button?! Just 5 more minutes, please!



Wagzzzzz,
Dagan

Wordless Wednesday

(Foley and Dagan lying in the sunny spot)

Beware of Day Care!

Doggy Day Care leads to this face:



Beware of doggy day care hang over!

Woof,
Dagan

Back to Class!

I am super excited to be starting Nosework III today!! My sniffer just about turned rusty without class the last couple weeks! I get to wear my new duds this round too.



(Dagan sitting on the porch with his royal blue mesh harness on)

These are my working clothes! All I do in this is work. Harness on = nose on! Can't wait! So far, I have learned to search out yummy treats in hidden places, high and low, over and under, behind and hidden. Class II was all about birch. I am rockstar at finding birch! I wonder what's next! I can't wait!

Gotta rest up, chew on my new antler and continue to work on freeing my stick treats from my Planet Dog world ball. That is hard work!

Great day ahead!
Wags,
Dagan

Drool Works

When something smells yummy, let people know with drool. The longer the hanger, the more they will believe you! Sometimes it even works!


(Dagan with drool hanging from both corners of his mouth. Left is an inch or so, right's hanger is at least 6 inches long)

Wags,
Dagan

Good Pillows

Mom Legs make good pillows.






Wags,
Dagan

Dear Mom...

I don't know why your pillow is all wet. I can't imagine that I had anything to do with it. All I did was take a quick after breakfast snooze while you were in the shower. Maybe the shower has a leak that spurts right onto your pillow. Beats me. Now, can I go back to sleep??

Love,
Dagan

Mostly wordless Wednesday

Shhh! Sleeping!

How to keep a good Mom down

1) Wait for Dad to leave way early in the morning.
2) Take his bed spot when he gets up.
3) Get comfy and wait
4) Start snuggling when Mom's alarm goes off, while she grabs the cell phone alarm and hits snooze, leaving it on her pillow
5) Slyly act like you want to cuddle with her other side, step over her carefully (to avoid her kicking you out of bed all together)
6) Perform a super cute summersault to assume the position of get-in-her-skin cuddling
7) Slyly be sure you have positioned yourself so that your furry bottom covers the phone/alarm
8) Act like you hear nothing when the alarm goes off and keep on snuggling.

One word of warning: make sure said phone/alarm is not set to vibrate to avoid the sudden shock, causing the 75 pound catapult. This does not do well for continued snuggling bs produces many unkind snickers from both good moms and cats.

This morning didn't turn out quite as I had planned. Wish me luck for tomorrow.

Wags,
Dagan

When My Tummy Hurts...

I think about the stuff I LOVE to do. Running in the yard with my Foley is one of those things.
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Video: Dagan running huge circles through the yard. Zooming back and forth, past a pole in the middle of the yard. Foley is pouncing off to the the non-pole side of the yard.

Foley normally runs with me, but the other day, he zagged when he shoulda zigged and wrapped himself around the pole. So, now he just romps at me as I zoom past him. Wimp!

But, not today! *Someone* stole a whole box of dental chews and *someone* chose to empty the cookie box, eating them in front of the window to see if people were coming back home. But, no one did! It was quite fun. But, now my tummy is mad at me. So, no yard running today. Ugh. Hopefully, my tummy will be less mad tomorrow.

Wags,
Dagan

Oh the things they make me do...

Soooooo.... I get career changed and essentially fall off the face of the blogging world, right? You would think that I would have all sorts of new and exciting things to write about. But, alas, life has become rather routine.

I go to work with dad or stay home alone. I go to my scenting class (but am WIPED out after and always forget to write!). Sometimes, I go to doggy day care or the dog park. Love my people, but not much to write home about - err, blog about!

On Saturday, we went to Uncle No Rule's house for a visit. Sunday was his Birthday (he turned OLD!) but we had other things to do on Sunday. So... we went to lunch and had a visit. Then, we came back and it was time to play in the yard. Let me tell you how these people play...

They PLAY, and *I* do all the work! Umm... fair?? Seriously? We played wiffle ball. Uncle No Rules spent his time at bat. Dad spent his time on the pitcher's mound. Me?? What did *I* do?? I played catcher AND fielder! Ummm... ok lazy people! Here is what the game looked like:



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Yeah - that's ME running after the ball where ever it goes! As you know, it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. I must say I am really bummed that that someone was ME! Seriously? I do ALL the work AND get hurt?? Ugh!

Let's just say this - catching a wiffle ball that has just been hit with your mouth is NOT a good idea! And, I will say this too: Tongues bleed. A lot!

Luckily, they heal fast too. It is all good now :)

Wags,
Dagan

Ups and Downs of Scenting

What a day!! First, Mom forgot to feed me breakfast! Can you believe that?!?!? I was shocked! Then, they left Foley and I at home. I did get one cookie stuffed toy, but that is NOT enough!

BIG Downs!

Then, 5 hours later, they came home tired and dirty. Mom got cleaned up and she and I left the house.

Up!!

We got to the Marin Humane Society and she shoved me in a crate that was too small for me (a boy needs his space!)

Down!

Then I got out! Cabana's Mom was there! I'm pretty sure Cabana was there too, but I didn't get to play with her.

Down!

Leash on and the lady in charge started playing with me. Shoving a treat pouch of yumminess on my nose, then she scampered off.

Up!

Then, Mom walked me out. We walked up and down the isle. I could smell where the yumminess was. Totally brought back all those puppy meetings when I could NOT take something yummy when it was RIGHT THERE! I got worried.

Down.

The silly lady called me to where the box with the yumminess was and offered it to me from her hand.

Up!!!

I still thought I was being set up and had trouble letting go of my rules.

Down.

I got to do the whole thing over. I still kept checking in with Mom, hoping she would tell me what do to. Silly lady said that was cause I remember all my Guide Dog puppy stuff. This time, I did find the box of yummies and ate them, mostly on my own.

Up!

I got to have 2 more turns at these scenting runs.

Up!

By my last turn (5th and 6th runs)I was as much of a rock star as Cabana! (I did much much better without a leash. It was like I wasn't trying to figure out what Mom expected out of me any more)

Up!

On run 5, I was super fast in finding the Salami!

Up!!

On run 6, I could tell the silly lady had the bag of salami in her hand, so I kept going to visit her (that was the game, right?? Find the salami!) But, even though I was SUPER excited to see her, she wouldn't give me any salami!

Down.

But, around 34 seconds in to my run, I caught the scent on the draft of air. I follow it out and come back around to put my nose in the right box. Yeah me!

Up!!!

Now I'm sleepy. Watch these videos of my last two run while I sleep.

Wags,
Dagan




(Video: Run 5. Dagan runs down the line, greets the instructor, turns back to the line of boxes, sniffs the closest box, skips sniffing a chair, then takes one step past the actual scent box on a chair, skids to a halt and dives into the scent loaded box.)




(Video: Run 6. Dagan runs our, right to the instructor, who holds the salami bag up over her head. Dag turns back to the line of chairs and boxes, catches a wiff about 7 seconds in, follows the draft of air leading back to the instructor. Tries the instructor again. Swings by the chair the previous scent box was on and circles back to the instructor. Turns away from her, sniffs the lower box "catching" catching the scent pool and follows the air draft catching the scent for about 3 steps before he circles back to the actual scent box)

Some People Are Mean!

Can someone please tell my dad to stop teasing me?? He gets me with that fake throw EVERY time! Ugh!

And sorry my video is sideways!
(Video: offscreen, John fake throws the chuck-it squirrell and Dagan takes off running. He stops and looks back. Then it is actually thrown and Dag pounces on it)

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A Letter of Apology...

To Whom It May Concern,
I am deeply sorry that my friend Katra and I have been at it again. It seems that, when we are left alone together, we bounce ideas off one another until we come up with the best idea yet. I understand that you may disagree with my thinking on this. But, we have done playing. We have romped. We have tugged. We have spun in circles. But, as we grow up, we have felt like we need to expand our horizons. We've been chatting about it for a while. Raiding the crock was fun. Sorting the trash was even more fun. But, today was the best idea we have had yet.

10 pounds of flour makes a LOT of fun! First, we painted the pantry floor with it, then into the spare room and into the kitchen. Hey, we were nice enough to leave paw prints where ever we went so it was easy to see where cleaning was needed. Then there was the long jump competition - jumping across the bathroom floor (not leaving a single sprinkle of flour) onto the brown bath mat. Flour paw prints made it easy to see that I had won! Did you know that dog drool helps flour turn to glue?!?! Oh yeah, of course you do. You had to do the clean up. Sorry about that! But just think, now your carpet is vacuumed and almost all the hardwood in the house has been swept, scrubbed and steamed to a shiny clean. That wouldn't have happened today without our help, right??

I must admit, the whole thing was pretty tiring. (Especially that part when Katra and I got locked outside while the cleaning started). It took a lot of stamina to spread the flour all the way to the front door. Our paws are really quite small in comparison to the amount of floor we covered. It was good to be able to take a rest once all our handy work was taken care of.


So, I am sorry that we got bored with the same old, same old and came up with a new way to have some fun. We will attempt to find an activity that requires less cleaning on your part next time. We promise.

Wags,
Dagan

PS That flour sits like a rock in the gut and makes it tough to get up and heft yourself out of the car. Thought you should know that, just in case you get a hankering to consume large quantities of flour.

I cannot tell a lie...

The cat did it. We promise.

(Picture, Dagan and yellow lab Katra lying down with a giant pile of rubbish. Shredded paper, zip locks, napkins, and and and)

Wags,
Dagan

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Almost Wordless Wednesday

Mom! Make him stop copying me!

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Finally!

OK, Foley finally got his act together! You can read him at Foley's Foibles: Big Adventures of a Little Dog

Now, I can return to my previously scheduled programing. Yippy!

Wags,
Dagan

Stay Tuned!

The brat - err, I mean Foley - is settling in. He's fun to play with, but I don't like him taking my attention!

Foley has started working on his blog. It will be up soon! Then, I can get back to my normal adventures!

Wags,
Dagan

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Meet Foley

This is my new baby brother! His name is Foley and he is kinda fun. He would be more fun if he would stop taking my toys, but Mom says I have to learn to share. Not fair! Maybe, if he is enough fun, I will learn to be OK with it. But, he better stay away from my food bowl! I do not share that! Well, ok, I guess if someone (like a certain fat cat) tries to take it, I will let them have it - but I won't be happy about it!

So, Mom asked me to help Foley come up with a name for his blog. I am not sure that we want to stick with the alliteration theme Mom's dogs have going, or we want to branch out to something new. We've discussed everything from "Foley's Frolics" to "The Big Adventures of Little Foley" or "The Big Adventures of a Little Puppy."

What are your thoughts? I need your help!

Wags,
Dagan

--

I'm Gettin' a...

I'm getting a baby brother!! We are picking him up tomorrow!

His name starts with an "F" and he is a male black lab like me. He is almost 5 months old. I can't wait to meet him!

Wags,
Dagan

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No Strings Attached!

I am one of "those" dogs!! And, I couldn't be happier! We live close to the beach. One of the only dog beaches around. But, growing up, every time we went to the beach, I would watch the other dogs run all over the place, while I was stuck on the flexi leash. 26 "feet of fun" (as *someone* calls the flexi around here) is not all that much fun. Of course, it is plenty when you don't know any different, but I NOW KNOW DIFFERENT!!! SO much fun to be free to run where ever it is that I want to go! Did you know "those" dogs get to chase things too? Like sticks?? YES! So fabulous! Here I am running. (And my knees didn't even hurt after!)




I have been twice so far and can't wait to go back!

Wags,
Dagan

Home Alone! Home Alone!

What's a boy to do?? I'm kinda bummed. Mom and Dad took off and told me to take a nap, cause they don't expect to be home til late. What to doo? What to do?

Since I have the pawtop booted, I am thinking of doing some online shopping, then maybe finding some poodles to laugh at (seriously?? Who made those things??) Then, a nap on the couch (without the ok for napping blanket) and, ending my night with cuddling into the down comforter on the bed (after chasing those stinkin' cats away. I was going to sneak a snack from their box, but my head is too big. Bummer!)

Wish me luck (and if you see my Mom, tell her to stop worrying!)
Wags,
Dagan

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Best Night Ever!!

Looking at my tags, I can't believe I have never brought up Katra! (Or maybe I have, but didn't tag her??). Anyway! Katra is my bestie. She is a little younger than me, but SO much fun! She is a yellow cross and is a PIT for CCI. Her rules are different than mine were as a PIT, so we have always followed my (more strict) rules when together. But, I have recently have chucked many of my rules (I even cleaned up a shredded cheese spill OFF THE FLOOR this morning! Can you believe it???)

So, last night, all my parents and Katra's parents were at their Life Groups at church. Normally, I go to such things (some changes aren't so great). Katra's mom invited me over for a playdate! UNSUPERVISED!! Holy smokes! I never expected that! One minute they were in the house with us, then we rounded the corner and they were gone! I thought something may be up because a couch had been pushed between us and the fish tank (*someone* almost had an accident with said fish tank recently when rounding a certain corner with a leg in someone else's mouth...). But, after recent events, I didn't think too much of it.

But, they left! Slipped out while we were checking out the pantry. Just walked away and locked us in! I was shocked! So, we did what any self respecting young labs would do: we played NON-STOP! We played tug with the rope, we chewed on each other, we wrestled. We didn't even notice when the peeps drove up and were watching us romp through the big picture window.

I just about dropped dead when I hit the car to go home. I slept fabulously!

Best. Night. EVER!

Wags,
Dagan

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Pondering Behavior Offering

Mom and I are having some confusion! We spent some time learning what the click of the clicker meant this week (same thing as Nice to you GDB pups). I get that! But, Mom is a bit confused. I stand on a mat and wait for her to click. But it doesn't happen. I sit, she clicks, I eat. But then nothing. I tried downing like I am supposed to in Go To Bed, but nothing, I try downing with my hip under me. Nada! I try sitting again. Click! Treat! Yum! But that's it.

I think Mom forgot how we play that game. Can someone please reinforce what I taught her previously please?? I just don't know what to do with her.

Thanks much!
Dagan

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Life is Good

Yup, I can get used to this!

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Black Pearl

Mama says I am the best thing that can be found inside a clamshell.

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16 Things at 16 Months (The Last Edition)

Yep! The title is right! This is my last Month post! There will always be more to tell, but it's hard coming up with this stuff! And this one is SUPER special! I am not sure I can beat this edition. Here's what's happening this month:

16 Things I want to do as a Career Change Dog!

Yep. That's right. I have come to the end of my puppy raising journey. A while back, I hurt my leg and they determined that I had pano. Well, the limp went away for the most part, but sometimes I still shifted my weight off my leg. I look a little dorky when I do it.

So, as I started shifting my weight more and more over the past 3 weeks, Mom started asking questions and worrying again. I went back to see the vet at GDB today. Turns out, there is a little more going on in there than just Pano. I have loose knee caps! Go figure. So, as I move and pivot around, my knee cap pops in and out of place. This causes pain and I limp. As a guide, pulling into harness would put more pressure on my rear legs. My knee caps would move around and cause pain. A limping guide dog is not a good thing. So, as of Monday, I am a free dog!

Without further ado, here's my 16 things:
1) Get a super cute collar (rather than the basic black of GDB)
Collar - check!

2) Learn to get comfy on the couch.
Couch - check!

3) Spend time snuggling in bed.
Bed - Check!

4) Schedule an off leash beach day. (In the works!)
5) Visit a dog park (Mom's never been!)
6) Learn to shake hands.
7) Take an acting class (or a tricks class - some sort of fun non-GDB training)
8) Eat yummy treats (not kibble!)
Bear shaped dog cookies - Yum! Errr, I mean check!
9) Stuffed Kong! Can't wait!
10) Ride on the front seat of the car!
11) Sniff whatever I want to on a walk.
12) No more Gentle Leader!!
13) Illegal toys!
Toys - half a check. 3 is totally not enough!

14) Be Dad's work buddy and ride in the truck.
15) Help raise more guide dog puppies.
16) Stay with Mom and Dad forever and ever.

I started checking stuff off already! It's been a really busy day! And, my blog will continue! Poppy left for college and stopped updating you all. SO not me! Looking forward to lots of new adventures and fun!

Wags,
Dagan

15 Things at 15 Months

OK! I'm late again! It's been a very busy month! This month's installment of 15 Things at 15 Months will be:

15 Things I Did This Month!

1) Mom, Dad and I spent time ringing the Salvation Army Bell. I was way cute and brought in lots of money!
2) I was even cuter and brought in even more money after I learned to help ring the bell.
3) We were so busy, due to my cuteness, that I had to learn to collect too! (Luckily, soggy money works just as well as the dry stuff!)


4) I taught my buddy about Gentle Leaders.
5) I went Christmas tree shopping!
6) I rang the bell a second time.

It was more tiring this time.
7) I hung out with my buddy Katra at Church (we don't normally get to sit together, cause we just want to play).
Then we took a nap together at home.
8) I visited a Crazy Christmas House.
9) I visited Dad's family on Christmas Day.
10) I let Lupe borrow my hat (she didn't know how to wear it though!)
11) I ummmm... Broke into the bag of dog Christmas presents before I was supposed to. (Santa left them for us, I thought we should be able to have them whenever we wanted to!)

12) I posed with Brian.
13) I hung out with Beamer. (He is a guide dog. Mom raised him 7 years ago and he is hanging with us while his family is in Hawaii)
14) I got lots of Brian hugs.


15) Took a nice long nap! It was needed after all that excitement!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Wags and Wiggles,
Dagan