Hi Friends –

Today is a strange day, usually on a weekend we’re on the move but today I’m taking it easy while Dad does some chores around the house and Mom is working hard on her Etsy store and getting some assignments completed for school so I thought I’d write to you.

I have a couple of topics today, so lets get work out of the way first. I’ve been working with Dad more this week on the stairs at his office. It’s something that we both know we needed to get done but something we’ve put off making a real focus on until now. I guess sometimes the elevator seems easier and the easy way out is alright. We do work on the 14th floor after all. The way it seems to work out best is when we work the two elevator banks to our advantage, so here’s how I like to do it. The first bank that gets comes up from the ground floor only goes to the 13th floor, so rather than taking it up one floor and switching over to the one that does 14-22, we take it to the 13th floor and walk up the single flight. We do the same thing on the way down. So if we do that 2-3 times a day for potty breaks it’s a good way to work in some training. (There are times, like when Dad has coffee in his hand, we take elevators all the way for safety.) The stairs actually work to save time too. I can get Dad up or down a flight faster than waiting for a car to take us. Dad’s really been happy with my progress this week. I’m in much less of a hurry than I’ve been in the past and we work much better together when making those small adjustments like a single step forward or back. Dad told me his goal is to be able to use me to brace instead of a hand rail. I think I’m up for that challenge as long as we take it slow.

Let’s get on to what’s been happening at home, other than chores I mean. The basement monsters have mounted a total invasion. Lucy has been getting lap-sits from Dad EVERY night. She always yells at me to get away from her when all I want to do is be friends. I have even tried ignoring her but if I get too close she flips out those short razors and takes a swipe at my nose. I do get is some good sniffs when she’s asleep though. I asked Winkie (the Maine coon who is starting to be friendly) what I’ve been doing wrong and he insists that this is just the way Lucy is and I just have to be patient and she’ll at least allow us to coexist without getting my snout scratched up. I really look forward to that day.

The other great thing that I’ve gotten away with a couple times now is that I’ve been able to lay on Mom and Dad’s bed. Dad doesn’t like it but I only do it when Mom invites me so he really can’t get mad at me. He really has a hard time being upset with either of us so we can get away just about anything. The other day, invited of course, I got to cuddle with Mom and be the little spoon. I’m kinda glad the puparazzi didn’t get a picture. Who knows if some day it could be used against me by the secret service dog agency or something? I really like cuddle time with Mom; she tells me what a good boy I am and I know she really loves me.

Dad doesn’t really like me up on the human bed so Mom invites me up when he is not in the room. I love being the little spoon and getting Mom’s hugs. When Dad comes in I try to pretend I don’t notice him, but usually he doesn’t fall for it and tell  me to get off. I always am a good boy and do what he says. (I love getting to use his pillow too!!! It smells just like him.)

I even hopped up once with Mom while he was in the room. I did my circles and fussed with the fluffies. I don’t know why they laughed. I am trying to teach them how to make a proper bed! Then after all that effort I had to go sleep on my own bed anyway. My life is terrible.

The other thing I got to do this week was to go to the oldest human puppy’s last field hockey home game. I really liked it, but it surely must have been the coldest day of the autumn so far; that wind was blowing directly at us and I couldn’t stop shivering. Dad said he would have put a blanket on me but I wouldn’t stop moving so it would have just been on the ground anyway. I was busy trying to figure out why the game was so hard.  I mean, I know that humans like to stay bipedal so they used those sticks to make up for it but haven’t they seen ice hockey? I mean really…give the stick a blade already, and make the ball bigger so it can go more than 3 feet before you have to hit it again. Of course the better option would be to let me play; I’m fast. I sat on Dad’s lap often so he could put his arms around me and pet me to keep us warm.

I asked him if we could find a coat that would fit me for when we go for walks in the cold. He and Mom looked on-line as soon as they got home. They said they didn’t buy anything yet but I’m sure they will find something that will make us all happy. Dad says it’ll be interesting to see how I work in a coat being that my planet dog harness is what he uses as a handle. I’m not worried we’re all a pretty creative pack if given the time.

Tagged: balance and stability, big dog, cerebral palsy, dane, disability, disability awareness, dog, great dane, human puppies, mobility, mobility dogs, service dane, service dog, service dog training, service dog vest