Fashion Show

Random Summer Sillies ... My girl and I dressed up Haddie for pure entertainment yesterday. It was such a random moment that the only camera within arms reach was my girl's phone. The quality is not the best, but the laughter that ensued from the room was! Haddie, however, was not as amused, but held it together for our enjoyment.

Grocery Shopping

One of the best parts of summer outings with Haddie is having my children along to help.

My typical full week's worth of grocery shopping trips during the school year do not include Haddie ~ I simply do not have enough hands. Short excursions to the grocery aisle, or for the purpose of only training Haddie and not shopping, well those times are different.

However, this summer we are able to divide and conquer on those extra long weekly shopping outings. My girl pushes the cart and takes care of the list and calculator, while my son gathers the items, and I concentrate fully on training Haddie. It works perfectly!

We stumbled upon this mess of Chocolate Teddy Grahams in the snack aisle. My girl snapped the photo from her phone of Haddie obeying a great Down in the middle of the yummies. So happy Haddie has always succeeded in ignoring the floor.

For the car ride home, Haddie gets the perk of keeping an eye on the groceries. So tempting to some, but not to Haddie. Yay, Good Girl!!

Grocery Shopping is so much more enjoyable with Haddie by our side.

Haddie's First Lake

During our vacation, we took Haddie down the Highway to her first lake experience. The temps were HOT and we got out a little later than we had planned, but we followed through with the adventure. Perhaps not completely prepared with the appropriate long leash and swimming attire, it still proved to be a great experience for Haddie.

More lakes are in her future. She loved the experience!

She was quick to enter, but not completely confident to go very deep. I was proud, however, for the love of the adventure that she seemed to have on this "first".

She has never been a stick girl, partly because I have not encouraged it. I figured that love can fall into place if her Forever Family chooses, rather than me having to retrain the obsession with sticks should one occur.

She has fallen enough for her Frisbee (I had a plastic white plate out the other day, shaped to the size of her Frisbee - and she followed me around waiting for that thing to fly!!!), I figured she didn't need another obsession right now.

Haddie found the sticks floating in the water and enjoyed bobbing for them. She would carry them back to shore for me to toss back into the water. Or, she would chomp on the sticks to break them up, drop them into the water to float around her, and then start bobbing again. She was adorable.

Wet and definitely cooled off - Haddie went back to the Condo to dry out and sleep while the two-leggeds on the trip went to the outdoor public pool.

Haddie's First Lake will not be the only lake she will experience this summer. Yay, Haddie!!!

Haddie's Vacation!

Haddie went on vacation with us for a three day weekend! Our first time traveling with her for an overnight stay away from home.

We visit this cute town in the valley of Mountains twice a year. Once during the winter school break right after Christmas, and the other time during the summer right after the 4th of July. All things Snow related in the Winter, and all things Sun related in the Summer. Hooking up with a Condo-style place that sits on Front Street overlooking the town, we have found it to be the best local vacation for the last ten years!

We know the owners of this place, so sometimes it works out to get extra perks - like staying later than normal check-out time if there is not a booking for our specific room the next day. That was the case for this weekend. It felt extra long as a result; perfect!

When we arrived, the owners were cleaning the rooms that were currently vacant to be ready for the next guests. I was not sure how they would feel about Haddie, but we were going to do one of those "Ask for Forgiveness" situations rather than ask for prior permission.

The female owner was all smiles and wide eyed with glee to see Haddie. Her dear friend Puppy Raises for Guide Dogs in a bordering state and she knew all about Puppy Raising through her - and was in love with Haddie instantly. Whew! The two of us had a nice lengthy talk about Puppy Raising while my family unloaded the car - great timing! Ha!

The temps soared to the high 90's, so we finally got to experience "the rest of the country" and what if feels like to have a pup in the heat. Yes, it was a juggling act. We planned our days around Haddie, but it worked out perfect for us as well.

Early morning and late night walks through town, short hikes in the woods before Noon, and Frozen Yogurt outings before bed. During the heat of the day, she enjoyed napping in her kennel in the Air Conditioned Condo while we played at the outdoor public pool.

I figured the one thing that Haddie would learn to succeed in during our vacation was going up and down stairs with out racing. I am kicking myself for not taking a picture, but there were two staircases both outdoors leading from the Alley where we park to the Condo up above all the storefronts.

The one we usually take are wooden stairs, somewhat see-through to the floor below, and exposed to the sunlight - about four flights of 10 stairs a piece on a steep incline/decline. The second staircase is completely covered, which makes it exceptionally dark. There were about six flights of seven stairs each to this staircase which made it much more gradual.

Well, it took me until the second day to remember the covered staircase, so the entire first day Haddie spent on the steep, open staircase going in and out of the condo for every outing and bathroom break. Yes, it was crazy! Poor girl was trying so hard to overcome her fear, not pull, not race, and not look down all at the same time while panting up a storm in the 90+ heat. She started out as a C- in quality, but by the end of the weekend, she was at a strong B+.  I consider that success for Haddie! We will keep working stairs.

I found a small patch of gravel next to the Alley garbage cans where she did all of her business. It was so convenient considering the only other patch of non-cement for Haddie was around the corner and down the street to the Front Street Park. I know the pups have to be able to do their business on any surface, and Haddie has done her business on cement before, but I just don't think it is very polite for others - especially in the heat, and this Alley is more of a walk-through to get from one section of town to the other. I was so happy to find this tiny patch of gravel so close. It was certainly handy.

That is where we met Velvet - a six month old Puppy in Training with Guide Dogs of America. She was adorable and it was so fun to bump into them and watch how each of us made our dogs hold a Sit while we talked. Aww, great puppies!! Go Velvet!!

Haddie enjoyed her experience in a new town. She was her typical self, just a tad slower due to the heat. She loved the Air Conditioned buildings of shops, restaurants, and our home away from home. And - she LOVED one other thing that we treated her to, but I will save that for the next post.

This year she will be old enough to enjoy our Winter Vacation at this same place. Another extreme weather condition for her to experience - lots of cold and snow.

4th of July!

Haddie's first 4th of July and I think she passed! Every year we help host a neighborhood block party. The kids on our street keep growing (!) but we keep with the traditional block party theme of a parade, Dads vs Kids Kickball Game, Barbeque, and fireworks display. Every year is a celebration and it is so much fun.

Our beagle has never been fearful of the fireworks. Never. Some years she has sat on my lap to watch the fireworks display and hear the noises that sound like a mini war zone. Cora is amazing. The stereotype of a little dog fearful of fireworks has never fit Cora.

Haddie will get there too, but she did show signs of worry yesterday. So she only came out to use the bathroom on a leash in our backyard. Otherwise she was very happy to be in her kennel snug in our family room. She was skitterish on the leash - although she kept wagging her tail - her ears and face did not show that she agreed with her wag.

Without pushing her and causing major trauma for years to come, I was doing my part in making it a "no big deal" adventure so as not to cater to her worry. I hope it will help in the long run as she continues to grow - every year she'll get more confident, and hopefully remember the reassurance of her First Independence Day.

The 4th of July is not always a relaxing day and night for animals as it is for humans.

Before the noise began in full force, Haddie and I spent the day in the backyard getting her energy out. Knowing that she'd be sleeping through our extended Block Party hours - she needed to enjoy the warmth of the sun, and do the thing that she loves best: Frisbee.

During the day when the fireworks were at random pace and more booms than the crackers, she did just fine. She didn't notice and kept playing with me. It was the continuous noises and firecracker sounds that she did not prefer as the night wore on.

We set out the pool for her yesterday. I put her rubber Frisbee in the middle to get her to go in initially. She jumped right in to get the Frisbee and jumped right out. It took some time before she volunteered to go in the pool on her own. And then it was all about the pool and less about the Frisbee. When it gets much warmer, she might find herself sitting and laying down in it, but yesterday she just got her feet wet.

Overall, I consider the 4th of July went off with success for Haddie. It was crazy-loud last night, and I'm so proud of her holding it together as well as she did for her age.

Best Bleacher Buddy

My daughter's boyfriend is a ball player that plays all.the.time. When we are free, we join the crowd of parents and siblings to cheer them on to victory. This past weekend our calendar was free to take in a lot of his tournament games. Of course, Haddie came along too.

She ignored potato chips that were sprawled out on the bottom bleacher when we arrived at the first game. She plopped her buns right next to them, and stood over them, all the while ignoring them. I will say that is one thing that Haddie learned very quickly at a young age - ignore the floor. Love it!

We were caught in a mini-down-pour during one of the games. Haddie was less than thrilled to be pelted by raindrops. She was all snug in an Under of my lap/feet and partial bleachers, but didn't get the concept to stay put while it was raining; she would have stayed fairly dry. Instead she felt we needed to go completely and found herself standing in the rain looking at us, who were busy watching the game and not moving. She eventually resumed her down and under again.

Then the tournament moved to a different location for the other days this weekend. This field was super amazing - just wish it were closer so the team could play here all the time! This one I had checked online and found the "No Animal" rule in the ballpark. I will admit that always gives me the butterflies as I am one to follow rules - but in my mind our CCI Pup "doesn't count" -  however, would they feel the same way?! 

Knowing that I could be asked to leave, I had a game plan all set out and shared with the kiddos so there would not be any surprises or discussion amongst the family.

My first plan, of course, was to use my charm and ramble enough education, facts, and data that they would just give up and let me stay. I practiced on my girl during the drive up and she said, "Yeah, they will let ya' stay, that was too much information."

My second plan, if they still kicked me out after my long winded public service announcement, was to go outside the ballpark, leaving the kids to watch the game, and sit myself and Haddie behind the fence in a not-so-obvious-spot, but equally as good to watch the game.

My last choice was to sit in the car with Haddie. I have yet to leave her alone in the car for the fear of bad luck and someone stealing her. I know she could handle staying in the car (well ventilated with windows open), but the snatching factor always gets in my head.

Thankfully, our cute CCI Pup was a gem and nobody noticed she was there except for those in the stands with us. She found her comfy spot and held a Down, Sit, or Stand for the games. It was lovely. We passed a Park Worker as we exited the complex, and she looked and said nothing. Perhaps they too felt that Haddie did not count as a prohibited animal.

Haddie was soooo good! Two men were standing near her just before we left and commented that she was so mellow. She was boring compared to their labs who would be soliciting every piece of food, leg, and arm that they could get to. Haha! I will take all compliments no matter how funny they come across.

Haddie did get in plenty of tail wags during the day to share that her life is pretty grand. Anytime someone would talk to me about her, she would observe the conversation and wag her tail. What a little Diva. She knows she's that adorable.

So for all the little nerves I had about breaking rules, perhaps being asked to leave, I am so glad that I followed through and brought our well behaved pup to the ballpark. She has been to many ballgames now to warrant any future forever family a nice time at a baseball game with Haddie. She is the Best Bleacher Buddy Ever!

Haddie's personal Baseball Card

This is the cutest idea ever! Our CCI 4-H Club creates baseball cards for trading among the fans who come to admire the kids and their dogs at our State Fair in August. This will be our first time experiencing Fair as a participant, and word has it that it is a Blast!!

We received a set of 25 cards of Haddie to pass to our family and close friends. I will be saving one for her future forever family. I think they turned out really cute, and make Haddie look very regal.

The photo was taken the day we got her back after her month vacation at the Kennel and the Puppy Sitter while she was in Heat. I remember she came back looking grown up and smart - this picture is perfect of her.

The back of the card states important facts about our club, but it also contains the name of our club which can be found on a G*ogle search which then provides too much information for Blogland.

However, this information on the card is pretty neat to share: "** 4-H is a unique 4-H group whose members either raise and train assistance puppies or have an assistance dog as a 4-H project ... CCI is a 501c non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and on going support to ensure quality partnerships."

The remainder 200+ cards will be reserved for Fair - to hand out to the general public, and to do some trading among the club members. My son, by the end of Fair, should have a card for every puppy in his club.  It'll be a sweet collection of some very adorable puppies and working service dogs.

What a great memory and perfect idea! Kudos to whomever thought of this!!