We are back to sitting for SSD. We still have Hamlet for 2 more weekends until he goes to Team Training in June. We also had SSD Mali for 2 weeks. She was on STRICT crate rest to heal her knee. Kindle is sympathizing with poor Mali.
So was Hamlet. I'm pretty sure if he could talk, he would be saying: "Boy, tough break, kid! I feel for ya!"
"Can I have that bone when you're done with it?"
Kindle and Hamlet chillin' out on a Saturday and checking out the geese and the 7 goslings on the pond.
This is why we put Kindle's soft toys away when Hammer comes. I swear he has chisels for teeth. When we walked into the bedroom and found this, Mali was smiling in the crate letting us know it wasn't her! :)
Practicing at the Harrisburg Mall with Miss Yolanda for the re-certification test.
"Play Ball!!" We enjoyed a game at the Lancaster Barnstormers! Lucky Emma. She has two dogs with her! :)
We told Kindle throughout the whole game that she could lay down. She didn't want to. She stayed on Emma the entire afternoon and even fell asleep there!
It was a beautiful day and the Barnstormers won!
Emma and Kindle having a discussion at her Endocronology appointment. Emma has low bone density and we see him to help regulate her vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium levels. She will also be getting yearly dexascans to check how her density changes.
Chillin' out with my girl
Susquehanna Service Dog Graduation Night! We got to see Mike and SSD Lucy for the first time since we all went through team training in October. He is a teacher in a school in New York for children with autism. SSD Lucy goes with him to work everyday and works with the children. He said that she has had an amazing impact on the students. Kindle was sure glad to see her!
The next day was Partner Day. A day of food and fun and a chance to get re-certified. It is hard to believe, but it has been 6 months already! Keith, Yolanda, and I all need to take the test with Kindle and Emma to each be an official handler of Kindle in public. This was the "leave it" test with many distractions to walk through. It included a stuffed multi-colored pig who was oinking that all the dogs saw and played with as a puppy. Kindle left everything!!
This was Yolanda taking the portion of the test that requires Kindle to heel at different speeds and walk part of the time with the leash dropped.
This was the scary part. It was the part Kindle struggled with the most for our first test in October. Food, bones, dog treats, etc.. are all placed near and dropped in front of Kindle. She has to "leave it."
She did great for all 3 of us! Way to go Kindle! I don't think I could pass that test!! :)
Every year, Partner Day is themed. This year it was a Medieval theme. The King and Queen were the final task. We had to show them 3 of Kindle's special tasks. We showed many things including: cup retrieval, lap, kiss, visit, and back. The Queen is Nancy Fierer, the director and founder of SSD. This is her last Partner Day. She and her husband are moving to Colorado to be with their family. We will miss them terribly and can't thank them enough for ALL they have done to help many, many people with these amazing dogs!
After a long morning, a little play time was in order.
Kindle had the tummy bug that went around the kennel and Hamlet had when he was with us. She missed a week of school and needed lots of TLC from her girl!
This is still one of my favorite things to see. Now that Emma has her dog, she is never alone and always has a snuggle buddy! We love you Kindle, more than we can say!!!!
