Mom took some really good pictures of me while I was wearing the harness. I have really grown up to be a very handsome boy if I do say so myself! Want to see?
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Love,
Cameron
Cameron at the beach (ignore the date on the photo)
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Mom and I Practicing Obedience
Mom and went outside today to practice some obedience training out in the heat, which is not my favorite. I do not like the heat but she says I better get used to it because where I'm going in another month, is going to be a lot hotter. Back to the place I was born...Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. in Palmetto, Florida.
Mom took some really good pictures of me while I was wearing the harness. I have really grown up to be a very handsome boy if I do say so myself! Want to see?
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Love,
Cameron
Mom took some really good pictures of me while I was wearing the harness. I have really grown up to be a very handsome boy if I do say so myself! Want to see?
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Love,
Cameron
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Did You See That?...No Probably Not
Hello there,
Tonight's Obedience Training meeting was very interesting and well thought out. We started off the evening by doing our regular obedience training but with a twist: we had used exposures that were never done before. One of our puppy raisers conducted the meeting instead of our Area Coordinator and she had some very good ideas about things we should work on.
We had a soft dog bed cover to walk over in the grass, a squeak toy laying on the ground to walk by, a bowl of treats to walk by, and a couple of wet trash bags to walk over. We had never used the wet trash bags before and this is not something I and a couple of others were sure of. For one thing, one of them was black and the second thing is that they were both wet. When we were all walking around in a circle past the items, I tried jumping over the bags or going way around them to avoid touching them....I wasn't the only one which means this is something we all need to work on. I wasn't sure about the dog bed cover laying on the ground until I realized that it was soft and pleasant to walk over, then I liked it. After walking around a little and incorporating OT into the mix of it all, we had to sit at/on each object...no I still did not want to sit on the wet bags, but that's okay, I just need to work on it. We decided to move onto another part of the training after that which was doing puppy push-ups over popcorn and cat food that was scattered all over the sidewalk. It was difficult to focus, but we did it!
We cleaned up the food outside and then it was time for our surprise for the meeting....blindfold time! Mom and all the other puppy raisers were blindfolded. They all had to put our coats on blindfolded and were led inside by a person who was not to the table where they were all going to eat. This is a blindfold dinner where each raiser gets the chance to see what it is like to be blind and they have to eat that way navigating with their hands and being given directions by someone else as to where everything is located. Blind people use the clock method where every item is placed at a time position, for example: beans at 9 o'clock, bread at 6 o'clock, etc. All of us dogs/puppies did great laying under the tables like we were supposed to waiting for our raisers to finish. Everyone ate and carried on conversations for a while and then were allowed to remove their blindfolds. I think they really liked that part.
Mom made a cake for dessert which had all of the dogs' names on it that are going IFT soon: In October it will be Sandy, Riley-Jack, Ranger, and Laura; November it will be me and Spunky. It was a pretty cake and everyone liked it.
Mom found out today that the puppies will be available November 2nd, so we will be making the trip to Florida soon. That means I will be going in early most likely.
Here is a picture of the cake:
It was already inside the cake box but hopefully you can see it.
I will post a video of the dinner later.
Good night all.
Love,
Cameron
Tonight's Obedience Training meeting was very interesting and well thought out. We started off the evening by doing our regular obedience training but with a twist: we had used exposures that were never done before. One of our puppy raisers conducted the meeting instead of our Area Coordinator and she had some very good ideas about things we should work on.
We had a soft dog bed cover to walk over in the grass, a squeak toy laying on the ground to walk by, a bowl of treats to walk by, and a couple of wet trash bags to walk over. We had never used the wet trash bags before and this is not something I and a couple of others were sure of. For one thing, one of them was black and the second thing is that they were both wet. When we were all walking around in a circle past the items, I tried jumping over the bags or going way around them to avoid touching them....I wasn't the only one which means this is something we all need to work on. I wasn't sure about the dog bed cover laying on the ground until I realized that it was soft and pleasant to walk over, then I liked it. After walking around a little and incorporating OT into the mix of it all, we had to sit at/on each object...no I still did not want to sit on the wet bags, but that's okay, I just need to work on it. We decided to move onto another part of the training after that which was doing puppy push-ups over popcorn and cat food that was scattered all over the sidewalk. It was difficult to focus, but we did it!
We cleaned up the food outside and then it was time for our surprise for the meeting....blindfold time! Mom and all the other puppy raisers were blindfolded. They all had to put our coats on blindfolded and were led inside by a person who was not to the table where they were all going to eat. This is a blindfold dinner where each raiser gets the chance to see what it is like to be blind and they have to eat that way navigating with their hands and being given directions by someone else as to where everything is located. Blind people use the clock method where every item is placed at a time position, for example: beans at 9 o'clock, bread at 6 o'clock, etc. All of us dogs/puppies did great laying under the tables like we were supposed to waiting for our raisers to finish. Everyone ate and carried on conversations for a while and then were allowed to remove their blindfolds. I think they really liked that part.
Mom made a cake for dessert which had all of the dogs' names on it that are going IFT soon: In October it will be Sandy, Riley-Jack, Ranger, and Laura; November it will be me and Spunky. It was a pretty cake and everyone liked it.
Mom found out today that the puppies will be available November 2nd, so we will be making the trip to Florida soon. That means I will be going in early most likely.
Here is a picture of the cake:
It was already inside the cake box but hopefully you can see it.
I will post a video of the dinner later.
Good night all.
Love,
Cameron
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Best of Badin Festival
Our guide dog group got to go to the Best of Badin festival this morning in Badin, North Carolina. This festival is not a big event, but it is enough for us. There are a lot of people, food, other dogs, vendors of all sorts, games for kids to play, and a LOT more distractions that were sure to keep us on our toes.
When we first got to the meeting, we practiced some puppy push-ups to get our minds going and to also help relieve some of the puppy wiggles. We practiced for about 15-20 minutes and then took a break to let us dogs get some water. While on the water break, mom got each one of us dogs induvidually and ran with us to help get even more of the wiggles out. She had as good a time as we dogs did getting to run with her! Since she is all healed up from her surgery a few weeks ago, she is able to run and play and boy is she glad about that! (So am I for that matter).
After that was over, we all decided it was time to go into the festivities for the exposure part of the outing. We were all excercised, focused, and now ready to work. There were a lot, and I do mean a lot, of things on our exposure checklist that we found at the meeting today like: people (young and older), food (on the ground and in peoples' hands), balloons, flags flapping in the wind, someone in a Smokey the Bear costume, other dogs, there was a squirrell that I thought I wanted to chase, loud noises from the vending areas and stage area, a train ride for the kids, golf carts, kid play areas (blow-up play areas), and so many more things to name. It was a great outing for us! While the Badin festival was not a large area, it was still packed full of things we need to be exposed to. It was a little hot today, but we need to get used to working in the heat of the day. At least there was a breeze to cool it down a little.
We stayed there for a couple of hours and after we got to see all that there was, we decided it was time to leave. I was tired from the meeting....I slept the whole ride home! Mom thought it was funny that I was so worn out by that meeting. I think we all had a great time....I know I did!
It was a good day. I hope all you readers and followers had as good a day as I have. Will blog again soon.
Love,
Cameron
P.S. Mom talked to Jesse, Hugh's forever person, today and she was so happy to hear that he had received his photo album in the mail containing pictures of Hugh growing up. He loved it! He wants to meet with mom and dad when they go down to Florida to take me In-For-Training. He may even come to Walk-A-Thon next year. Mom and dad are planning on attending since they have not been in two years. What fun it will be!
When we first got to the meeting, we practiced some puppy push-ups to get our minds going and to also help relieve some of the puppy wiggles. We practiced for about 15-20 minutes and then took a break to let us dogs get some water. While on the water break, mom got each one of us dogs induvidually and ran with us to help get even more of the wiggles out. She had as good a time as we dogs did getting to run with her! Since she is all healed up from her surgery a few weeks ago, she is able to run and play and boy is she glad about that! (So am I for that matter).
After that was over, we all decided it was time to go into the festivities for the exposure part of the outing. We were all excercised, focused, and now ready to work. There were a lot, and I do mean a lot, of things on our exposure checklist that we found at the meeting today like: people (young and older), food (on the ground and in peoples' hands), balloons, flags flapping in the wind, someone in a Smokey the Bear costume, other dogs, there was a squirrell that I thought I wanted to chase, loud noises from the vending areas and stage area, a train ride for the kids, golf carts, kid play areas (blow-up play areas), and so many more things to name. It was a great outing for us! While the Badin festival was not a large area, it was still packed full of things we need to be exposed to. It was a little hot today, but we need to get used to working in the heat of the day. At least there was a breeze to cool it down a little.
We stayed there for a couple of hours and after we got to see all that there was, we decided it was time to leave. I was tired from the meeting....I slept the whole ride home! Mom thought it was funny that I was so worn out by that meeting. I think we all had a great time....I know I did!
It was a good day. I hope all you readers and followers had as good a day as I have. Will blog again soon.
Love,
Cameron
P.S. Mom talked to Jesse, Hugh's forever person, today and she was so happy to hear that he had received his photo album in the mail containing pictures of Hugh growing up. He loved it! He wants to meet with mom and dad when they go down to Florida to take me In-For-Training. He may even come to Walk-A-Thon next year. Mom and dad are planning on attending since they have not been in two years. What fun it will be!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Vet This Morning
Hello there,
Mom took me to the vet this morning like she said she would and had the doctor look at my eye. He said it looked okay today, as far as any bad medical issues go, and gave mom some drops to put in my eye twice a day until it gets better. They also gave me my new rabies vaccine (3 year) a little early so I don't have to come back in in a couple of weeks and have that done. I didn't mind getting the shot, though.
I was a little nervous going into the vet office today, I guess it was because I don't go there often and there are so many other dog smells that had me a little distracted, but nonetheless, I did fine. Mom got me on the scale and guess how much I weigh.....50.6 pounds! I am lean and healthy! That's what mom wanted to see. Of course, I have never been a heavy pup.
I will be going to the festival in the morning with our group. Mom has never been, so it will be a first for her and for me. I bet it is going to be exciting....I am ready to go. There will be lots of smells and people, so it should be fun and challenging all at the same time.
Well, we better get some sleep so we can be there at 10:00 when the meeting is supposed to start.
Goodnight all,
Cameron
Mom took me to the vet this morning like she said she would and had the doctor look at my eye. He said it looked okay today, as far as any bad medical issues go, and gave mom some drops to put in my eye twice a day until it gets better. They also gave me my new rabies vaccine (3 year) a little early so I don't have to come back in in a couple of weeks and have that done. I didn't mind getting the shot, though.
I was a little nervous going into the vet office today, I guess it was because I don't go there often and there are so many other dog smells that had me a little distracted, but nonetheless, I did fine. Mom got me on the scale and guess how much I weigh.....50.6 pounds! I am lean and healthy! That's what mom wanted to see. Of course, I have never been a heavy pup.
I will be going to the festival in the morning with our group. Mom has never been, so it will be a first for her and for me. I bet it is going to be exciting....I am ready to go. There will be lots of smells and people, so it should be fun and challenging all at the same time.
Well, we better get some sleep so we can be there at 10:00 when the meeting is supposed to start.
Goodnight all,
Cameron
Thursday, September 16, 2010
OT for the Babies
Cameron here,
I got to go to another of the little pups' obedience training meetings. We had a couple of guests today: another puppy, Charlie, which is CW and Snap's brother from the Charlotte, NC group and a High School Senior who is working on her Senior Project...us!
Our group will be helping her complete her senior project by allowing her to come to our meetings and working with us, as well as, researching all that she can about the school and the dogs. We will teach her how to work with us guide dog puppies and she will have opportunities to learn about the different programs Southeastern has to offer, while getting all the information she needs to complete her project. How exciting it is to have someone WANT to learn about us and even do a project on us for school! It not only helps her complete her assignment, but it also gives Southeastern exposure and teaches the public about guide dogs, greeting etiquette, etc...
I will be heading to a local festival on Saturday with my group. I was told there will be lots of food, children, other dogs, other distractions. This sounds like it is going to be a fun meeting.
Mom is taking me to the vet in the morning to have my eye looked at and to get some more medication for it. My right eyelid likes to droop some days allowing dust, pollen, and other irritants to get in my eye. I have been to the vet about this before and she said it was because my eyelid does not quite meet the curvature of my eyeball which allows those irritants to get in there creating the oozy mess. It's pretty minor as far as effecting me from doing my normal things. It doesn't bother me, it just looks bad. I just need more eye cream which is no biggie.
I think that about covers my day....Will blog again soon.
Love,
Cameron
I got to go to another of the little pups' obedience training meetings. We had a couple of guests today: another puppy, Charlie, which is CW and Snap's brother from the Charlotte, NC group and a High School Senior who is working on her Senior Project...us!
Our group will be helping her complete her senior project by allowing her to come to our meetings and working with us, as well as, researching all that she can about the school and the dogs. We will teach her how to work with us guide dog puppies and she will have opportunities to learn about the different programs Southeastern has to offer, while getting all the information she needs to complete her project. How exciting it is to have someone WANT to learn about us and even do a project on us for school! It not only helps her complete her assignment, but it also gives Southeastern exposure and teaches the public about guide dogs, greeting etiquette, etc...
I will be heading to a local festival on Saturday with my group. I was told there will be lots of food, children, other dogs, other distractions. This sounds like it is going to be a fun meeting.
Mom is taking me to the vet in the morning to have my eye looked at and to get some more medication for it. My right eyelid likes to droop some days allowing dust, pollen, and other irritants to get in my eye. I have been to the vet about this before and she said it was because my eyelid does not quite meet the curvature of my eyeball which allows those irritants to get in there creating the oozy mess. It's pretty minor as far as effecting me from doing my normal things. It doesn't bother me, it just looks bad. I just need more eye cream which is no biggie.
I think that about covers my day....Will blog again soon.
Love,
Cameron
Thursday, September 9, 2010
IFT News
Mom has gotten some news for me...I am going IFT in November! It is time for me to start this next chapter in my life on my own. I hope I do well. Mom thinks I am ready, so I believe her. The IFT dates for November are the 15th-18th. Spunky, a younger male lab, is also going IFT at the same time I am so mom will be taking us both back to the school then. I am ready to go, but I don't want to leave my mom. My mom will be getting another puppy when I go in, if there are some available, and she already knows his name..Wayne. The sponsor for Hugh has requested at the guide dog school that she raise his next puppy named in honor of his brother. She is excited for me to move forward in my training, but also for a new little bundle of fur to work with.
On another note, I got to go to the puppy obedience class today for the little ones in the group. Laura and I were both there to show SNAP and CW the ropes and to also serve as a distraction. Since Laura will be going IFT in October and I will be going IFT in November, every little bit of practice we can get in between now and then is good practice! We had a new raiser join us for the meeting and she got to work with me. I was still very focused on my momma, but I did pretty good for her. It was a good meeting though.
I will be going on a puppy swap for a little bit pretty soon to get some of my attachment for my momma out of my system, but I won't be gone long since she wants to spend some time with me before I go in. Spunky will be here in my place.
I think that is all for now and it is time for bed.
Love,
Cameron
On another note, I got to go to the puppy obedience class today for the little ones in the group. Laura and I were both there to show SNAP and CW the ropes and to also serve as a distraction. Since Laura will be going IFT in October and I will be going IFT in November, every little bit of practice we can get in between now and then is good practice! We had a new raiser join us for the meeting and she got to work with me. I was still very focused on my momma, but I did pretty good for her. It was a good meeting though.
I will be going on a puppy swap for a little bit pretty soon to get some of my attachment for my momma out of my system, but I won't be gone long since she wants to spend some time with me before I go in. Spunky will be here in my place.
I think that is all for now and it is time for bed.
Love,
Cameron
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