Masta Tracka

Ok well let me tell ya how today went! For those of you who know Grandpa Jerry you will completely understand what I am about to tell you! Today we tracked at a beautiful park full of woods, it looked just like my yard and I was really excited! Jeremy told Grandpa Jerry to go off in a direction and hide anywhere! Ok well Jerry went off and doubled back and did all sorts of twists and turns, not on any trail just through woods! I have the lead and Blue takes off like a bat out of H*** ok so he hits the end of the leash and spins around finally we get on the trail and Blue is everywhere, why because Jerry took Erik everywhere! We are totally tangled up in the debree, trees you name it! I am like "Are you freaking kidding me!!!!!" Ok so Blue gets on the scent and wow he found them! Blue is amazing! I have total confidence in Erik's dog!

Today at 4 Paws in obedience training with Jennifer Blue is like you know what I don't want to do another sit, down or anything you tell me to do! It was so funny, well I actually didn't find it funny at all while it was happening but looking back it was funny! He was like I am over school, it is time for spring break! I will have to take Blue out in the morning for a morning jog! This dog will help me get back in shape, YEAH and CRAP!

Well me and my dog Blue, oh this is Erik, I am kinda skittish of Blue unless we are in the car together! Then I am trying to beat up on him. Mom is chewing my butt out for it but Blue is there and I can reach him! Mom said she was going to move Blue to the back of the SUV if I wasn't nice to Blue. I would hate that, it is fun to have him around.

Blue LOVES to find me! Today Grandpa Jerry and I tried to get away from Blue and we couldn't No matter where I go Blue finds me, we even hid under a fallen tree that looked like a fort and he found me! Last night, Grandpa Jerry was taking Blue out to potty and I ran out the door down the hall! Blue was ready to come get me and mom could not convince him I was safe until we went and petted him and went back in the room! I am in so much trouble now! Blue will not let me out of his site! He loves tracking me so much that he tries tracking me when I run down the hall! Mom thinks this is great!! Man I am not so sure! Ok well it is time for dinner and I am hungry! Hiding is hard business and I need my energy! Hope all ya'll back home are having a good time, can't wait to bring Blue home to meet everyone!

In and Out Tracking!

Today was awesome!

I finally took the lead from Jeremy! Erik went off to hide with Papaw Jerry, no Monica. Monica is the person that usually hides for the dogs to track while they are training, our past tracks have included Monica. This means that Blue was tracking Erik's scent only not anyone else! Jeremy got me started off with Blue and off we went! Blue was dead on, he is absolutely amazing! I could not go as fast as Jeremy goes but I was able to read Blue some by myself and some with Jeremy's help - still want a lot more practice doing that - I just cannot express how comforting it is to know that when we get home I have the huge security blanket! I hope we never need to track Erik but I have a ton of confidence in Blue, I just have to work up confidence in me, which will just take practice!

After our morning outside track we went back to the mall did some public obedience work and then off to a mall track. Jeremy expresses how important it is to be dead on when you are in a store because you only have a short period of time for the scent because of the air system's and everything. He set up two small easy tracks and Blue aced both of them! Blue just keeps impressing me more and more everyday!

Hey everyone mom isn't feeling very well so I wanted to talk to ya'll for a minute! Training is hard work! Everyone is tired, including me. I will sit and watch Bob instead of dance around like I normally do! So ya'll getting ready to come to training, get your beauty sleep now.

My blue gets stupid/silly over his ball! He is stepping on my toes whenever he goes after his ball! I am learning to jump on the sofa if Blue come anywhere near me with a ball. I am starting to pet Blue but I pet hard so mom is trying to get me to be gentle. I have no idea why I can't bop him in the head? I bop myself in the head and it doesn't hurt at all! My mom is so strict. I am still trying to poke Blue in the eye but mom keeps catching me. Blue will let me do anything to him and he just licks me to death when he gets the chance it makes me laugh!

Mom finally has Blue doing his tricks! She is going to help me learn to do them! Mom thinks it is funny when we shoot Blue to play dead! I think it is funny when mom tells Blue to bark and he barks! He gets so excited, and when Blue gets excited you have to watch your toes!

I had fun hiding in the mall today! Blue kept finding me, then he was so excited that he acted like a crazy man and I was tethered to him! What was my mom thinking! Ok well we are going to bed so we can work hard again tomorrow! Blue and I are sending ya'll hugs and licks!!!

The Mall!!!

Today we practiced with Blue at the Mall! The Mall on SATURDAY!!! Thank God for Laura!!! She helped me figure out how to tether Erik and Blue and get untangled!!! She helped us figure out how to maneuver around, so by the time Jeremy came around to walk with us we totally looked professional! I was so proud of Blue and Erik! Blue rocked it, he heeled beautifully and did not get up when Erik pulled or tried to fight to get away! I am so impressed and again so amazed!!! Erik enjoyed holding onto his special leash and walking with Blue while he was tethered! I am in such awe! We can start going in Public and practicing with Blue now!!! YEAH!

Hey guys it's Erik again! I had an awesome day! I miss my Papaw he left today to go on a stupid Cruise, Oh well! My Gigi came up today and he pulled me in the wagon tonight and it was awesome, I love my wagon! Today my Blue and I walked around the Mall! I hate the Mall and I started freaking out as soon as we pulled in the parking lot! We got inside and I was MAD and then they attached me to Blue and I was like NOOOOOO!!! But it wasn't so bad! I have a leash where I get to hold onto Blue and we walked and walked and walked! I had so much fun! My Blue is awesome!

We had a pizza party tonight and had fun! My mom's friend Denise came and she brought me friends to play with! I miss Mrs Peg! She helped watch me and Blue while other people went and hid from their dogs! I get to go out in the woods again tomorrow and hang out with Blue! We love and miss you guys hope you are having fun!

Tracking!

Ok so I have to get online as soon as I get home from Training or else I cannot get online!

We started tracking yesterday and Jeremy jinxed Blue :)!! Jeremy picked up the tennis ball and put it in his pocket! Blue would track a big circle back to Jeremy's pocket! Blue is a ball junkie!!! He finally got on scent and found Erik! He has an awesome nose! I loved watching the other dogs track I was able to follow a few of them to get an idea of how a dog acts when they catch a scent!

For our track today I went with Monica and hid with Erik so Papaw could do a track before he leaves! WOW Blue was on it! We had barely gotten settled and Blue found us!!! I am so impressed by these dogs!!!

Blue is awesome! I cannot begin to tell you what these dogs can do! You guys fundraising keep it up it is soooooooo worth it! Blue knows a lot of tricks, he is a high strung dog and has tons of energy! The dogs can High 5, Give 5, Shake, Speak and Play Dead! The dogs are trained to nuzzle, kiss, touch, lap (head in lap) and Over (more of the dogs body on the child) Blue isn't much of a snuggler, he is all about the play! That is A-Ok with me as long as Blue tacks my boy and helps me keep a hand on him with the tether!

Speaking of tethering Blue is awesome! We attached Erik to Blue and Erik pulled and was a little perturbed that he couldn't get away he finally stopped and laid down on the ground! I will have to watch for him kicking Blue because he is frustrated with not being able to escape.

Erik and Blue are starting to bond! Blue is a little energetic on the lovin but Jeremy has told me some trick to help with that! Tomorrow we work on me controlling Blue in public so wish us luck if we do well we can start taking Blue out with us in the evenings.

Hey this is Erik I am having so much fun! Today they tied me to Blue that kinda stunk I couldn't get away!!! I fought a little, we will have to see how this works out! I am not sure I like being tethered. I love 4 Paws they have a kick butt playground and I have a new friend Sam! I got to go into the wood and hid with my mom today and my Blue found me!!! I got to give him Hot dogs and give him a tennis ball! Jeremy lets me kick and throw the ball for Blue after he finds me! I am a little worried I will not get any peace and quiet from mom now that Blue can find me when I try to go chill in the woods.

Well we are having out cook-out tonight with all our new friends so I am gonna go and play! I will tell you more about Blue tomorrow!

First Impressions

Finally we are online!!!

This is Erik's mom, All I can say is WOW!!! What an amazing and informative filled day we had yesterday! Erik met Blue it was such an amazing experience I cannot begin to put it into words. Blue has so much energy and is such a fun dog. I know he knows all the commands and such I am having to learn what he knows. It is tripping me out every time Jeremy makes a comment about the dogs and what will work them he always adds in "except Blue" haha! Robin keeps telling me Blue reminds her of Fred, heck Blue even peed in the training room our first day! I have learned when Blue whimpers, outside we go!

Blue is so full of life and is amazing. Last night I took Blue to dinner with us here at the hotel. Blue stayed in a down throughout dinner! More amazing then that was when we were leaving the room to go downstairs, I handed Erik his leash and he held the leash the whole way down the hall, the elevator and into the dinning area! For those of you how know my kid, this was amazing!!! No darting, running, or escaping! Just a child holding onto his dog. He wont do it outside but small steps. I cried when we got to dinner!

Hey mom has hogged the computer enough, I want to tell you all about my Blue! My Blue loves to play ball and will go after anything I throw!!! It is so much fun! Blue cornered me and gave me tons of kisses this morning and I laughed and laughed, it really tickled!

Blue rides beside me in the car, at first I was pushing him away but today I let him lay down at my feet and we just chilled while mom and papaw ran errands. Blue is the class clown like me! Mom even calls him "goofball" just like she calls me!! I snuck Blue some food last night during dinner! Mom figured out what I was doing and pulled my plate away but Blue was happy and that was all that mattered :)

Well we have tons of playing to do! Mom told me we are gonna go out in the woods tomorrow!! I am so excited! See we live in the woods and I miss playing outside a lot! I can't wait to tell ya'll about me and Blue chillin at the park tomorrow! We love all ya'll!!

Getting Ready to go to Ohio!

We are getting ready to go to Ohio!

Mom has kept me cooped up in the house while she packs and has made me go shopping for last minute stuff (I hate shopping) all weekend, it has been kinda boring! Finally today she let me play outside for a little while. We have bought some toys for Blue and made sure to have peanut butter for him! I am going to miss everyone especially my friends at school, but can't wait to bring Blue home for all ya'll to meet him! Heck, I can't wait to meet him!!!

We are headed to bed early so that we can leave early in the morning! It is going to be a long drive! Mom promises to stop and let me stretch my legs a bunch. I can't wait till Tuesday! We have to be at 4 Paws at 10am and then I get to hug and love on Blue and he will get to come home with us to the hotel! I will tell ya'll all about him and how exciting it was to meet him for the first time.

Talk to ya'll Tuesday! Have a great week!

Erik Finds Out About Blue

Last night I received and email from 4 Paws for Ability! It is the first email I have ever received my mom always get emails but never me! Ok enough about that. My mom clicked on the email for me and she started crying. She read me the email. To be honest with you I was trying to go watch Spongebob but she held me there and read the email to me and showed me a picture of my new Autism Assistance Dog! His name is Blue's Clues but everyone calls him Blue!

Now if you know me you know I try to talk but I only have a few words that I am able to say, I have learned some sign language but talking is hard. I have recently started saying "Dog" so mom kept pointing to Blue and saying "Erik's Dog, Erik's Dog Blue"! I started saying Dog whenever she would and mom kept encouraging me to say Blue. I finally tried it and said what sounds like "Boo"! My mom started crying again. Does your mom cry as much as mine does? Anyway, she keeps showing me Blue's picture and we are going today to make a few copies of it so I can have one at school and other places.

I get to meet Blue and go to training on September 23rd. Blue is in Ohio! We will be in Ohio for 13 days and mom and I started this blog so we could let everyone know about me and Blue! I want you to read the letter that Blue sent me! He loves peanut butter and so do I, we have so much in common already and we haven't even met yet. I can't wait to tell you all about Blue and all the fun thing we do together so keep checking back!

Hey Erik, My name is Blue and I am a boy, Black Lab. My real name is Blue's Clue's but they all call me Blue. I am a fun dog and can't wait to play with you. I hope you like to play ball and play the tracking game. Do you like to eat? I love to eat. I love hot dogs especially and Peanutbutter in my Kong. I love Tennis balls too! I want to go everywhere you go and do everything you do and play and play and play! Can I sleep in your room? Will you really, really be my best friend? I never had a best friend before and I have wanted one for so very long. Now it is almost the day you will come and meet me! Not long now. I am so very excited! Hurry up my best buddy ever and get here so we can start having fun! xoxoxoxoxo Blue