Halloween Fun

What a great time we had yesterday when some of our friends came over and goofed off with us! We made such fun food like a Snake Sandwich, Ghost cookies, Gollum Guts, a Grave Yard with the kids names on cookie grave stones and so much more! We carved pumpkins, played football and went on a fall hike through the woods! Check out the slide show of our Halloween Fun!!!

There were 4 families here and the kids were amazing! Laura, Mark, Justice, Riley and Finn came and brought Zoro! They also brought Pumpkins to carve! We did a practice track with Zoro! Laura talking Zoro up to get him ready to track Justice (she had said earlier in the day that Zoro doesn't get excited over much and that he didn't pull like Blue does in a track)! Well Zoro decided to prove her wrong! Zoro took off like a bat out of H*** and Laura totally about biffed it! I saw feet, legs and arms flailing! You should have seen it, it was soooo funny! I have to give Laura kudos's she didn't do a face plant and she held onto the leash! She used a line out of one of Jeremy's stories, when they got back from the track she said "I no let go"!

Kelly, Carter and Connor also came and they were able to watch Zoro's track and one of Blue's tracks! They are going to get Carter a dog from 4 Paws in Dec!!! We cannot wait! Connor and Mark had so much fun playing football and Justice was learning to punt! Carter came baring his Vampire teeth and looking cute as could be, and Kelly said she was dressed up for Halloween as a redneck girl, she looked adorable in her overalls!

My friend Donna her daughter Rachel and son Jonathan came up from Warner Robins to hang out with us and I am so glad she was able to make it! Her son Jonathan has autism and goes to school with Erik! He has many of the same issues Erik has and it was awesome that she got so see a track! They are considering fundraising for a dog for Jonathan! Rachel learned that she likes lizards! The two girls at the party, Rachel and Riley, were the ones playing with the lizards! Laura caught 2 baby lizards and the girl ran around half the day with lizards attached to their shirts! They were so cute! Rachel wants a lizard for a pet now!

Papaw is officially the kiddo whisperer! All the kids loved my dad and he helped watch all of them! He pushed them around in the car when the batteries died and baby Finn and papaw are best buddies since Ohio!

Speaking of my dad we did two amazing tracks with Blue yesterday! The first track Blue hit the scent and off he went, he took off so quickly we left some of our followers behind, he didn't veer to the right or the left he just tracked straight to Dad and Erik it was so awesome and really renewed my faith in Blue! I had really wanted Donna and Kelly to see a track so after Blue rested and chilled out we did another track! I told dad I wanted to do a short track because I didn't want to over do it with Blue! Dad took off back towards the subdivision where we had our not so good track! I waited a few minutes and off we went with Blue! By the way, don't track in Croc's! They fall off when your dog takes off!

Blue was on the scent then he kind of lost it and went in circles and came back to me! I let him work it out and got him motivated again! He hit the scent after a few diversions and off he went! Blue drug me through the path into the subdivision and drug me up the street! He did some air scenting at one point and got directly on the track again and pulled me through a gully and up a hill! Donna and Kelly are thinking that he isn't on the trail, they told me afterward, because this was supposed to be a short track! We came out of the woods onto one of our trails behind my house and Blue pulled me to Erik! He was dead on it the whole way! Donna and Kelly were totally amazed! Dad had done a circle and made it a longer track then I had planned on, and one I had no idea which path they had taken! I am doing a lot better at trusting Blue and letting him lead me as well as shutting up and letting him work things out! He did amazing! Way to go Blue!

Blue Goes to South GA

This weekend we went to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Dexter, GA! It was really nice to see them, we haven't seen them since January! About 4 months ago my Aunt was diagnosed with the return of her cancer and the Dr's said it was in 11 spots in her body. The prognosis was not good but with treatment the Dr's believed they could buy her 3-4 years. She recently finished the treatment and went for a check-up and she is in remission! It is a complete miracle and we are all so excited!

It was not a very fun trip for Blue but he did good! Most of the time we stayed in the house and he had very little outside play time. I was nervous taking him outside because they have had some incidents of rattle snakes around the area. Blue is starting to behave better for me! We need to work on his obedience for my parents. They just need to practice with him! My parents just returned from a cruise to the Greek Isles and had a wonderful time! They have some amazing pictures and video! I will try to post a link to their pictures once I have them up!

We have tried some practice tracks with Blue that have been a little rocky. We did a track in a subdivision and Blue couldn't keep on the scent and seemed to just give up! We tried to coax him up and get him back on scent but it didn't go well. We also tried a track in south GA. Blue back tracked to the beginning of the track and I couldn't get him to leave the area! He drug me down a path that Erik didn't take but ultimately we made it to Erik with a lot of direction and talking up! I think we are going to have to up the reward at the end, and keep practicing! Please pray I do the right thing! Blue knows how to track and all his obedience I just have to work with him and keep him interested in tracking.

Hey ya'll!!! I got to go see my Aunt Shirley this weekend and play with my cousins! I had a good time! They have a cool tree swing that I love to swing on! Mom just wont push me as long as I want her too! Mom made Blue lay down in the grass near us while I swung in the swing! If I could have figured out how to fit Blue on the swing with me I would have let him swing too! They also have a trampoline! Mom said Blue wouldn't like to jump with me, but I think she is wrong! Blue loves to jump! Mrs Laura thinks that Blue is part Kangaroo!!!

I am so excited!!! This weekend we are having my friends Justice and Riley, and Blue's friend Zoro come over and play with us! Mom is making Halloween food (I hope it isn't anything like last year's bat wings, YUCK) and we are going to play and eat! Hope ya'll have a great week and have a lot of FUN!! Blue and I will talk to ya'll soon!!!

Anna, Momma, Erik and Blue

Erik's day at the Lamberts!

I learned that Blue can fish!!!

I went to bed early last night because I was soooo tired! I want to tell you all about me new friends Justice and Riley! We went over to their house yesterday to play and I had so much fun! They have a big back yard with a tree house, swing set with a fort, and a Koi pond! Well Blue and I loved the Koi pond! I liked to throw things in the pond and Blue, well, mom got really mad at Blue! Blue and I were playing outside when Blue decided to get in the Koi pond! He was completely standing in the pond and I guess he was fishing because when mom caught him he had his entire head dunked under the water! It was so funny! Mrs Laura said that she laughed so hard she about pee'ed on herself!

Justice is really cool and he loves Star Wars! He even played light saber with me! We ran around the yard together! Oh and Riley well she is a puzzle master! She even beat my mom at a puzzle putting together contest, and she is really pretty (don't tell anyone I told you that)!We did so much stuff, we slid down the slide, played in the tree house! It has a trap door and you can even raise the stairs so no one can get inside! It is built around a tree! I liked going out on the tree house porch and having Mrs. Laura pull me in through the window!

I can't wait to see my friends again! Justice even has a dog, like me! His dog's name is Zorro! Blue loved playing with Zorro! Mom says we are going to go hiking with Justice and Riley soon! I can't wait!

Today was a lazy day! We took Blue outside and played with him on his new leash! I wouldn't really throw the ball for Blue! Mom wanted me too and said it would help me and Blue become better friends! Blue is crazy with the ball so I just played around while mom threw Blue his toys! Then our friends Larry, Ann and Sara (another pretty girl) come over! We got to play with my toys and mom showed Sara how to play I Spy on the computer! I hate the stupid computer! I would rather be playing outside! Well it is my bedtime and mom didn't get around to giving Blue a bath after his fishy swim so she wants to turn the computer off and start that before it is too late! This should be fun! I will tell ya'll about it tomorrow!

Saturday with the Lamberts!

What we have learned from Blue: Do not gently toss the Kong after you put peanut butter inside! It gets very messy!

We had an amazing day today! We went over to Laura, Mark, Ricky, Justice, Zorro, Riley and Finn's house! Zorro and Blue got to play outside all day and wore each other out! They were so funny, they would both try to get one of the large squeaky tennis balls and both be holding onto it at the same time! For those of you who know Zorro, I actually saw him running around and active!

We had a rough Friday and I called Jeremy, I was very frustrated! Blue was not listening at all and when I put him in a down for the children at Erik's school to come up and pet him, he would roll over on his back and kick his paws in the air! He almost kicked a kid in the face! Jeremy told me it is going to be extremely important for Blue to get his puppy energy out! So we are trying to figure out a way to afford a fence! I brought him home Friday morning and hooked him up to the 100ft leash and wore him out! We played for almost an hour and the leash worked perfectly! I can throw one of Blue's toys a little over 100ft, don't ask how I know that :)

We have done a few more tracks, the second one I messed up! I did everything Jeremy told us not to do. I had a friend of ours go and hide with Erik in the woods! As soon as Blue and I got outside and I started pepping him up and hooking him to his lead, the bottom falls out of the sky and we are getting soaked! Blue took a few minutes to get going he kept going around me in circles! Then he finally started out and was on the scent! Then we got to a point and he lost it and was circling! He started slightly pulling me in one direction, well the direction he was pulling me was straight towards my mom's dogs! I took a few steps in the direction I though Erik had gone and I started arcing Blue again and he pulled back the direction towards the other dogs! I kept confusing him, he finally stopped and looked at me, I pepped him back up and convinced him to go in the direction I wanted him to go! He did make it too Erik but they had gone a completely different direction! So when Jeremy tells you that you will cheat on tracks, he is sooo right! I learned a really good lesson, trust my dog!

We did a track today at Laura's! Mark went with me to see a track and Laura hid with Erik! I started Blue out and he went directly where Erik had gone, but with the direction of the wind we overshot the exact path! When we got to the other side of these rocks, Blue lost the scent! I just let him work it out and he went in a few different directions but never pulled me! I got him restarted once, then he ran up through some bushes and hit the scent, then he was on it! You could honestly tell when Blue was on the scent! It was amazing the difference! Mark even noticed when Blue hit it, and this was his first time seeing a track! Way to go Blue! He knows exactly what he needs to do! I have to keep practicing!

Well hope all of ya'll are having a great weekend! Will keep you posted on Erik and Blue! Hugs and Puppy Kisses!

First at Home Track!

Today was supposed to be our first at home track! Well it rained all day! Then about dinner time it finally cleared up! Well Erik has been sick the past few days so I didn't want to have him outside in the rain to do a track and now it's dark!

Since it turned into a nice night Jerry was like lets do a practice track! I was like it's dark! He said lets do it anyway! So off Erik and him went! They walked to the end of my drive way turned to the right and then walked to the turning point of my parents driveway! I was so nervous! I got all of Blue's tracking stuff and we went outside! I was talking Blue up while I was hooking him up then I told him to track! He was so excited for a few seconds that he just ran in a circle around me but then when I told him to track again off he went!

Blue booked it to the end of my drive way and made the right turn about 1/2 way up my parents driveway he lost the scent for a second! Now mind you it is pitch black out here! There is no street lights, we live on 11 acres and the sky is cloudy so there is no moonlight, Oh and Blue is black! So I cannot see him at all when he is about at the 1/2 length of the lead. I feel him slack up so I stop he sniffs around takes off towards the woods, hits the end but does not pull me, then he gets back on the drive way and still isn't committed then he takes off again pulling me the whole way and goes straight to Erik and Jerry!

We are so excited! He did an amazing job and in the dark no less! Our first at home track was successful!

What I Learned from Blue Today!

I learned that Blue can down a whole Peanut Butter Sandwich and a few Potato Chips in less than 3 seconds!

Well! I called Jennifer just to make sure Blue would not get extremely sick or anything from the contraband sandwich, she said he may have diarrhea and to not feed him dinner! I will be giving Jeremy a call in a few days to figure out how to handle the sandwich thief!

Hey this is Erik and my mom has hogged my blog the past few days and I haven't gotten to say anything! My mom is such a chatter box! Ok well Blue came home to GA with us! I thought we were going to leave him at the hotel but mom put him in the car with us! I got in a bunch of trouble because I keep trying to poke Blue's eyes! Blue went everywhere with us, even into the gas stations! Everybody thinks Blue is cool so we have people stop to talk to us all the time!

Sunday was a bad day! I wanted to stay at home and play all day in my yard! I have missed my woods so much but mom wanted to run stupid errands! Blue didn't want to run errands either! We made mom cut her errand running short and bring us home! YEAH! I got to take a walk with my Blue in the woods! He was sniffing everything!

I wasn't feeling good this morning so mom kept me home from school! I really wanted to go to school and show off Blue! Mom said we will do that tomorrow since I am obviously feeling better! Today at lunch mom made me my favorite, a peanut butter sandwich! I usually dance around and watch Spongebob and eat my snacks! I turned around to watch Spongebob and when I turned back around Blue had eaten my sandwich! I went and told mom! Mom put Blue in the crate and made me another sandwich, I ate this one really fast so Blue could come back out and play!

Tomorrow I get to go back to school I am so excited! Mom is going to bring Blue for a little while so I will get to show him off to all my friends! I will tell ya'll all about it tomorrow! Have a great night!

Home

Well, we survived the 12 hour drive home with Erik and Blue! They both did great, I was so proud of them. Blue laid around and slept in the back of the SUV for most of the trip and Erik watched Spongebob and he actually didn't squeal out too often!

Every where we stopped on the trip home was great and we only had one person tell us we couldn't have pets in the store and was totally cool with it when I told him Blue was a service dog! When we got home I was so excited because my fat chow Ray just laid down in front of her garage and had not intention of getting her butt up and running to see me at 11pm. Until Jerry (Ray and Jerry are tight) called her up! I was like CRAP! I was just about to get Blue out of the car, soooooooooooo I didn't get to introduce them the way I wanted too. Ray came up and Blue was so excited to see another dog! Ray was not so excited, she growled, I corrected her and hurt her feelings, but then I loved on her and Blue and Ray or totally cool together!

I tried to put Blue in bed with Erik! Oh and yeah Erik has a single bed! Blue jumped right up and curled into a ball at the foot of the bed, BUT (isn't there always one of these) Erik was like UHHHH TOY!!! The two of them decided to tag team me, Erik and Blue would both get up and come find me, so I would put them both back in bed, finally Erik decided that mom meant business and stayed in bed harassing Blue! Blue came and stood in the doorway to my bedroom and gave me a "you got to be kidding me" look! So I put an old baby quilt down on the floor beside Erik's bed and told Blue place! He actually stayed! Once Erik got to sleep I got Blue to jump up on Erik's bed! Then in the middle of the night when Erik came and snuck in my bed Blue decided he had it made and I found him in Erik's bed all alone this morning!

Today on the other hand was a freaking mad house! Blue looked around didn't smell Jeremy or Jennifer and was like Ohhhh you are so not the boss of me! So round and round we went! That wouldn't have been so bad if Erik hadn't decided that He was home in his woods and he was going to pretend he was deaf whenever mom tried to call him.

Oh and since we needed dog food and some other junk we went to Pet Co! Erik didn't want to shop and Blue wanted to play so tethering fell to pieces so I grabbed Erik up and threw his butt in a cart and Blue was like ummm you cant do that to me and I want to go shopping down this isle (always the isle I had no intention of going down)! OH AND FREAKIN CAT PPL! (I'll save those stories for another post!)! We made it home and I decided to introduce Blue to the Shi Zu's! That went well actually until I had 4 dogs and 1 kid in my parents house trying to feed everyone! No on was listening, I couldn't get any ones name correct I have water and dog food everywhere! SO when I finally get it all together get everyone fed and put in their places, I grab a beer and sit down and watch Spongebob with Erik!

Well I am going to put my kid and dog to bed, lets see how many pop up butts I have tonight! I am planning on keeping the blog going! I am actually going to start post of what I am learning from Blue, that should be interesting! Hope you keep checking back with us! We are going to do our first practice track Tuesday! Hugs and love to you all!

The Stars Shined!

Wow this is going to be an incredibly personal and emotional post!

To every September Star and every person that works at 4 Paws we love you and are going to miss you so much!

Lisa Beth! You, J-Bugs, Ty and Indy: Ya'll are amazing and I am so glad we finally met! One day we are going to get to hang out and have dinner! I loved the Bourbon Slushies, we will have to do that again as well! Wow girl I have so much to say to you! I will do that in person!

Heather! You have the sweetest family and I can't imagine one step of this journey without ya'll! I am so glad you are a dog person now, hey you even handled Blue! We will stay in touch and whenever you guys come through Atl you have to call me and stop by!

Samantha! What can I say, we just love ya'll and I know we will stay in touch and ya'll will be coming to visit us! Dad sends his love from Greece! I am so sorry I ruined Tristen from ever eating Apples again!

Casey and your whole crew! You guys ROCK and are so much fun! Brenna we love you, Erik thinks his Brenna is the best! Make sure to give my Katie Lady Bug hugs from us!

Janice! Ya'll are just too cute! I am so glad Andrew and Ava are bonding! I am waiting for that pic of a fluffy Ava! Hugs sweetie we will chat again soon!

Kirsten! Olivia and Chase are precious together! I will miss Blue and Chase wrestling! One day we will have to have that glass of wine together! I can't wait to hear all the ways Chase keeps Olivia safe!

Andy! You are a total welcome addition to our class! We didn't know you before but are glad you joined! Thanks for your help with Blue and enjoy your new home in DC! Keep up the good work with Tylor he is an amazing kiddo and I am so glad he is doing so well! You are a great mom!

Sassy! We didn't get to see you guys much but I hope Ethan has a great ride home with Koia and that she brings him peace and happiness! You aren't that far girl, we are here if you need anything!

Mary! Matthew is so stinking cute and he and Potter make the best team! I am going to miss him yellin "POTTER SIT"! Ya'll give us a holla when you come through Atl! I cannot wait to hear more Matthew/Potter stories! Hopefully Potter will keep sitting on Matthew when he tries to escape!

Sara! I am so sorry Leaf is sick! Jacob and Leaf are such a cute match and we just love Irene to pieces! She is beautiful! I will keep my eyes open for any kids hanging out in hotel hallways! Take care you guys!

Jeremy and Jennifer! Ya'll have a very special place in our heart for so many reasons! I can't thank ya'll enough for loving these special kids and training special dogs! You both have the patience of Job even when kids are screaming BYE BYE when you are trying to talk or untying your shoes! You are both welcome at our home anytime, you have an open invitation (Connor, Brody and Angel are welcome as well)! I can't even begin to say everything my heart wants to say to ya'll! We just Love you and Thank you!

Karen! Thanks for your vision of starting 4 Paws and helping children and homeless puppies like Blue! Again I could fill pages with the thanks my heart holds for you! 4 Paws is an amazing place and if I can ever be of help or if you ever need a parent to spread the word or talk to anyone let me know, I am there!

4 Paws Staff! There are a ton of you and you each hold a special place in mine and Blue's heart! You can just see the love he has for ya'll! You guys have a very special job and what you do everyday helps make dreams possible and changes the lives of each family that has received a dog from ya'll everyday! Ya'll ROCK! We love ya!!!!

Ok well today was a great day every September Star shined and 4 Paws shined! Many of our new friends are headed home or staying one more night in Ohio! We wish you all safe traveling! Jeremy hope you feel better! I am so excited all our puppies have their official super hero badge, that's what each of them are super hero's! You are all amazing parents and ya'll each have amazing kids! I can't wait to see how the kid/dog relationships bloom! Hugs, Love and Puppy Licks to you all!

Last Day of Training!

Erik giving Blue Suggies!

Wow I cannot believe that today was our last day of training! Tomorrow is our Public Access Test at the mall. I am a little nervous! Blue has been doing so great though, he even does stairs beautifully (he doesn't pull you up them or yank you down them)! We just love Jennifer and Jeremy but I am so nervous with them grading us! Blue is so in love with them he acts like a fool when they come around! It is actually kind of cute, he gets this look of adoration in his eyes whenever Jennifer enters the room.

Today we went on a Track with just us and Ajax's family. We both live in a heavily wooded area so Jeremy took us to the park where Papaw Jerry did his double back, over-under tree track! Samantha, Ajax and Tristen's mom hid with Erik so we could make sure Blue is tracking Erik not Erik and Papaw Jerry. I sat in front of the truck and didn't watch which way my kid went! Blue is a tracking freak! Jeremy mixed it up for us and sent Sam and Erik on some twist and turns! Blue followed their track to a T! I am so excited, I read Blue and followed him and didn't second guess him! I learned how to do a line check and make sure Blue was pulling me so I knew we were going in the right direction!

I almost cried today when I was thanking Jeremy for choosing Blue to be Erik's dog and training them to track! Blue isn't an Erik sitter by any stretch of the imagination (I think Blue might try to convince Erik to go hide just so he can track him), but knowing I have a second set of eyes and 1 outstanding nose on my side is a huge relief as well as knowing that when I tether Erik to Blue I can at least turn my back for a second and look at something when shopping or even venture out and go to a fair or amusement park. We can do things that I would have never attempted before Blue!

I am remembering the first day at 4 Paws! We are all sitting in this huge room and all waiting for them to bring out our dogs. We had gone over to Blue's cage and he looked so sad in there and didn't really react much! Then when Jen (one of the handlers) brought him out to us, Blue was like a wild child! Jen had to sit with us and hold onto Blue! I was not so sure about this dog! If you had asked me if I thought Blue would work out as our service dog I would have said "I am not sure he is a little hyper"! That afternoon we brought Blue back to the hotel and he was a different dog, we totally fell for him! He was still hyper but a sweet controllable hyper! Then off to 4 Paws we go the next day and he was like a crazy dog again! We are so in love with this dog! He is the sweetest dog and just the perfect match for Erik!

My mom is so mushy, YUCK! Blue laid his head on my lap and gave me suggies when we were in the car going to 4 Paws this morning! I was like WHAT ARE YOU DOING! I am a little cranky in the morning, like my mom we are not morning people! Blue just hung out with me, then tonight when we were running errands Blue laid down under my feet and I rested my feet on him, we were both happy. I like to play with Blue's paws the are so rough on the bottom, Blue isn't sure he likes me playing with his paws but if he is really tired from finding me or playing ball he doesn't seem to mind! Wish my mom luck tomorrow, she has to pass some kind of test so we can bring Blue home and he can be my new best friend and go everywhere with me! Bye Bye

Another Manic Wednesday at 4 Paws

Today was pretty cool! We started out our morning with Jennifer at the training center and Blue was amazing! I took him outside and played ball for about 30 minutes before class started and he got out all his extra energy and I had a whole new dog in class, he was sooo obedient! Then we went tracking! Jeremy let us do almost everything! He was there to guide us if we needed it but he stood back and watched! Lisa Beth aka Tink hid with Erik so we could mix up scents and Blue was dead on! I seconded guessed him and almost didn't follow him down the right path but I will guarantee that will not happen again this dog is amazing!

Guys ya'll getting ready for training I am not kidding when I tell you to get your beauty sleep and be prepared for a whirl wind of a ride! It is a ton and I mean a ton of information! I had other mom's say it is overwhelming but I had no idea how overwhelming! The dogs are awesome and they know all the stuff they need to know, you just have to learn it while learning how to handle a dog and taking care of your kid at the same time! I have dogs and have trained them so I thought this wouldn't be easy! Get your exercise also! Jeremy and Jennifer are in amazing shape from handling 100+ pound dogs all the time and they and the dogs will run circles around ya!

I learned a little about how to track from Blue today! I wore a UGA jacket while tracking and my car keys fell out of the pocket! We are in a huge nature area and my keys are gone! I start walking the path that Blue and I tracked Erik down and about the spot where Tink and Erik hid there were my keys! I think Blue was proud of me!

Ok ya'll my dog Blue is HYPER! He loves his ball! I start saying "Uhh, Uhh" every time he runs by me with a ball because I know what it feels like to be knocked over and stepped on when Blue has ball on the brain! I am starting to love on my Blue! Last night I gave Blue treats by myself! Mom usually has to hold my hand open while Blue takes his treats and I just laugh because it tickles! Last night mom gave me a treat and I held my hand open for Blue to take his treat! I will give Blue suggies when he isn't looking because if he notices me leaning towards him he starts licking me all over!

Oh Aunt Laura! I sat with my mom today while Jeremy was talking about boring stuff like how to brush Blue's teeth and I started screaming "Bye, Bye" to anyone who walked past me! I knew you would be proud of me!

Mom is scared because tomorrow is the last day of training and then Friday she and Blue have to take a test! She isn't scared of the test so much as having to leave 4 Paws and not having Jennifer and Jeremy to help her. I keep giving her suggies and letting her know that it will all be great and that Blue and I will behave for her, we promise :)! Ok well it's dinner time and I am ready to eat! Talk to ya'll tomorrow!