As pretty much figured, the snow came and went as quick as wink... and we were back into spring mode. And, almost as quick, it's another check in day at NEADS.... Logan all loaded up and ready to hit the road.
She is doing amazing with her work, so I quick meeting at the campus and we were heading out to tackle the big city. First stop was the train and bus station. It's noisey, busy, smelly and all those wonderful things to test a "service dog" frame of mind. Logan takes it all in stride and almost seems bored when I ask her to pose for her picture....
She's working on some of the service dog commands... things like under, threw, jump and up.... Up means to just put your front two feet up and wait until you are told to do something else. Standing like this take a bit of patience, but we're getting it.....
Sitting beside this statue seems easy enough, but I'll tell you this has done more than one service puppy in training in. Some dogs really do not like statuses that seem so human like and yet they're not. Again, Logan take the "would you just hurry with your silly camera so we can move on".. look....
The biggest test of all today was the glass elevator. Logan hasn't done too many elevators in general, because I just don't have them in my day to day life. She walked on very nicely... sat and waited. When it first moved she stood up, not too sure of what she should do about that. But I just told her to sit, and she did.... once she could see out the "window" I think she found the whole thing kind of cool. We went up and down several times, and she sat and seemed to just enjoy the view.
After a few trips though, she decided it was just as good to take a little rest...... Annie is so happy with her work (as I am) and there is little doubt that she won't pass as a good service dog!!!
Annie's dog, Mattie came along with us. Sometimes it's nice to have a seasoned dog with you in case a puppy is worried about something. I think Logan appreciated the company of Mattie, but she certainly do not "need" her today....
And of course, any attention and good dog pats from well wishers are always appreciated... which, we do allow when the puppies have done a good job...
As we were hiking about the city, we found a section where a good deal of construction was going on. We thought this would be another good test... loud equipment, uneven surfaces for walking..... people yelling.. the noise the cars make....
but Logan... saw it as just another walk about
Working over uneven ground.... rough surfaces...
no problems....
In the parking garage we worked the stairs. Taking them at different pace... sometimes moving quickly.. sometimes slow.. sometimes stopped. She took all her clues perfectly and worked as a team member....
After a busy day, we headed towards the car... she walks perfectly, obeys each command and is just the best girl ever....
Back in the truck, it's time to head home and check off another successful visit.... I have to think that they're probably aren't too many left for her and I.. and she'll be called back for her advance training to begin..
but today.. she's is heading back to the farm, and we will enjoy the days and training time we have left....
I guess since winter didn't show up in 'winter"... spring would be just as good a time to arrive. And while it is far from unusual to get some spring snow... it can be a bit depressing when you have already sat and had coffee in the sun on the deck... thinking of the good weather and that the snows are behind you....
But the good thing about spring storms, is they don't stick around long, and they don't have that mean punch that winter storms have. So...... I've decided to enjoy this (more than likely) last of the snow and do some picture taking instead....
I do have to say though, I'm not much of a gardener... I'd like to be, but plants and I... we don't seem to work well together. So, I have been quite excited to see that the bulbs I planted last fall had made an appearance... and now to see them covered with snow......
Everyone tells me that they're hardy... that they will come threw this just fine.... but they seem to look so sad.....
Camille is on "walk duty"... she had a flare up with her back - which she hurt four years ago - so, we got to enjoy some snow walks.... she doesn't seem to mind, and with her 13th birthday just around the corner.. she's seen all of this before....
Henry, on the other hand.... finds this all new... but I think he enjoyed it. He's been going outside more and more.. and even though I am still the "nervous" Mother.. I do like our cats going outside. We have them to do mouse duty, and watch over the farm.. plus I'm not the "cat box type person"... so, now that he's bigger.. he's been going out pretty much everyday. He doesn't stay out long.... but that will change as he gets older I am sure
Logan, Rosie and Cole.... these puppies don't mind the snow at all, and in fact, have such a great time all running about.....
Spring will be back soon.... and there will be cooking out and enjoying the deck.... and for today..
The woodstove is keeping the house warm and cozy........
Most Fridays, I head south and check in on the family.. but this week, Livy and I had a therapy dog visit to do in the morning. So Kass decided that she, Reagan and Calvin would come up to see us. It was a beautiful spring day... the kind that reminds you the good weather is coming... and we were just so happy to play outside.
Reagan has discovered the "4 wheeler" and he just loves to come and drive it around the farm. It's so nice that we have all this room (and safe areas) that he can pretty much go where ever he chooses.....and he did just that.
Up and down the drive way several times...
and even following me all the way to end while I got the mail. I just love having the "kids" around.. this farm was meant for family!!!!!
Amanda, Braydon and Bailee came to visit too.... Bailee was so happy to come here as a visitor and not a client.. usually her Mom drops her off to be boarded.. so to come and play with Banjo and Charlie and run around the farm was a real treat for her....
She was pretty happy to meet the horses up close and personal......
Reagan got tired of (actually used up the battery) on the four wheeler... but not to worry, because Papa's tractor was sitting right in the door yard... so he just transferred to that....
He, of course, didn't actually drive it around the farm.. but in all honesty.. it isn't going to be very long before he can really drive it......
After playing, it was time for a little break and a snack. The sun was laying so nicely on the back deck.. so we all moved out there. Calvin and Braydon enjoyed some tummy time.....
Reagan was busy moving his trucks around......
and after the "big four wheeler".. this little "house four wheeler" really isn't doing "it" anymore... I can remember when Abi was playing on this little wheeler.. than Reagan.. and now both have outgrown it.. and it waits for Calvin....
Manda... Reagan and Braydon..... it was so much fun to have them come to visit.. we plan on doing more of these over the summer time....
Saturday morning, we decided it was time to get the deck into summer mode. Because we were working on it most of last summer, we didn't really get the chance to enjoy it... but this year will be different... I plan on lots of deck time, cookouts and the like....
We had ordered a storm door for the pantry door last fall... and what I really like, it has a doggie door in it.. so hopefully, I can get the doggies to be using it. They will be able to go in and out onto the deck and in time... down to the dog yard....
Henry was very curious about all the activity.. both in the deck projects and the doggies playing in the yard....
School break is next week, so we have a number of "guests" here (and coming) to the farm. The big dog yard is so nice and even better are the groups that play so well together. There will be tired doggies tonight!!!
The door turned out to be a fairly easy project...
and with a nice screen, it can be opened and bring light and air into the pantry.....I wonder if the older dogs will remember a doggie door, we had one in the other house, but it's been a lot of years since they used one.... time will tell!!!!
After we finished.. we went out to buy some nice deck furniture... and tomorrow we'll get the top back on the screen house and get the new furniture out there...
and deck weather is officially in progress....
Logan was spayed this past week, so she is on quiet time... but she's bored... thankfully Henry keeps her entertained.....
