Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Feline Companions?

Some of you may be thinking - what is with all the cat pictures on this supposedly Canine Companions blog. But I just couldn't leave him out and he seems to be a bit of a ham for the camera. Icarus is quite the wheelchair cat - as in this picture it is not unusual to find him riding around on the back of a wheelchair. He really is a unique cat. Having grown up around Ezra, he thinks he is a dog. He often carries around q-tips and lays next to the dogs with their bones and chews on the q-tip! I am a little concerned for what might happen if he ever comes across a non-CCI dog because he honestly thinks he is a dog and a dominate one at that!!

Keaton's first week of kindergarten!

Keaton has done a great job as a service dog. The kids at Gage East really like him and ask me lots of questions about him. His name is a little hard for kindergarteners who have called him everything including "Kledus", Keathon", and oddly enough even "Caitlyn"! I have my own work space this year which means Keaton gets to use his new bed that was made for him by CCI puppy raisers. The bed even has his name on it! Keaton has done really well retrieving items for me at work and turns on and off the light in my room. The light is actually up pretty high and Keaton can JUST reach it. He has also been really good in the lunch room. He stays calm and isn't distracted by all the noise and food.

Kennel Time



My cat thinks he is a dog!! Here is a picture of Keaton sleeping in his kennel and Icarus crawled in to join him. Actually all three of the animals love the kennel. Although Keaton sleeps in it in the evening, I leave the door open during the day and both Keaton and Ezra will wonder in and lay down. One day last week both Ezra and Keaton tried to fit in the kennel at the same time - needless to say there was sitting/crouching room only and it didn't last long!

Keaton, the black sheep.

Although the dogs got along fine, Keaton was a little reserved during our visit to the Crable house. Ezra and George played really hard the entire time.
Here is a picture of the three of them.

Pack Play



Here are some pictures of the dogs at the Crable house. I know that Ezra was in good hands while I was at CCI because when we pulled in the drive way he recognized the house and was wagging his tail like crazy. Here are some pictures of Ezra and Keaton with their favorite Labradoodle George. (FYI: George's name was inspired by the character on Grey's Anatomy.)


Hanging out under the table



Keaton and Icarus getting quite well. We have even spotted Icarus laying around the house crossing his front paws - Keaton style. The two of them often lounge around together.

Keaton and Frog



Keaton's puppy raiser Marty passed along this frog stuffed animal. This was Keaton's favorite toy as a puppy. Since he has been in Minnesota his favorite toy seems to be tennis balls or anything he can retrieve.

Dogopoly Anyone?



I got this game as a gift last year and have enjoyed many monopoly tournaments. Part of the proceeds from this game go to CCI! There is even a card featuring a golden retriever and the player is rewarded money for "helping the handicapped". The two properties that are worth the most are golden retriever and labrador retriever!

The Boys


Keaton fits right in with Ezra and Icarus. Ezra and Keaton even share the same dog bed. Icarus mainly just pesters both of them. Icarus's favorite new game is sitting on a kitchen chair and swatting at Keaton when he walks by.

Extreme Close Ups


A Visit from Cohyn


Misty came over with Cohyn and Keaton was very excited and wanted to be as close as possible to Cohyn. I was more than a little nervous that Keaton was going to knock Cohyn over, but he was happy just laying next to him.

Ezra and Keaton

It has been a BIG change going from Sharon and Ezra to Sharon and Jeremy and Ezra and Icarus and Keaton. So much has happened in the last year! Ezra has really done well in the last two weeks. He has adjusted to staying at home during the week. I wasn't sure how it would all work out, but he really seems to be enjoying life as a retired dog. He no longer tries to sneak out the door with us when Keaton and I leave - instead he looks up briefly and then goes back to napping.

Ezra and Keaton actually get along and enjoy going for walks together and occassionally rough house. I have worked hard since last spring to make this a smooth transition for Ezra and I do feel that it is paying off.

Saturday, September 02, 2006

While I was away . . .



While I was working hard at CCI team training Ezra stayed with his favorite dog sitters - Misty, Dave, and Cohyn. He got a lot of play time with George the labradoodle and even went swimming! Here are some photos of Ezra taking a dip.

Friday, September 01, 2006

I couldn't resist

I couldn't help but add a few of my favorite pictures from class that didn't get put on the web earlier. I am also going to try to add some new photos of Keaton and Ezra at home. Life with two dogs has been a little challenging, but seems to get easier every day!