Tonight after puppy class we decided to go to Mimi’s for dinner. Bill needed to go back to work and it has been a while since we ate at Mimi’s. This was Casey’s first time in regular restaurant. Banta settled right down as the veteran puppy in training that she is. Casey had a much harder time. She spent most of her time trying to find something interesting on the floor. They have patterned carpet and I think this confused her. She is still struggling with the garbage mouth thing. Sometimes I call her “Hoover” because she is so determined to go after things on the floor.
Category Archives: Casey
BSA Adventure Base 100
Today we went to the traveling exhibit that the Boy Scouts of America has put together to celebrate their 100th anniversary. It was set up in the parking lot west of South Towne Mall. For the end of September it was very hot and Casey’s black fur and young age made it a bit hard on her. Banta handled the heat fine. They both enjoyed lots of attention from visitors and volunteers alike. We saw a short movie projected on the roof of a dome tent. Walked through their museum and got our pictures taken doing “virtual” white water rafting. We walked around a bit more but Casey had had enough, so Bill headed back to work and us girls went home.
i/d food
We have been having adventures with diarrhea for the last several days. It started with Casey and then Banta joined in too. So today we all took a trip to the vet for meds and a bag of Science Diet i/d food. Keeping two dogs feed chicken and rice is very time consuming. As you can see from the photo below Casey thinks the i/d is great tasting stuff. They both gobbled it down in the usual labby style. I was a bit concerned about how to get their pills down them. With our pet dog I would wrap it in peanut butter or cream cheese and it was no problem. But with puppies in training that isn’t really appropriate. But it ended up being rather easy. They happily gobbled it up with their food. I was afraid they would taste it and spit the pills back out.
Utah State Fair
We took the girls to the State Fair today. It was lots of fun. Banta and Casey got to see some animals that they have never seen before (pigs, sheep, cows etc.), meet lots of people and experience new things. We went first thing in the morning because it was going to be hot and we didn’t want it to be too crowded for Casey. While Bill and Casey were watching a presentation on knives, Banta and I got to chat with that big purple robot dude. Banta wasn’t very interested in him and he tried to get me to let him hold Banta leash while I took a photo.We also had lots of opportunities to chat with regular people about GDB. It was a good day and we were all tired when we got home.
Puppy Picnic
One of the traditions we have is to pack up a picnic lunch and have lunch with Bill on the grass behind his work. We started this tradition many years ago when we had our pet dog, Shadow. We try to do this weekly. It is fun for me to get to see my husband during the day and puppies enjoy hanging out in the wide open and getting a bit of nature. And Bill gets to take a break from the office and see the cute pups. It is a quiet area with a field behind us and a too big parking lot in front. There is a grassy berm with trees for shade in the hot weather.
Beginnings & Endings
Today Casey got her last puppy shots. She weighs 26 lbs. This kind of marks the end of being a baby puppy and moving into being a young puppy with lots more opportunities. The end of the beginning of raising Casey. Today we also found out that Banta will be returning to GDB on November 8th for breeder evaluations. We knew it was coming but now we have a confirmed date. There is so much mixed emotion about her leaving–excitement to see what her path in life will be and sadness in that she will no longer be part of our everyday lives. This is the beginning of the end in raising Banta.
Healing Fields
Every year for 9/11 they set up a huge flag display called the Healing Fields, near Bill’s work. Besides being a beautiful and inspiring display it is a good socializing opportunity for puppies in training. So I put Banta and Casey in the car and we met Bill to stroll through the flags. It was such a beautiful day. We didn’t expect Banta to have any trouble with the flapping flags but Casey handled it just fine too. As were were strolling along a photographer for a newspaper wanted to take Bill’s picture in the flags. A bit later a group of Cub Scouts came to visit the flags and he ended up using their photos instead of any of the ones he took of Bill. So Bill didn’t end up in the paper. We took the opportunity in talking to the photographer to promote GDB. He knew a little about them from cover one of the days when the High School program got their puppies from local puppy starters.
Hiking Up Yellow Fork Canyon
To celebrate the Labor Day holiday we decided to take our girls on a short hike and have a picnic lunch. Banta has been hiking a couple of times before but this was Casey’s first experience. They both had a great time in the outdoors and did pretty good at not trying to play with each other at every opportunity. When we stopped for lunch they had a little laps and Banta ended up rolling in the dusty trail. She came up looking more like a chocolate lab then her usual creamy color. Casey is amazing in her determination to keep up with Banta. When she is in that focused little walk trot of hers, I can just imagine her pulling her partner along in harness when she is all grow-up and trained as a guide dog.
At the end of our lunch break I decided that it would be a good idea to give Casey a chance to relieve. She did so awesome. When I gave her the “do your business” command, her body language changed. It took her several seconds to find the right spot but she did. It was the first confirmation that she actually understands the command. She has only been relieving at home in our relieving area. She has that done very well but I wasn’t sure if she understood the command or just understood that when we went outside to this area that she should relieve there. This is a big milestone for her.
On the way back to the car on the hike there was a small stream to cross. Following Casey’s example the two of them tromped through the stream and then through the dusty dirt on the trail. If we thought Banta looked dirty before now she was almost as much black as she was yellow lab. Casey didn’t look as dirty but she was, especially her belly being so much closer to the ground. They both went into the bath as soon as possible when we got home. Thank goodness I had a quilt in the car to protect things from their more than just muddy paws.
Busy Week for Banta & Casey
It has been a busy week with the girls. They have made progress on restraining from trying to constantly play with each other. This sure helps make life easier. They have a ways to go but if they continue at this rate it won’t be too long until they can hang out together most of the time.
Tuesday:
Casey did a first for our household on Tuesday. I was working on preparing our back deck for to be stained so I had Casey on the deck with me and Banta was hanging out in the backyard down below. Well, Casey decided that she wanted to play with Banta and I had the stairs blocked. This left the spaces between the railings and she is still small enough to fit though. The deck is about 5 1/2 feet off the ground and Casey jump down! I was a bit paniced but she landed fine and didn’t miss a beat in instigating play with Banta. What a brave girl. Banta was afraid to jump out of the car for a long time.
Wednesday:
Banta continued her class with the GSLDTC (Greater Salt Lake Dog Training Club) on Wednesday where she is practicing staying calm and paying attention around other dogs. She is doing really great. You can’t tell that she has a problem with dog distractions most of the time and she really enjoys the class. We get lots of practice healing and long sit and down stays. Stays use to be one of her weaker skills. Now she can do a 5 minute down stay with dogs all around her with no trouble at all.
Thursday:
We had a big regional puppy raiser meeting at Cabelas with 22 puppies in training there. We must have been quite a sight on the South side of Cabelas. Both girls behaved very well. Casey got to say high to two of her brothers. She certainly remember them. Banta got to show how she has improved with her dog distractions and Casey joined the other young pups by stopping for an unscheduled poop as all the dogs were healing around in a big circle. Casey also got her jacket that night for quick socializing trips into stores etc. So the four of us went inside Cabelas for a short excursion. Casey did good. I carried her part of the time.
Friday:
Banta went with me for my last physical therapy treatment for the bursitis in my hip. It is hard to believe that the week Casey came I was having a hard time walking. Now my hip is totally back to normal. Banta was perfect at physical therapy. She knows just what she is suppose to do, just lie down and wait for me.
Saturday:
This was a busy day as Saturdays often our. Banta went with Bill to Lowes and Home Depot to buy a new weed wacker. We all went to the Library and Casey got some good opportunities to socialize with children. She did really really good. She sat nice and calm while they gave her attention. In the evening Banta went with Bill and I to Tooele to celebrate his mom’s birthday. Casey isn’t ready for this yet so she stayed home and my friend Lisa came by to play with her, feed her and take her for a walk.
Sunday:
Banta went to church with us and hung out with me in Primary. I was substituting on the piano. In a week or two Casey will be ready to come to part of church. This afternoon the four of us went for a walk around the block and Casey made it the whole way without needing to be carried. Banta is such a great mentor for her on walks. She helps Casey learn that barking dogs are not a big deal. Banta enjoys having her along too. At the start of the walk, Banta was done relieving first and she didn’t want to go with out Casey. They are both learning not to try to play with each other on walks but to just enjoy the outdoors together.
It has been a good week. The girls are getting use to each other and the routines. I’m starting to get a little bit done besides take care of puppies. They are so cute together.
Cabelas
Tonight our CFR (Community Field Rep) was in town and had a meeting with three puppy clubs together at Cabelas. Casey got to see two of her brothers. She thought that it should be play time.We did some obedience stuff and while we were practicing “lets go” all the young puppies, including Casey, had to poop. We also worked on food protocol stuff and Banta got to be the center of attention for part of that. Casey got her jacket after the meeting so we took a quick trip into Cabelas. I carried her most of the way just to make sure she didn’t have an accident.
telling family tales 