Festival of Trees 2012

This year me and a friend of mine, Lindsey decided to decorate a tree for Festival of Trees.  You decorate a tree and then the trees are put on sale and people bid on them to buy.  The money goes to Primary Children's Medical Center.  We decided to do a tree about CCI.  We started a few months ago getting decorations and making decorations for the tree.  It was a lot of work but totally worth it!!  Today was decorating day.  Five of us spent a few hours getting the tree ready.  We had a lot of fun!  Tomorrow night someone will be able to buy the tree and then the trees will be on display for the public to see for about 3 days.

Here is a close up of the tree.  A friend of Lindsey's took pictures of the dogs and we cut them to fit in glass bulbs.  We also took scrabble piece's and made words that have to do with dogs.  A lady made 4 long leashes that we wrapped around the tree.  There are CCI dogs all through the tree.  Then we sprayed dog biscuits so they looked shiny and so they wouldn't go bad.  There are also blue and brown tennis balls that say "dog is good".  

Our friend Melanie made the tree skirt and Lindsey wrapped empty boxes to put around the tree.

Instead of an angel on top of the tree we have a dog on top of the tree.  Lindsey's husband made the dog house.  There is also a black dog on the other side sticking out of the house.  This was a lot of fun to do and hopefully I can do it again next year.

Halloween 2012

This year we went to Lily and Glen's house for Halloween.  They had turned in their dog Cabo in August to CCI but she had some fear issues so she got to come home.  Cabo and Misty were best friends before she left for California so Misty was happy to see her friend again.  Lily and Glen are training a new puppy for CCI.  His name is Ned.  He is the small puppy in this picture.

Cabo was a pig ballerina for Halloween, she didn't like her costume to much.

Misty was a Sundae.  She liked this costume better this year but she was still excited when it came off. =)

Ned was a Bumble Bee.  He didn't mind his costume at all! He just wanted to chase Misty and Cabo everywhere.

The dogs had a fun time chasing each other around the yard.  Cabo got a hold of Misty's costume and Lily couldn't catch her for a few minutes.  I think she knew Misty wasn't happy with her costume so she was trying to save her friend from being embarrassed.

Since I spent the day embarrassing my dog here is a good picture of Misty.

Happy Halloween!!!

Misty's 4th Birthday

Yesterday was Misty's 4th birthday.  We had a party at Lily and Glenn's house.  Misty played for about 4 hours straight.  When we got home last night she went straight to bed and I don't think she moved all night!  This is a picture of her cake that I got at Target.

This is Misty taking a break from playing for a minute.

We wanted to get a  picture of all the dogs together.  Can you tell which one is the fully trained service dog? Misty just sat there watching all the puppy raiser's trying to get their dogs to stay still.  She's such a good girl!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISTY!!!

California Aug 2012

We got so busy on the rest of the trip that I never had time to blog each night so this one will be a little long while I tell about the rest of the trip and add pictures.  We spent a day at CCI headquarters in Santa Rosa.  They let Misty and Cabo run around their play area for awhile.  There were some other dogs there but Misty had more fun just walking around the play area by herself checking things out.

The lady running the gift shop had some carrots she was eating and Misty and Cabo smelled them right away so she gave them a couple of carrots.

We got to go on a tour of the campus.  They have a bunch of Peanut character statues all around because Charles Schultz donated the money to have this campus built.  

After the tour we drove to San Francisco and spent a couple of days there.  We decided to take a tour around San Francisco.  We sat on top of the bus so we wouldn't miss anything.  Misty watched the buildings for a few minutes and then decided to lay on the floor for the rest of the tour.  We drove to the Golden Gate Bridge but it was so foggy that this picture was taken a few hundred feet from the bridge and you couldn't even see it.

When we were driving through Yosemite we stopped to find something to eat.  Misty and I stayed in the car and Misty got herself under the blanket and wouldn't come out.  I think she was trying to tell me that she was tired of riding in the truck.

After San Francisco we headed for Oceanside.  We decided to drive around Pebble Beach.

Then we got on the coast highway for a couple of hours, then we had to get back on the freeway because the road had so many curves that we were all starting to get car sick.  Once in Oceanside we met up with some of the other puppy raisers that were turning their dogs in and we went to the beach.  Misty had a BLAST! This is the most fun she has had at the beach.  I think it helped to have all of her friends there.

We had to bath the dogs in the hotel room that night so we could get all the sand off of them!

Misty and Cabo and Flower spending some last minutes together before we headed to graduation.

Here are the puppies and Misty just after graduation.

Misty was very tired the last day of the trip.

California Aug 2012 day one and two

We left on Saturday and went to Reno.  They were having a big car show that Lily and Glen wanted to see.  It was HOT!!! Misty and I found a shady spot and people watched while Lily and Glen looked at cars.  This morning we went to Lake Tahoe and then Yosemite.  It was great to see but a LONG day in the car.  Misty got a little car sick and thankfully did not throw up but I had to be ready with the plastic bag just in case.  She is definitely my baby. =).   We put her window down a little and every time we tried to close it she would sit up and put her paw on the hand rest and just look at you. Then when we stopped to find a place to eat, Misty and I stayed in the car and she climbed under the blanket and wouldn't come out.  She was very happy to get out of the truck!!!!

Goodbye party for the dogs

Tonight we had a party for 4 dogs that are going to "puppy college" next week.  They will go back to CCI in Oceanside for 6 to 9 months for training with professional trainers.  Only about 30% of the dogs graduate.  Cross your fingers that these 4 dogs make it. =)

Cabo and Forbes are on the bench and Flower and Tripoli are under the bench.  We had a potluck dinner for the humans and the puppies got to play.  We played "doggie bingo".  This was Misty's first time playing this game and she did pretty good.  She was suppose to stay sitting but she got tired and laid down so she had to leave her square.  She is the one in the middle square.

Then we let the dogs just run around and have fun with each other.  I lost Misty for a couple of minutes because she got playing with other black dogs and I couldn't tell them apart for a minute.  See if you can spot Misty.....

She is the one with the blue collar.  It is sad to see these dogs go but they are off to bigger and better things!  We leave on Saturday to spend a week taking Misty and Cabo to Reno, Yosemite, San Franciso, and Oceanside.  I will be blogging while on our trip.  Wish us luck! =)

Happy 4th of July!

This year Misty and I got to help judge the Plain City Dog Show.  Last year Misty won for Best Talent for picking up my keys off the ground and giving them to me.  I enjoyed helping to judge the dog show.  It was hard to pick a winner.  Then on the 4th we got to ride in the parade in the back of the truck that was pulling the dog show winners.  Misty likes watching all the kids as we pass them and throw candy at them.  Then we went to the park for a couple of hours to visit with friends and family we haven't seen in awhile.  Misty was a big hit with the family.  She got a lot of attention from all the little kids.  Then we went home for a few hours to rest and then went to my brother's house for dinner.  We watched my nephews play in the pool.  It was a long full day and we were tired by the time we got home that we didn't see many fireworks because we went to bed.  I guess that means I'm getting old......=)

This is Misty waiting for the parade to start.

Misty watching all the people at the park.

Misty relaxing after a long day.

Pictures from our trip

Misty on her first ride at Disneyland, It's a Small World.

Misty loved meeting Goofy and Pluto.

Misty and Cabo after their first day at Disneyland.

Misty got to sit in the pilot seat.

Misty and Cabo 

Misty actually liked the beach this time.

California trip day 6

Today was CCI graduation. I love watching the graduation!! I can't believe I have had Misty for almost 2 years!! I got to see one of the graduates from my class. Another graduate was there but I never got a chance to see her. After the ceremony we went over to CCI while some of my friends dropped off there dogs. I was glad I got to take my dog with me. =). Then we went out to eat and walked around the hotel for awhile and then went back to our room and just watched tv and relaxed. Misty is worn out from her week of fun. =) Tomorrow we are headed back home. We are doing it all in one day. I hope Misty enjoys all that time watching out the window. It has been a very fun week! Misty and I got to do a lot of new things. My next post will finally include pictures from our trip.

California trip Day 5

Today we spent most of the day in San Diego touring a retired Navy ship. It was very neat to see! Misty got to sit in one of the planes. I can't wait to post all of the pictures from this trip. We then went to the beach and Misty actually loved it! I had her on a long leash and I would throw a ball and she would run and dive for it. The last time she was at the beach she wouldn't even move so she is getting used to the beach. We the went to eat on the pier. Ten we walked around. Misty liked looking at the water. Tomorrow is CCI graduation. It will be a good day.

California trip day 4

Today we went to Disneyland California Adventure. The first ride was The Little Mermaid. Misty thought that one was pretty neat. Then we saw A Bug's Life and the Muppets 3-D. Misty slept through those. Then we went on Monsters Inc. Misty really didn't like that ride. There wasn't a whole lot of room in the car and Misty likes her space. We got our picture taken with Goofy. Goofy was really cute with Misty and she kept wanting him to pet her. Then we saw Pluto. He got down on all fours and played with Misty. It was SO cute!!! We are now in Oceanside,Ca. Tomorrow we are planning on going to the beach and see some Navy ships in San Diego. The last time I had Misty at the beach she didn't like it so it will be interesting.

California trip day 3

We spent today at Disneyland. Misty got to go on It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Winnie the Pooh and the train. She did great on all the rides. We went all over the park. She made friends with the Mad Hatter. I went on the Indiana Jones ride and it broke down right before my car was to go so I had to leave the ride, but I got to go back later and go on the ride. I love that ride!!!!! I think Misty will sleep good tonight. Tomorrow we are going to Disney California and then drive to Oceanside for CCI graduation on Friday.

California trip day 1 and 2

Sunday morning we headed to Las Vegas. We are headed to California again for another CCI graduation. We stayed at the Excalibur. Misty does not like traveling and sharing the backseat. She sticks her head at the back window and stays there for most of the ride. If you try and talk to her she doesn't turn around and grunts at you if you try to get h er to turn around. We walked the strip to Paris hotel and back to Excalibur. People just love the dogs!!!! We were all exhausted when we got back to the room. The next morning we headed to Anaheim. Misty took her position at the window for awhile but she finally relaxed for awhile and layed down on the seat. We took them for a walk and went to the Cheesecake factory. Now we are hanging out in the hotel room watching the dogs play saving our energy for tomorrow.

Imagine Independence

Thursday was a fund raiser for CCI called "Imgaine Independence."  Misty and I left work early to go help set up.  I helped put the table decorations together while Misty relaxed at my feet until her friend Cabo came and they had to wrestle on the floor for a few minutes.

Then they settled down and were good dogs.

There was a silent auction, dinner and a guest speaker.  I haven't heard how much was raised, but I think we did pretty good.  It started to rain during the speaker so when he was done Misty and I left before someone caught us to stay and help clean up. =) We were exhausted when we got home.  Here are a few more pictures I took.

There are more pictures on my Facebook page if you would like to see more.

Today Misty, me and my mom went to Primary Children's Medical Center to talk to a group of disabled kids.  I showed them how Misty picks things up for me.  They thought Misty was pretty cool!  I hope they choose to get a service dog.  They are pretty cool dogs!!!!!!!!!

 

This past week was a busy one for Misty and I. Tuesday we went to Salt Lake for a CCI meeting. Misty was excited to see some of her doggie friends and her puppy raiser, Amy. As you can tell from the picture the dogs LOVE Amy. =)

Misty and Annie resting after chasing each other around two chairs in the backyard.

On Thursday we went to a meeting for the next fund raiser for the CCI dogs and Misty got to see more of her friends. Yesterday my niece, Erin brought her dog to my mom's house for my mom to puppy sit while her family went to St. George for a few days. Her name is Annie and she is a miniature maltese, so she can pretty much fit in one hand. We put them in the backyard and they chased each other around two chairs and had a blast!!! Tomorrow I'm going to try and record it and see if I can get it posted on here. It's very funny to watch!!!

On Monday I got asked to judge the Plain City Dog Show for the 4th of July. I put Misty in it last year and she won Best Talent for picking up my keys and giving them to me. We got to ride in the Plain City parade. I am excited to be able to be a judge this year.

Sorry the pictures and words are all over the place! I'm still learning how to place the pictures and add text. =)

Yesterday was a busy day. Misty and Cabo ran around a gated grassy area at work and then Misty spent the night at Rowdy's and Aj's house, they have 2 dogs that Misty loves to play with, while I went to Salt Lake with a friend to see the musical "Beauty and the Beast". That was a great show! I love going to musicals. When I picked up Misty this morning she was exhausted!!! We had to go to a lucheon this afternoon to show a group of older women what service dogs can do and hopefully get some more puppy raisers. They loved watching Misty pick up my keys and give them to me. That's always a good thing to show people. We got home a few hours ago and Misty ate dinner and has been asleep ever since. She will be ready to run again tomorrow.

Nice Day

Today Misty and I went to Salt Lake so Misty's puppy raiser, Amy could give Misty a bath. As soon as I opened the car door Misty knew exactly where we were. It's amazing what dogs can remember. Misty now looks very shiny and smells lots better! After her bath we went to my mom's house and just hung out in the backyard and enjoyed the sun. Misty LOVES to lay on the grass where the sun is hitting her the most.

Play time

Yesterday Misty and I went to a friends house for a few hours to make doggie treats. Unfortunately I forgot my camera! I would have gotten some great pictures! There were 3 other dogs there: Daya, Pixar and Tripoli. They had a blast running around outside for hours. But now Misty is ready for a bath! One of the good things about black dogs is that dirt does not show up on them very often. Today is a sunny day so Misty is spending lots of time laying on the grass in the sun. It is still a little too cold for me so I stay inside and watch her. I think she still worn out from playing with her friends yesterday.

Fun Day

Today Misty and I went with Lily and Cabo to visit some mentally disabled adults. They loved the dogs and as you can see from this picture the dogs got LOTS of attention! Misty loved the belly rub this girl gave her. We are going back next month to visit them again. It was a great experience!

On the way home I looked back to check on Misty and somehow she got the seatbelt around her. I guess she was scared of Lily's driving! =)

When we got back to work my friend Cindy had some carrots waiting for Misty. Misty brought them to me so I would give them to her.