Pick a dog...any dog...

Here's a site to visit: 4pawsdogs.org/in_training.htm

This website is part of 4Paws from which my dog is coming. The dogs shown are all in training, or are ready to be matched. Some of them are already matched with a person! So, since I am getting a hypoallergenic dog, that means some kind of poodle or poodle mix. There are a few on here...I really like Kiah! What do you all think?

In The News

4Paws is in the news. You can watch the video HERE. Go to the right side of the screen, and find the video labeled XENIA:Specially-Trained Dogs Help Children.

Jan./Feb. Dogs

4Paws sent out their letters of greeting to the kids in the January/February class last night. The dogs being assigned "write" short letters to their new human friends introducing themselves. So far, a golden retriever, papillon, white standard poodle, and border collie/pyreness have been introduced. I'm waiting to see if there are any more dogs in this group. What a mixed bunch of breeds, huh? I wonder if Laura is going to be getting one of the standard poodles from the same litter as this one? Honestly, I'm not big on white dogs as they show all the gunk around their eyes and mouth...lots of cleaning needed. But really...that's not the important thing. Most importantly, the dog is just right for Laura and we trust 4Paws to make the best match. And if it's a poodle, I've read and heard nothing more than how smart and devoted they are to their human friends. Perfect!

Next step is to book the hotel. We'll be gone from Monday through Saturday or Sunday. Classes run from Tuesday morning until Saturday late afternoon, when we have graduation. Here's hoping I pass training! Jamie will probably stay home with the boys until Thursday, and I'll go down with Laura for the first few days of training. It's going to be here before we know it!

Laura's Dog is Ready!

Well, knock me over with a feather, but Laura's dog is ready! Here I was anticipating a 6 month or longer wait when we heard about her dog. But 4Paws sent an email yesterday stating that we are in the March 2010 class! WHAT? I'm not prepared...I don't even know how to start preparing because we won't know anything about the dog until a week or so before we go. (They do this so if something falls through, we're not too attached to our new canine friend).

We're excited to hear about the kind of dog she's getting...the gender (oh, please be female!)...the name...the breed....

I'm really hoping for a doodle breed, medium size. And since we need a "hypoallergenic" dog due to Jamie's allergies, it very well may be a doodle. And that means low shedding...woohoo!

And we're excited to see what this dog will do for Laura. Now remember, it's not a service dog for out in public. This little buddy will be an in-home companion for Laura...someone to keep her company and help with, what they call, behavior disruptions. So, if she's fussy at night, the dog can help. I'm wondering if the dog could keep her from crawling out of bed at naptime...and if the dog will just stay near her to keep her company. Hmmm....

As for the family, I've heard they like the whole family to be there to meet and get used to the dog. This will be especially important for Charlie, and more so, Amarin. Neither boy is very comfortable around dogs, though Charlie has gotten a lot more.

So, we'll keep you all updated as we get more info. Ohio, here we come!