puppies inside

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

A little Lab melts hearts

Baraga

January 31, 2014

Upon arrival at the Baraga Correctional Facility Tammy and I are ushered into the administration building. A smaller, though no less eager group than when the first puppies arrived rush to greet FLD Copo. The young pup yawns his way from person to person.

RUM Steve hands a yawning FLD Copo to an admirer.

Some signals that a puppy is stressed is sleeping (Copo did a pretty good job of that the day before at Chippewa and later that evening at dinner) or whining (remember his cries during our drive across the U.P.?) or yawning or pulling away.

A closeup shot of the woman, who is now facing hte camera and holding the small black Lab. She has her eyes closed and is smiling sweetly. The lab is touching her cheek with his face; her hand is supporting his head.

FLD Copo tries to snuggle up...

The same shot of the woman and puppy just a second later. Now the puppy is giving an even huger ywan! The woman still has her eyes closed and is still smiling.

...but a yawn escapes him.

One can easily imagine that little FLD Copo might be a bit stressed after all he had been through during his short seven week life. After leaving his momma and the volunteer's home where he was born, Copo spent a few days with his siblings in Puppy Land at Leader Dogs for the Blind to undergo veterinarian checks. He and his sister Ashley were then taken away to spend the night at a stranger's house with two other puppies and four dogs. The next day Copo and Ashley cuddled together in a crate in a van for five and a half hours, only to be let out in a noisy room filled with more puppies and strangers. Afterwards Copo was separated from his sister and spent the night in a strange hotel room with a big puppy that hogged his toys. The next day he endured a six-hour-drive alone in a crate only to be handed from one stranger to another in yet another new place.

How was a Future Leader Dog puppy to cope?

Now the black lab puppy is being held by a different man. The man is facing to the right, he is wearing a black jacket and a black baseball cap with sunglasses resting on the brim. The puppy is in his arms and is looking right at the camera. In the background is the smiling face of a woman with white hair and sunglasses.

FLD Copo in the arms of another admirer.

The job of a guide dog, making hundreds of decisions every day, can be a very stressful job. Leader Dogs for the Blind breeds puppies to (hopefully) have a calm demeanor and an exceptional capacity for dealing with stress.

FLD Copo started being prepared to develop this capacity when he was just three days old. At this age, Copo could not see, hear, or regulate his own body temperature. What he could do is crawl about, smelling for his siblings to pile up with to keep him warm and for his mother so he could suckle.

From age three days to 16 days, Copo's host family performed a series of five stimulating exercises once a day with the puppies. These simple exercises, which only took three to five seconds each, were designed to place Copo under just a wee bit of stress. Research has shown that these exercises during this time of rapid neurological growth produce the following benefits.

Taken from the article "Early Neurological Stimulation (Revised)" on the website www.breedingbetterdogs.com.

Improved cardiovascular health (heart rate).
Stronger heartbeats.
Stronger adrenal glands.
More tolerance to stress.
Greater resistance to disease.

In addition, puppies that are thus stimulated are "more active and exploratory" and are calmer with less signs of stress during learning tests than puppies that are not stimulated.

All good traits for a Future Leader Dog! It doesn't take long for FLD Copo to brush off the stress.

The samll black lab is now being held in the arms of another man. The shot is taken from his chest up. The man is wearing a black jacekt and grey sweatshirt. He has short dark hair and is smiling at the camera. The puppy looks relaxed and has his front paws on the man's lett hand. In the background is the man with glasses from the first photo. He is standing on the right side looking at the man with the puppy and is smiling. He is holding his hands together in front of him. At the top on either side of the man holding the puppy are the lights in the white tiled ceiling.

Warden Thomas Mackie welcomes a calm, cool and collected FLD Copo to Baraga. RUM Steve looks on.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

En route to Baraga

January 31, 2014

FLD Copo wasn't too happy with our long drive across the U.P. to the Baraga Correctional Facility, his new home for the next year or so.

We weren't too happy either.

It started to snow when we were at dinner the night before and by morning there was at least six inches on top of the snow that was already piled up. Even though our alarm woke us before 6:00 a.m., we weren't able to get ourselves underway until after 8:00. Traveling with puppies sure slows you down!

Under a deep blue sky, the view of a partially snow-covered road heading off into the distance. Pine and hardwood trees line either side of the road.

On M-28 heading west across the UP. Sunshine!

Driving was slow too. Forty-five miles per hour slow all the way to Seney. Copo had to park and there was nowhere to stop except on the side of the road. Good thing the plow trucks clear snow far off the shoulder and traffic volume in the U.P. isn't too bad.

Then a tire pressure warning light on the van's dashboard came on. We stopped to make sure none of the tires were flat and guessed that they were just low given the recent sub-zero temperatures. We didn't have a tire gauge. We needed a gas station and drove a long way before we found one. No air, the compressor was frozen. Miles later we spotted another air station winterized with plastic and duct tape.

Finally, a gas station east of Munising had working air. There were about 50 snowmobiles parked at the pumps or off to the side. When I went inside to buy a tire gauge I had to work my way through a heavily suited crowd. Many of the snowmobilers had come inside the station's small cafe to warm up. They reminded me of spacemen with their full-face helmets and air warming masks.

I finally asked the counter clerk where I could find a tire gauge. He pointed me to the automotive section, where I had already looked. As I walked away to look again he asked, "Are you just needing to air up a tire?" "Yes," I said. "Here, you can use this one," he said, handing me a gauge.

Yay! All tires were low. We took advantage of the stop and parked Harper and Copo. Again. Luckily there was a cell signal so Tammy could call RUM Steve to let him know we'd be late. He said they would adjust, but asked us to come to the main entrance when we arrived.

"There are people who want to see Copo," RUM Steve said.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Breaking news

March 18, 2014

Rochester Hills, Michigan

ANNOUNCER: We interrupt these irregularly scheduled blog posts to bring you a breaking news story. Fifteen new Leader Dogs were issued to their partners today at the Leader Dogs for the Blind facility in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

These pups were whelped in volunteer host homes, raised by other volunteers for about one year, and then advanceed through four to five months of challenging job training.

Today the dreams of all the volunteers and trainers are fulfilled. Today the dogs are introduced to their forever person; they move into the Polk Residence at Leader Dogs for the Blind. For the next 26 days, the dogs and their new handlers will begin the bonding process and learn to work as a team.

A short-brown haired woman is kneeling on one knee next to a standing golden retriever. She is wearing a maroon fleece jacket and blue jeans. The dog has a blue bandana with a white triangle patch with red letters that say Future Leader Dog. On the right side is a black statue of a german shepherd dog. Behind them are glass doors with white letters that say "Kennel" with the hours underneath.

FLD Dutch on his return to Leader Dogs.

One dog in particular is of interest to this audience.

[Drum roll please.]

Congratulations to Leader Dog Dutch!
raised by patti brehler

[Clap and cheer!]

Patti, can you tell us how you are feeling right now?

PATTI: I always hate these kind of questions. How do I feel? How does the sun shine?! My insides are trembling, my face hurts from smiling, my heart is about to burst. See me? I am doing a happy dance!

ANNOUNCER: But, isn't it hard to give up the puppy you raised for a year?

PATTI: It is not easy. When I brought Dutch back to Leader Dogs last November, just about one year after picking up that fuzzy ball of puppy breath, I cried. It never gets easier. If it were easy, everyone would be raising puppies for Leader Dogs. Those of us who can, do. And we do it again and again and again.

Yes, it is sad to say good-bye to that creature that's been at the end of your left arm for so long. And after you say good-bye, the waiting will drive you crazy if you think on it too long. You wonder if it is possible to hold your breath for four or five months. You dread the phone call that sometimes comes from Leader Dogs. "Your puppy has been career-changed."

But. Then you get this email:

Dear puppy raiser, The puppy you raised has been issued to a student in the current class.

This little email makes it all worthwhile. And then, if all goes well, you meet the new team. Priceless.

ANNOUNCER: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

PATTI: When have I never had something more to say? [LOL]

Raising a puppy for Leader Dogs for the Blind is not a solo exercise. I couldn't have raised Dutch without the help of too many people to name. I'll try. I want to thank my family and friends, my community, everyone, especially...

My husband Andy for his unending support (and carpet cleaning).

A man wearing glasses and holding a brown coffee mug, wearing a black and white checked shirt and blue jeans is sitting in a black office chair. A desk is just off to the right. A golden retriever is lying on the floor under his legs, looking at the camera, the dog is on his side. The room is paneled in tongue and groove pine, there is a light brown file cabient in the background on the left and two blue dog beds on the floor on the left.

Andy with his morning coffee. Dutch is resting under his legs.

My sister Anne & Co. (her three daughters) for puppy-sitting and believing in me.

A tuba is on the floor in the foreground. A small golden retriever puppy is sitting behind it. A young girl is sitting on the left side with her left hand on the puppy's head. She has brown hair and is looking at the camera, she is wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt. On a soft tan chair behind the girl and the puppy another girl with long brown hair is laying on her belly on her elbows, she is looking down at the puppy. She is wearing a green hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Two of my nieces help FLD Dutch learn to appreciate the tuba.

My family for listening to all my Leader Dog-this and Leader Dog-that talk.

A woman with long brown hair is sitting with her feet on a green love seat. She is wearing glasses and has her right hand to her chin. She is looking to her right at her father who is out of view. A man wearing glasses, a purple sweat shirt over a maroon shirt and blue jeans is sitting on the floor leaning agains the couch. He is facing the camera and has his right arm around a golden retriever puppy. The puppy is sitting against the man and looking at the camera. There are two brown shoes on the rug in front of the puppy. There are two dog beds to the right side with two german short-haired pointers lying in them but the are mostly out of view.

Andy's daughter and her husband hang out with FLD Dutch.

The Ogemaw County Voice for publishing my articles about Dutch and Leader Dogs.

A man wearing a green shirt and blue jeans is standing behind a table that has wine glasses on it. A woman is standing on the right side of the table, she is wearing a black jacket with a black and white striped shirt under it and blue jeans. She has long brown hair and is looking down at a golden retriever that is sitting in front of her. She is holding the dog's brown leash. The dog is wearing a baby blue working jacket. They are all inside of a carpet store, so there are carpet displays on either side of them and behind them.

Grange and Kathy, publishers and owners of the Ogemaw County Voice are happy to have FLD Dutch stop by their display table at an Art and Wine Walk in downtown West Branch.

My puppy counselor Tammy for always lending an ear, and for asking me to come to the U.P. with her.

A group of inmates are outside of a brick building with their puppies - they are in the background of the picture. In the foreground is an inmate on the left side shaking hands with a woman on the right side. The inmates are wearing the blue and orange prison uniforms. The woman is wearing a green t-shirt and bluejeans. The inmate on the left has a golden retriever standing at his left side. The dog is wearing a baby blue working jacket and is looking up at their hands, but is calm. There is green grass in the background. The man and woman and dog are standing on a sidewalk. There are flowers lining the sidewalk.

Tammy and a Chippewa inmate raiser practice a meet & greet with FLD Dutch...who performs perfectly!

Deb for teaching me how to wait (and for joining the "Cackle Club.")

A golden retriever is lying flat on his side on a brown carpet, looking at the camera, he is wearing a baby blue jacket. A woman sitting on a chair behind the dog is holding a brown leash lightly in her left hand at her side. She is wearing a blue long sleeve t-shirt and gray pants. Her legs are crossed and her right hand is on her right thigh. she has short brown hair and is looking at the camera. Beihind the woman are two long folding tables with coffee thermoses on one. Another woman is sitting behind the table on the right, she is wearing a blue flowered shirt and blue jeans.She has her arms crossed with her right hand near her face.

FLD Dutch finally settles next to Deb during last year's puppy counselor training at Leader Dogs for the Blind.

My fellow puppy-raisers for understanding.

A ground level shot over the head of a gold retriever that is lying on the floor looking away from the camera. You can only see the back of his head, and part of someone's leg on the right. A yellow lab is lying down in front of the golden, facing the camera. He is wearing a baby blue working jacket. Our of focus in the background are at least eight puppy raisers sitting in folding chairs with their puppies lying down on the floor in front of them.

FLD Dutch surveys the crowd during a training weekend at Leader Dogs for the Blind.

My dog Gypsy for keeping Dutch in line.

An older brindle coated 40 pound dog is lying on a green couch with an orange pillow. The dog's muzzle is gray and she is snarling at a small fuzzy golden retriever puppy who is on the floor about to chew a brown shoe. The puppy is wearing a blue collar and a round tag.

Gypsy snarls at FLD Dutch for going after Andy's shoes. (Or maybe for just getting too close to her!)

My career-changed dog Gus, for allowing Dutch to drag him around.

A close up floor level shot of a black lab on his side on a beige carpet facing the camera with his mouth open. A small golden retriever is on top of him with his mouth on the lab's head.

FLD Dutch wrestles Gus to the floor.

The Bardsleys for raising Dutch's dad, Alphie (and helping to get puppies into the Chippewa Correctional Facility).

Six people pose outside in front of a brick building on grass. From left to right, a man wearing a light blue shirt and blue pants with his hands folded at his waist, a short woman with short brown hair wearing a light green shirt and khaki pants has two german shepherds on either side of her, a woman with white hair and glasses wearing a light blue shirt and blue jeans with a black bag at her waits has a small golden retriever puppy on her left side. The puppy is sitting and is wearing a blue bandana. A short brown haired woman with glasses wearing an orange t-shirt and dark khaki shorts is holding a brown leash in her hands at her waist. A golden retriever is lying on the ground to her left and is looking up at her. A short brown haired woman wearing a white shirt and khaki pants is standing next to a man with a gray beard and glasses, he is wearing a tan shirt and green khaki pants. It is very sunny and everyone is almost squinting with the sun in their eyes.

At the Chippewa Correctional Facility. From left to right, ARUS Rob, Deb with cc'd Tripp and FLD Strider, Tammy with FLD Harper, patti with FLD Dutch, and Paula and Dave Bardsley. The beginning of Leader Dogs' U.P. prison puppy raising program.

The Rose City Cafe and the New Sunrise Cafe and all their regulars for putting up with Dutch's barking phase.

Three women face the camera. The woman in the middle is holding a golden retriever puppy, barely! The women on the left and right are wearing purple shirts, the woman in the middle is wearing a blck sweartshirt, and glasses. The woman on the right is wearing a purple scarf on her head.

Staff at the Rose City Cafe pose with a young FLD Dutch

A woman with short blond hair wearing a grey short-sleeved shirt and blue jeans is standing on the left holding a brown leash. A bald man with a goatee and mustache is kneeling on one knee on the right. He is trying to hold a golden retriever, who is trying to lick the man's face. The man has his eyes closed and the woman is smiling. The man is wearing a gray and blue striped short sleeved shirt and blue jeans. The dog is wearing a blue jacket and a blue bandana.

FLD Dutch with the owners of the New Sunrise Cafe.

A group of older women are sitting at a restaurant table. The woman on the left side is holding the leash of a golden retriever, who is wearing a blue bandana and jacket. The dog looks like he is about to leap on her lap, the women are all smiling. The two women in front are wearing light green sweatshirts.

The regulars at the New Sunrise Cafe say good-bye to FLD Dutch.

Mrs. Matthews' second-graders at Surline Elementary for knowing when to pet him and when to ignore him.

A large gorup of second graders pose outside in the sun with a golden retriever, who is standing in front of them looking at them and not the camera. All the children are holding marigolds that they had potted for their mothers for mother's day. There are five adults (one man and four women) standing in the background.

Mrs. Matthews' second-grade class pose with FLD Dutch at the West Branch Greenhouse just before Mother's Day, 2013.

ANNOUNCER: Excuse me, but we are running out of space and we need to get back to our irregular blog posts.

PATTI: THANK YOU ALL!

*With apologies for leaving anyone out.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Better than TV

January 30, 2014

We rest in the evenings and let the puppies play. This is way more interesting than any reality TV shows.

When we enter our hotel room after dinner and unclip leashes, Harper circles the two queen beds, sniffing corner to corner. He fixates on one bed, pushes his head under as far as he can with his rear end wiggling above. He races from one side to the other, stretching with his front paws, scratching against the tightly woven plaid-like carpet of burgundy, green and pale yellow. (Why are hotel carpets so unnattractive?)

"There mus be a ball or something under there," I say to Tammy. Neither of us is anxious to take a look.

Copo is busy sniffing, too, and when he starts circling I snatch him into my arms.

"Time to head outside, little one," I say.

Tammy and I have discussed the pros and cons of raising a "winter" puppy. While it is true that taking a puppy out to park in the cold helps quicken the process, it is also true that bundling up while holding a squirmy puppy before heading out can be a challenge. Having a friend hold the puppy while you tie your boots is a real advantage.

A small black lab with a blue collar and a round tag is being held by a woman wearing a blue sweatshirt. The woman is out of view; her hand is cradling the puppy. The puppy is looking at the camera and his front paws are crossed over each other. Out of focus on the left side is a wooden dresser.

FLD Copo crosses his front paws in Tammy's arms while I bundle up to take him outside.

Our room was on the second floor. When a puppy this young has to park, you carry him out. He can practice stairs with an empty bladder.

I set Copo down in the snow far enough from the door to be polite. Another advantage to parking a puppy during a snowy winter is that he will pee anywhere. A burst of wind throws a football sized clump of snow down from the eave; it lands with a muffled poof! and covers him with snow-tsunami. Copo, not fazed at all, finishes his business.

Copo takes the lead back to the entry door on a nice loose leash. He scratches at the glass. "Hold your horses," I say, struggling with the electronic key. Finally, we're in. I stomp my boots. Even this doesn't bother the confident pup.

We approach the stairs and I let Copo decide what to do. He hops up one step. Then another. He sniffs a little, but hops all the way up to the landing. At the second flight he pauses, then makes his way to the top.

Back in the room, Tammy holds up a torn and well-chewed tennis ball. "Harper finally got this out from under the bed," she says. Who knows how long it had been under there. She drops the ball into the garbage can, which we had proactively put on the top of the television stand when we first arrived.

A close up shot taken from floor level of a golden retriever puppy (on the left) chewing an elk antler held between his paws. The antler is in his open mouth and he is looking at the camera. An out of focus black lab puppy is on the right looking at the antler. He has one front paw resting on the right front paw of the golden retriever.

With the temptation of the ball gone, Harper enjoys an elk antler chew. Copo wants in on the action.

I don't count how many times Copo and I repeat the parking process, but on the last time out for the night (hopefully), Tammy and Harper join us. The routine is the same - I carry Copo out, he walks back up the stairs. This time, however, he pauses on the top step, sits down and rests his chin on the landing. He sighs, as if to say, "Oh, that was so hard and I am so tired!"

After a moment's rest, the little trooper muscles up the rest of the stairs.

Back in the room, I sit on the floor with Copo snuggled between my legs. I massage his ears. "You hypnotized him," Tammy says as he melts across my thigh. I place him gently into his crate.

It is a good thing that Tammy sets the alarm because the puppy lets us sleep all night.


A hypnotized Copo.