Posts Tagged: service dog blog

Christmas Tails

Posted December 4, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

It’s cold and frosty in the morning and Mom says if we’re lucky, it might snow one of these days.

Do I know what the cold weather means?

Yes, I do.

Even though I have a warm furry coat, Mom is going to dress me in sweaters and jackets, like this plastic dog.

Cold weather also means Christmas is coming. It’s the time of year when Mom gets all the boxes from storage (and there are more every year). Out of the boxes come things that make Mom happy. She puts on Christmas music while she sticks these things everywhere.

Dad, on the other hand, puts up lights outside all over the house and assembles the trees. They don’t smell like trees; they smell like dusty plastic.

Except for this one in The Landing, our new community center.

I like Christmas because Mom gets me tasty treats and some new squeaky toys. But this year, I have a little brother to contend with. Whenever I pick up a toy to play with, he’s right there, taking it from me.

Oh well. No matter what, Mom says I don’t have to worry because I’m a good boy and good boys always get a lot of treats and toys.

I’ll just have to play a game of “keep away.”

Does that still mean I’m a good boy?

Surprise! It’s a Boy!

Posted November 13, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

This is part 3 in a 3-part series.
Read part 1: Adventures on the Road
Read part 2: A Dog on the Road

After many days away, I’m finally home to familiar places. My soft kennel and the plush bed inside, my box filled with all my toys.

But after only one night back, the next thing I know, Mom gets her anniversary/birthday present.

I’m not sure what to think of this short, sort of mini-me. All it wants to do is chew on me and steal my toys. I can no longer enjoy ice cubes alone without him bugging me.

This all started the day after we arrived in California. Mom got a notice from our friend, Rita, about some Lab puppies. Mom has been thinking of the future when I might need a friend at home, and she had been looking into getting a puppy for me.

Somehow, I think a puppy was mostly for her sake. But what I know for sure is I’m a very smart service dog and this guy can learn a lot from me, including doing his business in the right spot.

He has accidents, but Mom says he’s still a baby and has a lot to learn.

My new little brother is named after one of Mom’s main characters in The Rubber Band series, Rockefeller, or Rocky for short. It’s very appropriate as he likes to pick up rocks outside and try to eat them.

I still do my job, and nothing has changed for me, except I have a little shadow.

Mom is teaching him the elevating bowl as he waits to get the okay to eat. He’s learned to sit and is highly motivated by food. We at least have food motivation in common.

Okay. I admit. It’s kind of nice to have another four-legged friend around here to play tug with. But having a sibling is annoying and I wish I could go back to when I got all the attention.

But when Mom compared puppy photos of us, she said we look like brothers.

Aiden as a puppy

Rocky

She said it’s meant to be and since he isn’t going away, ever – I will agree with Mom and love my little brother with a few nips and slurps.

Visiting Snoopy’s House

Posted October 2, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Hello friends! Life has thrown us some curve balls, none of which I have caught or chased.

I was, however, a great support for Christy, as the past month was hard for her to go through, and every day continues to be challenging. Mom says if you subscribe to her newsletter, you will get some of the details on October 16.

But for now, it’s my turn to tell you of my adventures.

My favorite dog, Snoopy, has a special place in Santa Rosa called a museum. I felt validated in my job because only service dogs are allowed to visit the museum, and of course, they gave me a treat for being a good boy.

Everywhere I went, a friend of Snoopy’s showed up. Mom loves this mosaic of Charlie Brown.

And then there was Lucy.

Mom says Lucy and Charlie Brown remind her of her parents in many ways.   Mom introduced me to Snoopy’s brother, Spike.

I also met Snoopy’s good friend, a bird named Woodstock.

I’m undecided as to what kind of bird he is.

Snoopy and I are a lot alike in that we both love food and let our master know when we are hungry.

Mom smiled as she read this sign to me from the wall of the Warm Puppy Café

She says I’ll understand its meaning more when we get home and I will have lots to blog about because of it.

Do you happen to know what she’s talking about?

Snoopy is not afraid to try anything and even plays one of the hardest sports, hockey.

I guess that’s why he’s a really cool role model dog.

Want to read more about me and Snoopy? Read last week’s blog post, “Making Friends With Snoopy.”

Making Friends With Snoopy

Posted September 25, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

I’m an easy-going kind of dog. I travel well. In fact, I fit under the seat of an airplane like carry-on luggage.

Well, I’m in the middle of another big trip adventure.

After taking a walk through a long airport called Dallas and finding the relief station, we got on another airplane, where I had a long nap.

When we finally landed in Santa Rosa, the smells became familiar. My ears perked up because I knew where we were! Things got even more familiar as I recognized a famous dog, but he couldn’t play and was larger than his pictures make him out to be.

He showed me his house, but I didn’t climb on top to hang out with him.

Apparently, this famous dog’s master lived here for many years and created lots of things called comic strips.

Christy loves Snoopy because he’s a writer, too.

Of course, I had to smile for a photo with a bronze-smelling statue of two of his friends before we moved onward to the next adventure in our travels.

What is a Time Zone?

Posted September 5, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Here we go again! Yes, I love adventure and that usually means traveling.

So here I am in an airplane flying to California to be with family for a special day called “a wedding.”

The trouble with flying isn’t that it gets us there quickly. The trouble is with something I don’t understand. Time zones. Apparently, we crossed a couple of them while in the sky. Of course, you know I can’t tell time. I have talked about this problem before.

I keep my eye on Christy, hoping she is aware that no matter what time zone we have crossed, I have a schedule to keep.

I knew something had changed as my tummy rumbled and Christy didn’t feed me right away. I watched Grandma Kit peeling carrots – one of my favorite treats – but she didn’t feed me.

When I finally got my dinner, Christy apologized. She was doing her best to keep me on schedule while dealing with time.

Food is not the only issue I have to deal with; this time zone crossing thing is exhausting!

What’s a Gender Reveal?

Posted August 21, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

I’ve seen a lot of things and enjoyed many events, but this one is a doggy first.

We arrived at our church fellowship night when a lady whispered in Mom’s ear.  A few minutes later, Mom hung a wooden sign around my neck. It felt awkward, but I am a go-with-the-flow kind of dog.

We stayed hidden until the “scavenger hunt” for baby gender clues had finished. Everyone seemed perplexed and lost at the misleading clues until I walked over to the new expectant mom as she read the board.

Reading the sign made her so happy. If she had a tail, it would be wagging very fast.

I have said before that dogs can’t read, but whatever the sign said, I’m glad I was the one who got to deliver the good news.

Mom got excited recently about a new panda place where we had to stop for lunch.

I met another big furry creature walking up and down the sidewalk as the restaurant was celebrating a grand opening.

It was a very hot day and I think this furry friend could have used some water. But he was kind enough to let me sniff him. My nose tells me he is not a real panda bear. What do you think?

Meeting New Furry Friends

Posted July 10, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

I’ve been to many places and seen new things in the past month. I met a new furry friend.

His name is Rascal and he is the mascot for the brand-new community center, Morristown Landing.

Christy bops about in the pool as loud music is played during her water aerobics class while I sit on my waterproof mat and keep my eye on her. The people are getting used to seeing me and know better not to disturb me, since I’m always on duty.

I have discovered a place that has the most wonderful dog treats. On our way to surprise one of Christy’s writing friends, we stopped at this place called Buc-ee’s.

It’s a huge store for travelers and is surrounded by grassy areas reserved for dogs to do their business. I was able to pick out my own packaged donut treats and they were delicious. I think Buc-cee’s is my new favorite spot to stop on road trips and there is a new one a short trip away.

You can see why I like it here:

Who wouldn’t like a furry friendly little creature with treats of all kinds to share?

My Travels, New Friends and Places

Posted May 29, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Have you ever heard the song, “I’ve Been Everywhere,” by Johnny Cash?

It came to Mom’s mind while she was helping me write this blog post. It’s almost officially summer and time for travels.

Here’s a few of mine in the past month or two, and some friends I’ve met.

I visited my cat friend, Todd, in Greeneville and I met a sweet lamb whom I gave a quick “hello” slurp.

The Gulf of Mexico had some really soft, white sand.

While I was there, I kissed a shark!

This pier was full of activity and while I sat there, some friendly dolphins surfaced behind me. Unfortunately, they were shy and disappeared quickly.

The same thing happened with a crane, but he flew off to better posts and I had to sit by this one instead.

We attended a Jesus Festival in Elizabethtown in Eastern Tennessee, where they have a historic covered bridge.

After all that, I’m glad to be home and enjoying my own chew bone on my favorite place to sleep, Mom’s bed!

PHEW! I better get some rest because the summer of travel is only beginning!

Happy Spring and Learning New Things

Posted April 3, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Where I live, spring is in the air, but with a little nip of winter. I’m not sure what to think as the temperature and weather change from day to day.

I was really excited to have a mother robin nesting in the eaves of our second-floor balcony.

But sadly, her first nest hit the ground and now Mom uses it for decoration.

That didn’t stop a persistent bird from building another nest. I hope to hear the happy sound of peeping baby robins soon.

Now for new things.

Mom found these funny-sounding buttons at a thrift store.

She’s watched other animals using them on Facebook, similar to these but with more choices. I guess she thought I needed to learn how to talk. I do my job quietly, but sometimes I moo like a cow when I really want her attention.

I think Mom’s idea is to train me on more human words, but for now I like the sound of this button the best because it gets me the most treats.

Visiting Dogs4Diabetics Center, Where My Old Pawprints Were Left

Posted February 27, 2023 | Aiden the Service Dog

Since moving, I haven’t had many dog interactions; Lola was a recent exception.

Find Lola’s story here (part 1) and here (part 2).

Our trip to California was full of family and friends and one huge piece of business: My recertification with Dogs4Diabetics.

Every year I get an annual vet visit, update shots and get a health clearance. Mom fills out a questionnaire and we go to D4D to meet with Carrie, the lead trainer. She gives Mom advice as they talk about my behavior. I perform obedience skills in public in order to pass for another year.

There were many familiar smells and my nose was overloaded from sniffing. I loved catching up with old furry friends, especially my girlfriend Wolfie.

She’s still as cute as ever. Mom was excited to hug Mark Ruefenacht, the founder of D4D, who just happened to be in town from his many work travels.

As we enjoyed catching up with the trainers at lunch, Mom was asked what she misses most from our move. She replied, “I miss my diabetic connections.”

Truly, D4D, its staff and clients that we both know and love, are irreplaceable. Mom just wishes she could move them close to us.

My doggy heart agrees.