An update from the apartment of Ben, Shona and Kate

Hi everyone,
There are actually some new things in my life. To begin with I am actually fairly busy. I started classes with The Animal Behavior College (clicker here to go to their website) to get a certificate in dog training. In addition, I'll be taking supplementary courses in training shelter dogs, dog massage (:D), dog walking and pet sitting and operating my own business. Vocational Rehab is paying for this for which I am very blessed.

I've also been spending a LOT of time at the Kennel Club. Let's see here are some of the classes I have finished up: Introduction to agility (Benny); Beginners Rally (Benny); Basic Obedience (Benny); Introduction to agility (Shona); Basic Obedience (Shona). In July I will also be assisting in teaching a basic obedience class and taking Shona to a Beyond Basic class. My father will be handing Benny in this class and we might switch around a bit. I wanted them both in the class but couldn't figure out how to handle both at once so my dad graciously agreed to handle Benny for me. I am also attending an Advanced Obedience one on one session once a week. I plan to show Benny at the end of July at the open class at the 4-H fair dog show in obedience. It seems fitting as the last time I was in the show ring was at the 4-H dog show and the first time I will be returning is there again.

I also am working with my first service dog client. This is an adventure in and of itself. It's going to be a mobility dog and hopefully help a young man with fetching things, opening doors, the fridge etc. It is a shelter dog that lives at their home and their resources are limited so I'm not sure how this will turn out but it's a good experience.

Let's see...Shona is now officially taking over Benny's jobs. Benny became (and continues to be) very protective of me and started to growl. This is not acceptable in a service dog so I made the very difficult decision to at least temporally retire him. Also, he is going through the teenage dog years and is a monster currently. I'm hoping he will mature a litte in the next six months to a year and perhaps resume his duties at least on a somewhat limited bases. The good news is that Shona thrives with a job. She is a completely different dog with a vest on than you see in the house. She is calm, attentive and loves to work. You won't believe it unless you see it so I hope someday you will join us on an outing.

I think that's about it for my life now. It's full and more busy than I have been in a long time but I'm enjoying it. Here are a few dog pictures for your enjoyment. :)

May Third Thursday - goofy dogs - I tag teamed them this day and they both worked.

Shona working at a used bookstore in Wichita

Shona now lives in the apartment with Benny and I. The contraptions on Benny's head is a type of cone. He has hurt himself twice in the last month.

Benny in his "cone"