Halloween Bentley and Breton

Happy Halloween!

Bentley's costume lasted long enough for pictures.

Freedom Service Dog's 2009 Spirit Conference

Maria, Elisa, Finn, Flash and I went to the 2009 Spirit Conference held by Freedom Service Dog's last week. I was absolutely in all of my glory there, soaking up as much information as I could. In between sessions, I admired dogs from other organizations and watched their handlers. I was so impressed to hear the sound of clickers and to see no choke chains on dogs in all of my observations. There were forty dogs and one hundred attendees. I brought Flash and Maria brought Flash's brother, Finn. They flew in the cabin with us and to my amazement and pride, Flash tucked right under the seat infront of me and handled the flight with ease. Finn curled up at Maria's feet in the bulk head. Finn is a big boy and probably would have been uncomfortable scrunching under a seat, but I have no doubt he would have tried anyways if he had to. When we landed in Denver, we took a shuttle to Freedom Service Dog's facilities and had a tour. Flash and Finn were the only dogs on the shuttle and they got to hang out in their kennel facility and play while we toured. From there, we drove to Estes Park where we stayed at Aspen Lodge. The drive was nearly two hours from the Denver airport. Flash and Finn most definetly stood out as two of the best dogs at the conference (true, I am biased, but we had loads of compliments on them and they were a pleasure to have a long with us). During sessions, both of them would curl up under or behind our table and go to sleep. Breaking when we did, otherwise, taking time to sleep where they could. Unfortunately, we couldn't let them off leash for much of a romp because there was a mama bear and her cubs who had been hanging around the lodge (we didn't see them) and it wasn't safe for them to run free. Instead, we let them play together in our cabin.

On the drive back to the airport, there were five dogs in the shuttle van and you would haven't known it. Actually, I didn't, I thought there were only four. Finn slept on one of the dogs, and poor Flash, tried to get comfortable with Finn and the lab he was curled up with, but found it more to her comfort to sleep sitting up instead. On the return flight, Finn and Flash were both so tired that we all thought they could have easily flown to Europe if that's where we were destined. Flash didn't even lift her head or crack an eyelid when we landed in Edmonton. I have fallen in even more love with Flash and her brother Finn after our two nights together and am so proud of their puppy raisers, adult raisers and Dogs with Wings for these two gems. I would have been proud to take any of our current dogs to the conference with us because I feel I now have an even deeper appreciation and respect for the dogs we raise. Way to go Dogs with Wings and all of the Volunteers who make our dogs who they are! I feel we truly have much to be proud of!

Breton Waiting for her Mama to Come Home

Thanksgiving 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Breton's Got a "White" Eye?

Looks like someone's been into the drywall dust from our basement that is "Under Construction."

Calendar Poses

Bentley's Fall Haircut

Before & After

"I" - Litter Pups Four and a Half Weeks Old

Walk in the Rain

Dog's waiting at the back door for a towel rub down after our walk.

We got caught in the rainfall today. It started raining five minutes after we left the house but instead of turning around, we enjoyed our wet walk. On the home stretch, there was a loud crack of thunder that made all of us jump, but otherwise, it was a nice Sunday afternoon walk.

Love

Dogs with Wings' Puppies

Labrador/Golden Retriever Cross Puppies

Happy Birthday Bentley Boy!

Bentley is Three!

This year we noticed a big difference in Bentley's ability to chill. He is very content to lay on his back and receive belly rubs (his favorite), sit at the front window and keep an eye on the neighbourhood or snooze on the couch. This year, he did destroy one Blackberry, chew one cell phone and disfigure a T.V. remote control but that was it for the year (I think). Our walks no longer feel like I am trying to keep up with him and I feel like we are walking together now. It has taken thirty four months of daily walks to reach this point, but well worth the gift of the bond it has created and the wealth of lessons he has taught me along the way. He is a special dog and I love my Bentley Boy very much! Happy Birthday Bentley!

Sunday Relaxing

A Puppy Moment

Bentley was eight months old the last time he did any significant damage to the house; he chewed through the baseboard and drywall on a corner of the wall. Breton was eighteen months the last time she did any damage. She turned eighteen months a couple of weeks ago.

You know those "puppy moments" when out of nowhere they get a sudden burst of energy and start running around in a frenzy of pure hyperactive wildness that only last seconds? When Breton has one of those moments, she tucks her tail nice and tight, her bum almost touches the floor and she guns it like a speed boat with its aft in the water and its nose in the air.

Breton had a puppy moment last week. She opened it up in the bedroom and made a mad run into the hallway where she did a tight 180 degree turn back into the bedroom and smacked her hip right in between two studs of the bedroom wall. That was her first lap, and it didn’t stop her. Greg and I were dumbfounded as she ran in and out of our room, Greg holding Bentley who watched on in awe, and me wondering if her hip was okay. Her hip was okay, the wall not so much; one for Breton, zero for the house. When we showed the wall to my seven-year-old Niece, she said, "If Breton hit it ten times harder, she would have fallen outside."

New Blog

http://puppyblossoms.blogspot.com/

I've changed Breton's Blog address because now that she is no longer working to become a service or assistance dog with Dogs with Wings, I would like to keep blogging about her life with me. I would also like to include stories about my Springer Spaniel, Bentley, and blog about other dogs in my life. This blog is no longer going to be just about Breton and so watch for more changes (and stories) to come!

Shannon, Breton & Bentley

New Blog Address...

I am going to change Breton's Blog address and hope that those who read my Blog will continue to do so. Breton's Blog link is going to be removed from the Dogs with Wings Website shortly, so if you would like to continue following, you may want to save the current address to your favorites. I will post the new Blog name and link in a few days.

Thanks!
Shannon & Breton

Amigo's

No Blonde's allowed!

King Bentley and his girl's

Glory Girl