Mom says we are going to be going to somewhere called Florida

Mom told me this week that we are going to some place called the Mayo Clinic in Florida to see if they can figure out why she is sick. I get to go with Mom and Grandmom! Goo

d thing too, I don't know what Mom would do without me in a new place. She also said we were going to stop at her Grandmom Vogel's house in South Carolina. Vogel might even come with us to Florida.

This week I went to a lot of places with Mom. I always go to therapy with her and they say I am doing really well! Lots of people tell me what a good dog

I am.

I also got to go to Raleigh, where I am from, for Mom's pain doctor. She was very nice and everyone there said I was a Very Good Dog. After that, Gran

dda

d had to pick something up at a building and Mom and I stayed outside. She took some pictures of me that she says are very pretty.

After that, we went to one of Mom's favorite places to eat: Moe's. Mom is a vegetarian and she says they do the best tofu burrito anywhere! I don't know about that since she never gives me any (Mom says I have a sensitive tummy on top of my allergies). She does always make sure to get me a big cup of water with ice in it! I sit under the table and nap while everyone eats.

I also went to the dentist with my mom. We were sitting in this place humans call a waiting room (what kind of silly thing is that? a whole room to teach them to wait?!?) a man was asking questions about me. Then 3 of my favorite kind of human (besides Mom), kids, came in there! They wanted to pet me but Mom told them I couldn't play because I was working. They were very nice and Mom got to tell everyone that I was a rescue dog. The man was very surprised and Mom told him that you can get wonderful, smart dogs from shelters and rescues. Mom says she can't ever pay me back for what I do so she wants to pay it forward to other rescue dogs.

I also got to go out to dinner with Mom, Grandmom, Granddad, Aunt Kay and Laura! Aunt Kay was very proud of all of my progress since she hasn't seen me in a few weeks.

I got an award!

My friend Princess the Pitbull gave me this award a few weeks ago (but Mom has been hogging the computer for "school" stuff.

So the rules for this award are:

• Put the award on your blog and link to who gave it to you.
• Give a nod to Purple Hatter who made the award
• Give the award to at least 5 of your blogging buddies who have been rescued, support rescue or have helped with a rescue dog or kitty cat

-Stella the Carny Dog Because she is rescued and spotted like me.

-Miss Sylvie my trainer Because she helps rescues a ton

-Timmy, Sharla and Ranger Because their mom works hard to rescue puppy mill dogs

-Meghan and Ace Because Ace is a really cute little rescue dog

-Jackson and Poe who are rescued dog sport super stars!

Mom says I will be taking a text in 2 or 3 weeks

Mom and I have been working pretty hard this week. She has been trying to teach me this thing called "Tug" and this week I finally understood what she wanted! She wants me to pull on something when she says "tug"! We have been working on me pulling on the thing in her hand all week.

Then today she put it on a drawer where a lot of metal things humans use to eat are kept. She told me to tug and I did and the drawer opened! Mom was really happy and said I was a Very Good Dog and gave me a really yummy treat. We did that for a while then she moved it to the door. She told me to tug and I did and closed the door!

She is also making me do a "practice alert" that we can show our trainer so I can be certified (whatever that is). Mom says we are going to take a test with our trainer in 2 or 3 weeks so I can get my certification.

I've gone to physical therapy with Mom twice this week and she said I did great. I laid by all of her exercises and was quiet, even when people talked to me. Today Mom went to get something called an x-ray where she laid on a table that moved and made funny noises. I stayed in the room with her to make suer everything was ok. After that we wen to Target and Mom talked to 2 different people about me. One man said his wife had a dog that was his wife's eyes! He was very nice and said I was a Good Dog. Then a lady asked about me and petted me, even though Mom told her I was working. I knew I was still working so I just sat by Mom and wagged my tail. Mom said I did the exact right thing!

And now, finally, here is a picture of me in my service dog gear.

Finally back on the blogging scene

Mom has started school and been super busy lately, plus her main computer broke so I haven't been allowed to get on the ones that were loaned to her. She said today she would let me get on and update everyone about my progress.

We still don't have any pictures because Grandmom is still wary of me in public. I am proving to her that I can do it, so hopefully she will take some pictures soon!

I have started going with Mom to this crazy place with lots of strange things that people do stuff with that she calls Physical Therapy. I just lay by Mom while she does things and make sure she doesn't start shaking. I worry sometimes because I can tell she is really hurting so I have to check on her. Everyone says they don't even know I'm there, which Mom says is a very good thing. I don't know about that, since my poor tail got stepped on twice but everyone apologized.

I also got to go out with Grandmom and Granddad for the first time yesterday. We went to a place called IHOP where I slept under the table while everyone else ate. After that we went to this place with lots of computers and desks and stuff that Mom uses when she works on something she calls classes. I walked around with her and Granddad and the cashier lady said I was a Very Good Dog! The last place we went was a book store where Mom look at lots of books. I laid down beside her every time even when there was a little human (who I usually like to play with). Mom says I'm an SDiT rockstar, what ever that means.

My first real world training day

So Mom and Aunt Kay (Mom's aunt) got my patches done enough that they thought we could try some real world training.

First we went to this place called Lowe's, where they have tons of smells and sounds and moving things and people. We stood at a desk and waited until they brought the thing we came for to the desk. I sat at Mom's feet and didn't move even though people were talking about me. The people at the desk didn't know I was there until we were on the way out.

Since things went so well, we went to TJ Maxx because Aunt Kay needed some luggage. We walked around and looked at all sorts of things. There was less space here, but I didn't mind, I just stayed close to Mom! When we were in line a little human came up behind me and scared me a little bit, but all I did was jump back and then settle right back down. Mom told the little human I was working and couldn't play right now.

Because I was doing so well and because Mom and Aunt Kay and Laura (Mom's little cousin who love me) were hungry we went to a place with people food called Chili's. The people very very nice and didn't say anything about me. I laid down under the table (I was kind of tired) and the nice man who brought them food brought me a bowl of water! It was nice and cold and made me very happy. Then I took a nap while the humans ate.

Last, we went to Target. Mom walked around and looked at clothes and a bunch of other stuff. We went in the cat aisle and Mom said I was a VERY GOOD DOG because I didn't try to eat the bags of cat food. Aunt Kay saw someone she knew and I sat quietly while they talked. Mom and Aunt Kay both picked out things they had to buy so I stood in line while they waited and bought their stuff.

Mom and Aunt Kay both said that I exceeded their expectations. I was just happy that I was there to watch Mom and make sure she didn't start shaking and that no one hurt her bad arm.

My first piece of assistance dog gear

So Mom got a new package last week and said it was for me! I was hoping it was treats or a new pink squeaky toy (they are my favoritest toy in the world!). It wasn't either of those things. Instead it was this weird looking thing with zippers and snaps that kind of looked like my backpack I wore when Mom and I went walking.

She said it is a new backpack that she can work with easier. It sure holds more stuff than the old one. But don't worry, Mom isn't over loading it. This one fits me much better too!

Here are some pictures of me in it:

Mom has been hogging the computer lately

So I know it has been a really long time since I've updated. Mom has been having some problems, so I've had to take care of her. She says now I will be able to update more frequently since she thinks people will want to hear about my journey.

I am still training to become my mom's certified assistant dog. We are getting my new backpack soon and I can't wait! Mom says it will be much easier for her to get into and that I will even be able to carry a notebook for her if I need to go to school with her! Mom is also making my "Service Dog in Tra

ining" patches so we can start my training in new places like Wal-Mart, the library, salons and other places I'm not usually allowed to go.

I've also learned a new trick! It is called touch and all I have to do is touch my nose to Mom's hand when she asks. I get cheese when I do it! Mom says that now I'm going to learn to touch things like light switches, doors and stuff Mom drops. She says I will learn to pick things up, turn lights on and off and open and close doors for

her!

Just in case anyone was worried that my life is all work, I do get time to relax and play. On July 4th, Mom's whole family came over and we all got to hang out by the pool! All of the dogs that live here were outside and we had so much fun! Here, you can see me and my new little sister Lola chilling in the sun!