Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween!!!!! 

Please be SAFE!!!

Carving Pumpkins with Desiree and the kids.

News Tree

When we go to Andy's house two or three times a week, I park the car in the same spot most of the time.  Cooper waits for me to give him the ok to get out of the car.  

'Reading' the news

When he's allowed, he heads straight for a tree that is in the corner of the drive way and side walk.  He had particular interest in this tree because all the dogs that are walked down this side walk will pee on that tree.  

Here's Cooper adding to the 'gossip'

Cooper goes to it and gather's all the gossip since the last time he got to visit it.  It doesn't even matter if it's raining out.  He wants to spend time at the 'news tree' as we arrive at Andy's AND as we leave.

To Benefit Our Vietnam Veterans

Auntie Karen, Auntie Jeri and Aunti Moe  XOXOX

Cooper and I went on a veteran's benefit ride on September 25th with some favorite aunties.  There were probably over 200 bikes at this ride.  We had a great time.  I got to meet some great folks and Cooper had the love of some new and adoring fans who happily took his cards to read this blog.  If any of you are reading, please give a shout!

Just some of the bikes

I got to take some video this time.  In one video I tried to show what it looks like in front and in back (mirrors) of us as we're in the pack of bikes.  One video is as we were pulling in at the finish line (we were at the very beginning of the pack).  The other video is as all the other bikes were arriving.  Of course you know, Cooper had to bark to welcome them all.

Cooper and I got our picture taken as we were arriving after the ride, by one of the ladies who volunteered selling tickets, taking pictures, etc.  What a great shot!  Thanks Rosey!

Allow Cooper To Behave

When we eat dinner, Cooper is expected to 'go lay down'.  This means to, not sit at our feet waiting to be fed.  Not to watch the floor looking for things that drop.  Not sit across the room and stare and whine while we eat.  It means to go to another area either where we can't see him or where he can lay and at least pretend to sleep.  When he does this he is very calm.  He relaxes while we eat because he settles into what we expect of him.  I know it sounds harsh to be so strict with him, but consider the outcome if none of these rules were in place.  He would be a begger and people wouldn't welcome him the way they do.  Meal times would be a whining session of "give me more please" from him AND he would more than likely become fat from being over fed.

So having the strict rule allows him to calmly accept and relax into his expected behavior.  It allows peaceful meals for us.  It allows me to take him to restaurants, buffet lines, parties and not have to worry too much about his behavior.  Honestly, the biggest problem is when people want to feed him.  Allowing this would un-do his training quickly.  As a matter of fact, enough of it has happened that I can't trust him to behave when I'm not watching.  People have innocently fed him, seeing no harm in it, or snuck food to him to show him affection or "spoil" him a little.  

I understand what causes people to do that.  I only wish they would understand the instability it causes for Cooper when people change his rules.  He becomes much less comfortable when I try to re-establish his boundaries.  The alternative, if I don't re-establish his boundaries,  he will become less welcomed, he will become a nuisance, and he would eventually loose his status as a service dog.  This is what I'm constantly battling to maintain his behaviors for.  He would be much more comfortable if people would just allow him to behave.

Ewwwwww! Mushy Stuff!

When ever Jesse and I hug or kiss each other you can guarantee Cooper will come running.  He jumps against our legs and bumps them hard with his front paws while barking at us.  He's really funny about it.  He'll drop everything to come get us to stop.  

Sometimes we pick him up and put him in the middle of our hug while we kiss again.  He barks and squirms around until we put him down.

I wonder what he thinks is going on when we hug.  Does he think we're challenging each other?  Does he feel like there is some kind of conflict?  This would be a really good question to ask the dog whisperer.  I'll bet he would know.

Guest Blog #2 Written By Lisa Simmons

Biker Buffy/Dogs on Hogs/Mutts on Motorcycles ~ Lisa Simmons 

Right after the last newsletter was published I was able to attend Bike Week in Laconia NH where I found the perfect carrier for Buffy’s motorcycle adventures. It is made specifically for carrying your dog on your bike. It is called 

The Pet Palace and is made by Kuryakyn, a reputable motorcycle luggage company. Buffy took to the new carrier very well and we rode every day we were able; visiting family, doing errands, going for an occasional ice cream. 

Buffy’s first “big” ride was the 30th Annual Toy Run on 

September 11th.  I collected all my stuffed poodles to donate to the kiddos and loaded up the bike.  Buffy thrived on all of the attention by the thousands of other bikers.  She was the perfect little biker who loved to have the wind in her hair. The only part she didn’t like was slowing down and would bark like crazy whenever we did of course this caused a lot of looks and laughter from the people watching all the bikes go by.  It was as though she was yelling “Faster faster MOM!” 

A few weeks later we got an invitation to go visit Buffy’s 

boyfriend Cooper in Pembroke Massachusetts.  This would by far be the longest ride Buffy has done.  She had never been out of the State of Maine ever.  I arranged to get out of work at 

noon, pack up the bike and be on our way so we could miss the Boston Friday afternoon traffic situation.  Well, that didn’t work out so well and we ended up walking the length of the tunnel, Buffy barking her way along because we were going so slowly.  Nearly every passing vehicle took photos and videos along the way.  I am sure her picture was posted on facebook hundreds of times that day.  When we stopped for gas just south of Boston she was plum tuckered out but refused to lay down to take a nap for fear she would miss some excitement.  She was just barely able to lie down and keep her head out of the carrier. 

The following day Buffy, Cooper and Cooper’s mom Paula participated in a charity fundraiser ride for the BFD (Brockton Fire Department).  After the ride, the furkids had fun at the firehouse and even sidled up to the bar for a refreshing beverage, compliment of the bartender.  It was still fairly early after the festivities so we rode on down to Plymouth to see the Plymouth Rock (aka Plymouth Pebble) and the replica of the Mayflower.  Buffy and I returned home the following day.  Cooper and Buffy said their goodbyes and off we rode… to the next adventure. 

 

Stay tuned next issue for more adventures with Buffy as well as other stories of Mutts on Motorcycles. 

You can see adventures with Cooper at www.paulajeanandcooper.blogspot.com 

Bye-Bye Buffy

When Lisa and Buffy were ready to go, and Buffy was all settled into her crate for the ride back to Maine.  

Cooper wasn't sure what to think.  He had never seen readiness for a ride with another dog, and the last time he saw Buffy get ready he got to go too.

He tried to see her, putting his feet up on the bags and looking up.  I picked him up and put him on the bag so he could see her up close.  He was happy with this.  He really liked being on the bike with her.

When they were ready to go, I took Cooper down and Lisa and Buffy were on their way.  Cooper watched them leave.  

It's kind of sad to me when I watch this now...

Buffy Gets In On Cooper's AM Routine

Every morning after breakfast, shower, etc., Cooper expects to get his back scratched.  He pushes into me or nudges against me to remind me of this duty.  

He wants EVERYTHING scratched.  Back, sides, legs, neck, chin, head, belly, butt... EVERYTHING!

Buffy heard all the commotion and thought she should come see what these happy sounds were all about.  

As luck would have it, she loves to be scratched too!

She got right in on the act.  Talk about being in the right place at the right time!  YA HOO!

Air Mattress Attack

Cooper is so funny with some things.  While we traveled this summer, we had to blow up an air mattress and deflate it again quite a few times.  I'm not sure why, but we never let Cooper get in there to help.  

This is what it looks like when Cooper helps Lisa deflate the air mattress...

Buffy and Cooper - Pooped after a long day

This is Buffy...

and Cooper...

... at the end of our day of benefit ride and Plymouth waterfront.  They were EXHAUSTED and both were dreaming within minutes of closing their eyes. 

They are so well loved, secure and happy.  What lucky dogs.

Plymouth Waterfront With Buffy

During the same day as the Fire Station Benefit ride, we went to Plymouth.  Lisa had never been, so we had to show her where our country began.  We had a great time and got an Ice Cream.  

Cooper and Buffy got to walk together down Water Street as we went to get ice cream.  We stopped to see the Plymouth Rock....

and the Mayflower.....

... and we went into a couple of souvenir shops so Lisa could get a patch for her jacket.

Buffy likes to get on my bike with Cooper when ever she can.  I think it's really cute that she will do that out of her own desire.  She likes my bike!  :0)

I wanna come up

Here I come

Move over Cooper

See? We both fit up here

I like sitting with you Cooper