Second Graders

To our little friends in Port Washington:

Dear Sr. Margie’s Second Grade Class,

We thought we would send you all an update on Bennett and Journey. Bennett and Journey are working well as a team. Bennett has his own leash now that he gets to hold when we take her for a walk. It’s bright green, his favorite color.

Journey will be starting a new dog class on Wednesday. It is for her Good Canine Citizen certification. That means that when she is done with it, she should be able to pass the test so she can be out in public and go wherever Bennett goes. All service dogs need to pass this test.

Here is a picture of Journey and Bennett working on training. Journey needs to lie still across Bennett’s legs. This is used if Bennett is at the doctor or if he is scared for some reason. Having Journey lay across his legs will help keep Bennett calm.

We have been spending a little time on training every day. Bennett is on a soccer team now, so we get a lot of training in on those days. Since Bennett cannot see so well, he has a bright yellow ball. Some children who have trouble seeing can use a soccer ball with a beeper in it. That way, they listen for the ball instead of using their eyes to find it. Bennett loves being part of a team. Soccer is fun for Journey too. Journey needs to sit still when Bennett is playing soccer. She cannot chase balls or kids when she is there. This can be hard for a dog sometimes. She is a very hard worker though and she is learning quickly. She loves going to soccer because anytime she is outside, she is happy.

 

We are looking forward to visiting with you after first Communion. Have a wonderful Easter.

Love,

Mrs. Lehman, Bennett, and Journey

Fund Rasing for a Great Cause

We got word a few months back that a second grade class in Port Washington was doing fund raisers for Journey and Bennett. What a blessing. Here are some of the ways we've kept in contact with them.

Dear Sr. Margie’s Second Grade Class,

We cannot thank you enough for thinking of Bennett for your service project this year. The money you have raised will help pay for Journey’s vet care and training on her road to becoming Bennett’s service dog. Bennett cannot see very well so Journey will help him get around safely. She will be his special friend when he goes places. Because she will be a service dog, she will be able to go anywhere Bennett goes, except for his school. Soon, she will get a harness that Bennett will hold on to when he walks. It will make it easier for him to make his way around new places. The training will take about a year.

Both Journey and Bennett are doing well together as a new team. Bennett loves laying on her pillow and cuddling with her whenever he can. We are very excited to have this puppy as a new part of our family.

Thank you again for thinking of Bennett. It makes our hearts happy.

Love,

Mrs. Lehman, Bennett, and Journey

Service dog in training

Here are some of Journey's photos from her latest shoot for CCSDA.

Puppy Prints

It’s been awhile since I have blogged so let me catch you up.

Journey started with her pinch collar last Wednesday at puppy class. Venture and Kipper, who are two other dogs in the program, were born on the same day as Journey and they have had the pinch collar for several weeks now. I hear it does wonders for some dogs. Without using words, just the collar, our trainer tried to get her to sit and lay down. Sitting wasn’t a problem, and then came the “down.” We will have more training with it before it is something we will use regularly.

Which brings us to today….

I was so proud of Journey when I let her out on the deck this afternoon. She laid there enjoying the unseasonably nice weather for quite a while. And then, I spotted it! A squirrel on her side of the fence! I casually walked to the patio door to observe what she would do to that poor squirrel. I did not have much faith in Journey that she would allow it to stroll around her yard without a bark. Boy was I wrong. Journey sat up and stared without a sound. After several minutes of the stare down, the squirrel ran up and tree and Journey laid back down to continue her sun bathing.

After some time outdoors, she came in with muddy paws making puppy prints all over the sunroom carpet and the kitchen floor. I grabbed a bucket of water and she let me soak her feet individually in the bucket until the mud was gone, until next time she goes out. As for the carpet, I am thinking there is no point in cleaning it today. Maybe when spring is over….

So, we won one and lost one today! It’s a learning experience and we are learning a lot everyday!

Watching t.v.

I just had to share this picture with you all. This is Bennett watching t.v. last week. How cute are they?

Our first "dog show"

4H sponsored a kiddie dog show at the Rock County Fair Grounds this past Saturday, called a Fun Match. Brady was very excited to get to do something special with Journey. He got up extra early Saturday to make sure we wouldn't be late. Then he brushed Journey so she was looking her best.

When we arrived, Journey was happy to see her old friends, Carbon and Venture. They were sure to get in a little play time before the events started.

Brady was awesome with Journey. He seemed so mature out there. What happened to my little six year old?
The show ended with Bennett tripping on the uneven surface, smacking his face on the ground, and getting a bloody nose. Not too fun. But, he got a first place ribbon and a helicopter which made it all better. Brady went home with two first place ribbons which he was awfully proud of.

A little lovin' from Journey always makes everything better.

Just look at these well behaved Custom Canine puppies :) How can't you love them? Carbon is looking for a puppy raiser in case anyone is interested.

Couldn't be a happier little boy today!