Yesterday...tomorrow

Yesterday, Scout came with me on assignment for the last time. She was a big hit at the Ride for Gold, a Harley ride to benefit the Special Olympics.

FLD Scout sits while the riders get instructions. She got a bit nervous when a little boy in a big, blue motorcycle helmet ran over to pet her. I don't think she liked the giant mohawk that topped his helmet. He didn't really understand, but his mom coaxed him away and all was fine. FLD Scout was not nervous when the H.O.G.s fired up their machines and roared away.

This Special Olympian gets a nice greeting from FLD Scout.

TOMORROW, FLD Scout returns to Leader Dogs for the Blind to begin her formal guide-dog training.

*sigh*

dogspeed, Scout!

What's in our northern Michigan woods?

It was a dark and stormy night....

Oh, wait. That's a quote from another famous dog.

It was a grey and gloomy morning. Mist hung mysteriously over the treetops.

FLD Scout was on assignment with me, to cover the opening of the Bigfoot Bash at the Michigan Magazine Museum in Comins.

As we entered the museum, the participants who were already gathering for the welcome speeches let us know that Bigfoot "doesn't like dogs."

Once again, Scout's dreamy brown eyes wins one over.

FLD Scout looks back at me like she's thinking, "Really? He doesn't like dogs?"

We'll see about that.

A day of firsts, part 2

The afternoon of May 18.

FIRST ROLLER RINK

FLD Scout and I have a busy day ahead of us after the 2nd-grade field trip to the high school pool. Next stop, The Skate Place in West Branch to cover a story for the Ogemaw County Voice. This is the day that Rose City Middle School students with good grades and citizenship are rewarded with an afternoon of free skating.

The parking lot is empty except for two buses, but when I open the entrance door the noise of a crowd rolls over us. The owner of the place sits in an office behind a high counter-top window, like he's taking bets on a horse race.

FLD Scout is a good ambassador when I'm out on assignment for the Voice. She puts my interviewees at ease; after a few minutes of explaining what puppy raising for Leader Dogs for the Blind means, they are relaxed and open to my questions. Scout is no different here. Before I know it, the owner introduces me to his wife and the three of us are chatting like we're long-lost friends.

As I'm taking notes (with FLD Scout sitting calmly next to me), a young teen rolls by on one skate, his other leg kicked up trying to counter balance his imminent butt plant. Scout doesn't break her sit. At the last moment, the boy grabs a counter and saves himself. "I've crashed seven times," he says, grinning like the Cheshire cat.

Eventually I break away from the owners to interview Mr. Erickson, chaperone and science teacher. He sits near the opening to the maple-wood floor of the rink. The room is dark except for the flashes from the sparkling round strobe light hanging above the skating arena. His shirt collar glows neon white and when I glance at my notepad, it is glowing too. Everywhere, everything white is luminous. I doubt that FLD Scout even notices. Her nose is to the rainbow and black-carpeted floor.

I am pleasantly surprised that Scout is so calm with the racket of the teens surrounding us. I leave her with Erickson and two girls who fawn over her while I venture into the rink for photos. Scout never even notices I'm gone.

FLD Scout tolerates the attention of two Rose City middle-schoolers.

FIRST HORSE

Our day is not done. After The Skate Place, I have an interview with a Master Gardener for another story. FLD Scout curls up on the passenger side floor and snoozes for the short drive to her garden-ringed home not far out of town. Marlane is gracious and allows Scout to roam her house while we chat in the kitchen. She even fills a water dish. I suppose we talk too long--eventually Scout settles at my feet on the cool tile floor.

Outside, it's picture time. As we wander around raised vegetable gardens and winding flower beds, Scout notices a horse in a pen behind the barn. She strains against the leash with her nose wagging in the air. Marlane invites us to meet the brown and white dusty mare, but it takes Scout a while to realize she's not going anywhere pulling like that.

Finally we reach the fence. The mare ducks her head to get a sniff of this black dog. Scout has second thoughts and backs away. The horse does too. I hang out with Scout outside of the fence until she's comfy. Marlane enters the pen and asks us to follow.

What gets Scout over her trepidation is the horse smell on the gardener's hand. Horse and dog never get nose-to-nose, but close enough.

Marlane: Master Gardener, Master Mediator.

It's been an eventful day for FLD Scout!

Memorial Day Remembered

On assignment.
Rose City Memorial Day Commemoration.

Flags at attention.

Andy and FLD Scout hang with me as I cover the town's ceremony for the Ogemaw County Voice. Under a brilliantly blue sky, the Rose City Middle School Band leads the rest of the students in a march to City Park. I am pleased when Scout holds her sit as they file around us.

The Rose City 5th through 8th grade bands entertain the crowd before the Memorial Day ceremony.

Andy and FLD Scout are respectful during the national anthem.

After the patriotic concert, four local VFW leaders honor veterans who have fallen. They solemnly share the reading of names; almost 60 Ogemaw County vets have passed since last Memorial Day.

Veterans of Foreign Wars blast WWI Springfield '03 rifles in a salute. Residents bow their heads and remember.

I'm in the crowd shooting photographs when the guns spurt flame and smoke between the long line of flags. Andy tells me later, "Scout was lying down and she jumped up when they went off the first time. The second time she raised her head and the last time she just stood in place."

To those who have given the ultimate in sacrifice, FLD Scout salutes you.

Duckies and Baby and Bear, Oh My!

April 14, 2012

Andy and FLD Scout come with me

to the Spring Art & Wine Walk in downtown West Branch.

I'm on assignment for the Ogemaw County Voice to shoot photos.

Andy hangs with FLD Scout while I compose my shot. Can you see her tail just behind the bear?

We walk from business to business, tasting wine and hors d'oeuvres, perusing art. The gigantic metal polar bear standing guard in front of Morse Clark Furniture interests FLD Scout about as much as her bi-monthly nail-cutting. (Unlike other Labs I know, Scout could care less about getting her nails done. I rather think she enjoys the attention!)

 

In the offices of the Herald (our competitor paper), FLD Scout is interested in (but not afraid of) baby ducks that peep and scurry to the corner of a heated wooden pen. The box is lined with pages from their paper, not ours.

We stroll through crowds and stores with breakable nick-nacks. Andy holds a relaxed FLD Scout while I click away.

It is later, when the family of the happiest-baby-girl-in-pink stops us with questions about FLD Scout, that Scout reveals some trepidation. "She just loves dogs," they say. I seize the opportunity and bring a not-so-sure Scout near. With my ever-present bag of treats, I reward Scout for daring to get close enough for a sniff.

She is the same age as FLD Scout--9-months.

The baby wiggles a reach and Scout allows her to pat her snout. Scout wags her tail and the wag, as usual, ripples its way to her nose, which bumps against the baby's open palm. The baby giggles with her whole body like she is being filmed for Funniest Home Videos. That's enough for Scout--she backs away, but not too far.

PROGRESS!

The giggling baby causes FLD Scout to reassess the situation.

...still more later...

On Assignment. West Branch Puppy Outing

The pre-winter storm that hammered the Bay City area didn't hit our northeastern corner of the state last night. The wind howled and moaned in the trees, but only the stars filled the night sky. At mid-morning, when Phyllis and Dick pulled up in their monster van to pick up FLD Scout and me for a puppy-outing, they sky burned blue and clear.

FLD Scout peered up into the van when I opened the side door. It was too high a jump for her, so I scooped her in. Camera bag, Leader Dog puppy-clean-up bag, and hand bag bopped her from my shoulder; she didn't care. She spotted FLD Autumn hunkered down between the two front seats.

FLD Autumn is a full-of-herself 8-week-old yellow lab. Phyllis and Dick picked her up from Leader Dogs for the Blind not long after they returned LD mom Amber's eight bouncing black lab puppies. Dick said, "One is a lot easier than eight!"

During the 20-mile drive to West Branch to meet Tammy (and FLD Ruckus) and Judy (and FLD JD) for some group socialization at the Tanger Outlet mall (and lunch at the LumberJack), Scout and Autumn went from crazy-wild-puppy-play to puppies-asleep-in-a-pile.

FLD Autumn flies to play with FLD Scout.

"What?"

Tired puppies--and we haven't even reached West Branch yet!

I think they are going to be good friends.

 

FLD Autumn begs FLD JD to play, but...working bandanas are on means it is time to go to work.

FLD Scout shows FLD Autumn how to hold a SIT/STAY.

I always like the commotion BEFORE a group photo is taken! Phyllis has FLD Autumn under control, but the others have their hands full. Sam with FLD JD, Dick with FLD Scout, Judy and Tammy with FLD Ruckus.

It was a beautiful sunny day and FLD Autumn decides to make the most of it.

Thanks, Tammy, for getting this together!

(Story to follow in the next issue of the Ogemaw County Voice.)

FLD Scout. On Assignment Again.

WHO

Intrepid reporter for the Ogemaw County Voice (aka "puppy-raiser patti") on assignment in Rose City, with her sidekick, FLD Scout.

WHAT

1st Annual Fall Wine Festival. Free hayrides between two wineries, wine-tasting, and food.

WHERE

Rose Valley Winery and Valley Mist Vineyards in Rose City, Michigan.

WHEN

Saturday, October 29, 2011. (This was the second Saturday of the event.)

WHY

To get the inside scoop on this inaugural event with the added bonus of self-control exercises for FLD Scout with people, food, and animal distractions. (There's my two-birds-with-one-stone thing again--see my post from July 27, 2011,  "FLD Gus Goes Loony".)

(and sometimes HOW)

It was a misty fall afternoon at the wineries, but FLD Scout didn't seem to mind. Inside the tasting rooms were crowds of engaging people and scraps of food on the floor to keep her me  busy.

Even the sight of "witch" Elaine (proprietress of Valley Mist Vineyards) with her witch's brew had no adverse effect on FLD Scout.

What caught Scout's attention was outside. Horses. The winery was old-hat, but horses...this was a first!

As we approached the staging area for the hayrides, FLD Scout didn't notice the two blanket-clad Percheron teams tied up to the semi-trailer. She had her eyes on Matthew and Nathan, who were waiting for the word to harness up the beasts to the wagons. Puppy-tail-waggle going full-force for the two young men, FLD Scout suddenly saw the horses.

"Rrrrruuuffff," Scout muffled, not so sure what to think. Her waggle paused.

Scout, sit, I commanded, but she needed a finger-tap on her rump to follow through. She peered at the horses, glanced back at me, and went back to studying. I kept her in position until she settled.

FLD Scout catches site of the horses.

Her nose gets busy as we get a bit closer.

Scout, heel, I said and we took a few steps forward. I didn't want to frighten Scout, or the horses! (Matthew assured me that Scout would not spook them.)

FLD Scout walks on a loose leash toward the Percheron teams.

Scout, sit, I said. This time she sat without a tap. Good girl, Scout! I said and slipped her a treat.

We inched our way closer as I observed Scout's demeanor change from a tightly gathered "I'm not so sure" cautiousness to a waggle-returning "hey, what IS that?" curiousity.

You can see the change in her body as she takes an eager interest.

Soon FLD Scout was almost nose-to-nose with one of the horses, which quickly decided that the little black ball of fur wasn't so interesting after all.

Two creatures, almost nose-to-nose.

The big one...no longer interested. FLD Scout sits back as if dejected.

The hayride part? Not a problem. FLD Scout negotiated the metal grated steps into the wagon with just a bit of coaxing, and seemed to enjoy the rock-along pace of the heavy horse team.

Matthew and Nathan prepare to harness the team.

Our driver, Paul, and Nathan guide the team.

FLD Scout would like to climb on my lap during the ride, but soon curls into a ball on the floor when I don't pick her up.

Two wineries and two hayrides later, I had my story.

And a very tired puppy. 

FLD Scout found an open corner in the busy winery to rest.

Oh. And two bottles of wine to take home.

  

FLD Scout. On Assignment.

Photo-story assignment for the Ogemaw County Voice: 

harvesting grapes for the Rose Valley Winery.

Luscious grapes awaiting the pick.

FLD Scout comes along to supervise.

It was a gorgeous day, if a little warm.

FLD Scout watches from the shade.

FLD Scout oversees the take.

Not a Black Cat

FLD Scout is eager and tries to jump up into the passenger-side floorboard of my Chevy S10 pickup. She's still a bit small to make the leap, so I scoop her up by the belly and plop her in.

Every other Future Leader Dog puppy I've raised gave me a battle about staying put when they first learned to ride alone with me, but not Scout. It's like she knows just what to do. She sniffs out the Nylabone left from our last assignment and settles in for a chew.

We're off to take pictures for an article I'm writing about a medically-discharged Army veteran of 21 years and the woman who sent him handmade cards and letters during his tour in Iraq. I interviewed the vet last week, but I wanted to photograph the two together. Theirs is a touching story, even if there doesn't seem to be a resolution.

Writing letters to soldiers-in-war is Sonja's mission. In her words, "Every one I've written to has come home safe." When she started writing to Charlie, she had no idea who he was or where he was from, but they were almost neighbors. Charlie figured it out, and when he returned from war, he came knocking on Sonja's door.

Charlie is now like a son to Sonja, and she wants me to tell Charlie's story, not hers.

According to the Army, a back injury makes him 100% disabled and unable to work. Charlie doesn't want to be retired, he misses being in the Army and serving his country. He is frustrated with the VA, not only for himself, but also for other war vets who don't get the help they desperately need.

Charlie suffers from PTSD. The little bits of northern Michigan from Sonja helped bring Charlie home safe, if damaged.

Charlie looks at the letters he saved from Sonja.

It is an Indian-summer afternoon when FLD Scout and I arrive. We sit on Sonja's porch in the shade and Charlie shows me the letters. I take pictures and get a few quotes from Sonja.

FLD Scout is a perfect puppy. She greets them, and Sonja's old mutt who wants nothing to do with her, so Scout leaves her alone and settles at my feet.

At some point, Scout gets up to quietly explore, sniffing at yellow leaves stuck to the doormat. Just inside the screen door a fat cat crouches as if she's about to pounce. Scout doesn't notice her at first and ventures closer to the door.

The cat bares her teeth and hisses. Scout freezes, her nose still on the mat. Her eyes roll up, she spots the cat.

The cat growls.

Without lifting her head, Scout tiptoes backwards in wary slow motion, one paw at a time. Off the mat, she stops and stretches to cautiously catch a whiff of this new thing. Should she be scared?

Guess not.

A puppy-breath later, Scout loses interest and bounces over to Charlie. He reaches to pet her. Her tail threatens to lift her like a helicopter. Charlie bends to embrace her and now his face is fair game to her licky-Lab tongue.

I can only match his smile as Charlie starts goo-ing over her and says, "Do you want to go home with me Scout?"

FLD Scout makes friends with Charlie.

Sonja and Charlie on a beautiful October afteroon in Ogemaw County.

Thank you, to all who serve our country!

 

FLD Gus Goes Loony

I am definitely not a bird-killer, but if I have a chance to check off two things on my "to do" list at one time, I'll go ahead and throw that rock.

TO DO

1. Tire out FLD Gus.
2. Find a story to write about for the "Ogemaw Voice," our local paper published twice a month.  (I'm their new freelance writer/photographer covering the Rose City/Lupton area!)

THE STONE

Hike two miles through our woods to the beach area in the Rifle River Recreation Area (RRRA), interview "Explorer Elizabeth" and take a few pictures, hike two miles back through the woods home.

THE HIKE

FLD Gus was not interested in the patch of wild raspberries I found en route to the park, but was more than happy to sniff around whilst I nibbled.  As we emerged from the woods at the beach area, he pulled toward the water.  He gave it up when I walked us backwards back into the woods.  Several times.

THE INTERVIEW

FLD Gus reluctantly settled while I chatted with Explorer Elizabeth before her engaging presentation about loons.  (There are two nesting pairs in the park.)  Born and raised in Mio, Elizabeth's summer job is hosting Michigan's DNR "Exploring Nature Programs" at RRRA.  Her topic this day was "Feeling Loony."

Explorer Elizabeth, dressed like a loon, posing with her stuffed loon.

FLD Gus was not interested in the stuffed loon Elizabeth displayed on a picnic table next to the beach, and he did not react when she played the loon's call on her "Birdsong Identiflyer."  He was not perturbed when wayward bubbles from a nearby youngster went floating by in front of him.  Gus did perk up at a Jack Russell Terrier that was dragging its owner past us, but he didn't break his position.  And when Elizabeth played "loon tag" with her young audience, Gus didn't even seem to notice.

FLD Gus looking over his shoulder at the swimmers and not taking notice of bubbles floating by him.

What FLD Gus WAS interested in was the kids splashing in the water.  When he thought I wasn't paying attention, he leapt up and tried to join them.

I was ready and he did not.

He tried whining.  Gus wailed so much during Elizabeth's talk it sounded like he was calling the loons!  When whining didn't work, Gus took to barking.  Time for redirection.  Name recognition would not be enough--the distraction was too great.

I moved myself in front of Gus to obstruct his view of the swimmers and commanded him into a DOWN.  I had to physically put him into the DOWN as he tried to look around me, but when I immediately gave him a command to SIT, he turned his focus to me.  And sat!  I was making progress.  Gus, down, I said.  This time he went down on his own.  A finger-poke or two later and he regained his self-control.

FLD Gus, turning his attention back to me

THE RESULT

My two-for-one plan turned out to be more productive than I had hoped.  I got my story and FLD Gus got tired out, but I also learned some things about loons.

And Gus practiced self-control with some pretty big distractions!

A lone loon floating on Grousehaven Lake.