"Leading Stars, Leading the Way"

FLD Gus and I stationed ourselves at the end of Aisle One on Saturday at the Pet Supplies Plus store on Harper in St. Clair Shores.  Everyone who entered the store HAD to travel down Aisle One; there was no getting around us!  We had volunteered to hang out for a couple of hours to help promote the partnership between Leader Dogs for the Blind and over 100 Pet Supplies Plus stores throughout Michigan and 14 other states.

The "Leading Stars, Leading the Way" promotion allows shoppers to make a donation to Leader Dogs for the Blind as they pass through checkouts in participating Pet Supplies Plus stores through December 31, 2010.  Donations support Leader Dogs' guide dog and technology programs for the blind and visually impaired.

On Saturday, December 11, volunteer puppy-raisers and their Future Leader Dog puppies, or working Leader Dog teams, visited Pet Supplies Plus stores to spread the word about these wonderful programs.

For more information about the "Leading Stars" partnership, and a complete list of participating stores, click on this Pet Supplies Plus "Meet a Leading Star" web page.

THE GAUNTLET OF AISLE ONE

FLD Gus was not eager to heel quickly past the squeaky, fuzzy, flavored dog toys in Aisle One when we arrived at Pet Supplies Plus on Harper.  Toys on one side of the aisle and 35-pound bags of dog food on the opposite side created a "gauntlet" of hard-to-overcome distractions for the little guy.

Somehow we made it, yet it turned out that the ENTIRE STORE proved to be a challenge!  One aisle was buried in dog beds, another was loaded with cat toys, cat food, kitty-litter, and all kinds of things "kitty."  Thank goodness for shiny-slippy floors--when FLD Gus stiffened his legs and put the brakes on, I kept him moving.  A finger poke here, a well timed LEAVE IT or GUS there and we eventually reached to front of the store to introduce ourselves to the manager.  Amid the "awwwwwes" of the staff, we were directed to the end of Aisle One.  Past the store distractions AGAIN.

PRACTICING "MAT" and "MEET AND GREETS" 

Safely back in Aisle One, I "borrowed" a rug square from a corner display and worked on MAT with FLD Gus.  He's fast becoming an expert at this game.  With one Gus. MAT, he immediately recognized that this green carpet was his new "mat," hustled over to it, twirled around and dropped into a DOWN, looking up at me with anticipation.

 

Good mat, Gus!  I didn't disappoint.  I kept half of his breakfast aside for just this purpose.  I tossed a morsel of Purina Pro Plan on the carpet.

As customers made their way toward us, I worked on keeping FLD Gus settled in a STAY on his mat.  He stayed, lifted nose busy scouting the scents.  I was pleased when every one of the customers politely asked, "Can I pet him?"  Yes, as long as he keeps "four-on-the-floor."  If he doesn't, please just step away.  A pleasant surprise--FLD Gus was, for the most part, a perfect gentleman!

DOG DISTRACTIONS 

FLD Gus spied a large Golden Retriever enter the store and sat up.  Gus.  He glanced back at me.  Stay.  I placed him back into a DOWN.  The couple with the Golden took their time, pausing now and then to inspect the squeaky toys.  Gus stood up, but stayed.  I placed him back into a DOWN.  When the Golden made the turn in front of us, Gus stood and strained at his leash, but I calmly settled him back DOWN on the mat.  Good boy, Gus.

FLD Gus intently watching a Golden Retriever and his persons.

Next, a dachshund and his owners became a new distraction.  This time FLD Gus lifted his nose but made no move to get up.  Several more dogs were not a problem for Gus; one time a small mixed-breed dog sidled up and they sniffed nose-to-nose without Gus moving.

FUN WAS HAD BY ALL

FLD GUS and I enjoyed meeting customers and talking up Leader Dogs for the Blind.  The manager told me they received many donations.  Thanks to all, and thanks to Pet Supplies Plus for supporting the mission of Leader Dogs for the Blind!

By the way, there is still time.  Consider purchasing your pet supplies at Pet Supplies Plus before December 31, and while you're there, make a donation that will help change a person's life!

Pet Supplies Plus staff pet FLD Gus, who is quite relaxed in spite of three large rabbits in the yellow cage beyond him!

The resident Vet gives FLD Gus a good belly rub.

 

FLD Gus had fun, but looks as though he'd like to go home.  He was a very tired puppy the rest of the day!

 

FLD Gus, Second Snow

Our first snow on December 1 didn't really count as a good snow fall; after all it was just a dusting.  This morning, however, the ground was covered.  FLD Gus walked gingerly when Andy took him out to park at 5:15am, lifting his paws high and setting them carefully down.  "But then he took care of business," Andy said.

FLD Gus leaving paw-prints.

Before the warming day melted almost all of the snow, Gus ventured out into our little patio garden, and left "look-at-the-size-of-those-paws!" prints behind.

 

 

 

FLD Gus: I think I want in!

FLD Gus:  Yes, I definitely want IN!!!

FLD Gus's sparkly prints didn't last long.

Christmas Shopping with FLD Gus

FLD Gus balks at getting out of the van.  It's his after-dinner-crap-out-in-Gypsy's-bed time, and we're making him go Christmas shopping with us instead.

Come on, Gus, let's go! I encourage with my very bestest "we are going to have soooo much fun (if you'll only get out of the van)" voice.  At last.  He does.  Good boy, Gus!

FLD Gus lags through Sam's Club as we wander the aisles looking for ideas for our "white elephant" gift exchange with the Andersens.  Andy's kids have shared in this bit before, but this will be the first year he and I are part of the action.

What is a "white elephant" gift exchange?  We all buy and wrap a silly generic $15 gift; all the gifts go in a pile, then the first person picks one and opens it.  The next person can either "steal" the first gift, or select another one to open; then the next person can "steal" either of the first two, or select another one; and on around.  A gift can only be "stolen" two times; then it stays with that person.  Sounds like we'll have fun with this!

FLD Gus, on the other hand, is not interested in games, or turning down aisle after aisle.  I tap my leg and say Gus, right (or left) at each turn.  He ducks his head and looks up at me, revealing half-moons below his eyes.  I know, Gus, we're keeping you up.  Come on, let's go!  At the checkout line, Gus slides into a down each time we inch forward.  He perks up when we make the last turn for the door.

Don't get too relaxed, I tell him as he jumps into the van.  We're going to Target next! 

When we arrive, I have to coax him out of the van again, but once inside the brightly lit store he bounces along at a livelier pace.  Maybe it's us...we know what we want here and take care of business right away, no meandering up and down aisles.

Wait a minute, I say to Andy as we're heading to check out.  I want to look at something.  I turn down the pet aisle and pause to check out the dog beds piled up on the shelves.  Out of the blue an excited BARK erupts from mild-mannered FLD Gus and he's raring to go.  What was that about!?

Andy is laughing behind us.  "He wants to curl up in that bed right there!"  I look where he's gesturing--on the lower shelf there is a very nice bed to fit in a large crate, and Gus is on point.  I reach down, take the bed off the shelf and place it on the floor.  Gus dives on it, but I pull him off when he goes for the price tag.  Ok, let's go home, I say.  Gus, heel.

FLD Gus has other ideas--shopping is suddenly fun after all!  With some persuasion, Gus heels regretfully away from the dog beds, but at the turn his legs lock and his feet slide askew on the slippery floor.  Oh no, it's the dog food aisle!

TONIGHT'S LESSON:  When you take your Future Leader Dog puppy Christmas shopping, stay away from the pet section!

 

Rochester Christmas Parade

According to Leader Dogs for the Blind, the count was 47 on Sunday.  Future Leader Dogs that is, (and their puppy-raisers) who braved the cold to march with the Lions Club float in the Rochester Christmas Parade. 

FLD Gus and I marched.  Luckily this year, we gathered at Shield's Pizza for pizza and salad first, giving our Future Leader Dogs excellent experience in a busy restaurant--and with lots of puppies!  Then it was wait, wait, wait at the corner for the Lion's Club float to arrive.  It was a cold wait, but the cheer-filled walk down Main Street warmed us all up.

A big surprise for FLD Gus--we met his mom, Sienna!  Gus's tongue whipped faster than his squiggly lab body wiggled.  Sienna was happy to see him, but I'm guessing she was happy to send him on his way, too!

Enjoy some of the pictures I snapped of all the fun....

FLD Gus, settled under the table at Shield's, checking to see if I'm paying attention.

FLD Misha, rarin' to go!

FLD Aspen wants to go too!

FLD Gus, shivering while we wait for the Lion's Club float.

FLD Doug, embarrassed again!  Remember him and his tutu from Puppy Days?  Didn't he get big?

FLD Gus meets Sienna (mom).  Sienna looks up at her host Mary, Is this really Mr. Blue?

Sienna thinks, Yep, it's him alright!

Sienna adds,  He sure got big!  He's not coming home with us, is he?

FLD Gus can't stop licking mom Sienna.  I miss you mom!

No Christmas parade would be complete without Santa Puppy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!