Han's Point of View...Church...What is Church?

Boy, Mom's alarm went off super early Sunday morning. I wonder why? I followed her to the big bathroom where she stepped into this enclosed area and water came down all over her and soon she got out and dried off. She tried to get me to go in but I just laid down and waited for her. So instead of getting a bath she wiped me down with some smelly cloths that shine my coat and make me smell good. 
These days I follow her everywhere in the house. It's what I am trained to do in case she should fall. She got dressed and let me out to take a romp and do my business.  I soon came back in and Mom was looking so pretty in her dress and necklace and earrings. She never wears those. Guess we are going to go somewhere special.

Soon she put my special harness on and a bag of treats in her purse. Out the door we went. Boy it was early! The air smelled so sweet. Mom said it was nice. She buckled me into the front seat of the car and we were off to Church...Church? What is Church?

We pulled up to this building, Mom parked the car and said I had to be a very good dog today and had to be very quiet. Hmmm. Like I understand what she is telling me. We went in through the door. There a gentleman greeted us and handed Mom a bulletin. Mom found a special spot for her and me in the very back so we wouldn't bother anyone and if I raised a fuss she could quickly remove me. 

She sat down on this funny looking bench thing that she called a pew. She put me into a down-stay while she was all quiet and was praying, whatever that was. Soon other people started arriving and were a little shocked to see me but they quickly got over it and gave me a smile. Me, I didn't move a muscle. I just stretched out and rested my head on Mom's foot. 

All of a sudden the most awful sound greeted my ears and I jumped up and looked around ready to protect Mom if necessary from that sound. I noticed that Mom and everyone else stood up too. Were they afraid of that sound too? Guess not because everyone started singing to that sound that was really loud. Mom said it was an organ and it was OK and reassured me that it would not hurt us. 

Do I sit, or do I stand?

Then we all sat back down and some man started talking. Then we all stood up, then sat back down, then stood up and started singing again. What is with all this sitting, standing and singing etc.  Mom finally put me back down into a down-stay until communion. We went up and Mom received communion, I was a good boy and waited patiently until she was ready to leave the alter rail. Then we went back to our seats. Soon Church was over. Lots of people came up to us and wanted to meet Mom and me. 

After church Mom went and got some coffee. There were two small boys running around. They wanted to pet me. Mom had to tell them not to touch me. Mom got to talking with their mom and found out that the older boy had had a service dog that had passed away and they were thinking of getting him another one. He has Autism. She was telling Mom that he never approaches people when all of a sudden he just came up to Mom and gave her a huge hug. I could sense that he needed some love, so I went over and gave him some good licks which he loved. His mom was so shocked. She said that was the first time that he had ever done that and that he must have felt very safe with Mom. Mom told her she had run an in-home day care for 18 years many years ago. His mom said that he must have sensed that Mom loved kids. He loved my licks!

We soon left and Mom decided to treat herself to breakfast at Denny's since she can get a gluten free meal there. We were seated at a table and Mom parked me next to the wall and I scooched under the chair sort of and snoozed through breakfast...even with a family of 8 being placed next to us.
Mom said Denny's has an English Muffin that is awesome, by Glutino. Best one she has ever had. Trying to find them in the marketplace will prove to be difficult she thinks. 

Seeking an escape under the chair

A great gluten free breakfast

Good Coffee

         After Denny's we went to Home Depot to get some hanging baskets. According to Mom they had a terrible selection and the prices were too high.  So off we went to Walmart. Mom got four lovely hanging plants for the front porch and yard hangers. While Mom was getting ready to put the plants in her car a very nice lady helped her. Her husband had a service dog too.
I wanted to play and was putting up a fuss, I was so excited to see another dog at the store. He was a military service dog for a veteran with PTSS. I have a long way to go as this fellow was all business. 

Getting the meat ready

After Walmart we went home and Mom started brining a center cut pork roast. She got her little smoker all fired up and ready to cook. 

This bad boy is done!

Dinner is served

She made a wet rub for the pork roast out of fresh rosemary, garlic and EVOO from Australia, Salt and Pepper. She stuck a thermometer probe in and put it in the smoker until it reached 147°. Then she took it off, wrapped it in foil and prepared the rest of her dinner. Mom said it was delish!

Me, I was running around the yard chasing the ball of fur next door up and down the fence. What a day!

Happy Easter!
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Mom here: Han was such a good boy yesterday for his first time in Church. I couldn't have asked for better. I realize I need to get him out more and socialize him more with people. He, at this time seems to have to go through a formal process of greeting people. People just can't walk up to him and hold out their hand to pet him. He does not like that. He wants to initiate the contact. He will come up to you and sniff you while you are still and if you are OK he will lick you hand, then you can pet him. As a service dog he is not supposed to be petted, but I have people all the time reaching out to him wanting to touch him and rub his head. I just wish they would ask my permission first. 

Han's Point of View...Was That An Airplane Or Your Hand

Mom has started me on the next round of obedience classes and I must say all this wavy hand stuff is confusing. So I'm sitting in class ready to walk and Miss Mallori of K9 University gives the humans instructions. Next thing I know this hand sweeps across the top of my head and I am instructed to heel. Wait a gosh darn minute, I didn't come to these classes to be dived bombed by a hand. Mom stopped walking, I sat and we did it AGAIN. What the heck is this? Oh no, now she is throwing that hand down in front of me and telling me down. What is with all these hand signals? Over and over we went with these two new commands. I wonder if it gets worse.

After Mom had a busy week then we left for Texas to go see Sam, Lizzy and Chewie and of course the humans, Maggie, Noah and Andy and of course Heather, J and Christie. All us dogs had a grand time together, but Sam the old man was not doing so well. Slept most of the time and wandered about the house. Being the pup I am I had to display my attitude and ended up on the end of a leash next to Mom not able to move from her side. By the third day when Lizzy and Chewie arrived and I could behave myself Mom took the leash off of me.  We stayed for 7 days the Mom drove back to Oklahoma. I like traveling in the car as I get to sleep. 

What? Back to training class? Another command and hand waving? What this time? Mom had to step out with her right foot and turn in front of me while throwing her right hand down in front of my nose for the Stay command along with a Come, Heel command. Lots of review and repetition. Mom says to get use to it as I will have to learn to respond to her with hand signals and no voice commands. What!? 

Sounds like I am going to have to straighten up and fly right if I want to pass my class. 
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Mom here: Han is doing well in his classes, although he is the typical chilled out puppy. Actually lazy. His sits slide into downs. He is so happy being in a down position that he doesn't want to sit. So much work to do on that behavior. Otherwise Han is doing so great.  We went shopping the other day and not once did he bark, even when he saw another service dog who went nuts when they saw Han. So proud of this boy.

Remember parents, remind your children to not touch or pet dogs who wear a service dog vest because they are working. 

Sad to report that my daughter and her family had to put Ole Samwise down. He was 14 years old and a real sweetie. 
But he was suffering and no point in letting an animal suffer once the quality of his life is gone. Rest in Peace Samwise.

Han's Point of View...Surgery and the Dreaded Cone of Shame

Mom got me up real early one morning and we went off to the Dr's office. I was extremely upset with her as she wouldn't let me drink or eat anything. What's up with that?

We got there before everyone else and had to wait in the car. Mom gets time mixed up sometimes, even dates have not been her forte lately. This is the second time we have repeated this scenario in a week. Mom says "it happens", whatever that means. I wish she would pull herself together and put it on her calendar on her phone instead of trying to remember everything.  She would be so much happier, I think. 

Han getting weighed

Ah the doors finally opened and we went in. A nice attendant came out and weighed me and then took me back to the back and put me in a cage. Hey, what's with this? Mom doesn't put me in cages! They told me it was for my own safety. Well if that's the case then, Okay. Where is Mom? Why is there so much noise, and what's with all the barking dogs and was that a cat?

Cat Cages

Another attendant came and got me and gave me a pill, I became real relaxed and kind of giddy, oh happy day! The attendant lifted me to the table and shaved a spot on my left foreleg and my right foreleg. Hey what is that shinny sticky thing in your hannnnnd, oh good meds. Go ahead and stick me, see if I care. Ah, I see rabbits chasing rainbows and fuzzy stars...then nothing, I think they call this dreamland. 

Hey, I'm in this cagey thingy again...OW I'm sore where I shouldn't be sore. Hey, what did you guys do to me. MOM! Heeeey, think I will sleep some more. An attendant comes in a bit later and puts my collar on me, boy the area between my shoulder blades hurts as well, what all did they do to me?  Now they are taking me out to the reception area...MOM! MOM? MOM! I'm so glad to see you.

Mom, I gotta tell you what they did to me!

Some of my toe nails are gone, my neck hurts, but the area back at my back legs really hurts, Mom. Wait! What? Now you say I can't jump into a car for a week? Well you know I don't jump anywhere, I climb! But now I can't climb? What happened Mom?  Now I can't even lick myself? MOM!!!!! What gives here?

Okay, let's go home so I can rest some more. Whoa there Nellie! What are these pant thingies? They look like Kismet pants! Their do WHAT? Oh the indignity of it all!

Kismet Pants! 

No I will not look at the camera!

Mom, that's just not fair. I will defeat this, I will, I will.  

Two days later Mom took me to PetSmart and got this strange contraption for my head. She said it was best for me since I would not leave my Kismet pants on for more than a minute. I said I would defeat it! Ha, Ha! But this thing, I'm not sure of. I keep running into everything with it. Think I will run into the back of Mom's legs. She hates that, just as much as I hate wearing this contraption.  Everyone called it the Cone of Shame.

Han's Cone of Shame! If he would have just 

left his pants on!

Glad I only had to wear it for 5 days. Got a hold of it after Mom took it off of me and ate that sucker up! So there, Cone of Shame. Now time to start my next training class! I am so ready!
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Mom here: Han came through his surgery with flying colors. Being a Blue Heeler he had some possessive aggression and having had him neutered will hopefully remove that aggression, making him a better service dog. Han was also chipped and had a great nail trim while he was out. 

I can't thank enough, the wonderful attendants and Doctors at Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital and Pet Spa for all the attention they gave Han during his procedure.  They are a very caring bunch of true professionals. 

Han was indeed a little stinker with his Cone of Shame. He butted me with it every chance he got letting me know he did not like it one little bit. Had he not fought me about the Kismet pants he wouldn't have had to wear that darn cone. He just outsmarted himself. 

Han loves to hear from his readers, please leave a note in the comment box below and he will answer you back!

Hans Point of View...Ow That Hurt...

Mom, Christie and I went shopping a while back and while Mom was getting settled into her shopping cart a little boy ran up to me and HIT me on top of the head and ran off! Well it really startled me and I got upset and started barking, a real nice lady from the store came and had Christie put me in the car. If I bark I can't help Mom.

Parents, please instruct your little ones that if you see someone with a dog in a store, PLEASE do not touch the dog! I am working and need to concentrate on Mom and help her. I wear a special vest that shows I am a service dog. With that said we went to the next store and I was calmed down by then and was able to shop with Mom.

We have done a lot of shopping, Ikea, Sears Outlet, World Market, Trader Joe's and At Home. Lots of sights, smells and commands from Mom. At World Market Mom found the cutest cookie Jar for the holidays she is going stuff with cookies. She must like camping because it sure looks like a little trailer to me. What does that have to do with the holidays? 

Mom's new holiday cookie jar!

Mom tells me the family is coming for Thanksgiving next week so we are cleaning, or at least Mom is, me, I get to play and get in her way. 
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Mom here: As you can see I am a little behind in getting Han's posts out as this one goes all the way back before Thanksgiving. He has been on quite a few adventures so I will be getting his dictation out here soon. So stay tuned for a new story from Han and his many adventures. 

Han's Point of View...What a Busy Week...

Wow, I had a busy week last week. I could barely keep up with it. Mom took me to class and Abby said I had to do a 50 foot recall.  Several other dogs went before me. Tia wanted to run to me during her recall but her master got her on track.  I like Tia, she is a flat coat retriever and we like to play. 

My graduation class, Tia is on my left

After several dogs it was my turn. Mom put me into a sit-stay and then walked across the room.  I had to be real good and not follow her although I wanted to. Then she turned and held the lead and called my name. "Come Han Solo, come" and off I went like a shot. Right to her! Mom was so proud, Abby was too. This was my final test and I DID IT!

Me and my good manners scarf

After class my name was called and Mom went up and got two pieces of paper. She said one was for graduating obedience class and the other was to show what I would be good at and it said a Good Canine Citizen Dog, I also got a white bandana, showing that I know my manners. Mom was so proud of me.  We would have hung around but there were men waiting at mom's house and she had to hoof it back to Norman to finish emptying her motorhome.

I never got to ride in the motorhome, but Mom said it was real nice and that I would have liked it.  I do like riding with Mom in her car though. I get to look out the front window when she is driving. Mom says she is going to get something smaller and easier to take care of. I sure hope so.

These are the nice guys that bought Mom's 

motorhome and unloaded it for her

Mom had to put Chewie and me in the big crate while she worked with the guys. They were very nice and helped her unload all of the stuff in her motorhome into the garage. Now she can't put her car in the garage. I wonder where we will train when it is cold outside as we had been training in the garage.  I know she will figure it out. 

This is a strange building that over the 

highway to Kansas City.

Mom says she remembers it from when 

she was a little girl.

I like road trips.  Mom and I took Chewie and Lizzy back to Christie in Kansas City and I got to work. Mom took me to Ikea and the Sears Outlet Store and the At Home store. Boy Ikea sure is big. Lots of smells to sniff and things and people to see. 

This white stuff sure is cold on 
my toukas

What is all of this white stuff falling to the ground Mom? It's cold and wet and melts when it hits my nose, yet I like playing in it, it's fun!  Mom says it's called snow and what I got to play in was not very much she says. I guess I will find out what it is like. 

Chewie and I love waking up Mom in the morning

I was sad to leave Chewie, as we play and play and love to run up and down the stairs, but Mom says she needs me to pay attention and work now.  With Chewie around I don't pay attention like I should.  Hope you had a good week too.

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Mom here...Even though it was a rather hectic week, Han graduated Basic Obedience at K9 University. I will be enrolling him in Intermediate Obedience after the first of the year. With the holidays coming and my schedule there was no way for me to get Intermediate done before the end of the year. Han would have loved the motorhome I think, however I could no longer keep it up as my helper moved away.  It takes an extra person helping to get it ready and I think a smaller unit will be much better. The guys that bought Izzy were very helpful in helping me get  her unloaded and getting her started and on the road for the last time. I will miss her as we has some great adventures together. Happy trails Izzy!

Han's Point of View...Oh No...Mom Fell...

OH NO! Mom fell Chewie! 
Quit licking her in the face! 
Get away so I can help her! 
She needs my help! 
Steady there mom. 
Okay, I am bracing, ugh, one more time mom. 
I am bracing again. 
This is the hard one, be sure to curl your toe under for proper balance. 
One, two, three up you go there, brace, brace, brace. Yes! We did it!  
Whew! All in a good days work! 
An extra ration for me!

Mom caught her toe on her long pants and went down like a sack of potatoes. Both Chewie and I ran to check on her. Brother gets excited and likes to lick everyone, but in his way he is checking to make sure she was okay and awake. She was. No bones broken just a bruised ego I think. 

I'm getting to show off my skills 

with my trainer Abby

Mom and I have been very busy with my training in basic obedience. I am still having a bit of trouble with the come-sit-heel return command. I will get it though.  Graduation is next week and I am so excited to be moving on to the next class. Intermediate Obedience. I wonder what we will learn in there. 

Mom says it wasn't the prettiest down, 

but I was down.

Mom took me to Sprouts last night and I barked at these funny looking things that were floating in the air. I did not like them. Mom said they were okay and were call balloons. They were swaying all by themselves and shouldn't be. I still barked at them.  Mom says I will learn they are okay. 

I didn't like those floatie things!

Yesterday I got weighed at the veterinarian. I am now 60 lbs.! Mom says I'm getting to be a big boy, that I must have gotten the Great Pyrenees genes as Chewie is not as big as me. 

Last week Chewie, Lizzy, mom and I went to Texas to help Heather, mom's daughter. Mom got stuck behind this car in slow moving to standstill traffic near Frisco, TX for over an hour, she kept saying over and over " Don't hit the Maserati, Susan." 

The car in front of mom, I watched it very carefully!

I got to see a soccer game. Little Andy was playing.  Mom said I was real good. I didn't bark at the boys and didn't chase after the ball, but just sat and watched the game. 

Andy is next to the goal

I am being real good and watching the game 

and making no comments to the ref.

Little Maggie loves to hold my leash and love on me and Chewie. She is finally warming up to Lizzy and will pet and hug her now.  Noah is still a little afraid of me, but I like him. The kids don't understand if they run from me I will chase them because I want to play with them. I am a cattle dog and will knock them down, it's what I do. Mom tells them not to run, but kids will be kids.  

Yours truly, Han Solo

Miss Elizabeth Bennet aka Lizzy,
yes we were on a Jane Austen kick when 
we named her as we already had a 
Fitzwilliam Darcy aka Fitz

Chewbacca aka Chewie

Chewie, Lizzy and I got our Halloween kerchiefs on for the big day but mom said not to worry, no one ever comes to our house anymore to trick or treat. So we all sat around and watched "Call the Midwife," well mom did, Chewie and I slept through it as did Lizzy. Mom said that the Texas crew got all dressed up for Halloween and that I would be scared. What do you think? 

A Disney Halloween! They all look scary to me.

We have OU football this evening against Texas Tech. I know mom will be watching, the rest of us not so much, however I will be curled up next to mom in her recliner while she scratches my head and ears. Ah heaven! Boomer Sooner!
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Mom here...
I couldn't be more pleased with Han and the way he helped me when I fell. I prayed he would be able to do the job I had been training him for and he has more than exceeded my expectations. I was so proud of him and for him to be only 6 months old and not fully grown.  Helping when I fall is only part of his training. As we progress he will learn many more tasks. He is an exceptional dog and I thank my luck stars for him. Thanks Donna for posting his picture on Facebook and Thank you Rodney for having such and outstanding puppy for me.

Han as a puppy, who could resist that sweet face.

Han's Point of View...Third Times a Charm and Norman Art Walk

Three days in a row now Mom has put me in my harness and we have headed out to Sam's Club to pick up her medicine.
The first day they didn't have the medication she needed, so they ordered it. Then she walked me all over the store. That night she signed up for texts to let her know her meds are ready to pick up.

The second trip out, the medication was the right kind but from the wrong company. Some companies are okay, others not so much when working with generic medication. So once again she walked me all over the store.

The third trip out, eureka! Mom got her medication and her flu shot. This lady came out with a funny looking rolling cart and wiped Mom's arm with a white round fluffy ball and then put on some kind of a patch then stuck a little silver stick in her arm. Mom was brave, she didn't even flinch. Again she walked me all over the store before leaving. I only have one problem with Sam's Club, every time I go in there I start sneezing. I wonder what is in the air that causes me to sneeze. 

Mom needed to go get gas so we went to Walmart on Main  and 12th streets since they had the best prices. As we were going through downtown Norman, Mom remembered it was the second Friday of the month, therefore the Art Walk was going to be going on between 6 and 9 p.m.. 

Me posing with some of Bill's art work. He like to paint

Western art.

Mom made the decision to go downtown and see some dear friends, Bill and Juanita Williams. Mom said that Bill worked with Dave for many years and were best friends. Bill is a fantastic artist and was the Director of the Graphic Art Department for Media Services at the University of Oklahoma. Bill has a studio on Main Street above a gallery and Juanita has an adjacent shop where she makes the most beautiful hats and accessories. Mom and I had a great visit and got to see old friends the Suflitas, Taylor and Joe and their grandson. 

Some of Juanita's Creations

I was being a good boy

More of Juanita's creations

Mom said she was glad she went and visited Bill and Juanita. Good friends, good times, good memories she said. 
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Mom here...Han was such a good boy, lots of people came in and out of Bill's and Juanita's studios and he never flinched. For a 6 month old puppy especially a Blue Heeler that is fantastic, as his brother Chewie would be all over the place. Han and I discovered that Norman has a Pinot's Palette...I love to paint so I just may have to take some classes. If you don't know Bill and Juanita I invite you to visit their studios in downtown Norman during the Second Friday Art Walk each month. You will be delighted with their work. They are delightful folks.