She's Home!

Katie is finally home for Christmas break. The family (including the dogs) drove to the airport last Saturday to pick her up. This was Mariko's first time in an airport, and she was on her best behavior (well, until Katie was in sight).

being a good puppy riding in the backseat

Waiting patiently at the airport

My Katie is home!

We figured it was okay to break the rules and have an excited greeting, since it has been four months since Mariko has seen her favorite sister. Once on their way out of the airport, it was like Mariko understood she was a working dog again (there was no containing her excitement when she knew it was Katie approaching her; however).

Sorry the picutres were really blurry, but Mariko wouldn't hold still. She was so excited to see Katie!

Celebrating, Well Enjoying, 12-12-12 12:12

Decided to at least grab a picture of Mariko and me on the last repetitive date of the century (and in my lifetime) since we still had to be working today (and not playing).

12/12/12 12:12

Mariko wasn't very excited, however :-(

What a Great Dog

We had a pretty uneventful week last week. Mariko continues to bring such joy to our lives. She still has to get VERY comfortable when she sleeps. Last Saturday, after we had done a bunch of errand running and grocery shopping, Mariko decided she was pretty tired. This is what I found stretched out beside the couch.

I keep waiting for the pinky finger to be in the air.

Stretching while sleeping.

Waiting patiently in my office (we had to take a picture for Katie)

She looks so regal/professional

I love pictures of her sitting or standing wearing her full professional dress. Hopefully she will learn that it is okay to smile and be happy when working (not just when running and playing).

We have a meeting in Salt Lake this Friday, and then Saturday we get to have her first airport trip to pick up Katie. We are all very excited and it should be fun to see how she does in the hustle and bustle of the holiday travelers.

Ask Before You Pet

I have been following one of the Eukanuba sponsored puppies in training for CCI on Facebook. It has been really fun, as all posts are being "written" by Eliza, the puppy in training.

Today's post was about important information for all service dogs in general, posted on the blog of a person who is currently using a CCI graduate. Here is a link to the post. I really enjoyed her humor :-)

We All Had a Fun Weekend

This weekend Bailey and I had two days of agility trials, so Mariko got to go to her favorite house and play with her favorite people all weekend. She even found the pot of gold (aka: toy box).

Bailey and I had a great weekend.She did really well.

Anyway, back to Mariko, she must have had more fun than she could stand because she was extremely tired yesterday and extremely naughty today :-(

Back to training and being good . . . I guess it is okay to have a couple of days off now and then (I know I sure love them, and it probably doesn't help that I forgot her gentle lead today).

On to tomorrow, I'm sure it will be better, ha ha.

Happy Birthday Mariko!

WOW, I can't believe our "little" puppy in training is a year old today. We decided to celebrate her birthday at work because that's where she spends most of her time and where everyone loves her.

Is that for me?

Yep, I'm pretty sure that's for me!

Karlee made her a birthday hat :-)

Happy Birthday Mariko!

Waiting with anticipation, please say okay!

Thank you!

Are these for me too?

Everyone came to wish her happy birthday and have a little treat for themselves (although Mariko thought there was more for her).

Mariko's First Thanksgiving

As we prepared for the holidays, Mariko decided on her last day at work, to watch the Box Elder bugs crawling around in the light fixtures above my desk . . . . ewwe:

We had five wonderful days away from work (and yes, she's telling me today that she is not happy about being back to work). We had a very relaxing holiday. While I was busy cooking on Thursday, I think she could smell the turkey :-)

I smell turkey!

We took some time out for pampering . . . nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing . . . and of course some massage :-)

Friday evening we had friends over for dinner and a couple of games. Mariko got in a lot of practice for the "bed/stay" commands. She did very well. But got pretty spoiled by our company :-)

Wednesday is Mariko's first birthday, so we will be posting party pictures, I'm sure.

Pictures That Make Me Smile

Since we didn't do anything "constructive" last week, I thought I would share "pictures that make me smile" of this goofy puppy that has blessed our lives.

Busy Day

Well, besides being a Monday, I had a doctor's appointment and obedience training for Mariko. I decided to take the elevator, as opposed to the stairs I usually take, up to the third floor. As we got in the elevator, it occurred to me that it has been since Mariko was a few months old that she has been back in an elevator. She was a little nervous at first, but then settled right in. She was great in the doctor's office as well.

Sitting under my legs in the waiting area

Totally bored with it all

Waiting in the exam room

Are you finished yet?

After my doctor appointment I ran home, fed dogs and let them relax while I hit a Zumba class. After class I ran home quickly, changed clothes and grabbed Mariko and back out the door we went for some obedience training.

Yes, something smells good on this blanket.

Wait, there's some over here too.

Okay, I'll stay if I really must.

We practiced stay with distraction, which Mariko needs a LOT of practice. It was quite a bit of brain work so when we got home Mariko decided on her own to practice the bed command :-) I love brain tired dogs!

We'll pretend to practice bed . . . secretly, I'm REALLY tired.

OUT!

Busy

Life has been a little busy, just got back from a great trip to Atlanta, which meant Mariko had some more learning to be in the kennel during the day (which I'm not sure she did a lot of because Karlee and Kyle were both in and out).

Karlee and Mariko practicing cradle.

I had actually entertained the thought of trying to get the airline to approve Mariko to travel with me this last time, but decided against it and I'm really glad I did . . . . as I ended up on the 33rd floor of this GINORMOUS hotel, with VERY slow elevators.

Grand Marque Atlanta Georgia

Hotel

Not sure I would have been able to sleep much worrying about getting Mariko out to toilet in time :-) I know she would have done fine, but I really would have worried.

Gotta love the "back to work" face

I'm not sure, but I think she was a little poutty when we went badk to work on Monday.

These two are cuddle buddies

We woke up to cold, wind, and the start of a snowstorm this morning. I think Mariko has put the bad weather out of her brain because she ran out to toilet this morning and it was the fastest I have ever seen her take care of business, ha ha. Here we go :-(