"VACATION"

     We're back home and returning to our routine.  Patriot did well on the trip, he's an excellent traveler and very curious about new things.

     Special thanks to Jeld-Wen Corporation in Wedowee, Alabama for making it possible to expose Patriot to many new experiences. Unlike McDonald's, Jeld-Wen was very welcoming.  We enjoyed the tour of the plant and meeting everyone.  Thanks to Jim and Andrew Hall for taking us out on the boat, It didn't take long for Patriot to get his sea legs.


Patriot's first boat ride



Comfortable enough to sleep on the moving boat



     The boat ride and visit to the museum was icing on the cake!  Thank you Jeld-Wen for acknowledging the important service of these professionally trained guide dogs.

Back to talking about icing on the cake, Ms. Lois of "Sweet Thangs Bakery" hospitality was heartwarming.  Patriot loved the attention and the royal treatment he received!!

We stayed on a 27 acre wooded property, Patriot thought he was a bloodhound that had died and gone to heaven.  He did well walking through the woods, on gravel roads and boat docks, his senses were on overload.  While there he experienced a rather large thunder storm, he did excellent, the hunters in the area did not seem to have any effect on him...."Good dog"....pat pat

Got up close and personal with "Yellow Cat" a 5 week old kitten, wish we would have had more time to give to this exposure. He seems to adjust well to new things, and that is a "GOOD" thing!

Patriot enjoyed the time spent with two of his favorite people.



Bri and Patriot



Em and Patriot

They received his undivided attention, he's great with the kids..."GOOD DOG"....pat pat


"SAY IT'S NOT SO.....McDONALDS"

While on vacation we stopped for lunch at a McDonalds in Tifton, Georgia. We ordered our food, payed for it, found a booth and proceeded to have our lunch.  Patriot was in coat, on his best behavior and performing a under/down to perfection. We had half-eaten our meal when approached by an McDonald employee and told that we had to leave the restaurant "because of Patriot!"

"NOT NICE"

We threw our food in the garbage, my husband then took Patriot to the car while I waited to speak to the Manager.  After 10 minutes, the Manager of store #33073, Carmen came out of her office and informed me that "NO" dogs, regardless if they're service dogs or not are not permitted in her restaurant!

"NO EXCEPTIONS" 

I think some sensitivity training is in order here, along with a course on State laws concerning service animals!

Needless to say, we will no longer frequent McDONALDS!!!



How can you say "NO" to any one of these noble service animal?



Discrimination in any form is SAD!



"HOME SWEET HOME"

Patriot is home from "Puppy Camp" and has made the readjustment well.



Patriot and Rex trading places 

Patriot is now 8 months old and weighing over 70 pounds, he is going to be a big boy!  When we picked him up from camp I was awe-struck how handsome he is, his coat shines like patten leather.  I think it must be the Royal Canin dog food that he eats, "Good stuff"

Patriot at the War Memorial



Patriot at the DAR Memorial



 Patriot knows his commands for his age group and performs them well, we're still working on our leash issues though.  There are times Patriot still wants to be in control and his alter ego Dr. Jekyll appears, thank goodness those times are becoming less frequent!

We are leaving for Alabama on vacation for a couple weeks, Patriot will be going with us and experiencing many new adventures.We'll be taking lots of photos to share with you and hopefully be able to update the blog along the way.  We will be staying in a home that has a cat and kittens...I can see it all now....Oh my!!

Wishing everyone a Happy and safe 4th of July

Computer Gremlins

We're having computer issues, hope to have them resolved by the weekend.  Patriot is home from "Puppy Camp" and is doing well.

"REX"

For family, friends and followers, let me explain what Puppy Camp is. Puppy Camp is part of the socialization of Southeastern Guide Dogs.  Raisers trade dogs for three weeks, exposing the dogs to different environments that they may not get from one household. During this time the dogs also get familiar with taking commands from someone other than their Raiser.  This is our second week with "Rex" as our house guest, he'll return to his family on June 11th.  Patriot will return to us that same day.  (We miss that sweet boy) 


Rex's first golf cart ride



Out for a walk



Rex shopping at Spanish Square

Rex loves to go shopping, has such a sweet personality and makes a great walking buddy!

"PUPPY CAMP"

For the next three weeks Patriot is off to "Puppy Camp" It's only been a few days and I miss him already!


Patriot at 6 1/2 months weighing 64 lbs.



Let me introduce you to "Rex," our house guest for the next three weeks, I know his family is missing him as much as we're missing our handsome boy

"REX"

Rex is our puppy camper for the next three weeks.  He comes from a family with three teenagers and two dogs, I think he's enjoying being an only child. 



OBG Lions Club

We've been busy, we represented Southeastern Guide Dog School at the local OBG Lions Club.Betty Van Dellen, Group Leader and Obedience Assistant for the Orlando Puppy Raiser Group, gave a presentation on Southeastern Guide Dogs School to the OBG Lions Club. 

Betty Van Dellen

Some of the puppies from our Orlando puppy raiser group were attendance and represented SEGDI 

"REX"



"RUSTY"

"YAZ"

"REX and YAZ"



  We had the opportunity to meet the newest Lions Club member Ron Van Gelderen and his guide dog Murray.  Ron & Murray recently completed their training at Southeastern Guide Dogs School and reside here in The Villages.  It's great to see the end results of the work that we do with our puppies.

"PATRIOT BEING PATRIOTIC"



Getting ready for Memorial & Flag Day



Patriot is now six months old, is 59lbs and still growing.  He is now considered a "teenager" 

 Oh my!  Like any other thoroughbred, he is spirited and has attitude.  That being said, big improvements are evident when it comes to his walking on a leash.  We are both now beginning to enjoy our walks, there for a while I never thought that day would come.

Our goal is four miles a day, so far we're at three and counting. While on our walks, anything the wind blows Patriot thinks is fair game.  He can spot an acorn, cigarette butt or leaf fifty feet away,  needless to say, we stop often to do a mouth search.

Our last class was was May 14th at Altamonte Springs, where the 2nd Annual Dog games with Humans was held.



Patriot playing "Simon Says"



Orlando Puppy Raisers
2nd Annual Dog Games with Humans



All of the dogs were awarded Gold Medals