Getting Ready for Christmas

Anschutz ran Christmas prep. errands, today. She is looking forward to the next two weeks. Visitors of all sorts, stay tuned.....

Watching a video on Santa Paws, er Claus.

Riding in the sleigh, er, truck on errands.

Waiting in line to send her friend, Zinfandel a Christmas present.

Wanting to know if she gets one of the cookies we bake with these groceries? 

Anschutz Enjoyed Colorful Colorado for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Anschutz is almost 7 months old! Where does the time go? She is such a sweet puppy and learning new things quickly! She is a true teenager and testing quite a bit. But doing well, all things considered. She is leaving all the Christmas decorations, even those on the ground, on the tree (including the one live tree and one fake tree), or at eye level. Those that make sounds and noise interest her, but when told to leave it she loses interest and we are very thankful to have a 'normal' decorated house for the holidays. Enjoy this month, take time to be peaceful, enjoy family/friends and be good to yourselves.

Anschutz's First Snow

Today, I realized being a puppy raiser comes with a lot of firsts and lasts. For the first year or so, it's marking all the firsts, then for the last few weeks it's marking all the lasts. Here is Anschutz enjoying her first snowstorm.

Anschutz Sees the U.S. Capitol Tree

The Christmas tree that will be on the west lawn was cut in Minnesota, The 88 foot spruce and it's entourage are on tour through the upper midwest on it's way to Washington. Kristi and Anschutz thought this would be a fun training outing. And it turned out to be great. We met our friend Sue. We looked at the tree, took photos, met some kids who knew petting wasn't allowed and asked if they could say hi to the dog. We also met a few adults, one who didn't know and encouraged anything but an appropriate greeting. But most people knew Anschutz was a working dog and couldn't be pet without asking. Anschutz did better in her greetings, but still an area we need to work on. It was a nice afternoon! Minding her own business and leaving the plants is still being worked on. But heeling and paying attention to Kristi, most of the time, is great!

Photo op with the tree.

Another photo op with the tree and Sue.

Working on here up.

Where in the World has Anschutz Been?

We just got home from a month long road trip. Anschutz and Kristi went to Washington, KS to Denver, CO, onto Kansas City and back to Washington, KS. In that month Anschutz has grown and learned a lot!

We stayed at the duplexes at KSDS for PUPS Days.

Down & Under at PUPS Days

Sleeping with sister, Danforth at PUPS Days.

They have buildings named Anschutz in CO, too!

At Aunt Ally's.

Going to get spayed.

At the hotel before Zinfandel's graduation.

Stayed at the hotel while Kristi and Lee went to meet Barb.

Announcing KSDS, Inc. Team #503!

This past weekend we were blessed to meet one of the newest KSDS, Inc working teams, Barb and "Zinny". That's right, Zinfandel has graduated!! She and Barb live in Overland Park, KS, with Barb's retired service dog, Timon. We look forward to keeping in touch with Barb and Zinny.

Anschutz May Just Have It

This morning I had a medical procedure that has left me hobbled up. I limped over to the door to let Anschutz out. She came right up alongside me to get dressed (put her leash on) and sat immediately at the door. She waited while I slowly stepped out and off the doorstep then gave the command follow. She followed very gently and kept looking up at me looking for cues. Was she going to fast? Was it ok to keep walking? When she started across the driveway, I told her no (she was heading to her normal hurry up spot), she turned looked at me and I commanded hurry up and she used the small piece of grass right at my feet. As soon as she was praised she came right up along me and heeled back to the door where she sat and waited until I lifted myself up the step and through the door. She patiently set while I took her leash off. I'll be well soon, but this little dog just might truly get the need to be attentive and look for cues/commands when someone is depending on her. Two years is a long ways away, but this is a bright spot in my day, today!