Sir Ailbe Knight's Journey - Day 2

Sir Ailbe Is A Dreamer

Today begin at a very early 5:30 AM.  After meds I got Ailbe up for an outside walk.  Success, but I'll have to go back in the daylight to pick up his little package. When I returned to the room we both went back to sleep till breakfast which was around 6:45 AM.  Ailbe was also given his new food amount of an extra half cup (he wouldn't finish it till around lunch).

After I got cleaned up and dressed it was time to do our future morning walk/run. I left the ward around 9:30 AM (had to find his night time droppings first and that was a success).  They have this cool, old walkway that looks like a track.  It has a lot of curves and loads of fun to drive the scooter on.  After a couple laps it was time to extend his leash (love that the leash goes from an off shoulder to an eight foot lead) and let hm do what comes naturally.  Total success and then after a quick pick up we were off for another run.  I run/walk four laps in one direction and then turn around and do another.  He absolutely LOVES the quick pace.  The eight laps are about one mile.

Then we sat on the patio and talked to a visitor who was here from Texas.  Her 21 year old Marine Grandson was in a horrible vehicle accident and had just woken up from a coma.  He's got a long road ahead of him for he can go home.  Ailbe is such a magnet of love toward people that he just had to meet and greet.  After an hour of being outside we headed back to the ward.

Then it was back to my room to watch one of my shows.  Ailbe was out like a light from his morning run and it was lunch time.  So far the food here is HORRIBLE!!  I only eat about 4 bites of everything and then quit eating.  At least the Phoenix VA did have some positive and that was their food.  You could choose your menu everyday.  So, a little weight loss is not going to hurt me.

After the lunch tray was taken it was time to go out for another outside break.  Then back to the room for a nap.  I'm woken up so early in the morning that by 1 PM you're ready for a nap.  Ailbe got up and snuggled with me. I went out fast and then had to make a quick dash (a quick dash for me is getting into a wheelchair and getting into the bathroom as fast as you can - LOL).  Then back to the bed and Ailbe finding his spot to cuddle.  This time he did some talking and turning his head as if he was carrying on a conversation.  After one and half hours Ailbe had to go out. So,buzz the nurses, get the assist from wheelchair to the scooter before getting out the door.  This will be our life for the next several months.  His main tasks at the moment are picking up drop items.  He's nailed everyone of them and I'm so proud.  His mobility tasks are on hold till I can walk on two feet.  I'm hoping to add to his retrieve tasks.

The best thing that was said today was what my new evening aide had to say.  They couldn't believe how quiet Ailbe was in the room.  They couldn't believe a dog was even on the floor.  Now that made me feel awesome.  

Dinner arrived and went over to give Ailbe his new 2 cup amount.  He ate all of it.  As I was eating dinner Ailbe got up in bed and I told him "Leave It" which he knew meant -- NO TIDBETS!! So,he just went to sleep while I ate.  Then back out for another mile run and successful potty break.  

At 6:30 PM it was time to head to BINGO which tonight was sponsored by the local Lions Club.  I only won $2 tonight and that was from the guy who won on my left.  So far I've won $10 and its going toward something special in the Retail Store.

Then it was back out for another outside break at 8 and 11 PM.  Goodnight all and I'll be chatting to you again.

It's morning nap time...

Hey mom these pillows are comfy

I love my new bed....

Do I have to get up to go out?

Track area where I can run/walk with mom...

Sir Ailbe Knight's Journey - Day 1

McGUIRE VA HOSPITAL

Ailbe arrived today at 3:30 PM and he was one happy boy.   My daughter's had a busy time unloading the truck and all my things and his are unpacked and put away.  My girls put his crate up and so he has plenty of space to sleep and chill out.  He took a nap for awhile and got to test out his new bed.  I would say he was very comfy.

The girls had to take off to pick up a poop scooper since the one I had didn't make it into the truck.  I like the one they found and it works great.  I got everything set up where I can use my wheelchair for his feeding and to lower the crate door.  His water bowl was placed in the bathroom for it will be easy for me to water him.

There is plenty of space for me to let him to take potty breaks.  I should have picked up a flash light at Walmart for night time use.  I'll look in the retail store tomorrow.  There's not enough lights outside and so its really dark in the areas I have to take him.

POW & MIA MEMORIAL WALL

I got to take him out at 9:30 PM for his final pee break till morning.  They lock the doors at 10 PM and I don't want to be outside and stuck where I can't get back in.

So, day one is almost done.  It was a short one and tomorrow will begin at 6 AM.  Goodnight from Sir Ailbe and his mom...  Talk again tomorrow night...

Sir Ailbe Knight saying HI!!!

Sir Ailbe Knight's Journey

Join Sir Ailbe Knight on his newest adventure on being the first Service Dog to be allowed for an inpatient disabled veteran at the McGuire VA in Richmond, VA.  His adventure begins on Sunday Oct 12, 2014 and will end when I can leave the hospital able to take care of myself.

Strict rules have to be followed.  The Staff can assist only me and my needs.  I'm responsible to Ailbe's needs.  A SERVICE DOG ON DUTY sign will be hung on the door for the Staff to know the rules.

So, join us for our Daily journal on our new adventures.

Life Goes On...

Well, a lot has happened in the past few months since I wrote about what's going on.

I graduated from Petsmart months and months ago.  I also was going to class to learn how to be a Service Dog.  Then in April my mom's dad got extremely ill and it wasn't going to be a happy ending.

So, mom had to take time off to take care of her personal affairs.  She had to become her dad's home caregiver under Hospice.  Since her lease on her apartment wasn't up till November she had to see if she could break her lease without a penalty.  That was granted in mid May and she had to stay till July 15th.  Well, her royal PIA landlord declared that we had bedbugs in our apartment (this happened Memorial Day weekend) and needed the place treated.  My poor mom with all of her stuff was following the rules and when they came 5 days later the apt wasn't ready.  Everything had to be packed up and moved into storage before they would treat.  The landlord didn't care that mom was on a 24 hr heart monitor watch either.

Finally, on June 22nd the place was cleared out except for the furniture.  The furniture had to be treated.  On June 29th the movers arrived LATE to move the furniture to storage.  Some of it got dumped at the apt dumpster area.  The final clean out of the apt happened on July 2nd when she had the carpets steamed cleaned.  She's so darn upset about that since the carpets will be torn out when she hands the keys in on the 15th.

Her dad hasn't been doing so well and had to go in the inpatient Hospice unit a couple times.  He's now home and hopefully my mom can handle the stress of taking care of her dad.

I love my new home --- LOADS and LOADS of space in the yard to play.  Mom has to tie me out since there isn't enough fence to hold me in.  She does let me off leash with Shadow and that darn dog chases me all over the place.

Mom has taken me out a few times and I do really great.  She plans on taking me out every night to different stores in the area to practice.  It's so much fun getting into the car and putting my head on the center console for I can feel the cool air.  Today (July 26) I went to my 1st official training day at the Phoenix VA Hospital.  Mom was so proud of me laying under the chairs.  I was a true gentlemen.  I got home and just plopped down because I was so tired out.

June 2012 in my new "Lamb" cut

Pool time with James

Howdy Folks

Ready for take off...

Obedience Training

I began my training at Petsmart at the beginning of February and I'm nearly done with the basic training class.

In the last few weeks at school I have learned:

1)  Socialization with other dogs

2)  Walking on a loose leash

3)  Sitting on command

4)  Laying down on command

5)  Touch, Touch (the beginning of the recall of "come")

6)  Look at Me command

7)  Being called from one person to another

8)  Leave It command

My next phase of training will be with my Service Dog School ... That will start after I graduate from the basic classes...

Grooming

I LOVE to be groomed

I'm wondering if mom is doing a "Military" hair cut

Mom has finally found a great clip for me to use as a Service Dog.  She said that when I'm two I'll be using a Mobility Harness  and that my hair has to be short for the straps won't catch into my hair.

Diane, a friend of my mom's had us come over to house last week to meet up with Jen who also has Standards.  So, with help from Jen we went to work on making me look handsome in a curly cut.  Mom had to leave and she didn't get the groom completely done.

Diane told mom about Petsmart and a FREE groom.  Mom was all excited about that since her two Standards were at Petsmart when I came up to visit.  She said that Petsmart has a Grooming Academy and the students need dogs to practice on.  One of the harder breeds to groom is the poodle and they're always looking for them.  So, mom stopped in her local Petsmart where I go for my basic training to see if there was a student who could use a poodle to practice their grooming.  They have one student and they signed me up for a complete groom next week. They also give me a bath and blow dry.. the full treatment and the only thing mom has to pay is a tip.  The clerk told mom that the groomers have to have so many hours in for grooming certain breeds.  They were pretty excited that there was a poodle volunteer to help the students.

So, besides the bathing, they'll do my face, ears, nails and finish getting the rest of my baby coat the same length.   Mom says there are quite a few Petsmart near us and she'll try to bring us to them to help me to calm down with the grooming she does at home.

Service Dog Training 101

The Retriever Clip

 29 Feb 2012

I want to tell you all that Ailbe has now began his basic training with the
Service Dog Program. How did he do on his 1st day of training -- AWESOME!!!

He did less of his nervous pees this time around. There were about 6 teams that
got together at Fiesta Mall in Mesa, AZ. The others are either in training or
just finished their training. Ailbe was so excited to see all the dogs. So, a
very happy five month old had to learn to sit and stay near the other dogs (what
a challenge that was) plus lay down and stay put...

He learned how to walk down 4 steps (he was not sure of what they were and so
baby paws was all I asked) and then back up -- Service Dogs do one step at a
time. The next thing he learned today was loading and unloading in an elevator
-- he handled it like a seasoned pro.

He did no barking at all with the other teams -- YEA!! He was a true gentlemen.
The last thing to do after an hour of working was to go too the Food Court and
have the teams lay down either "under" the table or chair. He got to touch
noses with another team and didn't engage in any goofy play. After a few times
of giving him the command of down he finally settled and fell asleep. He slept
under the chair where my grandson was sitting and stayed put for 45 min.. YEA!!!

It looks like Wednesday's will be meet up and training days at different
locations in the Chandler, AZ area. They LOVED his "Retriever" clip.. The Service Dog trainers wife is also a
groomer -- YEA!! and she gave me more tips on grooming today. Plus she said for
a newbie on grooming I did pretty darn good on scissoring his feet (I did them
about 3 wks ago).

My first time I used the scissors to trim his feet

So, the house is nice and quiet.. I have one pooped out puppy and my grandson
also crashed..

I'll have to add this info to my blog now that his Service Dog training has
begun.

Ailbe got weighed the other day and he's now 35 lbs at 5 months. The Vet said
he's lean and great muscle tone. I have to keep up the 4 cups of food a day (2
feedings a day) plus his training treats ..

He loves to retrieve.. and we'll do it for 15 min because he loves getting what
I throw to him..