Summer time is here! It is time to be outside and enjoy the sunshine. Our Canine Advocates love being outside in the warm sun. Can you find the fan they are using to help them stay cool and a bowl for water in the photo? They also have extra water in case they get thirsty.

It is important to remember your sunglasses when you are outside in bright sunlight.   Jewel-Lee wears sunglasses to protect her eyes.   Bright sunshine can make it hard to see, but sunglasses can help.

Did you know that dogs sweat through their tongues?  That is why dogs have their tongues hanging out of their mouths when they are hot.   They pant and it helps to cool them down.  Drinking water also helps them cool down.  Drinking water can help you cool down too!  Dogs will also go to shady areas (out of the sun) to help them cool down such as a chair on the porch or under a table.

Did you know that our dogs have had foster parents? Even though they are not with their original moms and dads all of the dogs have people who love them and are their family. A mom or dad can be any grown up who cares about you, takes care of you, and loves you.

Jewel-Lee’s first foster mom was Mary in Texas. Mary loved Jewel and taught her lots of good manners.

Jewel-Lee’s second foster mom was Tammi in Pennsylvania. Tammi also loved Jewel and showed her how to be a good dog.

Jewel-Lee’s mom is now Kate. Jewel-Lee lives with Kate and her dog brother Baker and dog sister Quinn. Although Jewel-Lee doesn’t look like her brother she loves him very much. Families don’t have to look alike to love each other.

Cooper had a Foster Dad who taught him lots of tricks when he was little.

And then Cooper met his new brother Gryffin and his new mom Tammi. They both love him very much!

Gryffin was a little puppy when he met is human mom Tammi. Gryffin doesn’t live with his dog-mom anymore, but Tammi loves Gryffin and all of the dogs in their family.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Let it Snow!  February has been a snowy month!   Our Canine Advocates Gryffin, Cooper, and Jewel-Lee have enjoyed the snow!

Gryffin likes to play with his ball in the snow.  Cooper likes to jump into the snow piles!

Jewel-Lee likes to wear her coat when she goes out into the snow so she can be warm.  She also likes to wear her blue boots so her feet stay dry.

Cooper had fun chasing his friend Ben in the snow.

Our dogs visit their doctor, a veterinarian,  at least once a year.  This is Gryffin and Cooper visiting their favorite doctor, Dr. Sarah at Moon Vet Clinic.

They meet the staff at the desk when we sign in, and then we go back to the exam room with Dr. Sarah.  At their checkup she gently looks at all parts of their body to make sure it all works.

And sometimes they have to get shots as well to keep us free from germs.

Just like the dogs, most kids should visit their doctor every year and their dentist every 6 months.

Here is a link for parents to check how often there kids need seen:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/Pages/Well-Child-Care-A-Check-Up-for-Success.aspx

Gryffin, Cooper ,and Jewel-Lee hope everyone has a great holiday!   They are hoping to get bones, treats and toys!

Gryffin was in need of a bath–check out how much fur he sheds!

Meet our Canine Assisted Advocates Tammi and Kate.  Tammi and Kate are the handlers who provide the training and care for our canine advocates.  They are also the people who drive them to and from work every day (mostly because dogs can’t drive cars).  The dogs live full time with their handlers and are each part of their respective families.   Tammi and Kate make sure each of the dogs gets lots of love, exercise and mental stimulation in addition to resting.  This helps keep the dogs happy and ready to help others.

Meanwhile…

The Dogs have really been enjoying the fall season!

You’ve seen how hard our Canine Advocates work during the week, but did you know they like to have fun on the weekends too? Check out Jewel’s 1st “Fast Cats” 100 yard dash…she’s a natural!

Kids may be going back to school, but our hardworking Canine Advocates Gryffin, Cooper, and Jewel Lee learn year-round! (don’t worry, they don’t mind one bit )

Hello, my name is Jewel.  I have had a long trip to get here…just wait until you hear my story.

I started out in a shelter, in Texas, along with many others waiting to find a permanent home.  I had my own room and sat in the back being a quiet, good girl.  Many people walked past with no one ever taking notice of my calm nature.

Lucky for me one of the shelter workers saw my quiet nature and thought I would be a perfect fit for the job (she had been tasked to find a dog to go and work in Pittsburgh).  She made all the contacts and arranged for me to go into a foster home until I could get to Pittsburgh (Do you know how long of a drive it is from Boyd Texas to Pittsburgh?)

So I entered my “short” term home.  Three humans, three Dobermans (River, Cinder and ) two English Shephards (Shiner and Emily), a German Shepherd (Hilty), a cat (Cheetah), an iguana and two snakes…talk about overwhelming.  I had to learn where I would sleep, the rules of the house and how to get along with everyone.  It was a little stressful, but I was glad to finally have a home.

Check back Wednesday, August 29th to see more of what the dogs are up to around town!

Looks like Gryffin and Cooper have a new friend–Jewel Lee is our newest Canine Advocate-in-training!

THANK YOU to Dancing Dogs and Mary Waugh-Swindell for Jewel Lee’s board, preliminary training and 4 week foster!

THANK YOU as well to Dallas – Fort Worth Dachshund Rescue and Kathleen Coleman for donating all her vet care, micro-chipping, and necessary vaccinations!

Meanwhile…

We’ve unearthed some photos of Gryffin hard at work behind the scenes!

Check back Wednesday, July 25th to see more of Jewel Lee and catch up on what the dogs are up to around town.