Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Raw Food Diet, Day 280- Final Exams

***
Big Pupi here:
I passed! Check out the newest certified therapy dog in Chicago~

We almost didn't make it to the test because of the massive Obama rally that's going on this evening in my city. Roads are closed and there's supposed to be 1 million humans attending the event. Do you think they'd all like to pet my mohawk for good luck? My car is parked in a garage that's right in the middle of all the action, but fortunately we managed to make it out and back in again. Now I'm home and totally pooped after my exciting morning.

The hardest part of the test for me was the Leave It exercise. We never practiced that one in class! There was a HUGE hunk of delicious cheese just asking to be feasted on - sitting on the floor right within my reach. We walked loops around the cheese and I was seriously tempted to scrap the whole thing and just chow down. I had to Heel Like Good Boy and be Have and the leash had to be loose the whole time. It was a close call on more than one occasion.

When I was being tested on my tolerance of being handled all over by a stranger, I melted to the floor and decided that I'd rather get a belly rub instead. That earned me extra scritches in my leg pits which was totally awesome. The humans also got a huge kick out of my new trick called Paws, which tells me I must put my front feet on a human's knee so they can pet me. We use this one if a friendly human is sitting or in a wheel chair, and I'm totally game for anything that gets me extra pets. It's a sweet deal.

In the end, the instructor said I passed with flying colors which is appropriate because I'm now a full-fledged member of the Rainbow AAT group. Once my lame-o mom finishes the human set of requirements we'll go for our final evaluation. During this process I will attend a therapy program and the various program chair people decide for which of the programs I am best suited. (Even though I've already been scoped out by the Hope program coordinator and matched up with them!) We're hoping to have everything done before mid-December so we can start volunteering during the holidays.

I can't wait! I'll even share my dehydrated lamb's liver and fish treats with the kids!

Chilling with my new diploma,
Big Pupi

***
Stanislaw says:

I am so honored!! I received a wonderful Butterfly Award from Niamh which is totally sweet and awesome! I tried to post the picture of it but blogger is not cooperating. You can read Naimh's post here.

And I also received a major shout-out from my blogging buddies and I'm super pumped to say that I tied for DWB's Post of the Month! My mug is on the main page of the website. How cool! Thanks all for voting, and I couldn't imagine sharing the recognition with a cooler pup than Toffee. Today was filled with good news all around!

Time to bark at the noisy folks attending the Obama rally,
Stanislaw

20 comments:

Beckett said...

Congratulations! You will bring great joy as a therapy dog.

Beckett

Beckett said...

1,000,000 people sounds like a LOT of belly rubs, BTW.

Beckett

Coco Bean - The Princess said...

Pupi - you look and act exactly like my little man Pepper who was my first dog and brought me great joy as a child! Im sure EVERYONE will love your mohawk!

Stan - im still trying to figure out how you manage to nibble apart your stuffies..i hae yet to be sucessful on this one! any pointers?

Tail Wiggles & PUppy Kisses,

Coco - The Princess

PS. CONGRATULATIONS for winnign the DWB contest & for being posted on the front page of DWB! I voted for you!

River said...

Congratulations on your accomplishment. What a terrific thing to do for humans.

love & wags,
River

Charlie Daniels said...

Great Stuff!! Now if only Mum would move it along a bit .. ;-)

Cheers

Charlie

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Pupi! That is an important kind of job and you are my hero for doing it so nicely! I know all those poor sick people will feel better after you visit them.

We saw the last batch of food your mom bought and put up. Wow, there is some good looking stuff in there. Mom was gonna buy a bully stick for me at the big pet store but it was like expensive and she said I would have eaten it all in one setting.

I love the pictures of you guys at the park, it looks like a lot of fun.

Barklove,
Rusty

Scottie the 'Cutie' said...

Congrats Pupi! I knew you would be able to do it...*wink* You and your Mom are SOOOO going to be the best therapy team around! =)

Congrats are in order for Stan too! You sure deserved the Post of the Month award...*grins* Keep up the great job!

Hope you have a great day!

Scottie

Lorenza said...

Congratulations Pupi!
Lorenza

Toffee said...

Oh congratulations Pupi on your achievement! Just reading about that piece of cheese made me want to eat the pooter!! tee hee!

Stan! I had no idea that we tied for Post of the Month! Oh wow! I am so honored! We are two lucky pups!
(thanks for passing the news on to me)

btw my mom wanted to let your pawrents know about this new site she joined to help log in workouts - you can make a team or just do it on your own. You get points for every workout. My pawrents joined and thought it was neat...
www.introplay.com

Petra said...

Big Pupi, I am SO proud of you!

And congrats to you, too, Stanislaw, for your dwb post!

Biggie-Z said...

Congratultions, Big Pupi! That is guite an accomplishment!!

My Momma thinks that the next project may be some therapy something or another because I like people so much. Pupi, how old are you? Momma says I still have too much puppy in me but your NAME is Pupi and you can do it so I wonder if she is just making up excuses.

PS Happy Day in Chicago, huh? Congratulations Stan and BP on post of the month AND your awards.

Fenway said...

Stan--

About Long Tongue. I have a rollup mechanism like a window shade....it keeps my mouth nice and tidy.

Hero said...

Congrats, Big Pupi! We all know how hard you've worked for this. I think some ice cream is in need for a little celebration. And congrats to you too, Stan!

Mack said...

What a pawsome day for you two guys! A humongus congrats is in order for both of you!

Niamh said...

Yeah Big Pupi!! I knew that you could do it and I am sure you will be the best therapy dog in Chicago. You will make people forget about their problems when they pet you. Congratulations!

You deserve lots of awards Stanislaw! Congratulations on you DWB post award with Toffee. I love reading your blog and seeing your cute spaniel faces.

Your friend,
Niamh

duo_disaster said...

OMG Pawgratulations Big Pupi!!!

Will you kindly share some dehydrated lamb's liver with us instead?

LoveLicks!
Rudolf & Goofy

Girl Girl Hamster said...

Alright!! Congrates to you Big Pupi. You'll make a pawsome therapy doggie

~ Girl girl

Molly the Airedale said...

Congratulations, Big Pupi! You'll make an awesome therapy dog! Good job on leaving that piece of cheese! No way could we have done that trick! NOPE!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

FleasGang said...

Way to go Pupi! That's great news. You're going to make a wonderful Therapy pup. So, did you get to eat the cheese after you passed your test? Hungry cheese loving dogs want to know.

Shelly

Eric said...

Go Big Puppi! Pawsome, I'm wagging for you, Stanislaw too for the Blog Award. Eric x