Having now experienced my first Christmas, I have to ask- Is the holiday season fun or what?!? I learned about leaving decorations alone, and did a great job of following the rules. Although my extra waggy tail accidentally knocked a few ornaments off the tree, I always helped pick them up for my puppy raisers. I took an 8 hour car trip to Ben and Molly’s home state of Ohio and was a perfect angel the whole time we were there. I had a blast getting to play with all the family and friends we visited, and I LOVED the excitement of Christmas morning.

Because I had been so good, I got lots of presents. To name a few-Santa brought me a new Kong, my puppy raisers got me a new ball and some biscuits, and my Grammie got me a squeaky reindeer toy that I love to snuggle with (when I’m not chewing its head.)

Once we got home, Tucker and I played in the big field by Jennifer’s house almost every day. One time, a bunch of my Hero Dog buddies came to play with us, and we ran and ran. Boy did I sleep well that night! Now I’m looking forward to my next big “first”- I turn 1 in January!

Once we got home, Tucker and I played in the big field by Jennifer’s house almost every day. One time, a bunch of my Hero Dog buddies came to play with us, and we ran and ran. Boy did I sleep well that night! Now I’m looking forward to my next big “first”- I turn 1 in January!

Hey – check out that awesome picture of me working with one of my 3rd Grade Junior Trainers- I’m so good at patiently waiting for my release command!

I am now 9 months old and getting bigger by the minute. Along with running errands around town with Molly, I keep busy as the unofficial mascot of Liberty Elementary in Baltimore City, where she is a 3rd grade teacher. They tell me that I have been a spectacular addition to the school, always lending a warm tail wag and friendly grin to everyone who meets me. More importantly, though, I am helping the students learn about responsibility, civic duty, and veterans’ awareness in a very unique way. I think that I am a terrific teacher as well as a wonderful companion. In my puppy classes I am learning all the skills that I will need to be a great service dog. I am good at sitting and coming and waiting and staying and lots of other things! So you don’t think that I am serious all the time, I also get to play and have a lot of fun just being a puppy.

I love the changing weather!  The cooler temperatures have been a welcome change, and I thoroughly enjoy raking leaves!  This month I got the chance to stay with Jill, my puppy sponsor, while my family was traveling to yet another wedding.  She had lots of leaves for me and her dog Rosie to play with!  I hope I get to visit them again.

September 2011

Hi! I just got back from the puppy-sitters’ house! I’d like to let Dan and Bev how much I appreciate letting me stay with them while my family had to go to an out-of-town wedding.  I hope my excessive amounts of energy didn’t wear them out too much… I did enjoy getting to go on lots of walks with them!

August 2011

This month, I got to go back to school with Molly.  I had missed the students over the summer, and they were so excited to see how much I grew!  I’ve reached the Puppy 2 class now, and so I’m able to hang out with my pal Radar every week.  We enjoy each other’s company so much, we sometimes forget we’re supposed to be concentrating on learning new skills like heal, stay, and leave it.

Boy oh boy, class is getting tough.  I’m learning to come when called, even when there are other fun things like toys, food, and puppies that I’d rather play with.  I’ve been going to the post office and grocery store a lot lately, too.  I’m pretty good at staying out of trouble while out on the town; although I occasionally think it’s a good idea to bark at things I’ve never seen before.  Molly doesn’t seem to agree with me. 

I got to go camping again this month, but this time we went with my puppy raisers’ whole family!  We stayed in Harpers Ferry, WV.  There were lots of kids to play with, and I got to meet my canine cousin Daisy.  We went swimming and hiking again, and this time I got to see a working railroad station.  The train and its whistle were really loud, but I wasn’t scared.  It was really fun!

Hello everyone! I just got back from my first camping trip.  My puppy raisers, Molly and Ben, took me to visit Kentucky in their pop-up RV.  My big brother Tucker’s a camping pro, so he showed me how to be safe by the campfire, play in the river, and get really dirty.  I tried my best not to get excited by squirrels, but sometimes I just couldn’t help myself.  I’m told that one night, there was a huge thunderstorm that was pretty darn scary, even for Molly and Ben.  I wouldn’t know- they say I slept through the entire thing! 

My favorite part of the trip was getting to go see both the birthplace and boyhood home of President Abraham Lincoln, after whom I’m named.  I learned a lot while touring the area, and really poured on the charm while meeting the park rangers and other visitors.

Hi there!  I’m excited to report that I’ve settled into my new home with my puppy raisers, Molly and Ben, and my big shaggy brother, Tucker. We’ve all been having a lot of fun getting to know each other.  Tucker and I are especially happy to be together, because we both love to fetch and wrestle!  My schedule is kind of packed- between my wrestling matches, I’ve got some work to do, too. I’m going to puppy training, where I’m learning things like sit, down, and wait.  I’m pretty good at it, although sometimes I think it’s fun to ignore the people so they get really excited when I decide to play along.  A few times a week I also go to Liberty Elementary, where Molly teaches.  It sure is fun to get so much attention from so many types of people.  I especially like the little ones, because they give the best hugs. 

Hero Dogs Inc. is proud to welcome Abraham Lincoln – “Abe” is a 4 month old Black Labrador retriever who was generously donated by Jackie Mischou of Caer Bren Labs in Damascus, MD. Thank you!

And a big Hero Dogs’ welcome to “Abe”!