After hours upon hours of one-on-one and group training to work with several specific issues (house manners, obsessing over shadows and lights, jumping on new people, barking at the slightest sounds indoors and out or anything he doesn’t recognize, and more…)  Hero Dogs Abraham Lincoln has moved out of the Hero Dogs program and facility and in with his forever family (and professional dog trainer) where he can be himself…a happy-go-lucky house pet.

A service dogs’ job is a difficult one.  Thank you to his puppy sponsor, puppy raiser, and the countless number of volunteers who loved him and worked with him…Though he is not going to be a service dog, he is still a great dog, and a very happy boy.

Phew- May has been my busiest month yet! First I went to the Brookeville Animal Hospital’s Open House.  So many nice people work there that I never mind going to the vet.  This was my favorite visit to date because all of my Hero Dog buddies were with me, and we got a lot of special attention from the party guests.  We showed off our skills again, and I did a great job showing how I can pick up a credit card and place it back on a table.

The very next day, JoAnn took me to get my ACVO eye exam. That was a funny experience- the doctor shined some lights, blew some air, and put some drops in my eyes. I got the all-clear, though! After we were done, JoAnn took me to Starbucks and I got to play with her neighbor’s doggy for a while. 

Next, Molly had to go out of town, so I got to go stay at Robin G.’s house. We went for lots of walks, and I got to play with her dog, Lucy. She even took me to IKEA… that place is huge! My favorite thing to do at her house, though, was to curl up and watch TV with her son.  So comfy and cozy!

Then one night, I went with Molly to meet some veterans and supporters at an event at the Community College of Baltimore County. Libby, Maverick and I were all there, and we all got to meet Native American dancers for the first time. I was a little unsure how to act at first, since I had never seen anything as amazing as their traditional costumes or heard tribal drums, but Jennifer helped me really get into the music.  I enjoyed meeting the veterans and showing them how Hero Dogs could be of assistance.  Molly was really impressed with me, since I was good all day at school and at the event.  She gave me a little of my favorite snack- real bacon!

Memorial Day weekend was jam-pact, too. I went to help represent Hero Dogs at Battley Cycles during their Ride To the Wall event.  I saw my buddies as usual, and lots of motorcycles! There was good music and lots of friendly people were around, so there was always something to see or do.  Good thing someone brought a doggie pool, because it was hot! We had a good time cooling off in it.

On the last day of May, I moved into my new home at the Hero Dogs Kennel. I knew something was up towards the end of the month when all the kids at school made a big deal over me, threw me a graduation party, and made some big signs with my name on them.  Although there were tears, they seemed happy, too. My puppy raisers were the same way; it was all a little confusing. Well, I’m not sure why everyone was weepy- living with my friends full time is awesome! Radar moved in on the same day I did, and we joined Libby and Maverick. We’re having a blast, working and playing hard.  I can’t wait to update you on all then new things I’m learning… Stay tuned!

Did you know that there was a women’s football team in town called the DC Divas? Well, I got to go to one of their games this month with a bunch of my Hero Dogs buddies, because we were the halftime show! I got to meet so many people at the game, and I was very good at showing off my skills for the crowd.  I went out onto the field with the other Hero Dog pups, and picked up a crutch that Molly kept dropping over and over.  (I think she’s kind of a klutz, because I’m ALWAYS picking stuff up for her.) Anyway, the people in the stands cheered and cheered for all of us.  I liked watching the game, and I got to try my hand at walking up and down on the metal stairs while fans were jumping and yelling all around me.  I did really well, and stuck around until the very end.  I was dog-tired and slept in nice and late the next morning… all the way till 6:30!

This month, I’ve gotten a little taste of what life will be like once I move into the Hero Dogs kennel. Molly has had a series of important meetings that she said would be really boring for me, so I’ve been spending the last few Wednesday nights with my buddies Libby, Maverick, Teddy and Patton. We get to run around and wrestle outside a lot! It’s not all play, though- Becca has been working with me, teaching me new stuff so I’m ready when the time comes for me to live here permanently.

I turned one year old on January 9th, and boy was it fun! The kids at school sang to me, and then we shared a little treat to celebrate.  The students got cupcakes, and I enjoyed a nice juicy hamburger patty. I also got a new Kong, which my puppy raiser had frozen with some food and bacon pieces… YUM! Speaking of birthdays, I celebrated another fun one on February 12.  You see, that’s the day Abraham Lincoln (the presidential one, that is!) was born. He would have been 203 this year, so we thought it would be fitting to visit his monument in Washington, D.C. that day.  So Molly, Ben, Tucker and I braved the freezing temps as we walked around the National Mall and practiced greeting people, healing, and ignoring pigeons.  That last one is pretty hard sometimes…

Although this month was colder than the last, there’s still been no snow.  I’ve been itching to get a chance to build a snow doggy… I hope some falls soon!

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!