…and swim!

I went on an exciting trip to Philadelphia this past Feb. I took the train with my puppy raiser and I have to admit I found it kind of scary. At first I didn’t want to get on the train-that gap is worrisome! But with much encouragement I made it on. The trip up was easy; I just squeezed into my space and went to sleep. When we arrived in Philadelphia we had to take a taxi to the art museum.  I didn’t like that too much because there was very little room on the floor for me to sit, I weigh 70 lbs. now, but I was a good boy and just sat there quietly for the short drive.

At the museum we met up with my puppy raiser’s parents and then we went into the Van Gough exhibit. There were a lot of beautiful paintings on the wall and there was a hushed silence in the galleries which I interrupted once in awhile with my loud yawns. But mostly I was very good. I liked the museum store because a lot of people came up to pet me and tell how well behaved I am. I like that. I was also well behaved in the fancy restaurant we went to for lunch. By the time I got off of the train in Baltimore I didn’t mind the gap at all. It was a big day for me but my puppy raiser told me I did a really good job.

I have now graduated from level 1 to level 2 in training class so I am learning lots of new things like healing and sitting in a stay position for 15 seconds. It’s hard work but I love to see the other dogs in class.

Audie here! January was a fun month for me. I went along on so many errands, school functions, and sport outings. There were a ton of new people, sights, and sounds. It was so exciting! I have been practicing waiting patiently during these events. Man is it tough work! I really want to run around and meet all those new people, but I seem to be making people happy when I lie down quietly and wait to be called.

We travel in the car, and I sit on the floor of the passenger seat. This helps me practice for what it will be like when I travel on public transportation. Every time we get in the car I know it is going to be a new adventure. The best part of my day is when we pick up the kids from school. You wouldn’t believe it, but I have to wait all day to see them! I can’t stop my tail from wagging when they are finished with school each day.

I also discovered these awesome new treats – ice cubes. Every time I hear the freezer open, I know these treats are in there, so I strategically wait patiently for one. They are so fun to chew! I also get to go on long runs through woods and meadows with Maggie every day. Guess what? Sometimes it’s MUDDY! It is so much fun, and I try to make sure my paws get covered in as much mud as possible. She has to towel me off when we get home though. I don’t really like that part, but I know that it’s worth it to run in that mud. It really tires me out, so when training comes around it’s easier for me to concentrate.

I can sit and stay, lie down and stay, come when I’m called, touch anything I’m asked to with my nose (that’s my favorite), and wait for my meals (that’s my least favorite). I don’t mean to brag, but they say I’m a pretty quick learner! The best part about training is that I get to play with the other Hero Dogs in training – Scotty and Gracie. That’s all for now. I need to take a nap after all of the Superbowl excitement last night.”

December was so much fun! I was a great Christmas shopper – even wearing a red and white velvet collar that made me look like one of Santa’s elves.  Maggie said I was very patient while waiting in lines and whenever she needed a coffee break.

I spent a week in Philadelphia for Christmas with 7 children, 6 adults and 5 dogs.  We all stayed in the same big old house where Maggie grew up. The best part was that Maggie’s parents have a Golden Retriever puppy exactly my age, so we spent the entire vacation playing together – constantly. We really wore each other out.

I also went to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania to see the Christmas decorations. I was told that I was wonderful, even with all of the crowds. I even went for lunch to the fancy restaurant there and slept under the table the whole time. The only thing I didn’t like we’re the big grates in the conservatory. They were very scary to walk across, but with plenty of patience and some sweet talking by all my humans, I made it across.

New Years Eve was fun! My family had fireworks which I didn’t mind one tiny bit.

I am what you could say is a “gentleman (dog) farmer.” I live on a farm with lots of animals. So I have had to get used to the smells of horses, and chickens, and other things. I really don’t mind them, and, in fact, they can be quite entertaining. Everyone tells me that I am growing very quickly. Pretty soon I won’t look like the puppies on the television commercials! I have outgrown both my puppy collar and my little Hero Dogs vest! Jennifer has even given me a harness like all the big Hero Dogs wear! I am pretty good at all my basic commands. I know my name, I can SIT, DOWN (I don’t like doing that so much), WAIT, and started to learn GIVE. Boy that is a hard one, especially when you have to give back a huge doggie biscuit! I love going to puppy class because in addition to learning lots of new things, I get to see my brother Scotty and all my other puppy friends.

I think I am the envy of a lot of people. Why, you ask. Because, I go to Starbucks every day, that’s why! I don’t get anything there, but Maggie does. I think she needs to keep her energy up so she can take me to lots of places. Once a week, I go to an indoor polo game and to a swim meet. At first I didn’t like the swimming pools, but now I really don’t mind them. I love polo! I wish I could play. I think if they gave me a chance they would see how good I am. At other times, I have gone to The Gilman School and to The Bryn Mawr School. The kids there love me! I am a great Hero Dogs ambassador. I always go with Maggie to do the grocery shopping. That means I am a regular at Trader Joes, Eddies, and the Food Lion. I can’t wait to learn how to put things in a basket like the big dogs do! I have also been to doctors, dentists, orthodontist, and hair appointments. No problem. I am always a well behaved boy. I even went to Target to do some Christmas shopping. Wow, there was so much stuff there. I love being a Hero Dog in training!

Hi! My name is Hero-Dogs’ Audie Murphy, Audie for short. My brother, Hero-Dogs’ Francis Scott Key, Scotty for short, and I are the newest members of the Hero Dog family. We came from Kerrybrook Kennels just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. And, boy have we been busy since we left our home! On Saturday, we drove six hours to Maryland. It wasn’t bad. Scotty and I slept most of the way. On Sunday, we got to meet all our new friends, including Dr. Marcie who told us we looked pretty good! On Monday, we went to a Hero-Dogs golf tournament at a country club where, as you can imagine, we were the star attractions! It was a lot of fun – we walked, we played, we napped. The rest of the week we were busy playing together and getting used to all the new smells. I think we are really going to like it here!

Hero Dogs, Inc. welcomes Audie Murphy.

THANK YOU to Chris Wincek of Kerrybrook Kennels for donating Audie!

Thank you Lou Murphy for sponsoring “Audie”