Outreach Center opens in St. Petersburg

Fans of Southeastern can now learn more about its programs in the newly opened Outreach Center & Dog Boutique on Central Avenue.  The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought a large crowd of supporters to the new venue.

Guide dog Brittani takes the Mayor's remarks in stride!

The boutique features a stylish selection of dog (and even cat!) merchandise.

A lot of talking, a little relaxing

After having many new protocols explained and demonstrated at the recent Area Coordinators Conference, our Saturday meeting involved lots and lots of talking.

We started in the grass (sand?) for awhile, but the ants got pesky.

Then we moved under a shelter and the dogs practiced ignoring each other -- quite well!

Once we had all the new procedures under our belts, we set ourselves up to practice the new relaxation protocol.

Guide dog puppies must become very proficient at waiting.  A lot of the time that they will spend as professional guides will involve waiting calmly until their handlers need to move to a new place.  So we are working to condition the trainees to understand that, "when mom sits down, I'm supposed to cool it right beside her."  Since we don't initiate the action with a command, it's interesting to watch the dogs' wheels go around as they attempt to figure out what we want from them.  By letting them understand it by themselves, the learning curve is accelerated.  Each of us handled someone else's dog to show that the procedure works regardless of a previous bond.

At first, tiny Parker has no clue what Julie wants.

So Julie baits with a treat.

Got it!

Amanda with Arthur.  Relaxed.

Kay with BJ.  Relaxed

Connie with Phi.  Relaxed.

Jennifer with Bruelle.  Relaxed.

Leah with Hope.  Relaxed.  

Mission accomplished.  Not a bad way to spend a Saturday morning.  ;-)

Parker thinks this Puppy Meeting thing may just suit her.  Lots of friends, a few announcements, a little down time -- piece of cake!  Welcome, Little One.  

  

Newbie alert!

Puppy Parker makes her debut!

Parker's raiser family successfully pulled off the surprise of the decade when Leah happened to be home from college.  Will they ever get her to go back and leave this cutie at home?

All tummy.

A perfect day for the classic rock shot.  ;-)

Big sister Molly seems to be a hit.  Enjoy your puppy year, Parker.  You are loved.

Our patriarch starts college!

Gentle boy Lightning, who joined us when he was seven months old, has completed his puppyhood in Tampa.  Today gave him his moment in the sun as he joined 20+ classmates for Guide Dog University -- the event that welcomes an incoming group of dogs to campus.

When he joined Connie's and Matt's family, dog etiquette was the first order of business.  Resident sisters Savannah and Aspen showed him the pecking order quickly.

Scoping out his new yard was another early adventure.

A road trip with the family provided some special memories.

Puppy meetings gave him the chance to experience all manner of stimuli.

As is its tradition, the group recited the farewell poem for Lightning before he left us for campus.

And then the big day arrived.  Puppy raisers tend to be in a fog on turn-in day, but they put their best faces forward to obtain the treasured photos.

Lightning with buddy Thunder.  Both dogs were sponsored by the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team.

The first event of the program is the handoff of the dogs.  Each is called up separately and sent off with a trainer with a round of applause.

Waiting is difficult.  Let's be truthful.

Lightning's turn!

Note the speed of his wagging.  ;-)   We raise happy dogs, and happy dogs are thrilled to make new friends.

Collars are exchanged.

Final quick goodbyes are offered.

And the happy trot takes the new students off to the dorm.

To puppy raisers everywhere:  Yes, the trainers and canine care technicians really can love "your" dog as effectively as you did.  Our organization has more than enough love to go around.

Lightning, today you embark on the road to your destiny.  We will all await the reports of your health screenings and harness training, and we will love you always.  You have been a dear.

Go proudly.

Let the rivalry begin!

Arthur and Molly wonder why human fans can't coexist as gracefully...

Straight-shootin' pups

This month we added a new venue to our ever-expanding list:  Shoot Straight gun sports.  The primary reason for this choice was the availability of nose-level taxidermy mounts.  Typically, the ubiquitous deer head is hung high on a wall, where it goes unnoticed.  If a raiser brings the dog's attention to a high mount, the reaction is to the staring eyes, if anything at all.  With ground-level trophies, the pups can get a good sniff.  Clearly, these are "real" animals...but they don't move...at all...even if the dogs lunge or bark (which we certainly discourage).  Reactions range from nonplussed to unnerved.  One of our puppies, Bonnie, reacted by play bowing to two stuffed foxes at a museum last spring, while not attempting the bow with any other non-dog species!

As was the case with our recent visit to the skatepark, this would not be an appropriate meeting site for young dogs because of the sounds from the shooting range.  The room was very well insulated, so the volume wasn't loud.  Still, even with our older pups, raisers approached slowly, discerning if the dogs had any uneasiness about the "pounding."  Nobody batted an eye.  ;-)  

First, a few shots from the parking lot.  Thanks, Peggy, for the portrait work.

Arthur

BJ

Bruelle

Hope

Phi

Tapir

Lightning

Cindy and Arthur arrived early to practice the left-hinged door.  Nice control, Arthur!

Raisers were implored to insist on self restraint from the puppies around the valuable trophies.  We are always indebted to shopkeepers who welcome us, so impeccable behavior is critical to maintaining a good reputation with our community.

BJ 

Tapir

Arthur

Bruelle

Hope

Arthur

Tapir

Arthur

Bruelle

Hope has no qualms about her "cousin!"

Lightning is intrigued, and doesn't seem ready to leave!

Phi is calm and collected.

If you enjoy taxidermy, Shoot Straight has an extensive collection.  Thank you, Laura, for welcoming us for this unique experience.