Janet Evanovich Book Signing = SUCCESS!

Sorry that it has taken me so long to post about the book signing but things around here have been pretty hectic! But anyways, here goes!

On Tuesday morning I went on a "puppy run" to pick up Nickel II from two of the staff members of NER as they were heading down to Philly for a demo. Little Nickel is so cute! Nickel II

So I did that and afterwards, we did a few things at home and then set out for Cherry Hill for the book signing. Mom and I got there about 90 minutes after other Chapter members arrived. The place was PACKED! There were no parking spots open and we had to park quite a bit away. Not a big deal, so we walked through the crowds to get to the Barnes & Noble. I had called the others and found out what to do, so we went over to where they were handing out bracelets and received ours. We were numbers 1234 and 1235! We were also given a paper that told us to return at 9:15 to get in line to get our books signed. I guess we had gotten there around 6:15 and the signing was supposed to start around 6:00. Ok, so we were a bit late, but I didn't expect nearly that many people there before us!

In talking with people that were waiting, the ones that have the lower numbers got their bracelets at 9 AM! The others in our chapter were in the 700s and they had gotten there around 4:30 and were told to come back around 7:15 to get their books signed. Well that was just crazy! So they had gone over to the Cheesecake Factory and decided to have dinner. Mom and I joined them and figured that we might be able to squeeze in with the others for at least the picture which was the whole point of going in the first place!

So a little after 7 we all walked back over to the B&N and waited to hear their group numbers called. Around 7:30 a staff member came out with a megaphone and announced that they were now taking numbers 151-200! We couldn't believe it! I don't know what it was that was making them move so slowly, but we figured that we would not get called anytime soon and we had all driven over an hour to get there. But we decided to wait anyways and see how quickly the line was moving. It was also great for awareness and we were able to talk to a lot of people and hand out brochures. We also decided to get some pictures outside to show that we were there and why we were there. It was fun!

waiting outside the Barnes & Noble

Zach and Nickel

Two of the Chapter members decided to go and see how things were going inside the store and off they went with Zach and Danby. Later they told us that they had met up with Janet's daughter and took some pictures with her! Exciting! For those that didn't know, Janet Evanovich's daughter used to raise puppies for CCI. I'm not sure how many puppies she raised, but it's still kind of neat. meeting Janet's daughter
picture time! Puppies, Danby and Zach

Finally, after 8:00 we decided to just forget the signing and just try to get pictures nearby where she was sitting. (I believe at this point they were only around the 300 area for the signing) We went in with the 4 puppies and squished ourselves into a small little area right by the fenced off are where Janet was sitting. It took forever to get any good shots because it seemed that people would walk in front of her when we took the picture! It was a bit frustrating. trying to get a good picture wasn't easy!

When we thought we got the pictures as well as we could, the guy that was running the signing started waving towards us and saying "Puppies are next, puppies are next!!" I couldn't believe it! So we got to cut the line and take some pictures! We chatted a bit with Janet and I know she would have loved to talk some more but we all felt bad about holding up the line and wanted to get out quickly. She was so sweet! It was crazy though while we were taking the pictures because EVERYONE there was taking our pictures too. It felt like we were on a red carpet with the paparazzi all over the place. It was crazy! But again, so much fun!

L to R: Nickel, Nuri, Danby, and Zach
SUCCESS!!

After that we decided to leave since we didn't think our numbers would ever be called and we had such a long drive ahead of us to get home. But it was a success nonetheless and a great time!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Wilara Update - AT report

Well let's just say that it wasn't the most positive report to receive. Wila seems to be getting a bit worse when it comes to getting excited and acting approprietly when working. Here is what her comments section of her report reads:

This month in training, Wilara has been picking up more difficult items next to the wheelchair and has begun delivering them using step and visit. Wilara is doing well with tug and has begun to tug open lighter doors. She has learned to retreive her leash. In anticipation of feeding, running, or training, Wilara becomes overstimulated and loses emotional control including barking, whining and displacemet behaviors. I have been giving her some extra time out of the kennel as well as working on her settling in her kennel before she is rewarded with play or coming out to train. We continue to work on impulse control and maintaining down stays in the face of distraction as well as appropriate boundaries and energy level during "snuggle" time. Next, we will add lap as a delivery for retrieved items as well as continuing with tug on heavier doors.

She also has a few more behaviors checked off on the list of things shown. I hope that she can work through this and get over whatever it is that has her acting so badly. She is such a sweet little girl! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her and sending her good wishes and telling her to behave!!!

A quick update

So Mina went home yesterday which gave me a night where I could just sleep. It was wonderful!

I'm puppy-sitting another pup now, Nickel II, and he's just adorable.

Went to see Janet Evanovich tonight for a book signing which was neat.

Will post a full story tomorrow with (hopefully) some pictures attached!

the rain has got to stop

This rain has GOT to stop. It's been raining almost nonstop here in New Jersey and there is little for me to do with Nuri on days like this. Nuri is very good with most of her commands, but she needs the socialization part the most. She still stresses out easily and so we have to work on her public behavior. But with the rain coming down hard everyday, we haven't gone anywhere. No one likes a wet dog around and I know that Nuri isn't that big a fan of the rain. (unless it means that she gets to be toweled off after!) So we are going to cross our paws and fingers for some nice weather to head our way, and soon!

With Mina here, Nuri has had to adjust to having a puppy in the house and she pretty much just ignores her. Typical! But you do get those rare moments where they get along. It's so cute to see the pups cuddling up to the older dogs.

Enjoy your rainy days and hope for some nice weather soon!

Long Overdue Post

Sorry for the delay in posts! Things have been busy around here and my computer went on the fritz. But hopefully back up and running for now!

There was a great video that was sent to me from another puppy raiser just this morning. Go here to see a broadcast that was done about the "B" litter that was turned into CCI Santa Rosa. These are the half-siblings to India and are absolutely adorable! Good luck to all of them!

This week I am puppy sitting for Mina while a fellow PR goes on vacation. Mina is a cute little black lab (pure) and she is so mischievous! But she has found her favorite place to sleep...
Maybe she's trying to keep cool???

CCI Facility Dogs in a Courthouse

This is a great video I saw on CCI Milano's blog that I felt I should share with everyone! It's great to see the dogs at work and see how they are changing and helping people in the courthouses. It really is a fantastic idea to have the dogs in the courthouse to help those afraid to testify. Good work everyone!

Rain, rain, go away.....

It's been raining here for sooo long! It really needs to stop!! This weekend had some nice weather so Nuri and I were able to go out for a little bit. We went to Target and Pearle Vision and worked on some commands. She did very well! We're back to taking baby steps while out in public and it seems to be helping out a bit.

But now with the rain back for the week we are stuck inside again! Hopefully some nicer weather is coming our way. Tonight is a NJ Chapter Meeting and there will be a new little puppy in attendance! We're very happy to welcome Mina to the group! I'll try to get a few pictures of the little girl.

Hope everyone has a fun, rainy day!

"W" Litter update - Walker

I want to give a big shout-out to Wilara's brother Walker who graduated last Saturday as a Skilled Companion dog! Sorry, I had information that none of the "W" pups had graduated on Saturday. Thank you Thida for the correct information!

So congratulations to Walker and his puppy raisers! Great Job!

"W" Litter update

Wilara's littermates who were still in training rotated through TT this past month. Unfortunately none of them graduated as working dogs :( We are hoping for a BIG graduation in August when all the littermates go through TT together. Fingers and paws crossed!!