Its been a busy week

Jake meets with the ladies of the Pentagon Chapter of the DAR to say thank you for there donation to Paws4Vets

Jake waited to be announced into Speaker Boehner's office at the Capital last week

Jake has a few words to say about Sonny

I would like to say a few words about Sonny falling. This folks is getting old. I know Sonny is not happy about falling so much, but I seem to be having to come to his rescue more and more. Then again, I received some of my training to accomplish this rescue effort and I am most appreciative of the training I have received. This time, Sonny did not knock himself out, and this was good. When he started moving, he told me to speak several times and at first, I did not realize or believe he was saying those words. Then I realized what was being said and started a bark each time he said "Speak". Peggy heard me and then came running. There was this great feeling of joy which overcame me when I realized I did my job and executed the training I had received to the letter. I would like to thank Sonny for making me look so good. Take Care, Jake

Jake did it!!!!!

Less than an hour ago Sonny took a bad fall in our living room and I was not there.
Jake stayed at his side and barked and barked until he got help.
Jake did everything he was trained to do and then some.
Our thanks to all that trained Jake he was spot on.
Sonny will fill you in more when he is feeling better.
Thanks again
Peggy

SonnyM-paws4vets: SONNY JAKE AND THE RV

Jake takes on the Camping World

Well folks, I went camping and spent two wonderful nights in the motor coach with the folks. Guess what??????? To my surprise, a queen size bed in the motor coach is smaller than the king size bed at home. However, I remained true to my faith and took up the same amount of room. Seems that the folks did not get the beauty rest that they desired since I remained in the middle and they got less room. Sorry about that. Meanwhile, I got to see things at Fort AP Hill, VA that I have never seen before. First, there were these two things romping in the field and the folks said they were deer. Sure were fast and they bounced a lot. Next, I managed to jump a ground hog or something to that effect while on my morning run. Scarred the poop out of me and I really dumped within 20 feet of that rascal but I figured I was safe when it went underground. Next there were these things called squirrels. They hit the trees and were gone. O'well, so much for playing with them but I got even with them by peeing on their tree. Then I went to the edge of the woods and a fire had burned all the bottom stuff off the ground. It left a funny smell and my nose has yet to clear up. From there, we moved to Fort Mead, MD for another night of "civil" camping. The camp grounds were very nice but that wasn't half the fun. On the way up, I beat Mom out of her seat and got to be the co-pilot slot for a few miles. Then Dad got out to get some gas in the coach and I got his seat. Sure can see a lot from being that high up in the sky. Then another restful night sleep in the queen size bed. The next day I helped clean the coach, we parked it in the lock up yard and then back into that eitty bitty truck for the ride home. I should tell you that I failed to get my morning and afternoon naps in while camping so when I got home, I was totally exhausted. I did not realize how much a camping trip would take away my energy from my very full life. I had fun and can not wait to do it again. Wonder if the folks will get a bigger bed? I can assure you that their hint of me sleeping on the sofa failed to make me impressed with that sleeping accommodation they had in mind. Till the next time, Camper Jake.

SONNY JAKE AND THE RV

TOMORROW WE START OFF ON THE FIRST RV TRIP SINCE JAKE JOINED THE FAMILY.
WE ARE GOING JUST FOR AN OVERNIGHT SO WE WILL ALOT MORE TO BLOG ABOUT WHEN WE GET BACK !!!!!!

JAKE HAS A FEW WORDS TO PASS ON TO ALL

Got into the car yesterday and I took note that we also had our suitcase so I started looking for my food bag. Once I was sure that it was in the car I started to look around to see where we were headed.
We stayed in the motel and I was very happy to see there was a king size bed which I had to check out because I was in the car during the time I like to nap, so I felt it was the right thing to do.

This morning much to my surprise we went back to Hazelton and I got to see all my old dog friends.
All the ladies were saying hi and of course telling me how beautiful I was, but really that was old news because everyone has always know that about me . The best thing about the day was when I saw Jennifer come walking down the stairs . I was so happy to see her again that I almost peed myself!!!
Sonny and Jennifer worked on a new task for me to learn. I go and pick up a special phone and take it to Sonny when he falls so he can call 911.
After lunch I got to play with my old play buddy Hayden, the last time we played she was still a pup but today she sits around 120lbs and was able to body slam me to the floor. I think Jennifer should look into sending Hayden to the NFL draft I am sure she would go on round 1!!!!!!!!!
I worked so hard today that I feel the need to hit the bed.
It was really GREAT to see everyone I can't wait to come back in may as long as Hayden does't use me as her play toy. A guy has to watch out for rep after all.

JAKEQ

SonnyM-paws4vets:

USO Interview,

Today, two representatives from the USO came to the condo to accomplish an interview for a future story in a USO correspondence that goes around the world. The objective was to interview the family and how Jake has integrated into our lives. Jake mastered the interview process with ease. He enjoyed the attention, had his picture taken and showed how he has mastered various household tasks. Jake demonstrated draging Sonny's medical bag from the bed room to the living room, bringing keys to Sonny while on his scooter and how to proceed down the hall next to the scooter and how to properly enter and exit an elevator. The conversation also centered around the excellent training Jake received through the paws4vets organization. We are all looking farward to the article and hope it will demonstrate the importance dogs have on the lives of service members and civilians to help accomplish simple yet difficult task around the household. Jake and the other service animals all help improve the quality of life for the person they are helping.

SonnyM-paws4vets: SonnyM

Hi Everyone,

What a weekend. Peggy, Jake and I attended the Kena Klowns Klown A Rama 2011 at the Dullas Hilton. This was a Shriner event and there were over a 100 klowns from the Mid Atlantic Klown Association in attendance. This would mean Shriner Klowns from the mid Atlantic states. Events included such activities as one to five man skits, makeup contest, balloon making contest, other events and lots of food, drink and fellowship. However, the highlight of the weekend was my friend Jake. We arrived one day early to get the lay of the land and Jake was most welcomed by the Hilton staff. He enjoyed his first evening by sitting under the dinner table in the bar area and never made a sound. His delight was sharing the king size bed with Peggy and I and having the room ice bucket as his own drinking fountain. Friday was full of surprises and his third birthday. Peggy and I were assigned to help man the registration table along with two other klowns. Jake took his turn sitting in a chair behind the welcome table and managed to say hello to most of the klowns and their wives when they arrived----except for the nap times under the welcome table. Everyone enjoyed saying HELLO to Jake and thought he was a beautiful animal. That evening, a hospitality room was set up and Jake got his first ride to the third floor in a glass elevator. I was not able to see the front of Jake as he looked out the glass onto the main hotel room, but my bet would have been a very large set of eyes looking all around with amazement. Jake attended the balloon competition on Saturday and was not impressed with the various artwork that was being created. The only upsetting thing during that competition were the various balloons that popped when twisted to tight by the klowns in forming such things as bicycles, dogs, butterflies and the like. Jake had settled in under a table and truly enjoyed another nap. Jake made a new friend in the Hilton's Director of Human Resources. She liked dogs and did not understand the numerous certifications that a paws4vets service dog had to accomplish. Jake was proud to show her his service dog tag and she made a copy to keep in reserve for future needs. At a Hilton hotel, ADA certified service dogs stay in the rooms free of charge while all other animals must pay a 75 dollar fee. The Director stated many people come into the hotel and claim their companion dog is a service dog. Jake was very instrumental in setting the record straight, showed her his tag and registration certificate and was pleased to inform the Director that any future companion dog should not be called a service dog and should be charged the 75 dollar fee. With that, Jake went back down the hall to the Klown hospitality room. Jake was also invited to attend the September klown outing at Virginia Beach, another famous gathering of Shriner Klowns for a Feztastic weekend. For the benefit of Jake, this weekend he managed to keep his cool while lots of folks talked to him, learned how to sleep under a table with all forms of activities ongoing, rode a glass enclosed elevator, attended several classes where folks were making lots of noise, was subjected to a lot of people food and never begged for any and mastered the art of helping run a registration table. Additionally, he learned how to pose for many pictures. All and all, it was an enjoyable weekend and Jake is ready to do it again, however, he is totally exhausted and asleep on the floor--again.

SonnyM

Good Evening ALl,

Jake and I have had a very interesting week or so. First, Terry came for a training visit and we also visited the National Rehab Hospital and the VA Hospital in NW DC. Nobody said a thing about Jake coming into either hospital. Jake did not do anything wrong and went to sleep when we were having conversations with individuals in the hospitals. Interesting that Jake went into the mem's room and while resting his bones, somebody used the hand blow dryer vs using paper towels. Well, this thing sounded like the back end of a C-130 engine during take off. It was powered up and almost pulled itself off the wall. Jake never moved. I was very proud of him. When I went into the doctor's office, you could tell the doctor was not that wild about dogs being in her office. Jake made himself right at home, didn't bother a thing and had a nice nap. The doctor finished the exam on me and ended the conversation by saying that in India, dogs would never have been allowed into a hospital, but your dog is really nice. With that, Jake got up and we both departed her office. On Friday night around 2200 hours, I decided to make my bi-hourly trip to the bathroom. Unfortunately, I crashed about half way there and hit my head against the oak chest of drawers. I lost that battle and with the cuts on my head, I was out like a light for over 5 minutes. Peggy was frantic, Jake was calm and knew exactly what to do. Peggy mopped up the blood and Jake licked me from ear to ear. Peggy couldn't find a dry spot on my face. Jake tried to wake me up and did his best to help Peggy. I am so very proud of him for his efforts as well as his assistance to Peggy. Now we have a new routine to figure out and that is how to call for help when I fall and knock myself out. A good thing for everyone to ponder. What happens if you fell and knocked yourself out and were bleeding? Do you have a plan? This situatuion could happen to you and you need to consider what you or your wife would do. We have ordered a 911 phone and are going to train Jake to find and grab the phone and press the only button on the phone --911.

SonnyM

Good afternoon folks. Today was a rather bad day for me. I really took a hard fall. Interestingly, Jake was right there trying to assist. He immediately knew something was wrong and has not left my side all afternoon. Peggy was standing right beside us so we did not get a chance to practice the alert command and at that moment, I just wanted to stabilize. Jake was so upset that I sat down in the chair and he immediately jumped into my lap and did not move for two hours. He really knew something was bad wrong.

SonnyM

MEMO TO ALL PAWS4VET DOGS: My name is Jake and I have a few words to say to all dogs. My boss took me to the Vet clinic to get updates on all my shots the other afternoon. He lied about how easy things were going to be. First off, the vet tech stuck this glass rod up my you know where, somewhat to the rear of my body and slightly below my tail. Then he took it out and said I was just fine. Easy for him to say. That was not fun and it got worse from there. The vet guy had a chain around his neck and that scared me so right away I did not like this guy. He made me very uneasy and this metal type table was very slick and I could not get any traction to get away. I was trapped. Then this gang of folks shot some stuff up my nose which I did not appreciate at all. I snorted, but that did not help the matter. At that point, the military girl grabbed my nose and I almost got snuffed out before she would let me take a gulp of air. At last, I was breathing again and I felt much better. Again, this girl said it was for the best, whatever that means. Then all of a sudden, this man held me by my harness and the girl brought this big and I mean big pointed thing next to me and rammed it down the back of my neck. She said it was for my own protection to be internationally micro chipped. Well, I didn't see her get micro chipped so how do I know it was for my own good. Then this fellow said things were almost over when this girl pulled my lose skin up off the back of my neck and drilled me again with this sharp pointed object. Not sure what it was, but she rubbed my back and I felt much better. She also said it was all over and I had been a good boy. Not sure how much worse it could get, then I found out later. I got home and was sore, did not feel good and had bad poops for several days. As a warning to all dogs, if your owner says you are going to the vet and says it is for your own good, be careful and be sure to tuck your tail. Love to all, Jake.

SonnyM

Good Evening,

Jake has had an exciting week. Courtney and I took Jake to the Fort Belvoir, VA Vet clinic and had an update on all his shots to include spray up the nose, new rabies shots, a batch of other shots and then an international micro chip inserted. Jake did not like the civilian vet tech but thought the military vet tech as really nice. The civilian tech was wearing a neckless and Jake did not approve of this chain hanging in his face. This is the second time we have run into this problem. As a result, the military vet tech had to come in and finish the shots wehile the civilisan vet tech maintained control of Jake. He did not do anything wrong, but was very uneasy. It should be noted that we can handle Jake much better with a top hook harness vs a harness where the lead is put on his chest.Helikes that much better and can be controlled much easier. On this oming Wednesday, Jake, Terry Henry and I are going to visit the National Rehab Hospital and then cross over the street and go to the VA center in NW DC. Should be an interesting day. Have a great evening. Sonny

Jake has a few words to say

Evening all,

My name is Jake and I came to live with Sonny and Peggy just 13 days ago and boy what a change in my life there has been. First, I can tell you that life is much easier living in a condo instead of on top of a hill in WVA. I am getting two squares a day with lots of treats for doing odd jobs that I was trained for. Thus far, I have managed to open doors, get socks and shoes, bring sticks, get keys, run a mile a day on a lead, learn how to get on and off elevators, go through doors and how to not bark in the condo. Every day there seems to be greater things for me to accomplish. First I learned how to walk on a balcony that is 16 stories up and the view is fantastic, however, looking through the glass is not all that fun. I have managed to walk to the edge and look down, but the birds flying by gave me a scare. Nobody said I had to be brave. I have gotten brushed every day, had my teeth brushed and then Sonny put after shave lotion, or something like that, behind my ears. Took me all day to get the smell to go away. Meanwhile, I have learned my way throughout the condo and around the complex. There are 4 buildings that all look alike, but my smellier tells me which one I actually live in. Sonny tells me that I can never go out exit on G level again since I screwed up the exit and got all messed up with some other dogs who were also trying to exit the elevator. Live and learn. Meanwhile, I know I am restricted to exit B2 and the front door from now on. At my specified dog walk, I have run into several nice dogs as well as nice folks. I do not mind going out to the dog walk except when it is cold, wet, raining or the like of other kinds of weather. I think my dad says I am a warm weather hot house dog. Guess I better get with the program and learn what else I can get into tonight. I have to put my toys up in a little while which all go into a big red box. I like doing that so my dad will not trip over them. Love to all, Jake

JAKE and the shower

JAKE was so good on Sunday. At one point he was asleep while the choir was singing and he didn't even bat an eye.

Today he and I meet up with Courtney and Peggy for lunch and once again no problems to report.

JAKE is really the most amazing dog I have ever been around.
Around the house he will not let me out of his sight.

I gave JAKE a shower today before going out to lunch and I think I had as much dog soap on me as JAKE did!!
Tomorrow we are off to Leesburg to meet up with Terry for some more training.

Outing with JAKE

Started out this morning with Terry who had come to check on what all was going with JAKE.
The three of us got ready to on post. Before we left JAKE picked up the car keys and brought them to me while I was getting my coat, then JAKE went and got his lead, jumped up in my lap to be hooked up got down, open the front door and we were off . Got to the P.X. and there was noise everywhere, even live music!!
Jake and I did our shopping and had no trouble at the check out. Then we headed to the food court and ordered a bit of lunch told JAKE to say under the table and then I had to fill my coke glass and good old Jake never moved he just sat under the table and waited for me to come back.
Terry tagged along about 20 feet behind and when we had lunch he watched from across the food court. We also stopped and picked medication, which of course meant standing line again. JAKE sat down and just looked at the people. We both came home and are really tired BUT
Terry didn't take JAKE back, so I guess I am doing alright for now. Tomorrow I have the Doctor at Fort Meyer and I will be doing this one on my own. Whish me luck !! JAKE is truly outstanding and we can't get over he has just fits in and helps with my daily life

What a super day.!!!!

What a super day.!!!!JAKE came to live with us this morning JAKE is such an outstanding dog. Will add more to this blog later but right now...