Santa Came to visit

Santa came to visit.

I put on my red velvet collar but not my red jacket.

He admired my 2009 TDI tag.

I told him about my visits with Joan as my handler.

We talked about his busy night to come

and all the blessings we have shared this year.

Then he wished us a Merry Christmas and was off!

My family and I wish you a Happy New Year.

Happy Second Bithday to Jake and I

Jake and I will be two years old on December 16, 2008!

Barney, who lives at the White House, is doing his last video tour.

Jake and I Blog to keep in touch.

We have great families that we love and love us.

Boomer and Joan always tell me I'm the Best!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Brother Jake!

December Groom

I just came home from the groomer.

I have three Care Center visits to do today.

I get to sleep in this room if we don't have guests.

I sleep in my travel crate no matter which room

I'm assigned. Joan will bring me into their room

if there is storm noise that would wake me up.

She says the beds are only for people.

Decorating gone Bad

Joan has started her decorating. She asked me to sit on the couch. Then she put these antlers on me. She promised she wouldn't dress me up in "outfits". Does this count???

Football Next Year

Michigan lost again today. I'll have to start my own "Food Bowl game" with Joan.We can wear maise and blue...never red and white.

I still can't believe I have to wait until next year! Joan and I are Cubs Fans so we do know how to wait. Maybe the basketball season will be better.

Squirrel Watch

Things are put away for the winter.

The fall clean up is almost done.

My main job now is SQUIRREL watch.

I caught one last year but I was told

NOT to do it again. They like to run the wires and hide in the trees when I'm out here.

Do you think they are watching for me, too?

Elect Me

Elect Me? Not this year.

I'm glad the election is history.

I was thinking of running myself but Joan and Boomer didn't want to move. I'm glad to know a puppy will be part of the new First Family. (They will be glad to have some unconditional love.)

Money by mistake

Boomer and I were sitting down to wait for Joan outside the library. A woman stopped to talk and pet me just as many do when I'm on duty as a Therapy Dog. When Joan and I started to leave, Boomer was behind us. The lady came up to Boomer again, gave him a hug and a five dollar bill. She said her father was blessed by a visiting dog. She wanted to give the money to me for my service to others. Boomer reluctantly took it. Joan was shocked! Boomer didn't know as TID, it's against the rules. Then the lady was gone. Joan and I are giving the money to the children's NET project at church. Boomer will be more careful about taking money from strangers.
(A good lesson for all!)

Dem Bones

Joan and I went to the BRB Library.

The stories tonight were about bones.

Everyone had a chance to say hello to me

before they went off to color.

Crop Walk 08

The Folks from Hope UM Church joined in to do the

Crop Walk to help others in need.

We walked a full mile...even Boomer!

Fall Look

Here is my "fall" look.
I had my bath and groom.

Joan booked six visits for me.

I stayed "clean" from Monday to Thursday.

Now I'm just a backyard dog until November.

Pet Blessing 08

Here we are on the front lawn of

Hope UM Church for the 2008 Pet blessing.

Twenty-two dogs and two cats brought their owners.

Pastor Glenna blessed each of us.

Mackenzie Visit

Hi Fitzwilliam!
I enjoyed my visit at your house today. I think you are cute and cuddly and you tried to share your toys. Too bad my grandma and your mom wouldn’t let me play with them. But I had fun anyway! I ate an entire jar of strained carrots as soon as we returned to Grandma’s. Thanks for letting me come; my Grandma thinks visits and travel “broaden my horizons”!
Love,

Mackenzie

On The Road Part 8

Here is the horse I was looking for...too big!

Abe was just waiting for us to find him.

He did look tall, too.

Time for us to go home (in a car...not a covered wagon!)

On The Road Part 7

We found the "real deal' in New Salem, IL. It's

smaller than I thought to carry everything you own.

Still no horses yet but I'll keep looking.

On The Road Part 6

We are leaving Springfield,IL and heading west today.

I don't know how this works.

Where the are the horses ?

On The Road Part 5

Before we left the Baymont, Boomer checked for the puzzles.

I looked for the Caesar ad. People stop me all the time.

They tell me I look like the dog in the commercial.

Joan did a "Google" and found the actor is a girl!

On The Road Part 4

This is Illinois corn. It grows well in this state.

I thought my brother, Jake, would like to see it.

I don't know if he sees corn fields in TN.

On The Road Part 3

I thought I looked cool here at U of I Springfield campus.

Do the pillars make me look like a Democrat?

On The Road Part 2

We needed to find some open green space.

We followed the signs to U of I Springfield.

Classes were not in session. There was some construction

being done that made plenty of noise.

We had a good walk around.

Joan thinks I'm very smart.

Do you think I have a lot on the "ball"?

On The Road Part 1

There was no charge for me this time at the Baymont Inn.

We brought my own bed, food, water, and treats.

We decided that I should not stay in the room by myself.

They were kind enough to give me a first floor room by an exit.

Still, there were too many distracting noises

outside and in the hall.

I'm a good first alert barker.

Rawhide

Joan just gave me my first rawhide.

She posed me up here.

I don't eat on the furniture.

Mistee's Trim Look

My best friend, Mistee, had a spa day.

She came to my yard

so we could all admire her new look!

She comes with Harriet

who knows a lot about flowers.

Visiting Day Part 3

I've just gotten home after a long day.

Joan took me in for a bath.

Then, I was admired all day long at three care centers.

Now it's time for dinner and all I want is a NAP!

Visiting Day Part 2

I met lots of new friends.

Harriet came and took pictures for us.

Later, we went to two more care centers.

I promised to come back next month when I get my haircut.

A Visiting Day part 1

Joan had me get up at 6AM today.

I had to get a bath and my nails trimmed and buffed.

When I go to care centers,

I don't want to scratch anyone on my TDI visits.

Agility Tunnel

Here I am coming out of the tunnel.

Joan has the cheese!

Agility in my Backyard

I bought this beginner kit for Joan's birthday.
Boomer helped her set it up for us.

I'm working on agility in our backyard just for fun.

She guides me around the "course".

I work best for cheese.

Library Visit

Here is Joan giving the children my bio introduction.

Boomer is going to read Bad Dog, Marley to the children.

He read three stories.

After he read, they were able to come and pet me a few at a time

This was my first official visit.

We all had a great time.

City Dog Visit

Here I am with a water dish on the outside of the place where

Joni and Joan are eating.

Dogs are allowed to be next to the fence.

I would have to have a Chicago city lapdog permit

to be inside the fence with them.

We did walk along the lake before we came home.

We saw the special dog beach but I don't swim.

I napped all the way home.

Highland Greet

We went to the Highland Games. This westie is a Rescue.

His owner likes him dressed for the pipes.

It took me a while to get use to the sounds.

Joan loves the pipes.

Boomer likes the food.

Looking Cool

While Joan was in Michigan I went to camp.

Boomer picked me up. They talked him into this picture set up.

It was a "pool" party but no water!

Think Snow in June

Here is my friend Mistee in the snow last winter.

Does it make you feel cooler?

New Friend

I made a new friend.

His name is Buddy.

He is 6 years old.

He goes to care centers, too.

We had a nice chat and a few treats.

I hope he comes again.

TDI Part 4

We're done now.

Joan will send in the paper work including my photo for my ID.

Thank You to all who helped with my training!

TDI Part 3

Sandy rode in the back seat of our car to keep
the dogs relaxed on the long ride.Molly and Fitzwilliam passed the TDI test.
Tom was the examiner for this test at the Kane County Fair Grounds.
Ten dogs took the test but only five stayed for the group picture.
"Walking through a crowd" was very interesting with so many dogs and handlers.

TDI Day Part 2

We went to Rosewood for a visit because I was clean.

I went into rehab so they could see me, too.

My groomer's grandparents were there.

They liked seeing her work.

I do sit on laps if I'm invited.

I went home for an early dinner.

The test site was 90 minutes away.

TDI Day Part 1

*****

On May 15th I had to leave my toys at home

and get a bath and grooming.

Rosewood

On the days I have a bath or full grooming, I get to visit.
We listen to their stories. They look at my book.
When they bring out the people snacks, it's time for us to go.

My Poster and Me

Joan made up this poster to take to care centers.

She will take it the day before I come

with the time on a post-it note.

Does it really look like me?

A Civil Meeting

Fitzwilliam did not like all the cannon fire at the Joliet

Black Road Branch Library.

He did agree to meet with both sides before he left the battlefield.

A Fitzwilliam Fan

Here I am with one of my fans.

Joan just gave her my newest picture.
Cathy was a good friend to me.

She loved my visits.

She carried my picture in her wallet.

She found a toy I couldn't tear up.*

I play with it in my yard.

I will remember that I was her friend, too.

*See the May 28, 2007 entry

A CGC Grad

I made it !
I'm now Canine Good Citizen.
Leo was my distraction dog.
(He is 200 lbs of pure friendship!)
Bobbie, my trainer, brought him.
Sandi, the examiner, said I did a good job!