My First Christmas

I'm just so excited I can't stand it! This is my very very first Christmas. There are toys and brights lights and trees with tinsel, just everything is so much fun. And guess what, I even got to visit Santa! I didn't even know there was a Santa whose job it is to bring toys to all the good little girls and boys. I've been trying to be extra good ever since.

I'm sure my Momma Ellen and Daddy Rich are going to get me a whole bunch of really fun stuff. We event went to the store and they were whispering and spelling and doing all kinds of things I'm not supposed to know about.

Wonder what Christmas will be like at Peggy Mom's? I bet all my sisters and me will have a really fun time - playing, opening presents, eating special treats! I just can't wait and it's right around the corner!

One way you can help dogs like me is to make a donation to your favorite service dog organization - like, New Horizons Service Dogs, for example. That would be great. That way all the people who are helped by service dogs will benefit. It will be a wonderful New Year!

Time to Improve Laws for Service Dogs

Hi, Sienna here. If you want to help me and other service dogs just like me, please read the press release below. Please encourage your legislators to improve laws not just for guide dogs but for all service dogs. I need to have the best opportunity possible to succeed. Thanks and chow!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2011

CONTACT: Kevin King

(727) 552‐1380

REP. KRISEMAN: IT'S TIME TO IMPROVE OUR GUIDE DOG LAWS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Bipartisan legislation has been filed to revise the law related to service animals, providing more rights to Floridians with disabilities and to individuals who train guide dogs.

State Rep. Rick Kriseman (D‐St. Petersburg) has filed House Bill 1077, which prohibits discrimination of guide dog owners as it relates to housing accommodations, allows for the use of guide dogs in public and private schools, and provides a punishment to those who knowingly and fraudulently represent themselves as the owner or trainer of a guide dog.

“Our current laws related to service animals and guide dogs are woefully inadequate and out of step with recently revised federal regulations. Passage of House Bill 1077 will give needed protections to our most vulnerable citizens and their beloved guide dogs," said Representative Kriseman, who is the Florida House Democratic Policy Chair.

"The more exposure to real‐world experiences the dogs get during their training, the better prepared they will be when given the responsibility of serving as someone’s eyes. By ensuring full access rights for the tireless trainers, these dogs will no doubt go on to become unflappable guides, leading their handlers to an independent life," said Titus Herman, the CEO of Southeastern Guide Dogs, whose mission is to create and nurture a partnership between a visually impaired individual and a guide dog, facilitating life's journey with mobility, independence and dignity.

The companion to HB 1077 will be filed by State Senator Mike Bennett (R‐Bradenton).

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Happy holidays!

I wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday season. I enjoyed thanksgiving festivities at my Peggy mom mother's (that makes her my grandmom) home in Virginia. For some reason we went to Virginia by way of Tennessee. As a result I had to spend about 2500 miles and more than 30 hours traveling in the back seat of my Joe dad's truck. I also had to share those close quarters with my sister Leiden, who doesn't like me much. We did get better acquainted and I think we might be better friends now. She still thinks she's the only dog our Peggy mom should pay attention to.

Here's a picture of Leiden and I in our hotel room. She didn't want me to drink out of the water bowl.

I was happy to get home and back to momma Ellen and daddy Rich's house where I am the center of attention.

Have a happy holiday - merry Christmas and happy new year.

Happy Halloween!

I know I'm a day late, but I was hoping everyone had an excellent Halloween! Did you get lots of yummy treats?

I went to the New Horizons Training and Puppy Party on Saturday. The day started out rainy and yukky and then got really, really nice. I wore my new costume that Momma Ellen bought me - I was a vampire! Boo! Were you scared?

Before the party, we had to do some really hard training. I did some sit-stays and some down-stays. I did really well considering there were lots of other dogs and even some chickens! Here's a picture of me - aren't I cute?

I'm six months old now and it's time to get very serious about my training. My moms have been really lenient on me so far, but I know that I've got to get serious. No more pulling on the leash and listening to everything I'm told. There was a dog at the party who had been in the jail program - I don't want to have to go to jail! So, my plan is to be really good and then I'll pass all my tests with flying colors.

Have a great week! Chow!

What a Week and a Weekend!

Well I'm fully recovered from my spay surgery, just in case you wanted to know. It was hardly a bump in the road. The day after my surgery my Momma Ellen and Daddy Rich let me relax all day. They took really good care of me and made sure I didn't run around too much.

I also have a whole new set of big girl teeth. All those little baby teeth finally fell out and I have one beauuuuuutiful smile! The better to bite you with - LOL! Not really, I don't bite, I just like to chew on things, including your arm.

Well my Peggy Mom has been dragging me to every kind of conference she can think of. Week before last I suffered (I mean went) to a two day program on business succession planning. Not sure what I was supposed to learn from that, but I went anyway. I didn't get to stay in any hotels, though. We drove back and forth every day!

Then last week we loaded up the car and went to St. Petersburg for the Stetson University Special Needs Conference at the fancy Don Cesar. Lucky for me, they are very dog friendly, even though we actually stayed at a different hotel. The door men were very glad to see me and gave me a treat every time we walked by. Everyone else was really nice too - I think I made a pretty big impact because everyone seemed to know who I was. Not sure if that had anything to do with the fact that a couple of times I got a little excited and barked in the middle of the program. Mostly, I was really good, sleeping under the table and trying not to be too noticeable. I made a couple of good friends at the vendor booths - even got to have a good cuddle on the floor!

Staying in the hotel was fun too. My good friend Sarah let me snuggle with her. She also took me for a walk on the beach - very weird. It was dark, sandy and lots of noise from the waves. I really didn't want to stay too long. I made her hurry up and take me back to the room.

Well if you don't think that was enough, on Saturday we got up early again and went to the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk. I thought we were going home, but then we went to the SPCA Wiggle Waggle Walk. There were like a million dogs there - some of them even dressed up in funny clothes. I just had my vest on - that's funny enough for me. So by lunch time, I'm getting a little tired and thinking it's about time to go home, have some lunch and take a long nap. Well, Peggy Mom loads me into the car again and takes me to the Veg Fest! Now, what is a dog supposed to eat at a vegan festival? Lucky for me, my Peggy Mom had stuffed her pocket full of treats from the Wiggle Waggle. I got to meet a whole bunch of new people, especially one boy, named TJ. I just loved him. He played with me for a really long time. I don't know where his parents were but we had a blast! He gave me a huge stick and helped me find a ball that Peggy Mom said I could bring home.
We finally got home about 7 p.m. I was definitely ready for dinner and bed time!

What a great time I'm having learning all kinds of things. My Momma Ellen and Daddy Rich have been out of town for two long weeks. They just got back so I'm headed over to their house tonight. I bet they really missed me - I know I missed them.

Wonder what we are doing next weekend? I'll keep you posted. Chow!

Today I'm getting spayed

I heard from my moms that today is the day I'm getting spayed. I have no idea what that means - hope it comes with food. Weird thing is my Peggy Mom didn't give me any breakfast this morning when she fed everyone else. Hope she's not mad at me.

I have been losing my teeth like crazy. At one point I had four canines all at the same time! It was really funny looking. Then, one by one, they fell out and now I have a set of big beautiful white teeth! The better to bite you with - LOL! I still love to chew on things but I mostly stay with my toys. The other day I did find a really cool thing to chew - it had all this string in it! When my Peggy Mom saw what I had done, she laughed, then took it away. She told her friend I ate the container with the dental floss! Maybe I was just trying to take good care of my new teeth! Oh, and I almost forgot - because I've been losing my teeth, Momma Ellen has been giving me this really good stuff called Frosty Paws!

I'm over 40 pounds now! My hair is getting really, really curly. Momma Ellen says I look like I have a perm! I love being at Momma Ellen and Daddy Rich's. There are no other dogs there and I get to be the center of attention! I have a cat sister, named Brandie but she doesn't want to have much to do with me. When I'm at my Peggy Mom's, well, I'm just one of a bunch of dogs. I really do like playing with Tobie - she's my favorite. We roll around in the dirt and chase each other all over the yard! Sometimes we get yelled at for playing in the plants. There's just so much that's being going on. I've been to the mall recently - really fun and there's lots of kids there!. I've been to a ton of meetings - not so much fun because all I get to do is take a nap. Puppy class is getting really interesting - there is a whole new crop of babies in the class! I really would love to play with them all! I've been getting bad marks in class because there are so many new dogs there I just can't seem to pay attention. You should see how cute they are. My moms say I used to be that cute - now they say I'm in that awkward teenage stage - my Peggy Mom keeps calling me a "baby elephant" - wonder what she means by that?

Well I have a few new pictures to share, so this is as good a time as any! See you soon!

I stayed in a hotel!

I actually stayed in hotel for the very first time! I'm surprised how much fun it really was - we had our own room, with a nice cool tile floor. We had an exit right near our door so we could go outside quick if we needed to. It was on the second floor and I got to ride this really, really old elevator with really weird doors.

Anyway, to start at the beginning, my Peggy Mom took me to a Florida Bar meeting all the way up in Tallahassee. We had to drive in the car for a really long time. We stopped a couple of times and I got to walk around at these places called rest stops. I didn't see anybody resting though - they were all walking around.

I even got a tour of the Florida Bar headquarters. I got to go in the fancy board rooms and anything. My Peggy Mom was hoping I would have an accident and I didn't - she was really happy.

I scared my Peggy Mom good too! She was looking for something in the car and she was standing on my leash. Well when I saw she lifted her foot for a minute, I slipped away and started showing myself around the parking lot. When she realized what I'd done she looked real scared until she saw me. Then she came over, real calm like, and grabbed my leash. I guess she's really glad I was just sniffing at some grass and didn't run away? Now why would I run away - I'm a good dog.

Then we went to Wakulla Springs State Park and stayed at their old beautiful lodge. They have the most beautiful springs there I have ever seen! Not like I've seen a lot, but everyone kept saying how beautiful it was. Really nice water but I didn't even get to go swimming - something about alligators - not sure what that is. I got to meet lots and lots of people because for some reason I was the only dog in the whole park!

I went to a party, then I went to dinner, then I got on a big beautiful bus and went to another party. By the time I got back, it was time to go to bed. I'll tell you a secret - my Peggy Mom didn't even make me go in my crate. She let me sleep right next to her on the bed! I was so happy I didn't even move one time all night. I'm pretty sure she isn't going to let me do that again, but it was really nice.

The next day, I went to breakfast, then another meeting, then another long car ride. On the way home, I got to meet my Grandma Dot. Peggy Mom said we couldn't stay very long because we had to get home. Still it was nice to stop and stretch my legs, eat some lunch and play for a minute. My Grandma Dot has a cat but it wasn't very interesting.

Finally we were happy to be home. I got to play with Tobie for a while. Even Leiden acts like she likes me more a little bit every day. She'll even chase me in the house sometimes.

Leader of the Pack

I went on my first pack walk this morning! That's where my Peggy Mom puts all of the dogs on leash and then we walk for about a mile! It was really fun! You can only imagine all of the havoc I caused! First, I didn't know what side I was supposed to be on - with Fawn and Tobie or with Kira, Corkie and Leiden? I kept jumping on Corkie and biting her leash so Peggy Mom made me go with Fawn and Tobie. That worked out pretty well except Fawn doesn't really like me that close to her.

Anyway, I got the hang of this pack walk thing and trotted right out in front, next to Tobie. Here's a picture of my Peggy Mom and my five sisters - we couldn't take a picture of all of us, because who'd take the picture? You will just have to imagine what it looked like with me in there. I was so happy to go, I was jumping, biting, running, pulling. I thought Peggy Mom was going to give up and turn around to go home, but she didn't.

I'm going back to Momma Ellen's today so I'll have to let you know later how the weekend trip to the hotel works out! Have a great week!

I'm Growing Like a Weed!

At least that's what my Peggy Mom says. Daddy Rich weighed me last week and I was already 33 lbs.! I definitely don't miss any meals. You should see the size of my feet - Joe Dad says they look like bear paws. Guess that means I'm going to be a pretty big girl.

Funny thing is, I can still walk underneath my sister Tobie and I do! We have been playing and playing all weekend. She's still the only one at Peggy Mom's that really likes me but at least every one is being nicer now.

I've been running around without a leash most of the weekend too! That's been great to just run and play. Tobie and I have been wrestling a lot! When I get tired I just go in the garage and either lie on the cool floor or play in the water bowl! I can make a big splash!

I've had lots of amazing experiences since I chatted last. I went to a luncheon with a whole bunch of people and I was very quiet lying under the table. Then I went to a cocktail party fund raiser. It was mostly for cats, but they didn't seem to mind that I came. I was really good and sat right beside my Peggy Mom the whole time. Of course, we went off in a corner because everyone likes to pet me and it makes a big commotion. My friend Kim was at the party and she picked me up to hug me - I think I was about as big as she is! My Momma Ellen took me to Publix - word is I did really well. Then Peggy Mom took me to Tractor Supply today. Everyone there was really glad to see me. I even met a man in a wheelchair - I might even be his some day!

I arrived on the Fourth of July weekend and here we are celebrating again - something about a Labor Day. Not sure what they are talking about because everyone is working hard around this house! They spent all day outside cleaning a big white trailer.

I'm hoping to go on a business trip with my Peggy Mom this week. We are taking a long car ride and staying at a hotel. I'll tell you more about it when I get back. Have a great week - save me some treats!

Back on the farm! August 15, 2011

I was back on the farm this weekend. Really good time playing with Tobie, rolling around in the leaves and the dirt and going swimming! I went in the big pool over at Momma Ellen's and I also got my very own baby pool! None of the other dogs even want to swim in it - so it's all mine!

I bring in my yellow tennis ball and then splash and splash! My Peggy Mom sat on the edge with her feet in the water - it was great. I could then jump up all wet and get her all wet too!

Oh I almost forgot to tell you. I went to the vet for the very first time. I have to potty (number one) a whole lot and the other night when we went to Chik Fil A (I'll post pictures later) everyone was concerned I might have what you call a UTI. So I went to the vet. Good news, no UTI, but really really disgusting, I had worms. Dr. Griffith gave me some medicine which made those bad things go away!!!

Overall, I had a really good, fun weekend. My brother, Cody was home from the Navy so I got to make a new friend too!

A Sienna Update - Saturday August 6. 2011

Hi! It's nice to be back - my Peggy Mom has been really busy so she hasn't been helping me tell my stories. You won't believe how big I am. I already weigh 20 pounds! My Momma Ellen and Peggy Mom are shocked. They still remember when I was only 8 pounds. They say I have really big feet so I may grow really big - like maybe 70 pounds.

A lot has been going on. I've been back and forth between my two houses. It's really fun because I get to do all kinds of things no one else does. I like to go for long walks with Momma Ellen and Daddy Rich. When I'm at Peggy Mom's my friend Tobie likes to play with me. I lay on my back and kick my feet in her face. She likes it too because she bites me on my neck and tickles me. It doesn't really hurt. If things get too rough, Peggy Mom always comes to my rescue. Sometimes Tobie tumbles me in the dirt! Then I have to be toweled off before I can come back into the house.

I sleep all night without making a single sound. I wait until I hear my Peggy Mom's alarm clock. Then I know it's okay to bark. As soon as I bark, she comes and takes me out the front door to do "busy." I've had a couple of accidents but I'm getting much better.

I learned to speak this week. I learned in about 5 minutes. My Peggy Mom thought if she could teach me to speak on command I might not talk so much the rest of the time. Hasn't really helped much because I have a lot to say. Now we are working on shake. Don't get the point, but I'm still trying.

This week at puppy class I was really tired.

I went to the Orlando Humane Society on Wednesday morning and had to speak to a group of 25 kids! They were really noisy and every single one of them wanted to pet me. Peggy Mom told them all about New Horizons Service Dogs and what I'm going to do for a living when I grow up. Then, that same day, two more young girls came to Peggy Mom's office and played with me for a really long time. By the time I had to go to class, I was ready to go to bed! At class, they were having me do stuff I already know how to do. We had to go up and down stairs. Oh big deal! I do that every day at the office. Some of the big dogs were afraid though. They needed extra help. We also had to walk along side while Momma Ellen and Peggy Mom used a wheelchair, a walker and some crutches. Like I've never seen that before. They should come to work with me and see everything I've learned there.

Here's a picture of me riding in the car. I have this really cool hammock that covers the back seat. I like it best when the AC is blowing right in my face.

I heard I might get to go swimming! I'll be sure and tell you more about that later!

A Sienna Update

Well I'm back at my Peggy Mom's this week. She had to go to Chicago last week for some kind of meeting with estate planning attorneys - they called it WealthCounsel Symposium, whatever that is. Anyway, I'm back on the farm running with my sisters and trying to be a big dog.

Last night was puppy class. You wouldn't believe how well I'm going. My mom's say I'm really smart. I'm only eleven weeks old and I can do almost all the stuff the big dogs do. There was one real handsome older boy there - can't remember his name. He's going to be a champion. He was very interested in me but my mom's say I'm still too young to have a boyfriend.

It rained so we got to be in the gymnasium at Stetson University - that's where my Peggy Mom went to college! It was much better being inside, than out. Waaaaay tooooo hot out there.

I did want to give you the link to a very cool book one of the friends of New Horizons Service Dogs is writing. If you look closely, you'll even see me!

We have lots of events coming up - a Build a Bear program at Altamonte Mall, a training session at Chik Fil A and a bunch of other stuff. Stay tuned and I'll tell you more.

I'm back, in case you missed me!

In case you were wondering where I was, I was at my Momma Ellen's house while my Peggy Mom and Daddy Joe went to South Carolina on a vacation. Really, I think they could have taken me, but they only took my sister, Leiden. Still, I had a really fun time and hardly even missed them at all.

But, I was really glad to see them when they picked me up last night on their way home - they didn't even go the the house first - they just came right over and picked me up! I think they missed me.

I've had a little bit of an icky tummy, but Peggy Mom made me some brown rice and I'm starting to feel a lot better. I wasn't exactly what you'd call potty trained while I was at Momma Ellen's. I made a couple of big mistakes on her carpet. She says it's all part of my training, but I'm thinking I better get this figured out fast!

Two things happened while Peggy Mom as away - I went to puppy class on Wednesday. I did a whole lot better than last week - I guess I know now you have to go there and learn stuff, not just lie around on the grass and watch what everyone else is doing. Anyway, I'm learning to heel real well.

Also, I went to a puppy rally for New Horizons Service Dogs! That's what I'm going to call it because it was kind of like a class, but different, so more like a rally. There were lots more people there and there were a lot of dogs that looked like me, only bigger. They had their very own people and had very important jobs to do. Momma Ellen said I stole the show when I did my heel and grabbed my leash in my mouth strutting down the aisle!

Well, now that I'm back on the farm, life is a little different. Here I have five sisters - they are starting to like me better. I also have to help feed the horses, which I did this morning. I did not go potty in the house once all day, either. But, I did get my first bath! Nice warm sudsy water. I think I'm going to like water. When do I get to swim in the pool?

I've also been taking a lot of naps and eating a bunch! This country air makes me hungry, then it makes me tired, then it makes me hungry. Tomorrow, I have to go to the office and then back to Momma Ellen's. We'll talk soon. Chow.

Today is Thursday

I really don't have anything special to say about today - it was about the same as yesterday, only no puppy class. Instead I got to go to a meeting, after I went to a bunch of meetings.

I am feeling much better today. Eating my food now that Peggy Mom is putting some of that yummy canned food in along with the yucky dry food.

I haven't had a single accident in the house. I'm very careful and when I have to go out I make some serious noises. If people can't figure out what that means, then I can't help them. But they do seem to figure it out and then I'm out the door to "busy."

I'm making lots of new friends. I'm going to include some photos so you can see me with some of them. One thing I am confused about - I have 5 sisters - Leiden, Fawn, Tobie, Kira and Corkie. They seem to play together (well, all of them except Leiden), but NONE of them will play with me. I keep asking Fawn to play and she runs away! What's wrong with me? Tobie and Corkie are probably my best possibilities - Tobie keeps sniffing around me and I'm actually taller than Corkie. I'm not sure if I'm making any progress with Leiden - she keeps smiling real big whenever I try to kiss her. Maybe that's a good sign?

Well today I'm going to Momma Ellen and Daddy's Rich's house. I've not been there yet to spend the night but it's their turn to have me. I'm sure I'll have some new adventures to report. Stay tuned...

My First Puppy Class

Today was my second day of work - kinda of like the first. Lots of people to greet, lots of meetings to sit through, no biggie. I like everyone so I'm happy to be there. I get to take long naps during meetings so I'm fine with that. My Peggy Mom brought a bed to the office but I prefer to sleep on the floor between someone's feet. Sure hope I don't get run over by those chairs!

After work, Momma Ellen and Daddy Rich came to the office and we all loaded up in the car (me in my kennel) to go somewhere. Well, pretty soon I discovered we were going to Puppy Class! The place of chock full of big Golden Retrievers - am I going to look like that? They were all friendly and happy to be at class.

We met a whole bunch of new people. Martin the photographer was there and he took about a million pictures. I tried to always put on my best smile. Daddy Rich was snapping away with the camera too. I'll share the pictures as soon as I get them.

Then we had to do all these commands. "Let's go," "Heel," "Sit," "Down,," and a bunch of others I can't even remember. Most of my new friends were doing really great. I sorta tried, but I was really tired after work and I mostly wanted to lay in the grass and roll around or sleep. Hopefully I'll get another chance when I'm more alert.

I didn't feel 100% today. I haven't really been eating - can't stand the stuff they are feeding me. Hopefully it will get better soon or I'll starve.

Hope you had a great day - I did!

My First Day at the Office

Wow! I'm having a lot of firsts. Is that what humans do all day? They get up early, get dressed, feed the horses, scoop horse poop, eat breakfast, get ready for work, load everything into the car (including me) and then drive to the office. My Peggy Mom works for The Law Offices of Hoyt & Bryan, in some place called Oviedo.

Once we got to work, it was just one meeting after another! So many people. I bet I was loved on, petted, kissed, snuggled and hugged by at least 20 people today! That's a lot! Even my Momma Ellen and Daddy Rich came by to visit. I am so tired. I was so busy greeting people all day, I forgot to eat. My Peggy Mom kept asking me to eat, but I just couldn't concentrate. There was way too much to do. I did, however, remember to get in a couple of good naps.

All day, people kept taking me outside asking me to "busy." I think I'm getting that down pretty good. I didn't have a single "accident" all day.

We finally got home about 8 p.m. Peggy Mom made me a good dinner and I actually ate it all. Then she made me another one, just in case I was still hungry. I had a few bites, but really...I'm full, for now.

I'm just glad to be at home so I can finally get a good night's sleep. Wonder what we have planned for tomorrow?

Here's a picture of me, Peggy Mom and Momma Ellen.

The Fourth of July!

I got a little behind the eight ball with everything that happened yesterday and didn't get My First Day post out until today - sorry!

So much has happened, so fast. I had a really hard time getting to sleep last night. Peggy Mom put me in my kennel around 9:30. I sang her a puppy opera for a while before finally going to sleep. But, I'm in a strange house, a new crate, no brothers or sisters - or my real mom. I woke up about 11:30 p.m. and started a new song so Peggy would know I was awake. She got up and took me outside to "busy" - that means pee (or poop, depending) in service dog lingo. I obliged her and she took me back to my kennel. Now that's not what I had in mind.

So I started another opera, only this one would be louder and better than the first one. Daddy Joe wasn't very happy about this particular song so Peggy Mom grabbed my crate and we headed to the guest room. Sister Leiden came with us just to make sure everything was all right. I was still in the mood for some singing so I proceeded to continue my little concert for about forty-five minutes. I couldn't seem to get anyone's attention, so I finally fell asleep. I woke up about 6:30 a.m. Out we went - it's this busy thing again.

Soon is was time to feed the horses. I'm getting really good at this part, waiting while my Peggy Mom fixes the feed buckets and gets everyone fed. Then it's breakfast for all the dogs, except I wasn't hungry, just too excited about everything that's going to happen today.

Soon we were loaded up in Daddy Joe's red truck, headed to the Geneva parade. Since I was going out in public, I wore my New Horizons Service Dogs vest - just like the big dogs. Only mine is a little too big. We tied a knot in it but it still looked silly. I don't care, I'm proud to wear it.

After we got to the parade, we saw a whole bunch of people. Everyone was lined up on the side of the road, waiting for the show to begin. We went for a little walk down the road and everyone thought I was in the parade. They kept calling to me, telling me how cute I was. Some people even wanted to pet me. Peggy Mom explained to them that I am a service puppy and this is my first day in official training. I'm going to have a very important job when I get all grown up.

We saw lots of people that we knew so there were lots of people that wanted to know all about me. I got my picture taken a lot!

When we got back to the truck, I was ready for a little nap. It was really hot out so first Daddy Joe got me some water and then I got a blanket and took a little snooze. Didn't stop the people from the parade from say, "oh, look at the cute puppy!" Are all people this crazy? Have they never seen a puppy before?

After the parade we went to a picnic. There were six other dogs there! I'm not afraid of anyone, so I marched right up to say hi. Everyone was really friendly and glad to see me.

We had a big lunch - Peggy Mom brought mine from home but I helped myself to some of the other dogs lunch - theirs looked and tasted a lot better than mine. After lunch, back to sleep for a long nap. That felt really good. I'm not supposed to be on the furniture but this coach sure was comfy!

When I woke up, we went home. Daddy Joe decided to take a nap, so I figured, why not, I'll just have a short one.

So far so good, I'm trying real hard to be the best girl I can be. Everyone really likes me (except maybe Leiden and I'm working hard to get on her good side). Talk to you later...

My First Day

Wow! What a day. My name is Sienna. I'm an eight week old Golden Retriever. I was bred by New Horizons Service dogs. Today, I left home for the first time to begin my new life. This is my story.

It started with a take a long trip from Jacksonville to New Horizons Service Dogs in Deland. Not sure why. Later I found out I was going to be introduced to my two new moms - Peggy Hoyt and Ellen Hall. I'm destined to be a service dog and they are my puppy trainers.

After we got introduced, I was allowed to play with some five week old puppies. I'm eight weeks so I'm much bigger than they are. I guess I was playing too rough because I got removed from the pen. There were also some five day old puppies but they wouldn't let me play with them at all.

Next, they put me in their car and took my on another long ride, to Oviedo. There I got introduced to my Momma Ellen's house. She had a whole basket of cat toys! That was fun - I picked out a whole bunch that I liked. Daddy Rich wanted to play tag! I was happy to oblige.

But I wasn't home for the evening yet. After another ride out to Chuluota, I met my new sister, Leiden, Corkie, Fawn, Tobie and Kira. They were all pretty nice to me - not really sure why I was there and what I was doing. I don't think they want me to stay. Still they were pretty nice to me.

After I met my Daddy Joe, it was time to feed the horses. That was fun, except I had to be tied up while my Peggy Mom was doing the horse thing. Tobie and Fawn kept me company because I wasn't really sure about being tied up. I like to run around.

We spent some time teaching me to walk around the yard on a leash. Sometimes I did really good and other times I just sat there - not really sure what I'm supposed to do. What is this thing around my neck and why do these people want me to follow them?

Finally, dinner was served. I was really hungry after my big day. I almost ate a whole bowl of food. Then it was time for another walk around the yard. All I really want to do is take a nap.

At last, I got to come in the house. They made a nice bed for me in the TV room, and even gave me a weasel to play with. I'm really tired so I took a nap while Peggy Momma and Daddy Joe were making dinner. It's been a really big day.

I heard I was going to fireworks tomorrow - something about the Fourth of July! What's that?