no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

The Daily Spike
Published 8 hours ago
The Daily Spike: A good luck letter before Canine Companions training
By Jennifer Williams | Fox News


Spike to attend doggy college at Canine Companions for IndependenceVideo


FOX Nation host Tyrus, Jennifer Williams, executive producer of 'The Daily Briefing,' and Deb Dougherty, Canine Companions regional executive director, join Dana Perino for a look back at Spike's year at Fox News.

Dear Spike,

One week from today, we will part ways. You are heading to professional training at Canine Companions for Independence, aka doggy college, and I couldn’t be prouder. You’re a very special dog – unlike those civilian dogs we pass on the street every day, you are a service dog in training. You are learning to become a life partner of a child, adult, or veteran with a disability, or you may work in a facility that helps many people. How cool is that?

That’s why we’ve been going to puppy training classes and working on all those commands. That’s why I ask you to ‘sit’ and ‘down’ and ‘heel’ all the time. That’s why I ask you to walk backwards or put your front two paws up on a counter. That’s why I ask you to lay so quietly and nicely next to my desk at work all day.

You know how I say “dress” and we put on your vest and leash? That’s your uniform you wear when you are working. Remember how it took you a really long time to figure out how to “speak” on command? That was a tough one, but you figured it out. I know it’s been hard, but there’s a reason we ignore the other dogs on the street – it is all part of your focused training as a Canine Companions service dog.

THE DAILY SPIKE: THE POWER OF SERVING

We’ve had a lot of fun together, too. Remember learning how to swim with that pretty black lab in the Long Island Sound? You were a little timid but as soon as you saw Gibson having such a good time you jumped right in. Remember flying to Buffalo for the first time to see your grandma who has that mean, chubby dachshund? I know, I know. I didn’t tell you, but that waddling dog bit me a couple years ago, so now we both don’t like him – but don’t tell Grandma!

Traveling to Buffalo also meant you saw your first Buffalo Bills game! And you also saw the Brooklyn Nets, the Yankees, and the Chicago Cubs play, too. We went fishing in Canada, rode a tractor in Maryland and even placed a bet at the Kentucky Derby. We took some of your fellow Canine Companions pups in training to see the New Year’s Eve Ball in Times Square.

You were on TV a bunch of times with a really nice lady named Dana Perino. I know how much you love her, the way you get all excited after sitting in the control room and then meeting her after the show. You especially enjoyed when we got to hang out with her dog Jasper, one of your best friends who can be really hard to keep up with!

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The Daily Spike: A look back at Spike's journeyVideo

I know people like to see puppies and dogs on TV, but you always had a special message when you went on TV with that nice lady. You were creating awareness about what it’s like to have a disability. You showed millions of people that a service dog can help someone be more independent, and perhaps even save their life. This is what you were born to do, Spike.

Here we are today, now at the point where I’ve taught and shown you all I can. It’s best for your training if we don’t see each other, and yes, that makes me sad. But it’s for a good reason. You are going to have a new best friend at Canine Companions - a professional trainer who will teach you so much more.

Spike, you need to listen to everything they say – focus and follow all the instructions! Be a good boy and study hard. You will be working all day long and it may be tiring at first, but stick with it. Go to bed early and have all those sweet puppy dreams you have every night where your legs move as if you are chasing squirrels.


While I want nothing more than for you to be a really successful service dog, it’s also possible that you weren’t meant for that job. So you also need to know it’s OK if you go through all this training and just want to be a civilian dog. You will figure it out, and I’ll be proud of you no matter what.

I will be really sad next Friday, but I will also be so proud of all we have accomplished together. So, after you get your cap and gown and matriculate, after the crowds disappear and we have to say goodbye, just remember - I love you so, so much. You are the best boy, Spike. You have been my best friend and partner. You have changed my life. And I can’t wait for you to change someone else’s.

Love,

Jennifer

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All dog lovers should enjoy this article about a service dog in training. A quicklook at a service dog in training which should be interesting to dog lovers and everyone who respects the worth of such dogs.

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

I enjoyed it very much, thanks!

Big dog

Excellent, thank you

bahmer

Very good there NPP thanks for sharing that I could feel the love between the trainer owner and her dog it was very telling the amount of love and patience that goes into a good service dog. Again thanks for posting this and I imagine it is the same for you and SWMBO when you took in all of those boys over the years. When they found there forever home it was like sending this dog to doggy college I suppose for this lady. Love you guys and keep getting better there NPP.

teabag09

I enjoyed it too. I have a question. Aren't those vests hot on the dogs? I don't ask that for any motive other than I've always wondered. Mike

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

Dogs sweat through there mouths, not the body. That's why some drool a lot.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

The service dogs that wear vests usually have an ice or cooler lining if they are going to be out in hot weather. The ones that most service dogs wear are very light weight, and in hot weather can be sprayed with water to keep the dog cool. It really depends on what kind of work the dog will be doing.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

The 4 adult dogs we have are all trained service dogs, trained to help the boys learn to cope as well has being there to be hugged for long periods on time, and accept all the tears with wagging tails.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

They also sweat through their feet. And yes, they can drool in hot weather, hint stay away from bloodhounds in the summer, when they shake their heads drool lands on the ceiling and drips down like melting icsicles

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

Ha-ha, I know what you say is true. Been around a few but never owned one for that reason.

teabag09

I wasn't thinking the sweat, I was thinking about extra body heat. Mike

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

My bad, I thought sweat was a way to lower body temperature. Maybe that only applies to humans. Go with the water hose or cool gel backpack. I've never had a dog that got a heat stroke. I have seen border collies that I thought might have a stroke but never did. Those dogs are like the Energizer Bunny.