Great Puppy Graduation!

Sassy graduation from the 2nd level (Great Puppy!) training class! We have one more level: "Wonder Puppy" which will conclude with the Canine Good Citizen Test. We'll continue public access training from there. We have a month break for now and will start level 3 on September 10th which goes for 6 weeks.

Congrats, Sassy! We're so proud!

Sassy & Jack 5 Months Later

Tomorrow marks 5 months since Sassy joined our family. Despite still very much being a puppy (she's 8 months now), she has matured (and grown!) beautifully and has solidified herself as a member of our family. We are just about complete with the second level of training and have been doing several "public access" outings this month and will continue next month.

We started to allow Sassy to sleep in Jack's bed (she already slept in her crate in Jack's room) and they have been bonding even more. Jack is becoming even more attached to her and I suspect as Sassy becomes closer to being a full-fledged sevice dog, she will be able to be there for Jack a lot more.

The journey has not been easy, but we have traveled it willingly and with much love. We thank God and our family every day for bringing Sassy to her boy, Jack, and into our hearts.

These photos were taken today, July 31, 2008.

Sassy's First Road Trip: San Diego!

Sassy took her first road trip to San Diego this June. She did great on both the 2 day driving down and the 2 days traveling home. She also got to meet Jack's Aunt Kristin, Uncle Mike, new baby cousin, Alex, and their dog Fletcher! She had a great time at the sights and dog parks that San Diego has to offer.

Here's Sassy and Fletcher's 1st meeting

Here she is enjoying some cuddles with Colette and Vanessa

As you can see, Sassy really took a liking to Fletcher.

Here they are in the car on their way to Kate Sessions Dog Park for a play date. The next few shots are Sassy and Fletcher at Kate Session's dog park.


Here's the dogs at Balboa Park with Aunt Kris


Here they are at the Balboa Park dog park.

We had a great time and we think Sassy did too! We love San Diego and can't wait to go back :)

Sassy Graduates!

Sassy graduated from her first level of obedience class on May 7th! We have a long way to go, but she is doing wonderful! She is still a puppy and can be a bit naughty at times, but all-in-all, she is an amazing dog and we are so happy to have her in our lives.

Thankfully, we are almost through her teething stage--about a month left or less. I had one pair of shoes take one for the team--it was my fault for leaving them out for the picking! Our next class begins June 11th :)

Speech Therapy Wonders!

Jack has been attending the Speech and Hearing Clinic Program at Portland State University for nearly 2 years now. He attends clinic for one hour 2 times a week with a graduate student clinician who is working on their Masters Degree in speech pathology.

This term, they offered to have Sassy join the sessions as a tool in his speech therapy. While it can get a bit hairy at times, they are all doing beautifully! Here's a shot of them from the observation room.

Autism Walkathon 2008

We participated in the Autism Society of Oregon Walkathon for the first time this year. It was extra special for us because we also were able to walk with Sassy! Our team "Jack's Pack" was made up of our family, Grandmom & Pop, Eileen & Declan, and Bern & Shawn. Thanks to all who pledged our team! It all went to a great cause!

Jack and Sassy at the Beach

Sassy visited the Oregon Coast for the first time in her short life last weekend. She really enjoyed playing in the sand. Jack and Sassy are doing so well together. They both are looking forward to our next trip to the beach!