Missing Link Plus

I have really procrastinated starting Winston on a suppliment that all adult dogs should be taking. After receiving a letter from SSD to all partners about their dogs health (weight primarily) I got my act together. I bought a bag of Missing Link Plus and he started it this morning. Here is what they say about it...

The Missing Link Plus line of products feature a unique blend of Glucosamine, Omega-3 & -6 Essential Fatty Acids, and trace food components to provide the ultimate in joint support.


The Missing Link Plus formula combines the benefits of GLUCOSAMINE with all natural, human-gradewhole foods, carefully chosen for their nutrient profile and synergistic effects. The product is in the form of a granular powder that is easily sprinkled on the animal's regular food on a daily basis according to weight.


The Missing Link Plus Formula includes:

Glucosamine to stimulate the production of collagen, the protein that helps support healthy joints.
Omega-3 & -6 Essential Fatty Acids to reduce inflammation and promote joint mobility, a healthy skin & coat and balanced energy.
Enzymes and probiotics (beneficial bacteria) to maintain normal digestion.
Fiber for bowel health.
Phytonutrients and traces of various vitamins and minerals important for overall health and well being.


Ingredients:
Flax Seed, Glucosamine, Blackstrap Molasses, Freeze Dried Liver, Rice Bran, Primary Dried Yeast, Sunflower Seed, Dehydrated Alfalfa, Dried Carrot, Freeze Dried Bone, Dried Fish Meal, Freeze Dried Oyster, Sprouted Green Barley, Dried Kelp, Lecithin, Garlic and Yucca Schidigera Extract.

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At PetsMart yesterday we started working on his concentration in the check out line. I made the mistake months ago allowing the cashier to give him a bone and ever since then he would be a bone head in the isle while paying to the point of someone else having to pay for me. It took about 10 minutes to pay and have him carry the package to my friend. Two more visits and he'll have it down again. Otherwise he was a DREAM come true. He saw two puppies and looked at me, smelled a huge gross rawhide and looked at me! That's all really.

Oh, that letter also mentioned the amount of real hard play time and i've decided for Winstons sake to move to philly so I can have Phila Pets play with Winnie every day :)

Period.

Home Again

After nineteen days in the hospital Winston and I are just about settled in back home again. I didn't realize how serious he was while we were there. Once inside, but before his vest was even off he pranced across the room and grabbed a toy from his basket! He has been rolling around, sleeping on his back, and barking up a storm! I plan on making some entries about multiple topics from our stay at the Seashore house.

Yesterday was our first time shopping since November and he was sooo great! His eye contact and attentiveness has really improved. He did have a "meltdown" though. I really expected it because of how stressful it is on them to be reintroduced into new situations but okay so someone dropped a cappicuno RIGHT where my lift lowered and Winston hates walking through water let alone that. Anyway in order for him to get into the van he has to do a "Footplate" (Up onto my...) so that I can reach his leash...well that just wasn't happening! He just could not focus on anything other than "Leaving It" and jumping into the van. I walked him away from the situation and even tried pottying him again...but after five minutes FREEZING my butt off I cheated and had my mom unhook him.

Tonight in KFC he was such an angel while I continually dropped food he just laid there watching me!

My sister and mom went to SSD's anual grad dinner and with the exception of a very select few dogs they were apalled by their behavior!! Augh! More later...sleep now!



We miss Phila Pets :(

2nd Rehab Update

Again I only have a few minutes to update but these three pictures are worth a million and five words!!

the secret garden that only zeth and those whom he deems worthy may encounter...



on the bridge leading to the dog park they've been taking him too!



and last but not least...



his glamor shot!!

gotta run!

first update from rehab (very short)

wow, have things ever been a crazy whirl wind these past two days!
the mjaority of everything has been spectacular!!
I CANT BELIEVE HOW FREAKING AWESOME THE PHILA PETS DOT COME CREW HAS BEEN. more on that later though!! ee!
winnie has been very well behaved minus his random "i should bark at that person" times. okay- to the guts of the entry!

okay so my nurse put me on the bed pan and was instructed to come back in one minute to take me off.
well, she forgot.
when i reached for the call button she had left it on the desk!
normally i would have had win get it but she also left the rails up and he cant get to me with them.
i thought about it and i called winston over to see if he could just pick it up and mouth it enough to get it to push...well the rails are solid plastic so kids dont get stuck under them? so winston couldnt even do a direct retrieve because he oculdnt see my hands or what i was pointing too.
at that point my leg started to really hurt and he definitely sensed it because he on his own got his favorite toys are started bringing them to me by jumpnig all the way onto my bed
when that didntt help and i said to him 'winnie wheres the nurse?" (oh the door is VERY not sd friendly)
he jumped off RAN to the door - pawed at it and then started barking
two nurses came vey quickly.

i doubt they'll do that again.

moral of the story

barking labrador retrievers remind the nurses they're being idiots.

ill write more tomorrow!

oh and zeth got a GREAT shot of winston on the bridge!!

Off to CHOP!

Winston's dressed and ready! We'll try to update from the hospital!

Wish us luck!

The Implications of Service Animals in Healthcare Facilities

In prep for rehab I did a little new research as to the laws regarding SD's in health care facilities. Man, I hit gold! The Implications of Service Animals in Healthcare Facilities written by The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. can be downloaded in full by going here.

It contains the following catagories-

*THE DEFINITION OF SERVICE ANIMALS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

*APPLICATIONS OF SERVICE ANIMALS FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE DISABILITIES

*HOW SERVICE ANIMALS DIFFER FROM THERAPY ANIMALS

*SERVICE ANIMAL TERMINOLOGY AND SUPPLY

*HOW HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ARE AFFECTED BY LAWS THAT APPLY TO SERVICE ANIMALS

*IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND SERVICE ANIMALS: CERTIFICATION AND OTHER MYTHS

*IMPLICATIONS OF SERVICE ANIMALS FOR INFECTION CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT

*HANDWASHING FOR EMPLOYEES, CLIENTS, HANDLERS, AND VISITORS

*HANDLER AND CLIENT EDUCATION

*STAFF EDUCATION

*SERVICE ANIMALS IN SPECIFIC CLINICAL AREAS

*HIGH-RISK CLIENT POPULATIONS

*ZOONOTIC RISKS

*SERVICE ANIMAL HEALTH

*AREA CLEANUP

*ALLERGIES

*ROOMMATE ISSUES

*STEWARDSHIP OF THE SERVICE ANIMAL: ITS CARE AND BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT IN THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY

*INCIDENTS INVOLVING SERVICE ANIMALS AND FIRST AID

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This is from the first time Winston and I went to NYC. He had never been there and his reaction when we checked into the hotel was proof that the experience wore him out! I thought the picture was the cutest thing ever so I thought i'd share!

First Time Working w/ SD Since Surgery (4months)

Winston is such a great dog. I tried out my new (very old) hoyer lift today. After forty-five minutes of wrestling with it I was finally in my chair. The moment I got situated, Winston was at my full attention. We did a "Heel Back" right away and it was like he hadn't ever stopped working! We also practiced "Foot Plate" (an "Up" onto my footplates) and "Back" and some simple "Heels". If you could have seen the look in his big brown eyes when I got the brush out to groom him...it was priceless. The second we were outside he was up on the bench waiting for me to start! He is such a great dog...I can't even express how true that is. When we came back inside he did a PERFECT "Go On Through" and followed me into my bedroom, where he laid on his bed (a pink bean bag chair he claimed as his own) and watched my nurse intently.

SD + Ortho Rehab Clinic

I've posted for input on the handful on Service Dog message boards I am a member of, but i'm pretty sure I know what i'm going to do. Whether or not Winston will provide assistance to me while I am in rehab is not the question. Rather, whether or not I can provide HIS care is what is being contemplated. I think for the first few days I should just focus on my own needs and getting into a routine there. Once I am confident that I can potty him and what not, I will have someone bring him up for me! I know I am very very lucky for having someone I trust to watch Winston for me. The only other concern I have with Winston being in the hospital with me is this: I will be having water therapy and during that time I have to figure out what to do with him. Any ideas? Okay well, that's all for now!


Original post - 4/1/05

although im a little over whelmed right now i want to jot down some thoughts.

it looks as though i will be admitting myself into the childrens hosp of phila's ortho rehab clinic for a few weeks.

whether or not i take winston.

this will consume my thoughts for the next few weeks.

general comments are very much appreciated.

thanks guys.

Support SSD!

Just wanted to tell everyone i've got really nice small sized window magnets that have the SSD logo on them with the word "supporter" down the side!
If you make a donation to ssd I will send you one to rock!
The donations can be any amount and i will mail it to you. :)
So help represent this organization that makes it possible for me and others with physical disabilities to be independent!
-
Linzey

Ask me for the address!

Read more about Susquehanna Service Dogs or what a service dog likeWinston does!

Photoshoot

Winston's favorite "aunt" was over tonight and as he was sleeping she laid her sunglasses on him. It turned into an entire photo shoot. We're easily amused :)









and my personal favorite...

Easter with his new niece, Becca!

Happy Easter! Winston was such a good boy over this holiday. It was a busy day today, with all of my family over, including my sister's new puppy! Shannon and Chris got Becca last week. She is an eight week old GSD.



Winston put up with her relentless need to bite his privates like a champ! My sister couldn't even get a picture of the two of them without the action!



Hahhaha, even after hours of it, he would still turn over onto his back in submission.

Voltaire, our foster puppy followed her around like he had never seen another puppy! It was rather cute if I do say so myself.

Waiting for the Ambulance + Last Nights Victory!

Winston is rather antsy, as he has caught on to the routine of getting ready for me to go to the hospital...without him. Last time he threw up his breakfast right after I left, so i'm not feeding him. Nick, my great friend and trainer at SSD is coming to pick him up at 9 because like I said, he is a great freaking friend. I have Winston vest out. In the packs is my clicker, poop bags, two meals worth of food, his shot records, a law book, water bowl, gentle leader, leash, mini lint roller and haha fliers for a concert...I also have Winston treat bag ready and in it I hid a mix cd, letter and $20 for Nick. Hahah, that sounds like a ton but really it is hardly even full. Winston is curled up on the floor beside my bed, ears back and alert to every sound. If it weren't for Nick, Winnie would be alone with Bill the alcoholic all day! I'd be a mess for my entire hospital visit. I can't express how grateful I am of Nick. He plans on taking Winston out all day to places including the dentist and even a soccer game!

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Last night I was exhausted and when Winston heard a weird sound he leaped off my bed and nudged my door open. After he came in I was detirmined to get him to shut it again so that it was dark in my room again. I have tried to get him to "close" the door from across the room in my hospital bed ever since I came home from the hospital in November and have not been succesful unless someone pointed to it. Last night after turning my closet light on and off twice he ran over to the door, and looked back at me with that look they get when they finally figure out what it is you need! With very little encouragement he pushed the door shut and ran over to give me kisses!! I LOVE MY BABY!!!

Paws Abilities

In promotion for



(click for more info)

our local news stations have been doing a ton of coverage on SSD.

WGAL had a great five minute segment last night aboutSSD Gilly and Winnie decided he really needed to be in bed too.



And tonight Winstons mother, Fern was on Fox43!! They were at the training kennel and filmed Magic being trained for balance work (by our karen!!!), and Cindi worked with a yellow lab on retrieving. Nancy did a really great interview also.

foster puppy doesn't like man

Foster SSD Voltaire...



...had his first negative encounter with someone today. Coincidentilly it's a friend of Bill (my moms alcoholic ect boyfriend) who is very, very drunk.

He has never even hesitated with someone, and he would not stop growling at this man. He followed commands still, coming into my room, but the minute he was in the same room with the man he would begin growling again.

SD's Intuition

(this is somewhat a joke although Winstons actions are true)
Were you aware that Susquehanna Service Dogs trains their dogs to use their better judgement? When asking Winston to "Nurse" (go find help) if he can only find my moms alcoholic, pathological liar, boyfriend, Winston opts to "Find The Phone" instead. SSD Winston clearly knows he is incompetent and that I am better off with the telephone.

Upset Stomach

Winston has always, ever since the day I got him, eaten one cup of nutro max in the morning and gotten his other two cups through treats throughout the day. When I had my surgery we stopped doing so much work, so he started getting his three cups all in one meal. Well, when I went to the hospital the last time for an appointment he threw up everything. This continued then three more times over the next two weeks. So, after talking with my trusted Roseanne about what all it could be I started doing things differently. First off, I had my mom go outside with him and watch him to insure he was a) pooping normally and b) not getting into anything. After ruling those things out I got him up in bed to do my own check of his ears and gums. (I don't trust other people very much...not being able to check the backyard myself is frustrating) Everything was great. No scents, redness, swollen ear canals...nothing. Just a big fat lab thinking this was the least fun "stay" ever.

So, I decided before calling the vet i'd try the remedy of GingerSnaps. Word on the street was two or three a day would settle his stomach. woah, I thought he loved steak!! So, along with that I also decided to feed him twice a day, and it is going fantastic. His full belly hasn't affected his working momentum at all.
I've been looking forward to reading UGD Kiwi's Blog. A few of my friends have blogs for their dogs (CPL Ivy and MWD Salem) But this is from a foster parents prospective! It's such a comprensive look into how much work they invest in raising our dogs. Plus, Kiwi looks SO INCREDIBLY MUCH like my beloved Hopi. I miss her so much. Okay, photo story time.
Last year my mom was given SSD Peaceful Little one of "Hopi" to raise as her foster puppy. Only, Hopi decided that she wanted me, always.

With a face like that how could I resist? So, I started working with her. She would become the youngest dog that i've ever worked with. In days I had taught SSD Hopi to "sit" without e v e r having to touch her (except for praise!)

She began watching every last move I made, and became incredibly sensitive to my voice.


-I have to go, i'll finish later!

A photo worthy of it's own entry!

Now, I know I take way too many photos of Winston and claim theyre all amazing, but this only truly is.

Here is my handsome valentine!

Sudden Cuddling!

Well I got a nice surprise from my baby this weekend. Ever since I got him he was not the most physical dog. He loves attention but has never really liked to snuggle. Unless I made him and then he'd jet after a few minutes. Well, two weeks ago my dad had to put our golden retriever to sleep and it hit me pretty hard. For the first time ever Winnie not only initiated getting in bed with me, but laid with me for a good hour or so!! I didn't want to push it too much because he like I said doesn't really like to snuggle. At the same time though I really wanted to encourage him to continue the behavior. Well last night I think it kicked in. My friend and I were watching movies and I decided to call him up and see how he reacted. To my surprise he has hardly gotten off since then. He is very polite about it too! I noticed after he got down and pottied last night that he came directly to my bedside and stared at me. I barely had to give him the command and he was back up! Okay well, that's all for now!

Post Hospital Observations

Well, in the last entry I talked mostly about preparing for surgery when you have an SD from a very logical stance. What I didn't get into was the emotional toll it took on me. By day 11 I found myself sobbing while watching Animal Planet, and by day 12 I couldn't even ask someone to pick something up for me. If Winston couldnt do it for me, I didn't want it done. Needless to say when my friend brought him home I was in tears. He quickly greeted me jumping up on my bed before checking out the rest of the house. He seemed to jump right into the new routine of sleeping in my other room and assisting me while laying down. The first time he tried to shut my door he was so remarkably excited that he tore the tug right off of the door! Hahah. He didn't start showing any signs of stress until early last week (week five of being bed bound and in pain). First he was whining out in the kitchen while he was completely alone. Then while a friend of mine was petting his ears he winced and cried, causing me to assume it was an ear infection. That was quickly disregarded as his ears were spotless, not red or swollen and had no oder. The next morning was by far the worst. He is always very excited to eat and I must be very stern and not allow him to eat one second before I say, well, this morning was just the opposite. I called him four times before he stood even and then he just stared at me like, "what do you need mom?" He was so slow to jump up to eat it and once he did he vomitted it all up. After talking with Roseanne I agreed it was just his way of showing severe stree signs. Sigh. My poor baby!! Thankfuly Nick came up Wednesday to practice and then Thursday to do a demo. By that night he was back to himself. Having a group of my friends here til sunday helped a ton as well. Okay, ive gotta go!

Surgery for you - what to do with your SD?

It's been quite awhile and I apologize. I had surgery November 12th and well, i'll get into all of that soon.

Preparing for surgery didn't include making sure someone was here to pickup mail for me, or just simply packing. I had to decide what to do about the question that haunts all of us SD users.
To bring the SD or not to bring the SD? That is the question. Well after weeks upon weeks of concideration, debate, and emotin I decided that it was in SSD Winston's best interest to not come along with me to the hospital. At the point I had planned to have bilateral hip abduction and both large toes fused, apparently causing five days max of hospitalization. Okay so now, I had made my decision about where he would be...what next? Well, if he is not going to be with me, where is he going to be? so I sat down and concidered everyone. People constantly offer to dogsit him. By all means, he really is a pleasure to have around. But that does not mean in any way that they are suitable to care responsibly for my $17,000 service dog/love of my life. Here were my options. Err, here is my list.
My Moms Boyfriend Bill - Alcoholic and horrible with the challenges of animals
My Dad - Not positive reinforcment based / thinks dogs should just stay in the yard
Megan - Never owned a dog and works full time
Joni and Dave - Both work full time, but are AMAZING with their chocolate lab
My Sister Erika - Lives in an apartment that doesn't allow dogs and works full time
Marilyn - Works full time again
Julie and Brian - Home with the baby, they have two other dogs that Winston loves and arevery fimiliar people to Winston. Julie loves positive reinforcement and is 100% trust worthy. Bingo. So, Julie and Brian it is. Now, how do I prepare? First, I wrote a detailed list of commands and normal activities for winston. Then a list of things he is not allowed to do and finally a list of emergancy contacts including my vet, emergancy vet, number i could be reached at, and most importantly the organization that trained him. Other than that it's just choosing what to pack, like favorite toys, plenty of food, ect.