Regina Helfer's Posts
Socialization 101
THANK YOU all for your wonderful comments and support.
Here is the history on how the names of our dogs came about - a story in itself:
Avi's Kunik Bisitik - named for the 2 polar bears at the Toronto Zoo. It means 'Gentle Kiss Protector'. Kunik LOVED Maine, Freeport, and staying at the Harraseeket Inn. When he got sick in May of 2005, the front staff went out of their way to help us get him to a vet and take care of his needs.
Ebb Tide's Geddy Duex Spot - named for a tavern in Bar Harbor, Maine. Her picture is still up on their wall!
Clearwater's Freeport Seeket- "memory of a kiss" - named in memory of Kunik and because of the bond we formed with the staff at the Harraseeket.
Avi's Harraseeket's Mr. Cooper - named for the Inn. Mr. Cooper is a 92 year old gentleman that volunteers everyday at the Harraseeket's afternoon tea. Such a gentleman! What better role model for Cooper (or so we hope!)
Socialization 101
Socialization, socialization, socialization! That is the key to start getting your puppy heading for a future as a Pet Assisted Therapy and R.E.A.D. dog! One of the Berner clubs we belong to is the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley. In a recent issue of Bernerblatt newsletter they published a list of 12 experiences that a puppy should have within the first 12 weeks - visiting different places, being handled by different people, eating in different locations, walking on different surfaces, etc.
We started Mr. Cooper out right away meeting a variety of
people and dogs.
Molly, our neighbor, helps out by watching Mr. Cooper, but her and Freeport are fast becoming good friends too:
Next came the visit to the Vet's
And, the 'piece de resistance' (drum roll please!) a trip to Freeport, Maine to meet his namesake and the staff at the Harraseeket Inn. When we got to Maine, he acted like he had been there before and was in love with it all over again. Unfortunately Mr. Cooper was out ill, so he didn't get to meet his namesake. Thanks to Kodak Gallery and their photo cards, he will be kept abreast of Cooper's early life until we go back up at Christmas!
Daily walks to town turned out to be great socialization for both of them! We felt a little bad for Freeport since people thought he was the mother L. I think we'll get him a t-shirt that says 'I'm not the mom, I'm the big brother!"
Always having my camera at the ready, great shots were captured of "The Helfer Boys"- the title we gave to Freeport and Mr. Cooper. I really like the digital camera because I can keep taking pictures and know that my chances of getting that perfect shot will be in one of them. What do you think of my photographic prowness?
We are working to get Mr. Cooper and Freeport comfortable eating together so there will be no rivalry. Isn't a picture worth a 1,000 words?
Same shot, 4 different dogs (priceless):
Kunik and Geddy:
Geddy and Freeport
Freeport and Mr. Cooper:
And, when he gets bigger, Larry and I are going to have a heck of a time trying to use our bathroom!
Cooper is already into his 4th week in Level 1 Obedience class at Ebb Tide Kennels and Stables. There are 11 other dogs in his class, including 4 Rottweiler puppies. Freeport's Level 4 Obedience class is immediately after and I think he's a little jealous of the puppy having my undivided attention for an hour! Both are doing so good, and it's not just my bias showing through, honest! They are making friends and learning at the same time!
He's also becoming quite the mechanic, even checking the oil and tire pressure:
And, speaking of Freeport, you must always make sure that you make time for your other dog. He and I did a special nursing home visit to a friend. I think he liked it because he got to have the cap of the ice cream that Gloria was having!
Freeport also start doing the READ program at Lollypop Farm
for July and August and he so enjoys those sessions!
We even brought Mr. Cooper out the last time so he could
have some more socialization and he got to meet the staff at Lollypop Farm, who
absolutely adored him!
As I close out this Blog, I want to let you know that in putting this together, I have viewed hundreds of photos of all of our dogs - prints (scanned from my ESP-7 AiO printer) CD's, Kodak Gallery and files on my computer. Each photo brings back such vivid memories. Still makes me cry, laugh, and smile reminiscing! Thank you for allowing me to share with you!
Until the next Blog - The End (literally!)
Comments
Posted By: Penny (8/12/2009)
Comment: Your dogs are beautiful, I hope to meet them someday. Thanks for sharing photos and story. I can't wait for the next update.
Posted By: Tom Frew (8/10/2009)
Comment: You need a Chesapeake Bay dog!!!
Posted By: Regina, Freeport & Mr. Cooper (8/7/2009)
Comment: Hi Kendall! Congragulations on your new addition. We did agility competitions with Kunik and met a fantastic American Pitbull! They are great runners! I love the name too! I was a firefighter for 20 years here at Kodak and my husband is one of the Battalion Chiefs here! Thank your son for volunteering his time!
Posted By: Regina, Freeport & Mr. Cooper (8/7/2009)
Comment: Hi Kendall! Congragulations on your new addition. We did agility competitions with Kunik and met a fantastic American Pitbull! They are great runners! I love the name too! I was a firefighter for 20 years here at Kodak and my husband is one of the Battalion Chiefs here! Thank your son for volunteering his time!
Posted By: Regina, Freeport & Mr. Cooper (8/7/2009)
Comment: Thank you, Camri! Freeport and I really enjoy the time that you spend with us at the READ program. I hope that you like the pictures we took!
Posted By: camriann salce (8/6/2009)
Comment: i enjoyed your blog and i enjoyed reading to them at lollypop,MY AUNT AND I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!! Camri
Posted By: Kendall (8/6/2009)
Comment: Beautiful dogs. I took care of two Bernese Mountain dogs when some friends went on vacation. Theirs is a wonderful breed. My prodigal son brought home an American Pitbull puppy a few weeks ago. We are having fun watching him grow. Socialization has been a key theme in our household, and my son will soon be taking him to obedience classes, maybe at Lollypop Farm. His name is Halligan, after the firefighting tool. My son is a volunteer firefighter.
Posted By: Sharon (8/5/2009)
Comment: Regina - thanks for sharing...I enjoyed every word and every picture. You are really good at this! Mr. Cooper is adorable. Can't wait for the next update!
Posted By: Regina, Freeport & Mr. Cooper (8/5/2009)
Comment: We're so glad you all like this blog! I enjoy reading your comments and hearing about your dogs too! Keep checking for the next update - we'll see how big Mr. Cooper is by then!
Posted By: Peggy Weston Byrd (8/5/2009)
Comment: Thanks for sharing the pics of your terrific dogs. There's nothing like a puppy and then in a flash, they're big dogs. When Willie was a pup, I'd wish we'd thought to socialize him with small critters. Peggy and Willie
Posted By: Kimm (8/5/2009)
Comment: Thank you for the update and beautiful story and pictures - the pictures of your 4 beautiful dogs going through the same picture and advancing to the "big" dog is absolutely touching! Can't wait for the next update.....
Posted By: Joette Hartman (8/4/2009)
Comment: What a wonderful tribute to such important members of your family. Can't wait to read more! I didn't know how Mr. Cooper got his name, I thought it was his pedigree name - that's awesome!
Posted By: Robbin (8/4/2009)
Comment: Adorable! Berners are great dogs. Thanks for sharing them with us and with all their other fans at Lollypop and around the world.
Posted By: Joel Rosen (8/4/2009)
Comment: Big Dog and Little Dog. TOOOO cute.
Posted By: Patty (8/4/2009)
Comment: Regina and Larry thank you for continuing to share your pictures and stories,just think of all the memories your are creating with the READ program. Thank you for sharing
Posted By: Jen Liedkie (8/4/2009)
Comment: great photos, Regina !! he looks like quite the ham ! ( and that really means both of them). looks like they have a great start with some fun times ahead....
Posted By: Bob S. (8/4/2009)
Comment: The dogs are wonderful, it's great that you share them with so many people.
Posted By: Kathy (8/4/2009)
Comment: Beautiful, heartwarming, lovely! Thanks for sharing keep them coming!
Posted By: Sabine (8/4/2009)
Comment: Such an enjoyable read. Very heartwarming.