More Of The Same…And Something New
Posted on | February 5, 2010 | No Comments
Well, it’s pretty obvious I haven’t been posting much here.
That’s simply a combination of not seeing a lot to write about, still looking for a way to operate that accomplishes what I want as I’ve already mentioned, and, last, the arrival here a coupla days ago of our latest Canine Companions for Independence puppy, Ophelia.
I’m not gonna turn this into a blog about raising her – there are plenty out there already doing a much better job of describing puppy raising than I ever will. I will say that so far she has been absolutely wonderful and all you could ask for, and I’ve been around enough of them to be able to say that.
As Good As Life Gets
Posted on | January 19, 2010 | No Comments
Most people know Jack Hanna as a famous animal guy and Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, but I’m not sure nearly as many know he’s also been a huge long-time supporter of Canine Companions for Independence and has helped raise many thousands of dollars for the organization.
Jack’s on vacation in Florida right now, and he posted this wonderful picture on Facebook this morning.
“Years ago Sue and I scoped out dog-friendly beaches in FL and then found a small place nearby. Thanks to PetAirways and AirTran, my dogs are in FL with me for the week. This morning I started reading Dean Koontz’s “A Big Little Life”. The book is about his retired Canine Companions for Independence dog – Dean and I are both big supporters of CCI!”
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4466898&id=90183693693
You could find me on the couch in our house doing the same thing a lotta times, and I’ve often said “This is as good as life gets.” when I’ve been doing it. Yeah, I guess I’m just a boring guy, but, you know, that statement is still true, especially in light of so much of what goes on daily in the world.
KSDS Names Future Assistance Dog Litter After Military Installations
Posted on | January 17, 2010 | No Comments
On a happier note than my last two posts…
KSDS, a great small ADI-accredited assistance dog organization in Kansas founded 20 years ago, has a tradition of naming its puppy litters for specific themes. Most recent one was a military theme – they named all the dogs for military bases – what a fantastic idea!
That’s Miramar pictured above – here are all nine names:
- Barstow — Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, CA
- Beale — Beale Air Force Base, CA
- Hood — Fort Hood, TX
- Meade — Fort Meade, MD
- Miramar — Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA
- Oceana — Naval Air Station Oceana, VA
- Riley — Fort Riley, KS
- Schriever — Schriever Air Force Base, CO
- Whidbey — Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA
You can see pictures of all the dogs in the litter here (BTW, the bandanas look way too close to an actual US flag for me, a common problem with lots of well-meaning stuff and a pet peeve of mine, but that doesn’t really detract from an otherwise tremendous idea.):
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=143581&id=59272557571
NAS Whidbey Island has already written about their namesake dog Whidbey in Thursday’s base newspaper:
“Future service dog named ‘Whidbey’“
Big points to KSDS for having this wonderful idea.
Police K-9 Koda Memorial Service Held In Utah Yesterday
Posted on | January 17, 2010 | No Comments
A quick follow-up to my last post about Koda, the police K-9 killed by a fleeing robbery suspect on New Year’s Day in Midvale, UT.
Koda’s memorial service was held yesterday – here’s a very sad but moving video of the service that’s definitely worth watching.
“Memorial service held for fallen police dog“
Salt Lake County DA’s Office Writes $10,000 Check For New Police K-9
Posted on | January 16, 2010 | No Comments
I didn’t write anything about this incident when it happened New Year’s Day because it was such a sad story, and I didn’t really think we all needed to hear one more sad story. Still very sad, but now something smart has come from it, and seems to me it’s a model that oughtta be adopted everywhere.
The sad part is that Koda, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois working dog in Midvale, UT, was shot and killed by a suspected robber who was himself killed by police during the same chase.
“Officers mourn K-9 killed on duty“
The smart part is that the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office decided to use $10,000 from their asset forfeiture funds, money seized from criminals for evidence in court cases, to pay for a new dog for Midvale. Their logic was that a lot of that evidence is obtained as a direct result of the work of K-9s like Koda, and it’s only fitting and proper (not to mention a good investment, if you think about it) to fund a new dog.
“Assets seized in county crimes to help fund K9 for Midvale“
Not being an expert by any stretch in this area, I have no idea how common this is, but seems to me it’s not, although it should be. The vast majority of the time I hear about funding for police dogs, it’s usually a story about a department trying to find the money to get a dog in the first place.
Big kudos to the Salt Lake County DA’s office for doing this and setting a great example.
More About Where Things Are Going On This Site
Posted on | January 15, 2010 | No Comments
Haven’t had a lot to say lately, partly because I’ve been thinking about where I want things to go here both in direction and style.
Direction. The key focus here has been service dogs, particularly as they relate to veterans, and will continue to be. But I really like all working dogs – service dogs, police and military K-9s, search and rescue dogs, etc. – and will continue to write about those dogs as well. Which means you likely won’t ever see stuff about surfing dogs (enough with the surfing dog video, please – heartwarming, sure, but I’m totally worn out on it), skateboarding dogs, or any of a number of other feelgood dog stories you see everywhere else – sorry.
Style. Very long discussion, but the general guideline for online presence has evolved to Twitter and Facebook for short things, and blogs for longer discussions, but there’s no hard-and-fast rule about that and things have really changed in the last year. Most of that change is simply due to the pace of information, ease in quickly getting information out, interaction with readers, and what people expect in those areas – blogs aren’t necessarily the best way to handle those needs.
For now, though, the blog will stay as is, but I may do what others have and move to something like Posterous (THE platform I’d recommend now to anyone with no presence who wanted to be up-and-running quickly and easily). I already have a Posterous site (albrittain.posterous.com) but, as you’ll notice, haven’t done anything with it yet.
In that vein, note that I have added a Lifestream page which right now only shows my blog updates and Twitter feed. I want to add Facebook and LinkedIn, but the feeds available there do not provide the information I want to see at this point.
That’s where things stand for now.
The Key Question That Drives What You See – And Don’t See – On This Site
Posted on | January 4, 2010 | No Comments
With the beginning of another year, good time to step back just a little and address the direction of things here.
Justin Kownacki is pretty obnoxious and profane, and there are a lotta times I don’t agree with or even read him, but I really like his “cut through the crap” style (most of the time).
His post today is the best one I’ve seen on this subject: “So What Do We *Do* With All This Information?” The whole thing is worth reading, but even if you don’t read it, there’s one key takeaway question he asks that anybody sharing information, especially online, needs to continually ask themselves:
“Am I just creating more white noise in your life, or am I giving you information that can be applied / acted on / experienced?”
Justin’s put into words exactly how I try to operate (and he sets a great example by doing the latter in his post, too). Might not always be successful, but that’s what I’ve aimed for in the past and will continue to aim for, and it drives what you see here – and don’t.
“A Pup’s Journey to Greatness”
Posted on | December 20, 2009 | No Comments
Today I’m gonna give you a chance to see something most people never get to see.
When they’re 8 weeks old, Canine Companions for Independence puppies are brought to the national headquarters campus in Santa Rosa by the breeder caretaker of the mama dog who gave birth to them. They are checked out thoroughly by the veterinary staff, given an identifying tattoo in their right ear, washed, and then sent on their way to puppy raisers across the U.S., who will raise and train them for the next 15-18 months. (You can read more about breeder caretakers and CCI’s very carefully controlled breeding program here.)
This new short documentary video shot just last month by Alex Lowry, an Academy of Art San Francisco student, gives you a rare inside look at that process. It’s not secret or anything, just something that even the vast majority of CCI volunteers and staff never get to see simply because you’d have to be in Santa Rosa and on days when this was happening (not to mention those puppies leave at the proverbial oh-dark-30 for early morning flights at SFO). For example, I’ve spent time at the campus, know the places and most of the faces in the video, and I’ve never gotten to actually witness this.
Here you go – enjoy this great inside look at something very special (thanks to Brenda Voght from the CCI Puget Sound Chapter for posting this).
A Pups Journey to Greatness
Judge Who Raises Guide Dogs Upheld In Barring ‘Service Dog’ From Courthouse
Posted on | December 17, 2009 | 1 Comment
Moral of this story is it’s not the smartest move to take your questionable “service dog” into the courtroom of a judge who raises guide dog puppies with his wife (I believe for Guide Dogs for the Blind, but haven’t verified that):
“Federal judge rejects Ryderwood woman’s service dog discrimination suit”
Haven’t heard much about this case, either, even though it’s been going on for over a year, but I can’t say I’m surprised – it’s exactly the opposite of those “service dog discrimination” stories the “outraged public” waits around to pounce on and be outraged about all the time.
My guess is you also won’t be hearing a lot about it being tossed now, which is exactly why I wanted to write about it here.
Big points to Judge Stephen Warning for standing up on this one. You can read the links below for more details, but here’s the heart of the matter:
“I was told by security that her dog smelled so bad that people were having to get up and leave the courtroom,” Warning said.
When he asked Brown what service the dog performs, he said, the situation became “laughable.”
“She said, ‘Well, she pulls me.’ … As she’s facing me, the dog’s trying to pull her in another direction. It was clear the dog was not trained to assist her in any way.”
Warning said he of all people would be especially forgiving of a service animal in his court. He and his wife have trained three seeing-eye dogs, one of which was sleeping at his feet when the incident unfolded.
And the real bottom line:
“Unfortunately a lot of people abuse the provisions of the ADA in order to keep their pets with them at all times and that makes it difficult and is one of the biggest problems legitimate service dog users and service dog organizations have,” [Judge Warning] said.
Amen.
“Two women take on county over service animal policies”
“County faces federal suit over service animal policy”
Wounded Warriors On Ice
Posted on | December 15, 2009 | No Comments
Saw this USA Hockey Magazine story about the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program via the Walter Reed Army Medical Center fan page on Facebook yesterday – talk about motivational! (Not to mention probably the coolest hockey story I’ve ever seen.)
“I’m probably the only person you’ll ever meet who opted to have their leg amputated so they could play hockey, and that was my whole goal. I spent two and a half years at Walter Reed, and everyone there knew that my first goal in life was to get back on the ice.” – SFC Joe Bowser
Read the whole thing here: “The Warriors Way”
Tags: Amputee > Army > Disabled Veterans > Walter Reed Army Medical Center > Wounded Warrior
