Mango Minster is here, and I've been on my paws begging my raiser to let me enter...
the deciding factor is FINALLY in, and she said YES!
So here is my official entry for
Mango Minster 2012, in the "Working Stiffs" category.
I (Brandon) will take you through a brief "blast through the recent past" to show you how well I fit into the category "Working Stiffs".
Starting off with the well known obvious:
#1. Being a guide dog in training pretty much says it all... I work hard EVERYDAY, whether I'm learning what I'm suppose to do for the command "forward", being calm at a retirement home or how I'm suppose to behave during puppy meetings... I'm always working and learning things new :)
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| Picture of Brandon in coat in a sit-stay at the mall, waiting for his next command |
#2. I have to work hard to ignore myself in all the cool mirrors my raiser takes me by, while shopping. I don't get why she enjoys pointing out every mirror to me, when I'm suppose to "ignore" things?? I guess everything makes for a good photo op:
#3. No matter how big or fun an animal may be, I have to work hard on maintaining a calm temperament, and making sure to always listen to my raiser FIRST, before playing with the animal.
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| Picture of Brandon "somewhat" looking back at me, trying to figure out if he's allowed to go sniff Patches (the horse hitched up the the buggy; in the background) |
#4. I do an amazing job working with my raiser on my commands, whether it's learning new ones - or just practicing "old" ones, I do them all!
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| Picture of Brandon in a down-stay during puppy class (about 6-8 puppies to the left/right of him too, that you can't see... just adds in for "distraction training"!) |
#5. No matter how good the food may smell up top... I have to
work on ignoring ALL of it. My raiser does a good job at taking me anywhere and everywhere with her, including food courts, fast food stops, fancy restaurants, pizza pick up, and any other random food places, that she thinks can be used as "distraction training" fur me!
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| Picture of Brandon maintaining a perfect sit-stay underneath our booth at a fast food restaurant |
#6. I have to be ready to make big decisions at any random time, since humans are prone to getting a "brain freeze" and totally forget what they were wanting to do next, which means I have to not only do my
work but also make choices fur her!
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| Picture of Brandon trying to decide whether to go "up" or "down" the stairs at the movie theater |
#7. I should be the most advanced 4 month old doggy, since I've already been attending college with my raiser... you all know what kind of hard
work that can be!
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| Picture of Brandon laying down on his blanket during one of my college classes (the one time he wasn't asleep!) |
#8. I worked furry hard on learning to enjoy the V-E-T. After many different trips their and lots of treats... I've decided that the V-E-T is almost as fun as puppy class!!
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| Picture of Brandon sitting on the exam table, while the vet does a brief examination of him |
#9. And we all know how furry hard I have to work to look so darn cute!!
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| Picture of Brandon as a "wee little thing" in the grass, same picture as his blogger header photo |
So, as you can see... I may still be a furry young puppy, but I have a lot of duties at this age, and do an amazing job following through with them, if I say so myself!
Do you think I qualify for the "Workings Stiffs" category??
I look forward to learning more in the following months about my journey to becoming a guide dog for the blind, and can't wait to see where I end up!
A huge furry thanks to
Mango & his Momma for planning & running the
Mango Minster 2012, we are looking forward to participating in the event/dog show... and know it will be a lot of furry fun!!
-Brandon
