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On January 26, 2008 about 10:30 AM, Skye was born to Annie and Zeus of CJ’s Outback. Shortly after Skye’s birth, CJ made a call to Linda Lambert to offer the puppy to her. Of course, Linda said yes. On March 23, 2008 (Easter Sunday) Skye moved to her new home with Linda and Lynn, and housemates Cody and Jake. She is the mistress of the household and at 3 months old, rules the whole five acres! Her favorite antic is to wake the household up at 2:30 AM by squeaking her teddy bear. Skye is being trained as a therapy dog and proudly wears her little service coat that states "therapy dog in training".
Proudly Owned and Trained by Linda Lambert Plans for Skye and Linda include conformation classes and obedience classes. After Skye passes her first birthday, she and Linda will be evaluated by a representative of Therapy Dogs International. Skye's progress will be updated regularly right here on her very own webpage.
Skye's first month in training........(by Linda Lambert) 4/25/08 Skye started her therapy dog training just days after we picked her up on Easter Sunday. This is to further advance her people skills, which she seems to have been born with. She knows that when the car keys come out and the in-training coat goes on, she's going somewhere! Once she's "dressed", she makes a bee-line for the garage and the car. She learns fast! She already knows how to walk on a lead, to 'sit' for a treat and to shake paws. Her vocabulary includes directives such as sit, come, wait, inside, outside, "let's go house" and "let's get dressed". Of course, being a puppy and doing puppy things has earned her some well-deserved nicknames <grin>.
Because so many people knew our Katie, Skye has been warmly welcomed with open arms (literally) by everyone. She has such a winning personality. She was quite the celebrity at my therapy dog evaluation event on April 20 (I am a therapy dog evaluator). Skye insisted on meeting and greeting everyone there, even the dogs. After that event, she went to Macayo's for lunch with me and my assistants. She's been to Pup A Palooza, the bank, the local saddle shops, the library, the Post Office, the DMV, Home Depot, Lowe's, Petsmart, the local supermarkets (Albertson's and Safeway). She's been welcomed in the lobby and the drive-in at Wells Fargo Bank (she's already learned that they give treats!) The manager of the local Albertsons always wants to know how 'his' Skye is today. She loves to ride in the grocery cart. Anything the store's personnel can do to help train Skye, they've committed to. It's amazing how many people are participating in Skye's training, and that's a good thing. They want to be involved and to help.
Skye can sometimes get a bit 'misplaced' when we go outside to do chores. If she loses track of hubby or me (or Cody or Jake), she runs to Dude (the horse) and sits between his front feet. He stands there quietly, looking down at her, until she finds us again and runs to us. We call Dude 'the Skye-sitter'. She obviously feels safe with him. The first time it happened, we didn't know what to make of this. We were afraid she'd get hurt until we found that there is no way Dude will hurt her. In fact, he seems to protect her.
My philosophy about therapy dog training involves taking Skye with me wherever I go, being very, very careful to not put Skye on overload. This type of training and exposure will enable Skye to handle new and exciting things well. Great things are in store for this little girl, and so far, she's handling things perfectly. We couldn't ask for more. Good on ya, Annie, Zeus and CJ. You've given us a little girl who is very special.
Lyrics to Skye's Song
Sometimes I think life is just a rodeo
the trick is to ride and make it to the bell
but there is a place sweet as you will ever know
in music and laugh and things you'd never tellyou sit in their base, secrets on the telephone
and time out of time for you and no one elseHey lets go, I'm over the world
rock and roll girl
rock and roll girlIf I have my way I travel down to Buckleho
sit by the lake and watch the world go by
lase in the sun listening to the radio
like flowers on the sand the rainbow in my mindHey lets go, I'm over the world
rock and roll girl
rock and roll girlHey lets go, I'm over the world
rock and roll girl
rock and roll girlBack to Home
