How Ellee Got Her Name

Ellee is my beautiful chocolate standard poodle that runs on the Amour Agility Team...She has a lovely full tail!  I had never seen a chocolate standard, or one with a full tail, before I met her!  She draws attention where ever we go!!!  Most people have neve seen a standard poodle work a a service dog either! Ellee is certqainly unique, which is why I wanted to find the perfect name for her---

Here is a little info about how she got her name! 
(I would like to point out that I found it easy to name my children, and all my other dogs--and my favorite dog was named Sir Orion of Jubalation---called Jubal--my favorite dog name ever! Giant gentle sweet loving black lab) 

Ellee is sweet, mellow, and independent--and naming her was very hard for me.  When I got word I would be getting her instead of the red or brown male I had picked out a name for, I was thrilled, as Marcie had hoped for another girl.   I started thinking of names the whole trip to Missouri--but none seemed right when I saw that curious, nosey, sweet, easy going, funny little hairy ball of rich chocolate fur.  Funny face!!!
Her real name is "Element of Love",  and I call her Ellee. I kept picking names based on chocolate, but names like Godiva and Truffle and Kiss and so many others were taken by people with brown dogs that we know, ran into at competitions, or they just didn't fit her.  There were even a few we tried that people could not pronounce or kept forgetting....and I was trying to tie in some form of the word love, to match Marcie's Amour in her dog's names for the team work in agility.....so I kept thinking and rethinking the name....and while I was busy picking names to try, she was being called Ellee by my family---and I kept  noticing the framed chemical periodic table hanging in our dining room----the chart brought back memories that my kids grew up joking about their father (a chemist) helping them learn the elements by calling out symbols and getting answers from what ever room he was in---like an echo. They yell out Fe and he yells back Iron, OR they call out Sodium and he yelled back Na. And so on. It was a game they played, they would show their friends how they "talked" to their dad, and play the game when they were bored, just to get a laugh--and when they had to study the table for a test!...So, on my chart, Le, is the symbol for Love...hence the name L-E --- which became "Element of Love" --  known as Ellee!   AND it is a form of a family name -- we have lots of Helens, Ellens, and Ellies, (even in Marcella's name) in our group. When we finally started using this name she would look at us with those GOLDEN eyes that so grab your attention---and she seemed to say, "You finally got it right!".  When we tried others she kinda ignored us.  It is a strong but girlish name.    The name Ellee may not be super original, but the way we got it was certainly roundabout crazy!



Now we also have a TOPANGA KRIS of KENT,in the family and I LOVE that name as well, it is my son's minischnauzer, who is a beautiful silvery color....My son and his wife have the smae initials, JKM, but her middle name is Krisitne and his is Kent....Topanga is just a beautiful girls name we all loved!!!  She was my first grandpuppy.... Boo and Topanga were great friends and I am not kidding, when Peek needed help getting up on the couch she would bark, Toganga would run in, and Peek would climb up on Toganga and onto the couch to lie down!
AND
I love the Tulla Joi name!   We had JUST adopted her, and as she was too smelly/dirty to drive several hours with in the car, we took her to a nearby groomer to just have her given a quick bath, than loaded her up in the car....in the time it took to bathe her, the girls (who had just returned from Ireland) had several ideas for names and just a few minutes in to the drive, Tulla Joi  was the one we all fell in love with for her--we added Lady because she was so elegant...though she could slide under a chair with the best of them--and Amour for the team.....Lady Tulla Joi of Amour was offically adopted!   Kodiak was chosen because Marcie had just returned from Alaska, and he looked like a puffy white cloud....Hence, Lord Kodiak McCloud of Amour.  And last, Sir Arllington Steele because she had just retruned from Washington DC and visited the cemetery, plus she worked in a steel mill and he was going to turn silvery steelish gray!   The use of a title for each one started with Princess PeekaBoo---she was so tiny when she jumped to see onto the couch--it was like she was playing peek-a-boo.  Then, the dignified way she acted prompted the vet to remark that she should be a Princess, because she acts like one!  Princess PeekaBoo won DIVA DOG OF CINCINNATI when she refused to drink unless they opened a fresh bottle of water and gave her a clean bowl that no other dog had touched.  When Marcella started agility we wore shirts that said Princess Peekaboo's Pack!  Then we changed to the Amour Agility Team title on our shirts because Tulla and Steele came pretty quick thereafter...and finally, Ellee. 

Now I tend to call the boys--Steele-Man, Kodi-Man  and Boldly-Man
And I call the girls---PeekAboo, TullaJoi and ElleeLove

Marcie refers to them more like---Steele, Kode, Bold, Boo, TJ and Elle

As long as I have given the names, I should mention our grandbunny is named Cinnabun, and she is a Cincinnati Bunny, as well as the beautiful brownish cinnamony color.  And there is our grandkitty, Graysie, who is a beautiful gray and white cat.  Our cats carries the family middle name of Cay.  That is all the names we have so far!!!

Me and My Service Dog

The beautiful chocolate standard poodle with the undocked tail on Marcella's agility team is actually my service dog,.... and a bit of a challenge to train as an agility dog while keeping her on track with her work as a service dog--we have to adjust her training somewhat, but so far she is doing excellent. No one we know has had this experience so we are winging it and learning as we go. She does run a little slower when I run her as she does not like to get too far away from me--and I am slow. She does better going fast when Marcie handles her. If we discover any helpful tips, we will share them!


I did not know when I adopted her that I would need a service dog, but fortunately she had the perfect personality for this work. She is SOSOSO mellow! She goes everywhere with me and never blinks an eye ....except Harry Potter movies....she does not like them....other movies she is fine with--as long as I share the popcorn and skittles! She has taken me to the movies, to the bowling alley, boating, shopping, restaurants and so on. With her by my side I can go anywhere!
I have learned so much about service dogs since Ellee trained, and I honestly expected her to be accepted everywhere....but we have actually been turned away from hotels, been stopped in stores and asked to present papers and other things.  I even got stopped in a doctors office while she was wearing her vest!  I purchase all Ellee's equipment from PETJOY ONLINE and they have links to information on the laws as well.  The law changed some in MARCH  of this year, limiting the animals used for service to dogs and minihorses.  AND they can STILL be owner trained, so papers do not really exist---even if you have a service dog school diploma, it might be franed and proudly displayed at home!  Do you carry your own diploma or passport around all the time?? 

Also, dogs DO NOT have to wear a vest--many handicapped people feel it signals that they are less able to defend themself and that may not be a good idea as service dogs are not PROTECTIVE type dogs.  Store and business personel may ONLY ask you if that is a service dog, not what kind.  They may not ask you to prove it.  A security guard at a mall once told me I should put a vest on her to make it easier for other people to see that she was a service dog and then the guards would not have to keep stopping me to ask---I suggested they use their walkie talkies to tell each other a service dog was in the building with a "mad" owner so they would not have to keep stopping me!  I was not really mad, just kidding, but I pointed out that she usually does wear a vest, that she was there for a picture and I did not want it on her squishing her fur and messing it up, and that I did not need to have it on her!  And even if I do not need her to sit with me in a restaurnat, I can't just leave her in the car all the time.  The weather might not be good, she is at risk for someone to steal!!!  Very valuable as a trained dog!!!  

Really, while the law may seem stacked in favor of the handicapped person, it is STILL WORSE TO BE THE HANDICAPPED  ONE!  And someone may help me with the dog, such as bringing her in and out to potty, etc, but she should clearly be under MY control, there is work with ME. 

 I have had clerks ask me for paper work and then threaten to have me removed or ask me to leave even though Ellee had a vest or tag on her collar.  Again, please go to the Petjoy website to check out the updated law---Even if you ARE NOT handicapped--it is good to know the law so you can understand--or maybe help and defend another person's right to have their service dog---or maybe even recognize the fraud!

AND... while you are there, check out the sidebags they sell that hook to the vest--I have two and put in plastic bags, handiwipes, antiseptic wipes and all my clean-up potty patrol supplies..in the other i have a small bottle of water and a fold up bowl for emergencies....and some reward treats as well OF COURSE--the important stuff from Ellee's point of view!  PLEASE DO POTTY PATROL!

While we were at the store the other day a gentleman-who happened to be the auditor for a neighbor county-reminded me that service dogs can be registered for free for life in Ohio counties so check your local laws and you may be able to do that as well---it is not so much the money saving as the importance as having your dog registered legally as a service dog.  But the savings does help...just take a note from your doctor to show them that you need a service dog and you are on your way!   I have also been told that costs for service animals are tax deductible under medical exspenses so check that out for more ways to save. 

Now, when making hotel reservations, I always tell them in advance there is a dog--and I usually request a ground room.  I always tell because I do not want to arrive and have my time ruined by dealing with an issue then--and I won't stay anywhere that has an issue--Ellee deserves better than that.  Even with name brand chains that SHOULD know, sometimes they don't and I got turned away twice so be carful, don't get angry--just explain the law ----many people simply don't know the law--but take notes and do  follow up to the management and hotel chain office!  They do need to be informed and corrected so the next handicapped person doesn't have the problem.  I always worry about the next handicapped person, so I don't ignore problems, I try to make them learning experiences. 

Ellee and I do allow people to pet her when I can, but I always remind people to ask BEFORE they ever touch any service dog to be sure they do not interupt a dog at work beccause that person with them could be hurt!  And while they pet I talk about service dogs and their work ---trying to do a little education!  She always expects a treat after they are done, as if petting is above and beyond the call of duty! And she can count--it is two treats if there are little kids involved!  But she is very kind, and as kids approach she drops her head so they can pet her easily, not in fear, just mellow.  If they reach for her face she simply turns.  I love watching how gentle she is with people. (I am careful and watch closely to be sure they are also gentle to her--though I am amazed at how nice the majority of people treat her) --- I CARRY HAND GEL FOR THEM TO USE BEFORE FOR HER SAFETY--and after for their safet if they wish).  I once had a store clerk tell me other customers did not want the dog in the food area--there was no one around but her---and in the course of discussion I did point out that many children (adults) have runny noses and wipe them with the same hands they are using to touch things, my dog was not touching anything--so who was dirtier, I ask???

Remember that Therapy and emotional support dogs may not be  allowed the same privleges as service dogs.  Check the law--I am not a legal reference.

 Ellee and I will be taking a airline flight soon  and I will let you know how that goes!  Don't forget to ALWAYS do potty patrol for your dog, Ellee wears a small pouch on her vest with clean up supplies just in case.  Life is full of surprises!
                                                                                                                                                    

Steele's Third Birthday Party

Today Steele is Three!  So we had a party of course---with a peanut butter cookie with his name on it and ice cream and cheese puffs.  We even had chicken flavored water.  We put up crepe paper and decorated in his red team color.  His whole pack, including cousin Boldly, were here!  (Check out the pictures in Steeles folder under the opening words "Party time" and there are about 30 of them in the group.  Everything from Steele in the big party hat to opening presents.  Most were food treats (Steele is still trying to gain weight since his boutwith bloat, so little snacks help him with that--otherwise our dogs eat a very healthy diet and usually snacks are blue berries, carrots etc).  Each dog got a small piece of the cookie and a small spoonful of the frozen yogurt, and a cheese puff (small dogs, smaller portions). 
We all had a lot of fun.  We all remember just how LUCKY we are that Steele is ALIVE to celebrate this birthday and bring so much love and fun to our lives everyday.  It may be his Happy Birthday, but it our Happy Life with him in it!!! Steele is a funny boy, he jumps up and down IN ONE SPOT!  He jumps OVER the other dogs, bounces, jumps like he is going to jump ON you and then tries so hard to MISS you instead.  And he is sssoooo loving, always wanting to lie next to you and usually put his head in your lap, leans against you so you can pet him, rubbing his muzzle on you or poking you GENTLY to get your attention.  He has a personality as big as he is and is soft and fluffy.  He loves to play a game of chase and run beside your bike.  WE LOVE YOU BIG GUY!!! HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY!!!

Off to TDAA Competition!!!

YEAH!  We are back on the road to a competition.  It has been awhile since we traveled to a competition so I am excited that our schedules have worked out that we can travel, spend a night at the hotel with the dogs, and pull the Amour Agility trailer.  All of that adds to the excitement of a competition--makes it a bigger deal.  This will be a TDAA show, a Teacup Dog Agility Association event, for dogs smaller than 16 inches.  They are so much fun, even the equipment is smaller.  Like toy equipment compared to the regular tunnels and Aframes. (not all the TDAA shows use the smaller equipment--some use just the regular size so we will see).  Either way, we are going to have fun.  The next show we will focus on the big guys, but Peekaboo and Kodi started all this, and every now and then, it is just fair to step back and let them compete in their own element....and they get the chance to continue to work on the titles they started out working on years ago....Peekaboo especially!!!  Kodi is in the flow whereever he competes--there are judges and dogs to visit with, Bichon Buzzes to be done, and laps to sit on....(a Bichon Buzz is when a dog....often a Bichon, hence the name....gets super excited and takes off running, jumping around things, and the more you clap or yell, the more excited they get--and THE FASTER THEY GO--while it messes up a competition, it is just so much fun and funny to watch him fly around and occasionaly he actually jumps a jump or goes through a tunnel!)  GOKODIGO!!!  When Boo runs her little trick is to refuse doing the same obstacle twice--but she always refuses SO POLITELY--by sitting down and sneezing!  Or itching her ear!  Either way, she is done with that obstacle and thinks it is time to move on.
The only problem is, there are point deductions for missed obstacles, going the wrong way over an obstacle or taking too much time to run the course.....so Marcella has to work hard to keep the dogs on track out there---me, I get to sit and watch, laugh, clap, take them for potty walks, supply drinks, drive, supply treats, give hugs and kisses,  and all the other really hard work!  SO TDAA AND THE COMPETITION ROAD---HERE WE COME!!!

Getting Ready For Summer

All the pack uses sentinel during the whole year, but as we approach summer we get ready to add tick repellant monthly...we do that at the vets suggestion when we take the dogs outdoors into wooded areas such as when Marcie is bike riding or we are boating and making shore runs.   It is pretty cheap, about $6 per dog per month.  Sentinnel does not prevent ticks, so remember to do tick checks as well.  Swim lessons are also a great idea.  The Red Dog Spa offers them, you don't need many but at least a couple to help young dogs, or older dogs who have never been introduced to water, understand the balance involved in staying safely afloat during swimming....any dog can have difficulty swimming---people always assume dogs can swim and often make jokes about the doggy paddle---but the reality is that dogs who can swim do NOT splash much--so if your dog is swimming splashy, they may need a lesson or two to get their balance and confidence in water...last summer we took the dogs to a dog park with a pond area and a couple brought their boxer puppy in--he was adorable and a little bigger than Boo, and when he got into the pond and lost his footing he tried to find safety---he was near little Boo so when he panicked --well he tried to hang on Boo, pushing her under---and under--and under until  she was desparate to get away...Marcie had to rush into save Boo before the puppy drown her...or held her under so long she ended up with respiratory problems like pneumonia.  It was VERY scary to watch, and the owners did not even realize what was happening....standing around laughing about how they were playing....as it warms up you may also be heading to a swim hole near you--so buy a dog vest, get a couple lesson for your dog, and buy some toys that FLOAT--- we have tossed in several "floating" toys that are now at the bottom of the lake because they didn't!  Boo and Tulla can be pretty insistent that they will fetch that toy and exhaust themselves swimming in circles where it went down until we can distract them--and they are STUBBORN about it--so TEST your floating toys first!  Aound here the spring temps have already jumped from 55 degrees to 75 degrees during the day, very warm for early March, so in addition to adding extra times to get a drink, we have had to add allergy pills to Kodi and on occasion, the other dogs diets.  When Kodi comes in he chews his feet and has inward sneezes, so we know it is SPRING--other people wait for the GROUNDHOG to see his shadow--we wait for KODI TO SNEEZE!!!

Here (& Where) We Go!

Finding the RIGHT places to take your dogs, whether for grooming, for day care, for boarding, or to the vet can be a difficult choice.  We are creating a page of information, places we prefer, services we use, and even information and opinions on medical problems and issues for dogs.  Until that is up and running, I have these suggestions.  When picking a new place for the dogs, I started with recommendations from friends, than checked the internet for information.  If you live in our area you might like following places we have found.   Dog Day, Every Day for the  BEST DAY CARE, BOARDING.  They also do bathing and nails, but not grooming.  They have a couple locations.  The owner is VERY dog knowledgeable, the space is clean, there is a window were you can observe your dog, and they just did picture day!!!  Also the Pet Spot and Red Dog Spa do day care, grooming and boarding and seem to be good.  Red Dog does do the BEST SWIM LESSONS and they always did a nice job on grooming our poodles and they tried hard for good customer service.   However, on a day when other groomers were booked we had to find an alternate---and tried one dog in each of several groomers that came recommended---and our favorite QUALITYof GROOM is Bow Wow Boutique, Inc.   It is very small, but you can watch all parts of the grooming and we have gotten so MANY compliments about how all the dogs look after being groomed there, and the grooming lasts and lasts with just a quick combout/touchup!!!! Check out how they look in their dress up photos (with the ties and necklaces and wedding stuff)     It was the photo place--The Picture People--who decided to help us do doggie wedding dress-up-----but it was fun and the pictures are cute!  (They are very understanding that our pets need pictures too!) Each dog is dressed up in their own team color--last time Marcie had them done they wore the colored bandanas you see in the old photo--this time the boys wore blue (Kodi) and red (Steele) ties, while the girls are dressed in their team color bows and necklaces.  I get asked and asked, how did you keep the hat on Steele and how did you get Tulla to look so demure, like a blushing bride.  Wonderful photo technique?  Well trained dog?  Careful use of treats?  MAYBE!    When we travel we first look for a newer or renovated Red Roof Inn as they welcome dogs--we usually get two rooms either connecting(the best) or side by side--I also like that they do NOT charge for pets, and I can afford 2 rooms for the extra space.  We do upgrade hotels on occasion.  Non-smoking is essential for Kodi's allergies!  We always have bottled water in case Boo won't drip their tap water.  Chewies, toys, even a potty pad-in case-travels with us.  Boo heads up fetch, tug and wrestle games until lights out.  Potty walks before bedtime and early in the morning are essential.  With Ellee as a service dog we can stay anywhere with no extra charges, but occasionally I still get turned away from some businesses as if she were a pet, undet NO PET policies.  I will talk more about service dogs and therapy dogs on another post as we have had some great and not so great experiences so far.

What A Winter!

FYI--I am not Marcella--this is her mother writing--she has been so busy with work and playing with the dogs, training the dogs, helping me with Ellee's service dog training, and teaching at the club--I am helping(?) her out with this!  We are adding some pages, one about agility training and issues and another information source page--dog illnesses, canine health issues, local referrals like groomers and dog day care and vets, etc.  Thee pages are under construction but some of the referrals are in my posts to her blog.        

Well winter didn't really start till late this year as we were actually boating on Lake Cumberland until the end of November....the jumping in and out of the water was pretty quick  by the end of October, but the boat rides and runs on the shore didn't end till later!  The dogs learned to ride on the wave runners and take slow tow rides on the tubes,,.always supervised with vests on and safety factors in place. It was one of the best years of boating ever  for me (and that covers almost 60 summers on the lake)  all because of the boatin pooches!  Tulla and Boo absolutely loved playing fetch in the water, We had great fun at the Red Roof Inn in Somerset, who always made our pack welcome. Steele and Kodi were always up for a swim to the shore, and Ellee loved every moment of any of it!  When we lived on the house boat we placed a  big piece of sod in a plastic shallow storage bin and it made a  on board potty for late at night.  The dogs were good about barking when they needed a break  Though there was the time Ellee started barking and looking at the shore--and all of us on the boat kept looking at the shore and trying to see what she was barking at, until finally she turned around and looked at us--then walked over and started to go---you never saw so many people put on life jackets and head for shore so fast!  Ellee also taught Kodi how to chase Butterflies--it actually looked llike she was teaching him! And they learned pretty early on that when we went to the dock there was a treat, ice cream or popscicles, or some kind of reward.  Obviously they drew attention which ever dock we went to gas, whether they were on the boat or riding in on the wave runners, people noticed.  Chasing waves was another great game as  summer rolled into winter.  Ellee did give us a scare as she caught her paw in the bar around the rail on the ski boat--not jumping around or rough housing--just went to shift position and slipped--we drove all the way home to be sure she had the best of care, even though I was sure it was just a sprain.
( I absolutely love the quality of care the animals and families get at Animal Referral and Emergency Center.)  Since she works as my service dog, I needed to be sure she was alright, and an x-ray and some rest later--- She was ready to go the next weekend without any problems.  By the time we pulled out the boats out of the lake for the season,  it was Thanksgiving and time to plan for the holidays--so this year instead of the usual decorating I opted to buy each animal their own stocking and fill it--no gifts for the people, just the grrand pups, cats, and bunnies.  It was great fun for me, finding exactly the right stocking for each personality...even a bunny one for Cinnabun.  And what would the Holidays be without a HOLIDAY COMPETITION!  New Years Eve pertying got cut off just after the toast as we needed a good nights sleep for the comp the next morning..although they always start an hour later the morning of January first.  Our party was short  but fun--playing pool, dancing to beat the WII and enjoying the super stuffed pretzel!  Even the dogs wore party hats--check their galleries!  And then we (well Marcie and the dogs) were off running, earning more ribbons and spending lap loving time with each dog between runs.  My favorite part of comps is to watch the people walk the course during planning time, pretending they have their dogs with them, directing the imaginary dogs over jumps and through tunnels.  They are so funny, but serious!  And the dog runs that don't go well, while disappointing to the runner, are often the best to watch....the dogs who visit the judge (Kodi), who ones who bark the whole run, Tulla-who spins and spins between obstacles, runners who get lost in the run plan, dogs who get sucked into tunnels and forget to run the rest of the course!  SO many MESSUPS--SO MANY LAUGHS!  It is great live entertainment.   Then it was the end of January and time for Ellee's very first Show and Go run!  yeah!!  We had fun!  Unfortunately for Ellee, training as my service dog has taught her to be more of a slow runner, waiting on me, so Marcie has placed her into her Agility Level II class and runs with her as the class demo dog to help her learn speed.  She seems to be learning quickly that wearing the service vest or my holding the leash means slow work and entering the agility ring means go faster.  Hopefully that will work...over the next few post times I will discuss our quest for day care and grooming,  allergy plls, tick checks and the value of swim lessons! Nice to meet you all!