Graduation Day Picture

Home at last!

We have made it back home all safe and sound! Noah and Jelly Bean slept most of the ride, which was nice during the ride but not so much fun when it came bed time! Jelly Bean wanted to play with all of Noah's toys and kept getting out of the bed. Every time he got up, Noah got upset. It's all a learning process for each of us so we have to take things gradual. We all have to figure out what the new normal is. By all means things are much better with Jelly Bean here, just confusing right now! Please continue to pray for us as we make this fun transition to home! I will try to update when I can and will post more pictures soon! Be blessed!!

Various Pictures from training

These animals don't snuggle back and keep him warm....
Looking for his new best friend...(None of the ones behind him are Jelly Bean!)

I think they are both thinking, "Is this MY boy???"

Day one, bonding already!

Now that's a snuggle partner!!

Heel Jelly Bean, Good Boy!

Lazy Dog!! He loves the couch!

Working on tethering.

Working on tether work. Jelly Bean has to stay "down" no matter how hard he gets pulled. He mopped the floor a bit for them!!!

Jelly Bean doing Lap/Over with Noah.

After Noah fell and got hurt, I didn't get my camera in time to get Jelly Bean giving kisses and doing "lap" but this picture was right after Noah stopped crying.

Training Day 5

This week has been so busy we don't have much time to stop for anything! Getting something to eat has many days even been a mad rush! Today we had a visit from our friends, Shelly, Chris, and Kieler, who live in the same town as my sister. Shelly and her family have, over the years, become our "Ohio family." They met us this morning at the training center and stayed to watch the training class. My nieces ended up staying over night with us last night so them, Noah and Kieler got to go play outside on the playground at 4 Paws this morning. It's been so cold and misting rain over the past few days that Noah was confined to the indoor play area, which is really nice, but with a class of 13 dogs (which means 13 families) and many of the families have more than one child, that play area gets crowded really quick! This afternoon the kids did not have to stay at training because it was mostly about grooming and basic care of the dog, so it worked out great and myself, Shelly and the kids got to go back to the hotel and went swimming! Noah had a ball playing in the pool and was even "swimming" in the deep end!

Jelly Bean is doing great working with us on all his commands! He had a true test tonight as we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and there was a football game on so there was good smelling food, lots of people, lots of tv's, and frequent yelling and cheering! Jelly Bean stayed under the table at our feet the whole time! Once he started backing up and out from under the table but a quick "no" and "down" and he was right back in his spot until we were ready to leave! Poor Guy was drooling like crazy but he was so obedient! Noah and Jelly Bean are both sound asleep on the bed now! I don't know what to do, I have not had a third person in my bed since arriving in Ohio. I miss snuggling with my Noah but I know he loves his "Boy" (that's what Noah calls Jelly Bean).

Well, I'm yawning my head off and exhausted so it's time to say good bye! GOOD BYE!!!

Exhausted doesn't begin to describe it!!

Two tired boys at the end of day 2 of training! We had not gotten 5 minutes from the center before they were both asleep!

Noah and Jelly Bean are bonding really well! They are so sweet together! Jelly Bean keeps his eye on Noah at all times. If Noah gets out of his sight, he goes to find him! He knows that Noah is his boy and he makes sure he's okay at all times!

Yesterday (day 2) we learned more commands and tricks. Jelly Bean does really well and Noah loves doing the tricks!!

Today (day 3) we learned some behavior disruption, more commands and practiced the ones we have already learned. Tomorrow we get to go to the mall to start working in public! It sounds so easy when you type it, but it's so exhausting! It's true brain overload!

Overall, we are doing great! Despite the tiredness, it's really been fun and we can't wait to get home to get to our new normal!!

Noah meets Jelly Bean

I will start by saying that I don't have any pictures to post just yet. My sister took lots of pictures today for me but she wasn't able to e-mail them to me tonight so hopefully I can post them tomorrow.

Today was a very exhausting day! I was told that day 1 was tiring but you just can't imagine how exhausting it is until you've lived it! Don't get me wrong, it was very fun and exciting, but by about 2:30-3, I was ready to leave! Today each child received their dog's one at a time. When we got to the training center, Noah wanted to find Jelly Bean's crate! He wasn't in there at first but shortly after he came in and Noah sat outside his crate talking and playing with him. He couldn't wait until it was his turn to get his dog! I don't think Noah could possibly have been more excited. (and mommy too, sshhh!)

After meeting with our dogs and hanging out for a while, Jeremy (the head trainer) gave some basic instructions and then we broke for lunch. We had to leave Jelly Bean at the center during lunch because we haven't been trained in public yet. We went for lunch then was right back for training! We spent the afternoon working on "sit" and "down." Both of which Jelly Bean does really well. He doesn't stay "in" them for long yet for us, but he's getting better already! Jelly Bean is doing well sleeping in the bed with Noah although Noah is having a difficult time getting situated and still himself. Just too busy of a day!

Noah got a migraine towards the end of training today. He seemed better once we returned to the hotel but after taking Jelly Bean for a walk and introducing him to the staff in the lobby, Noah all of a sudden grabbed his mouth and ran to the bathroom. I knew as soon as he did what was about to happen and I just prayed he would make it to the bathroom. He made it to the door of the restroom then he lost it. Every time he gets a migraine he always gets sick to his stomach then he falls asleep and once he wakes up, he's fine. So after the episode in the lobby, we went back to the room and he crashed on my bed. After about an hour nap, he woke up and he was fine. Please keep him in your prayers for these next few days as we adjust to 'doggie school.' It's a long day for all of us!

Have a great night! Hopefully there will be pictures tomorrow!

Meet Jelly Bean...

I'd like to introduce you to Noah's new best friend! Meet Jelly Bean! Jelly Bean is a black lab. Here is a letter from Jelly Bean to Noah...

Dear Noah,

My name is Jelly Bean and I am a Black Lab from the Dandy Candy Gang. My sister Tootsie and brother, Rolo are in class with us. We were born November 17, 2008 so we get to celebrate my first birthday together. I hope we will have a huge party with lots of hotdogs, liver, Puperoni, and milk bones...that would be so cool! I am so excited we will meet so. I think of you every day. All day I have been pacing waiting on those Pink Girlz but Jeremy just would not leave his office. He was in there pondering something over and over and over and over. It must of been very important because he did not leave once ALL day and finally Brodey had to go potty and he got up. They made their move and off they ran with the matches. They were out right on the desk! Then they had to find us all to tell us we were in the class. I yelled WOO HOO I made it. Thank goodness because I worked SOOOOOOOO hard! Hey listen buddy hurry up and get here because I am waiting for you and can't wait to play! Your best friend ever, Jelly Bean

Noah's Art Success & a BIG Thank You!

Noah's Art fundraiser has been a wonderful success! Total, just for his artwork, we raised $205. Thanks to everyone who bought his beautiful artwork! I hated giving up each one but I have pictures of all of them and I know that each person who got them will take GREAT care of them!!

In addition to the Noah's Art fundraiser, we also have raised an additional $300 from a few donations! With the extra donations and the artwork auction, we have paid for the remainder of out hotel bill and even have a little extra! Thanks to all of you who have made those extra donations! It's so fun to go to the mailbox!!

Thank you can NEVER express how truly grateful we are!

THANK YOU!!!

Pause...

Noah's Art auction is taking a pause for a while! We are trying to get ready for our trip and in doing so are not able to work on the art work as much as we'd like. Trying to do school work and get the house in order for the arrival of Noah's dog and trying to get everything we need for our trip, etc. is proving to be challenging! Although a fun challenge!! Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for the arrival of Noah's new best friend.

Thanks to all who have helped us in anyway with our fundraising efforts and with getting the things we need for Noah's dog. We appreciate everything all of you have done or are doing for us! Most importantly, thanks for the prayers!

If any one has anything else to help us with our trip or bring the dog home, please contact me ASAP at pittil8@aol.com Thanks!