Vando has had a bath and soon we will go to Chino Valley for the first in a series of evaluations to determine if he is suitable for Therapy Dogs, Inc. to register.  If he passes, we will be on our way to provide comfort and assistance to a wide variety of people in times when the presence of a loving dog can be helpful.

Today, Vando passed his Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test.  One of the steps on his path to be certified as a therapy assist dog.  He had to demonstrate basic skills of accepting noise, congestion and being left with another handler.  Here he is being tested for reaction to a person with a noisy cane and limping.  Good dog Vando!

So his official name will now be CryOut VID Orvando at Shivaree CGC

Vando is being evaluated for suitability for EMM K9.  He is checking out the ropes with his friend Suzie who is a Service Dog.  Once he passes his tests and is certified, he will join the team to provide comfort in times of crisis, trauma, and other psychological assistance.  We are looking forward to this type of work.

Here is a link to the website about Extra Mile Ministries and the K9 Crisis and Disaster Response Team:  Extra Mile Ministries

September 14 and 15 were dates for the Prescott Area Kennel Club shows held in Chino Valley.  The weather was gorgeous, the grounds were nice and we were able to park the motorhome near our setup.  We set up our EZup canopy for shade on Friday.  Pesca gets carsick and we took her along to see if she was any better.  Not so.  She drooled so much it took some doing to get her dried out.  Her mouth was still wet at show on Saturday, much better on Sunday.  We will have to take her for shorter rides and play with her at frequent stops as suggested by trainer Toni Kay-Wolff.

 Pesca competed against her mom, Ginevra as the only two Lagotti at the shows.  Pesca got Best of Breed both days.

A Mini Aussie and a Berger Picard won Best in Miscellaneous at those shows.  Pesca now has two points toward her AKC Certificate of Merit.  She needs a total of 15.  Ginna has 1 point so far.

Pesca is now 8 months old.  She has a lot of orange in her coat now.  Her white areas are a creamy color and no longer white.

Here is her color along her back and head, right after a bath and trim.

People sometimes ask if the Lagotto likes to dig.   If allowed, they usually do.  Here are photos of some of my dogs having a grand time in the space we have designated as their "sandbox".  These photos were taken over the period of a couple of years since we created this space for them to dig. 







At the top is Ginna in the process of shooting dirt out at a mad pace to get to some unknown target.





Middle photo is of Pesca in the giant hole they all dug.  She is able to go in and turn around.  She hides from the others when the frisbee is coming her way.


Bottom photo is of Vando.  Ginna has the frisbee.

Occasionally John fills in the holes so they get to start all over again.  Having this space keeps them from digging all over the yard.

I was going to take Ginevra and Pesca to the shows in Flagstaff in June but decided to sit this one out.  Ginna and her puppy play together all the time and the puppy has managed to chew off a lot of Ginna's headpiece so she looks somewhat ragged.  Ginna is very patient and lets her puppy chew on her hair.  I will have to do some "redirecting of activity" so we can grow the hair back so we can get back to showing.