Work, work, work! I'm working really hard, but I am also learning new and exciting things every day. Sometimes it’s hard to remember the things I have been taught. It seems like just yesterday that "sit" and "down" were a challenge, but now I’m leaning new things like "heel", "side" and "under"…Whew! What will they think of next?!
Marilyn, my puppy raiser, works hard too. Recently, she spoke at an investment conference in Las Vegas. She brought me along, and it was my first big trip! Even on vacation, I practiced all of the commands I have been learning. Marilyn said I was the perfect guest at Caesar's Palace. If only I hit the jackpot!
Entry #5
It’s summer! I am now six months old and I love learning and going many places. People tell me I’m very well behaved!
I go to work everyday. My favorite is going in the elevator, and when women wear summer sandals, I try to lick their toes! Marilyn says “Don’t,” but sometimes the tug at my gentle leader is worth it!
Life is good. I’m learning my commands, going grocery shopping, going to the movies, out to business lunches and sometimes out to dinner. Most of all, the summer means getting to go outside and sleeping on the patio with the summer sun shining on my belly.
It’s pretty fun being a Canine Companions puppy in program. Lots of attention and lots to learn!
Have a great summer!
Los Angeles Canine Companions Poster Pup,
Renata
Entry #6
Hi everyone! It's me. Renata. You may think I'm sunning and funning but I'm actually taking a break from my hectic schedule. This month, I worked on learning left from right - I mean, heel from side. WOW! This can really confuse a pup. I do best when I'm led with a tasty treat - that's the ticket! Unfortunately, I think at some point I'll have to stop feigning ignorance and go into treat withdrawals to accomplish these two commands.
I am so busy because I now go everywhere. Even places I'd rather not go like clothes shopping...boooooring! But grocery shopping is fun. The movies are okay but remakes just don't keep my attention.
Next month, we fly to San Francisco for an investment conference. I've never flown before. I hope it's not too bumpy! As far as the convention; same old, same old. Stocks go up, stocks go down. Bond yields get better then worse. I'm usually quite an attraction at conferences. We pass out as much Canine Companions literature as possible. We are always looking for new puppy raisers and a few tax deductible Canine Companions donations from the wealthy attendees wouldn't be refused! I think I'll be multi-tasking (whatever that means.)
So, stay cool!
Love, Renata
Los Angeles Canine Companions Poster Pup
Entry #7
Hi! It’s me, Renata, in my San Francisco hotel room waiting for room service. Training on the road, in a hotel, convention center and restaurants is fun but challenging. I’m having trouble staying under the table when I’m in a restaurant. After all, all of the fun and action is at the table not under the table! So, poor me, I am trying to learn to go “Under” and “Stay”. Not easy for an eight-month-old!
I am attending Canine Companions puppy classes with Cath Philips and I am distracted by the other dogs in my class. I’m not sure what distracted means --- all I know is I’d prefer to be playing with them rather than obeying Cath. Wow! This is getting hard.
When I go to business meetings Marilyn and Chris don’t like it when I roll around on my back and peddle my feet and legs in the air like I’m swimming. So many rules to learn. That’s not to say being a Canine Companions puppy or puppy raiser isn’t a blast. There’s just manners and rules I have to work on. I hear that when I turn one-year-old my training and commands will get easier; second nature is what they call it.
If any of you fans reading my comments are considering being a puppy raiser, you should jump in! All of the puppies in program are so smart and cute! (Well, maybe not as cute as me!) We are loving, cuddly and willing to learn as long as there are treats and hugs ready to be lavished upon us.
Cheers for now,
Renata, Los Angeles Canine Companions Poster Pup
Entry #8
The summer is over, WOW! Where’d it go? Even though I don’t go to school it seems like there is a serious mood at my house. “More training…stricter discipline, no deviating from the rules.” I keep hearing those words but it’s the serious voices that trouble me!
I’m looking at my Canine Companions monthly reports - if only I could read them! If I had to guess, I bet they say I need more work on certain commands. I need to get better at “Visit”, “Car” and not mix up “Jump” with “Up”. I’m nine-months-old now and I think I’d better pay more attention to my commands rather than listening to everyone telling me I’m getting so beautiful. Some people laugh when they notice my big feet. Don’t all nine-month-old puppies in program have huge feet?
This month ,Marilyn and Chris have to go to Australia on business so I get to stay with the Tokles for 10 days. Mike and his wife, Madeline, are real nice. I stayed with them once before. They are certified Canine Companions foster puppy sitters.
If you're considering becoming a Canine Companions volunteer puppy raiser, I would recommend you try fostering first. See how much fun we are and then you can decide! You can parade us around, give us commands and learn more about Canine Companions if you become a puppy sitter.
I hope if we ever meet you’ll ask me to “Shake” and see how obedient I am when I’m paying attention!
Until next month…
Au revoir,
Renata, Los Angeles Canine Companions Poster Pup
Entry #9
By now you know it’s me – Renata. But it’s Renata in a quandary. What shall I be for Halloween? It’s my first Halloween and it’s difficult deciding.
Do I go with the Halloween flow? Or should I wear a costume with more edge? It’s very hard to decide. I’m tending not to like the ladybug. Did you know that ladybugs come from the beetle family? If it were the John, Paul and Ringo Beetles I’d be more excited. But ladybugs are from the aphid eating side – ugh! A few weeks ago, I was stung by a bee in my mouth and swelled up. I think I’ll stay away from this category!
The angel – now I can relate to that! Problem is my coat color blends into the wing color too much. Being a fashionista – that just won’t work.
So I think it’s between the nurse and wizard costumes. Don’t I look regal and powerful as a nurse? Tell me – and make it STAT!!! It’s fun being bossy.
But look at me as a wizard. WOW! ZAP! Abracadabra – I am outta here….
Trick or Treat..
Love. Renata
Los Angeles Canine Companions Poster Pup
Entry #10
Hi Everyone! It’s me Renata. I’m really not late with my blog – I was in the Canine Companions kennels for three weeks. I am more womanly now. Eveyone says I am so much sweeter. How can I Renata… get any sweeter?
Oh. The people in the Canine Companions kennels are soooo nice. They fed me, played with me (well us, there were more females than just me) and bathed me. We ran, we played we had fun. It was a blast!
Now I’m home and there’s talk and preparations for a big Thanksgiving feast. It’s my first Thanksgiving and I hear a lot about if the turkey should be baked with or without stuffing: I don’t know what all that means but the excitement makes the end of my tail quiver.
There’s also flyers going around inviting everyone to celebrate my 1st Birthday Party at the new Canine Companions Los Angeles office on Sunday, December 12th from 1pm to 4pm. I don’t mean to sound stuck up or anything but a birthday Party for me, fun, festivities – How can you pass that up? I like being the center of attention – hmmmmm – all about me – what could be better?
We all have a lot to be thankful for. I’m thankful for a great home, a warm cozy bed, an office to go to everyday, friends, training and most of all CCI, who has made all this possible.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Please share your thanks.
See you at my birthday party at the Los Angeles Open House! December 12 from 1pm – 4pm at 2312 Westwood Blvd.
Love,
Renata, Los Angeles Canine Companions Poster Pup
Entry #11
Hi everyone! December has been the busiest month of my life. CCI had a birthday party for me and…WOW! We had a great turnout at the new Canine Companions Los Angeles office. Attending were graduates with their dogs, pups in training, people interested in CCI, future puppy raisers, and more! Everyone ate birthday cake and it was great! Then there’s the holidays - Chanukah, Christmas, and New Year's Eve celebrations. My closet is full of outfits galore! I am so lucky.
But don’t think for a minute that I am slacking off on my training. I am perfecting my “Lap” and “Visit” commands. My “Drop” has never been better! I do hold out for treats when given the “Car” command. No treat? No “Car”!
All in all, life is great. The months are flying by and there’s still so much more practice of the Canine Companions commands I need to do. Overall, I'm very well-behaved. I do make a few flubs, though. Recently, I was a bit tired and wanted to take a rest. So I jumped up on Marilyn’s and Chris’ comfy bed and curled up for a snooze. When they found me… ugh! It didn’t go over well. I guess my kennel and beds all over the house are my snoozing places!
I always hear that raising a Canine Companions puppy in program is an enriching experience. Whenever people say that, they smile. So it must be good. Some people we meet at the grocery store, cleaners, restaurants and 
movies say they’ll raise a puppy in program when they “have time.” Heck – there’s no time like the present! The more you have to do, the more you get done. We Canine Companions pups are a barrel of love and fun! And, we come with a lifetime guarantee of loving memories.
Wishing you Happy Holidays and Happy New Year…
Loads of licks, Renata
Canine Companions Los Angeles Poster Pup
Entry #12
Hi Everyone! Happy New Year. I have decided to share my 10 New Year Resolutions with you. Here they are:
Renata’s 10 New Year Resolutions
#1 Don’t: don’t do things I’m not supposed to do. Like? Jump on human couches or beds.
#2 Do: respond to all commands quickly and correctly.
#3 Never: get frustrated if a command is too difficult. I can try again.
#4 Go to: as many super-ding-ding places as possible. Like? Hotels, theatres, Las Vegas (again), dinner parties, Canine Companions parties and graduations.
#5 Observe: other dogs but never jump, bark or whine at them.
#6 Lick: only when kisses are wanted or warranted.
#7 Always: use my Canine Companions good-girl manners.
#8 Pay: attention…never pay for anything.
#9 Try: as hard as I can to behave according to CCI standards.
#10 Continue: to enjoy my cushy, comfy life because Professional Training (so I hear) is hard work.
It won’t be easy to follow them but a puppy has to start somewhere. I especially want to focus on Resolution #4: Go to as many super-din-ding places as possible. I may not act properly all the time – but given time and exposure I will.
For all of my non-puppy raising, non-Canine Companions donors and blog followers: don’t you feel you are missing out on something special? Extra special by not being involved with Canine Companions? Ask any graduate, puppy raiser or volunteer and they’ll tell you: “You are missing out on a lot of fun, hard work, joy and fulfillment.” How about getting involved with Canine Companions as one of your New Year Resolutions?
Love and licks,
Renata
Canine Companions Los Angeles Poster Pup
Entry #13
Hi Everyone! It’s me - your Los Angeles Canine Companions Valentine's poster pup! You are reading my blog to follow my most excellent progress. My latest little twiggle (a combination of twist and giggle) is that I like to do little naughty things when I’m with Chris. He doesn’t like correcting bad behavior in public. I never do those things with Marilyn – she’s strict – real strict so I know better! What kind of things do I do? Well, when Chris walks me and we get close to other dogs I like to roll on my back and pretend I’m dog paddling in a pool. Legs flailing, paws moving – it’s fun! Once, I heard Chris telling Marilyn this and she said, “Did you correct Renata? She never does that with me!” If Chris had a dog tail it would have gone between his legs when he said “No”. So then I heard – “Renata won’t learn unless the trainer corrects the bad behavior.” Chris had a weird look on his face… I thought it was from the Mexican burrito he ate, but I guess it wasn’t! It’s fun to challenge my family with behavior I can get away with…that’s part of being a puppy.
I have many nicknames around my house; Renata-data-the-enchilada, Renata baby and Princess Quiver Tail. When Marilyn sings the song Volare using my name instead, the very tip of my tail quivers! The faster and louder she sings, the faster the tip of my tail quivers. It’s fun and makes me all bubbly inside!
So it’s the month of Cupid, love, hearts and Valentines. I hope you’ll find it in your heart to become involved with Canine Companions – we have fun and experiences that will make you laugh and feel bubbly inside, too. Being a volunteer is like Valentine's Day all the time – love and smiles surround you.
Until next month… Cupid kisses and licks from me –
Renata
Canine Companions Los Angeles Poster Pup
Entry #14
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, everyone! It’s unclear to me why I’m wearing an oversized green bow tie and shamrock head band, but they are festive. What I’ve discovered as a Canine Companions puppy is that every holiday seems to be an excuse to dress me up!!! Oh, I don’t mind; it gives me a chance to make fashion statements.
Life is great for me, Renata, Los Angeles Canine Companions poster pup. I am growing and very mellow these days. All my commands are pretty easy for me now and I’m out and about all the time. One thing I don’t like, is going to restaurants…boooooring! I kind of get up when I’m not supposed to. But hey – they’re eating and I’m not! Shouldn’t I be more participative? Marilyn and Chris say “No” I shouldn’t. I think we’ll be working on that little item as the months go by.
Pssssst. Want to know my inner thoughts? I think my family is growing more and more in love with me. I didn’t think it was possible but it’s happened. Maybe its because I’m well mannered, loved and lovable and have walrus-sized whiskers. Bet you didn’t know that! Or it could be because I will be turned in for Professional Training in August and they’ll miss me.
No matter – it’s all good. One really wonderful thing is that daylight savings is great. I get home from work and can play in the daylight and go on evening walks. Exercise is very important and as you can see from my picture, I am very slim.
So enjoy kissing the Saint Patrick’s Blarney Stone which endows the kisser with the gift of “gab” – just like I have.
Puppy kisses and best wishes,
Renata
Entry #15
Hola Senores y Senoras! It is me…Senorita Renata. There are sooo many holidays I’m celebrating the next few weeks! It's like the Lionel Richie song, All Night Long:
Well my friends the time has come ♪
♫ to raise the roof and have some fun
Throw away the work to be done ♫
♪ Let the music play on…(play on, play on)
Everybody sign, everybody dance ♪
♫ Lose yourself in wild romance
We’re going to Party, Karumba, Fiesta forever
♪ Come in and sing along! ♫
So I’ve got Passover. That’s me in a prayer shawl and yarmulke. Then there’s Easter, as you can see the bunny ears are a dud – too big, too uncomfortable and my body language tells you how silly I feel! And finally – Cinco de Mayo – Arriba! Arriba! But do I really look like I’m from south of the border? (In case you are wondering; I didn’t mind the mustache – it tickled!)
Life and training are going great. I love the holiday parties and feasts I attend. Being the center of attention never gets old! If you become a new puppy raiser or are already one – you know having a Canine Companions puppy in program makes holidays more special than you can imagine. We are smart, fun, loving and obedient.
Next month I am off to a great adventure. Marilyn and Chris are going away (work related of course) and I’ll be staying with a Canine Companions puppy raiser. Tune in for my May blog as I pack, prepare and brush up on all my manners for my 12 day sleepover experience.
Until then – puppy licks and hugs….
Renata
Your Los Angeles Canine Companions Poster Pup
Entry #16
Hi everyone!
You will get exhausted just reading about my travels. I just got back from four days in Las Vegas. We were at the MoneyShow…speeches, exhibits, client lunches—whew! It was busy. I stayed at Caesars Palace because that’s where the conference was. Have you ever walked up and down those halls? Going from one presentation room to the other pooped me out. Every night I couldn’t wait to get back to the room. Marilyn and Chris were laughing so much because I was soooo tired from walking that I snored like a steam shovel!
Now I’m packed up (although I’m not the best packer) and ready to go and stay with Maureen Farris, a former Canine Companions puppy raiser. Marilyn and Chris are off to a Forbes Investment Cruise to Alaska where Marilyn will be a speaker. I am glad I can’t go – I’m sick of hearing about interest rates, bonds, duration – sigh! That is so boooring! Maureen has agreed to keep me for the 12 days they are gone. At first I thought…whooooopie! A vacation! Then, I overheard conversations saying Maureen will keep up all my commands and training. Ugh! I thought my stay would be all fun and games. Guess not. After all, it’s getting close to the time I get turned back in to Canine Companions for Professional Training…so everyday and every week counts.
If you remember, in one of my previous blogs I confided that one of my household nicknames is Princess Quiver Tail. Well, as I get older I get even happier and the end of my tail quivers even faster when I’m laying down and relaxing! You should see it.
I think Maureen and I will have a great time. I can hardly wait. I’ll make sure she takes some photos of our adventures together to share with you.
Until next month…don’t miss me too much!
Renata,
the very busy Los Angeles Canine Companions Poster Pup
Entry #17
Bonjour! Yes, it’s me Renata and I’m late with my blog. You can’t believe what a difficult month I’ve had! (Yes, Canine Companions puppies in program can have challenges...)
So, there I was in May with my bags packed (see entry #15) looking dapper, while waiting for my great adventure with Maureen while Marilyn and Chris were out of town. I went to Maureen’s and WOW! We got along great. Maureen took me to the beach and, as you can see, my sandcastle building skills are really quite good. And, yes that’s me – styling in a nifty, red convertible in sunglasses to boot!
Things were going great for a few days. I was completely in control. Maureen did a great job entertaining me and loving me up like there’s no tomorrow. Then…Kerplunk! I went into heat. Game over. Sun and fun, queen bee (me) had the fun rug yanked out from under me!!!
You ask, then what happened? Maureen took me to Oceanside to be in the kennels. I thought my life was a soap opera until I remembered – CCI kennels – FUSTERS! Play time, grooming, more play time…the good time kept on rolling. Oh, it’s good to be me!!
After more than three weeks, I was back home being treated like a conquering Queen. I was soooooo missed by Marilyn and Chris that it made me feel bubbly! With all the lavish love and attention I realized, “Hey, I’m Renata and life is good!”
Last Saturday, we went to Santa Barbara to visit friends. Don’t I look good in front of the jacaranda plant? I think so.
There’s big doings at my house lately. Something about a new Canine Companions puppy in program coming to live here. Her name is Kennedy. She can never replace me – the Los Angeles poster pup. Wonder what’s going on? I’ll let you all know after she lands and learns who’s boss around here. I may be sweet but I run this place. Tee-hee….just kidding!
Until next time…Au revoir,
Renata
Entry #18
Hi! As Sherlock Holmes would say “There’s something afoot.” Well, I want to say, “There’s four new feet around here.” I’m a little shaken with this new Canine Companions puppy in program, Kennedy, invading my spacious, sacred territory. And I smell something going on... Marilyn and Chris keep talking about August 12th. August 12th this and August 12th that…then they come over and hug and kiss me. I hear words like “graduation” and “Professional Training." I think it has to do with me going back to the Canine Companions campus and living in the kennels for Professional Training. I think I am smart and obedient enough to become a Service Dog BUT I need to learn about 25 more commands.
It’s been so great writing my ever so special blog this year and one half. I hope Linda Valliant, the Canine Companions Southwest Regional Executive Director, will keep up my monthly blog while I’m in Professional Training. So many people enjoy my musings and I would hate for you to miss me!
In case you are wondering, I think Marilyn and Chris are raising Kennedy because they will miss me too much! She’ll never be able to replace me, Renata, the Canine Companions Los Angeles poster pup.
My next blog will be in August when I’m packed up and on my way to Canine Companions for the rest of my training. Don’t let my beauty and sass fool you. I want to be an assistance dog more than anything else in the world!
Cheers for now!
Love and licks,
Renata
Canine Companions Los Angeles Poster Pup
Entry #19
For instance, in the collage you can see what I looked like for the first five weeks of my life. You can also see my mom and all of my brothers and sisters.
Here are my
A couple of days after I moved in with Marilyn and Chris, Marilyn decided to bring me to her office, and
I'm proud to report that I'm progressing in my training, as well. For instance, I know that my name is Renata. Every time Marilyn or Chris say it, I look at them to show that I'm listening. Another very important command that I'm learning is "Hurry!" Marilyn says that this command keeps her floors clean! I am also working on my sits and downs. I'll do just about anything for a little kibble!
Hi friends!
Guess what? In two and a half weeks I'm gonna be a MOM! My family and I are very excited! This is my first litter so I will get a lot of help with the pups from my new family. Even though I am losing my slim girlish figure, I can still wiggle (and wag my tail) in my usual goofy way.
Now that they are five weeks old, they are running around and playing - Wow! - they've grown so much! They eat puppy kibble now, and nurse just a little. It's been a lot of work taking care of them, but I'm so proud to be a Mom. Here are their names: Graton III, Gidget IV, Gretchen VI, Gina VI, Gretel II, Gracie VI, Geode, and Georgia VIII.