Nitro's day at work

Today was super fun! My morning started out just like normal. I got up, went potty, ate breakfast, and went potty again. But then, instead of going to "place" or hanging out with Amanda and Sarah, Mrs. Gonzalez grabbed my bag and led me to her car! I went to her job, and stayed the WHOLE DAY!!!

Mrs. Gonzalez bought me a nice fuzzy bed and put it under her desk. I liked the way it felt. So soft and cozy. She told me to stay there and be quiet, and I listened because I like to make her happy.

After a couple of hours of work, a lady came into Mrs. Gonzalez's office. She sat on the other side of the desk. I was very, very quiet, because I know I'm supposed to be invisible at work. The lady sat down and started talking about boring retirement stuff. I stayed still like a good doggie. But then I started thinking that Mrs. Gonzalez has a really good sense of humor, and this would be a perfect opportunity to play a joke on her. - I let one go, a nice big, silent fart. Oh yeah, not only did that feel really good, but it smelled AWESOME! Mrs. Gonzalez kept talking to the lady, but I know they both smelled it, and... ha ha... that lady probably thinks Mrs. Gonzalez needs to lay off the Mexican food!

After Mrs. Gonzalez finished chuckling (see, she didn't even get mad at me), we went out for a potty break and took a nice little walk around the parking lot together.

At lunch we walked again, and then Mrs. Gonzalez got my puzzle game out (which kinda made me feel bad that she got blamed for my stink bomb) and we played together. She wore me out good, and I slept most of the afternoon away under her desk.

I think I like her work, and I want to go again. I bet next time she brings some room deodorizer with her...

Nitro

Hi. My name is Nitro. I've been with the Gonzalez family for three weeks now. The peoples decided that I will probably make a better diabetes alert dog than my brother, Kismet, so I'm living with the Gonzalez family. They're really nice. They love me a lot. I have learned a lot since I've been here, even though I learned a lot when I was with my mama and Joanne too.

Since I've been with the Gonzalez family, I've worked a lot on sit, down, and wait. I have also learned to paw (high), and I'm working on performing a bow.

I get to go lots of fun places. I've been to Sarah's theater classes, out for pizza (no, I didn't jump up on the table and eat it, even though it smelled good), to the Spaghetti Factory, and to several stores including Walmart and Target (the peoples tried and failed to find me a kiddie pool to play in), and most recently, a grocery store. I didn't pee or poo in any of them, which made the peoples very happy and relieved.

It hasn't been all perfect here, I've had a bout of tummy issues. Mrs. Gonzalez has done a lot of special cooking for me. I really like the way she makes chicken and rice because she cooks it up with chicken broth until it's extreme yumminess! I started a new food a few days ago, and since then I've felt better. Mrs. Gonzalez thinks I have a dairy allergy because I had a small piece of cheese yesterday, and kept her up all night because I had to poop every couple of hours.

My very favorite thing in the WHOLE WORLD right now is my puzzle! It's the funnest thing EVER, and Mrs. Gonzalez hides yummy treats and the treat part always smells a little bit like Sarah when she doesn't feel good.

Today Mrs. Gonzalez is REALLY happy with me, because I've been finding the smell of low blood sugars in my puzzle, without the treats!

Here's the video evidence! Nitro finds the low blood sugar sample

Special guest post

Hi. You were expecting Kismet weren't you. Well, he's hanging out with our mom, Sylvia, and Joanne. I'm his big brother. Well, we're actually the same age but based on Mrs. Gonzalez's surprised grunt when she lifted me, I'm bigger. Unlike Kismet, who is a bit of a spazkadoggie (I'm allowed to say that, as his big brother), I am secure in my doggieness. I roll my eyes at craziness. I am a happy dog, and I love to please my people. I'm still very young, but I listen pretty well.

Today it was my turn to spend some quality time with the Gonzalez family. What? You thought Kismet was going to get all the fun? Kismet's a good guy and all, but that dude needs some work on finding his zen place.

I know exactly how to find my zen place, and the smell of low blood sugar makes me CRAZY happy, so the peoples decided that I get to be a diabetes alert dog too! Then the peoples had another idea. What if Kismet and I shared both Joanne and the Gonzalez family? Joanne is an expert at training dogs, and the Gonzalez family are experts at loving dogs and taking them out on fun socializations. So the new plan is that we will each spend time in both places. I'm excited, because I haven't gotten out much yet. Now I'm going to get to wear a beautiful red vest and go shopping, and walking, and to the bank, and to the costume shop, and to Sarah's classes and all kinds of fun things!

So I am now at the Gonzalez house and Kismet is taking my place at Joannes. So far it's been fun. I got to meet their dog Belle. She looked a little confused when she met me, it was like she expected me to jump all over her or something. But I really just wanted to sniff her butt.

I went outside in their backyard, and it was cool. There are lots of plants and I was good and didn't eat any of them. Mrs. Gonzalez tried to take my picture, but I had a hard time sitting still (it was a new place, so she forgave me).

The only problem was, Mrs. Gonzalez wanted me to pee... on a leash! Can you believe that? I mean seriously, who does that? What about privacy? So I held it in. I think I might hold it forever, but I'm not really sure how long that plan is going to last.

Still, I think I'm gonna like it here.

The day I failed the Chipotle test...

No one at the Gonzalez house felt like cooking, so I was the only one to eat a homecooked meal. I ate every bite of my chicken and rice, and then I licked the bowl, and then I licked the bowl, and then I licked the bowl... you get the idea. My people decided to have dinner at Chipotle. I've been there with them twice before, and I did a good job of sitting on my mat and being good. And then...there was today.

It all started when we got out of the SUV and Mrs. Gonzalez commented on the wind... and they decided to have dinner inside. So far they've only taken me to outdoor Chipotles. We went inside and they found a table and put my mat down. I tried to stay on the mat, I REALLY did! But my nose kept pulling me away! SOOOOO MAAAANNNNNNYYYYYY SMELLS! And little bits of stuff on the floor, like chips, bits of rice, and straw wrappers! AAAGGGGGG!!!!!!!! And my little brain just couldn't manage to work well enough to tell my body to sit still!

So I wiggled, and Mrs. Gonzalez pulled me back onto the mat and told me to sit.

I sat.

Then I wobbled, and Mrs. Gonzalez pulled me back onto the mat and told me to sit.


I sat


I whined AND wiggled, and Mrs. Gonzalez pulled me back onto the mat and told me to sit.


I sat... 


And then I barked. Oops.


I was swooped up and outside in the grass before you can say whaddidIdo? And that was the end of my experience at Chipotle. I'm pretty sure I won't be going back there for awhile.

A world paved with ice cream…

Yesterday was extra fun! In the morning Mrs. Gonzalez spent some time setting boundaries with me. She put me in my place – literally. Crystal from Canine Hope for Diabetics sent me a present, a nice, elevated place for me to learn how to be attentive and watch people. This will help me learn to pay attention to people so that I’m always on the job sniffing for funky blood sugars. Anyway, Mrs. Gonzalez put me on the mat and told me “place”. I liked it, but then I wanted to leave, so I started to jump off. She put me back on and told me, “Kismet, place”. I thought it was important to make sure she knew I really wasn’t interested in sitting there anymore, so I told her so by snapping my widdle jaws at her. I don’t think she appreciated that, because she picked me up by my scruff, which is how my mama told me when she wasn’t happy with me, and put me back in “place”. I decided it wasn’t such a bad place after all, and stayed there for a few minutes, until she told me “Ok”, and then I knew I could get down.

Then we got in the big giant moving thing they call a Suburban. They made a special place just for me, and Mrs. Gonzalez sat right next to me and kept me from wandering. I decided it was a good time to take a little nap.

When we stopped, we were at a place where people play miniature golf. I got to meet Sarah’s cousins, and aunt and uncle. Once of her cousins isn’t that much bigger than me! I didn’t even know they made Kismet sized peoples! I got to sit in the shade with Mrs. Gonzalez and her parents (I want to know why Mrs. Gonzalez’ mother never picks HER up by the scruff. I was kinda hoping I’d get to see that!). A lot of kids and parents came over and told me I was really cute, and Mrs. Gonzalez had me sit still and let different people pet me. I liked the attention, but I already know I need to stay still when people are petting me.

After my Sarah played miniature golf, we got back in the Suburban and drove some more. We stopped at the BEST PLACE EVER! It was a place where the ground was paved in Ice Cream! It smelled soooooooooooooooo good! Unfortunately, Mrs. Gonzalez held me while we were outside, saying she didn’t want me to lick the ground. SO not fair!

They took me around to a bench where the ground wasn’t paved in ice cream, and I ate my dog food. It was good, but I still wanted to try ice cream. Then we all went inside to an ice cream parlor, and I had to stay on my yoga mat while all the people ate hamburgers and ice cream. 

They didn’t even share, but I’m used to that and it’s okay. I was able to sit and lay down very still while they ate until they were almost done, and then I got ants in my pants and couldn’t sit still anymore. I found out why when Mrs. Gonzalez took me outside to the grass – sometimes when ya gotta go, ya really gotta go! I felt a lot better, and took a nap on the way home, snuggling with Mrs. Gonzalez the whole way.

I loves my family. They’re really nice and snuggly and they feed me and they play with me and they throw the ball and they feed me and they give me toys and they love me and they feed me.

I think I like being Kismet.

Muhhahahahaha....

I'm growing and thriving, okay and maybe driving everyone a little crazy now and again. A couple of times Amanda has affectionately(?) referred to me as hell-spawn Kismet. Oops. Okay, so I know I can be a bit of a handful, but I really do love my family.

These last few days have been a little bit challenging. I'm learning the rules of my house, in my own puppy way, but sometimes it's difficult because the rules aren't quite the same with each person. I hear them conspiring to change this. It will make it easier when I learn the rules are the same with everyone. I know I really shouldn't bite toes or rip jeans, but - hello - puppy here!

Mrs. Gonzalez and Amanda have me on a leash most of the time these days, and that helps me not be so tempted by trouble (I REALLY want to eat that pillow on the couch... PLEASEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!)

I'm getting better at taking my potty outside, but I still make mistakes on occasion. Sometimes I just can't hold it! Don't you remember being a toddler and how hard that was?

Last night Mrs. Gonzalez weighed me, and I'm 21 lbs.

Things I really love:

My yoga mat - It's just comfy! And it's mine!
Pumpkin - It's delicious!
Pouncing on my ball
Hugs and kisses
Sit and Come - because sometimes I get a treat!
Low parties - I'm not quite sure why they throw these parties on occasion, but I'm not complainin'!
Insulin pump tubing - One of these days that sneaky little tube will be MINE!!!! Muhhahahahaha....

Things I don't like:

Baths - Come on, I'm not THAT dirty!
Sidewalks - It's scary!
The GATE - cause I really want to pounce on that other dog
Waiting for breakfast - Hurry up already!
The kitchen garbage - Haven't you ever been afraid of those evil white cans?

Today I'm going on my longest car ride yet! I'm pretty excited, except this time Mrs. Gonzalez is sitting in back with me, so that means I have to behave.We'll see!!!

Kismet, Hurry!

Twice today Mrs. Gonzalez thought she could trip me up by telling me to "hurry" before I started going potty instead of when I actually start going. I like to impress her (and my puppy antics have lost her some hair so I'm trying to make up) so when she told me to hurry, I listened and went potty. She was very happy with me.

I'm still a bit of a handful at times. Playful biting and barking are part of being a puppy after all! But it's hard to be well behaved all the time. I'm trying though... I really am!

Bye bye crazy Kismet...

Big puppy sigh... I've been betrayed. Yesterday Mrs. Gonzalez, Amanda, and my friend Karen took me back to Lodi, to Joanne, to get my puppy shots. It was awesome because I got to see my mama! My mama was very happy to see me and played with me for a long time while the peoples stood around gabbing. I don't really get peoples. It's way more fun to run and jump and nip and growl than just stand there with your mouth moving. But whatever, I digress.

After I got my shot, I REALLY wanted to get back to playing with my mama. Joanne was holding me, so I let her know I wanted to go play by growling and nipping at her. The Gonzalez family calls this the crazy Kismet. Joanne was a little surprised at how determined and stubborn I can be! (Hello, puppy here!)

She did the unthinkable... she showed the Gonzalez family how to banish crazy Kismet. It's a crime I tell ya!

So today, when I tried to get to the older dog, Belle, and Mrs. Gonzalez would't let me, I started to thrash and growl in my most aggressive tone. And, horror! She did exactly what Joanne told her to! She knelt down and grabbed my face, holding the sides and my mouth closed firmly, and told me "No!" in that tone she uses when she means business. When she did that, I realized that my crazy Kismet makes her sad, and I stopped growling and thrashing. I really just want to make my family happy. Really, I do! So I stopped, and then when she let go and grabbed the leash, I walked nicely with her back to my side of the house and let her put up the gate.

I guess I can give crazy Kismet a rest. He didn't really make me happy either because I'm a nice puppy and I prefer to lick and love than growl and bite.

Good low Kismet!!!

I think my family is very happy with me. Today they brought out a new toy, they called it a scent sample. It was a clear plastic thingy with holes in the top so I can smell the inside. The inside kind of smelled like Sarah when she gives me a party!

Mrs. Gonzalez called me over and I took a good, long whiff. Then she gave me a party! She praised me and I got to munch on some yummy Parmesan cheese!

But they weren't done. They thought they'd try to outsmart Kismet. If only. I'm smarter than the average bear, don't they know? They made an identical clear plastic thingy, and offered me both. I knew right away that one was very boring, and the other meant another PARTY!!!

Click here to see my Low Party!

Smart puppy...

Last night Mrs. Gonzalez weighed me, and I'm 20 pounds - so that means I gained three pounds since they brought me to their house! If I keep this up, in six months I'm going to weigh 200lbs! I guess it's a good thing that my growth will slow down before THAT happens!

Yesterday I spent most of my day with just Amanda. I like her because she's quiet and loves to play games with me. Sarah and Mrs. and Mr. Gonzalez left early in the morning to take Sarah to diabetes camp for three days. I miss her already!

Mrs. Gonzalez says I'm really smart. I don't know. I mean, they have told me lots of times that when I put my butt on the floor that means "sit", and when I walk across the room to them it means "come", and when I pee or poo I should "hurry". It doesn't really take a genius - but I let them make a big deal about it because sometimes they give me yummy treats!

I don't cry in my crate anymore. I get to sleep in the room with Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez, so I feel safe with them. Sometimes I like to scratch the bottom of the crate just to see what's beneath it, but so far I haven't been able to dig very far.

I'm a little concerned right now because I keep hearing this new word... "bath" and I'm not sure what it means, but apparently it has something to do with the fact that I've peed on my feet a few times this week. Don't look at me like that! When you're really short and four legged, and you pee at an angle, it's bound to happen once in awhile!

Party!!!

They play with me. They love me. And sometimes, I get a PARTY!

Like any social pooch, I love a good party. My party starts out with Sarah sitting me down and asking me to watch her. She does this a lot. Most of the time I watch, and nothing happens. I think maybe she's broken or something. But once in a while, something miraculous occurs!

Today, Sarah set me down to watch her. She pulled out a funny black case. I kind of wanted to see how it tasted, but she kept it out of my reach. She used a cool little plastic toy to make a hole in her finger (I'm glad she doesn't poke holes in me!). Then she got out this little itty bitty vacuum cleaner and it sucked the blood right out. When the vacuum beeped...

Her eyes widened!
She smiled huge!
She exclaimed "Good low Kismet!" and blew gently on my face. It was nice and smelled really good.
Then she gave me...

CHEESE!!!

I love a good Party!!!

A busy day...

I'm 8 weeks old today!

Today I had a lot of fun. Sarah's friend Karen came over and I got to listen to them sing, and then they played with me and loved me a lot. I like Karen, she wears pants that are fun to bite and try to tear apart. Wasn't that nice of her to think of me when she was dressing?

In the evening, we piled into the car and drove. We landed at a grocery store! I wasn't real sure about this outing, as I'm not totally potty trained, but apparently Mrs. Gonzalez forgot to bring something called a blood sugar meter with her, and since they were going to have dinner, we had to stop and buy a new one. Mrs. Gonzalez carried me, and only put me down for a minute. The pharmacist thought I was cute, so I stayed on my best behavior.

After the pharmacy, we went to a place called Chipotle. We sat outside. There were little birds flitting around everywhere, but I didn't really care because the ground smelled SO GOOD!!! But after Mrs. Gonzalez insisted I stay on my mat while they ate, I figured I better listen.

 After Chipotle, we went to Sarah's grandma's church, where I sat very quietly while Sarah sang a solo with a whole choir behind her. They made some very beautiful music. I love to hear Sarah sing. It helps me stay calm. Of course I got some attention from the choir members who all seemed very interested in learning about how my little black nose is learning to smell changes in blood sugar.

Last, we went to Mel's diner for a quick bite to eat after choir practice. I did try to lick the floor a few times, but can you blame me? I mean, don't you try to lick restaurant floors? There's all KINDS of good stuff down there.

We finally came home and I had my last chance to pee for the day. I did a "good hurry" and Mrs. Gonzalez was happy with me, so I was happy. Good night.

A tail of mimes and shoelaces...

6/5/12 - Today I went to my first meeting with the guide dogs. It was weird. The dogs were all like living statues. I kept trying to bark at them, but they just looked at me like I was from another planet or something!  Sarah and Mrs. Gonzalez held me back firmly as I did my best impression of an eel, squirming and trying to burrow under their firm arms, so I could check out these odd canines. I never did get free, so I was a little disappointed. The dogs weren't statues, because when the meeting was over they walked out the door, but I think they must be mimes because there were like 10 dogs and they were all completely silent.

Now that I've gotten comfortable with my family, I'm ready to start acting like the crazy puppy I really am. If you're wearing tennis shoes, those laces are mine. If you want to go right, I'm thinking left is more fun. And if you take your eyes off me for 0.5 seconds, I will leave you a special gift. I'm really glad my family is so patient. Unfortunately, I think they're on to me. I heard a lot of discussions today about being firm and showing me who's boss. Gulp.

From the beginning...

Hi! My name is Kismet!

I was born on April 15, 2012. I have five brothers, and two sisters. I didn't realize it until yesterday (June 1, 2012) but I was destined to have a very special job when I grow up! I get to be a diabetes alert service dog! I'm pretty excited. My sister, Karma, gets to be a diabetes alert service dog too. I'm so proud of her.

Karma (top) and Kismet (bottom)

On June 1st, I met the family who is going to take care of me for the next couple of months while I grow from a small puppy into a big puppy. Their job is to love me, and let me be a happy puppy - while teaching me structure, and helping introduce me to the delicious scent of low blood sugars (yum!). Here are some of the fun things I experienced and learned while I was in their care....

*****************************************

6/5/12 - Today I went to my first meeting with the guide dogs. It was weird. The dogs were all like living statues. I kept trying to bark at them, but they just looked at me like I was from another planet or something!  Sarah and Mrs. Gonzalez held me back firmly as I did my best impression of an eel, squirming and trying to burrow under their firm arms, so I could check out these odd canines. I never did get free, so I was a little disappointed. The dogs weren't statues, because when the meeting was over they walked out the door, but I think they must be mimes because there were like 10 dogs and they were all completely silent.

Now that I've gotten comfortable with my family, I'm ready to start acting like the crazy puppy I really am. If you're wearing tennis shoes, those laces are mine. If you want to go right, I'm thinking left is more fun. And if you take your eyes off me for 0.5 seconds, I will leave you a special gift. I'm really glad my family is so patient. Unfortunately, I think they're on to me. I heard a lot of discussions today about being firm and showing me who's boss. Gulp.

6/3/2012 - Today I'm learning about boundaries. I don't really understand why EVERYTHING isn't a toy. I mean, it's really fun to chew on table legs and bite toes. And really, why would you leave them around like that if you don't want me to play with them? Mrs. Gonzalez is drinking a lot of coffee today. I knew she was going to want coffee today, so I made sure to wake her up every two hours last night - cause I'm a good puppy and I care.

My evening was totally awesome. My family was busy talking about their day, and I found a new activity. First I peed on the tile floor and made a really nice puddle, and then I splashed and pounced in it! It splashed all over. My family didn't really seem to appreciate the total awesomeness of my new game though, so I think maybe I'll go back to peeing outside instead.

6/2/2012 - On my second day I spent most of the day at the Gonzalez home. I REALLY wanted to play with their older dog, Belle, but my family kept us separated by a gate and told me I wasn't allowed to bark at her. We went to Musical Mayhem Productions again for a theater orientation. They told me I'd be spending a lot of time there this summer, but that's okay because everyone there thinks I'm really cute. In the afternoon, Mrs. Gonzalez left for awhile, and when she came back it was like Christmas time! She brought me toys to chew, a pretty blue bowl that folds up, and lots of bags to put my poo poo in (I like to make poo poo for her). At dinner time the family sat down to eat chicken and artichokes, which smelled really good. They told me I had to be quiet and lay down under the table. I did it without complaining because these are my people, and I can tell they love me. I did pee once in the house, but I peed outside about 5 times, and pooped outside twice - so for my first full day I think I did pretty well.

I love to snuggle

6/1/2012 - On my first day with the Gonzalez family, I got to go meet lots of people at an open house for Musical Mayhem Productions. The kids there thought I was really cute. At night Mrs. Gonzalez told me I had to sleep in a crate. I wasn't too excited about that because I was used to sleeping with my brothers and sisters in a nice warm clump, but she sat by my crate and petted me until I was comfortable enough to go to sleep. Of course, I'm a puppy, so I don't sleep for long and I woke her up a few times.

I just got my name! 

I wonder what tomorrow will bring?