August 17, 2007

I made a new (very large) friend this week! Camden came to stay with us for a few days on his way to CCI College in Oceanside, Calif. I thought I'd try out my reporter skills again and interview him.

Parker: Wow, you're really big! I weigh almost 50 pounds, but I feel like a Chihuahua next to you.

Camden: Yeah, I'm told I'm the spittin' image of my handsome Dad, Baumann, including his giant blocky head. I am a full Lab, and I weigh about 85 pounds. I don't know why that means I can't be a good lap dog, though. I love hugs.

Parker: Marianne didn't seem to mind when you climbed into her lap so she could hug you. I'm a little jealous of all the attention you got this week.

Camden: Don't worry, I'm sure everyone still loves you! Sheesh.

Parker: Marianne says your puppy raising experience is different than mine. What's she talking about?

Camden: I was raised by some inmates at a prison called Kit Carson Correctional Center in Burlington, Colo., along with 7 other pups. 6 pups are still there, and my buddy Duvall is going to CCI College with me on Saturday. Maybe we'll be roommates!

Parker: Wow! What was KCCC like? How did they decide who would raise you?

Camden: Because CCI pups are so special, it's a really competitive program to get into. The inmates have to live in the Honors Pod and pass a rigorous screening process. We lived in the cells with our raisers, slept in a crate at night (just like you do), and went to different places in the prison during the day.

Parker: Huh, that's interesting. But why raise puppies in a prison?

Camden: Why not? Just like other puppy raisers, the inmates want to do something good for someone else. This is a way they can give something back to society. And we got great care, lots of love, and really good training.

Parker: What about lots of toys and playtime? Was it all work and no play? I'd really miss those things!

Camden: Well, of course we had toys and playtime, you silly goof! We're puppies, after all. We played with our raisers and the pups had playtime together every day. Although (small cough) I'm embarrased to admit that I'm not allowed soft toys because I have a terrible habit of tearing them to pieces. I just can't seem to stop myself from ripping the stuffing out of them. But I love tennis balls, Kongs, and Nylabones!

Parker: Ah, I wondered why Marianne put all of our soft toys away this week! I guess we'll have to play fetch with Nylabones while you're here. Speaking of fetch, did you have puppy class twice a month like I do?

Camden: Yup, we had classes like yours, but our CCI contract trainer came out only once a month to work with us and our raisers. However, we had a class EVERY DAY with our puppy raisers! That's why I know my commands so well. *YAWN* College is going to be a snap for Duvall and me.

Parker: I heard that a lot of the pups before you graduated, true?

Camden: Yes, the first group of 7 pups had 5 graduates, which is EXCELLENT. Our puppy raisers were so proud of them! Duvall and I are going to try to follow in their pawprints.

Parker: I heard Marianne say you might follow another career path, like your Dad. What's she mean by that?

Camden: Oh, that. Um, Well, I'm extra-special because I might get chosen for the CCI breeder program. I'm not completely sure what that means, something about living with a volunteer CCI Breeder Caretaker near Santa Rosa, Calif. and going to the NW CCI campus dates with the breeder girls. It sounds like fun, but I'll have to wait and see if I pass the health and temperment tests.

Parker: Hey, Baumann was Hudson's dad too, so you're half-brothers! Marianne says only the best of the best get picked for the breeding program. If you're chosen, maybe Marianne will get to raise a Camden puppy someday!

Camden: Wow, that would be cool! Maybe the inmates would get one of my puppies to raise, too.

Parker: I get to go lots of places with Marianne. What about you? Did you get to go places besides the prison? You seem really confident!

Camden: Yes, the prison staff took us out to restaurants, shopping, errands, and stuff like that. And sometimes we went home with them on overnights. It was fun!

Parker: The Denver puppy raisers say it takes a village to raise a puppy, so I guess everyone at the prison was your village, just like everyone at 7News is part of my village. Say, speaking of fun, you went to Vail with Marianne and some other puppy raisers. What was that all about?

Camden: Oh, it was WONDERFUL. But we're out of time, so you'll have to save that for next week's DogBlog.

Chow for now!

Parker and Camden

Questions or comments for Parker? Send them to call7forhelp@thedenverchannel.com.

Would you like more information about Canine Companions for Independence, or perhaps be a puppy raiser? Call 1-800-572-BARK or go to www.cci.org for details.