October 25, 2007

As the fires rage in Southern Calif. I know many of you are wondering if my fellow CCI dogs (including Hudson!) at Advanced Training in Oceanside are OK. Everyone (including the staff) is fine! WHEW!

Marianne (and other puppy raisers) have been receiving frequent updates from our puppy program manager. The staff has a detailed evacuation plan in place, but so far has not needed to use it. The staff even included Bob, the resident cat, and Zeek and Stu, the resident bunnies, in the plan. (Oh, in case you were wondering, Bob, Stu and Zeek are actually part of the training staff.)

Some of the trainers and kennel staff have been staying on campus around the clock, just in case evacuation becomes necessary. Fortunately, there's a full kitchen and dorm rooms, so they are very comfy. I don't THINK the dogs are sleeping in the dorm rooms on the beds, but I don't know that for sure. Desperate times, desperate measures, and all that. *Snicker*

The humans are wearing masks when they are outside because the smoke is so thick. The dogs are all inside in the training rooms, having play time in addition to regular training. After all, Team Training starts on Nov. 5th, which is not very far away. Hudson said he'll write more about that as it gets closer.

Marianne asked me to tell you that if you need information about the fires, go to www.calfires.com. For information about evacuees, call 1-800-REDCROSS or go to www.disastersafe.redcross.org.

Also, we will have Red Cross volunteers at the station today from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to answer any questions you might have about the fires. Call 303-832-2557 to speak to one of them.

Chow for now!

Parker

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.