November 20, 2007

Marianne says she has her own version of that MasterCard ad:

Dog food: $250

Dog toys, treats, and accessories: $300

Vet bills: $700

Travel expenses for the weekend in Oceanside: $1000

Watching Hudson graduate: PRICELESS

What a weekend!

And I say that not just because I got to fly on an airplane, play practically nonstop with my CCI friends Zili and Tommy (except when the humans told us to "Knock it off!"), stay in a hotel for the first time, and attend a CCI graduation, but because I finally understand what my puppy training is leading up to.

Granted, I still don't understand the whole "happy tears" bit (and there were lots of those this weekend), but holy hound dog, now I can't wait to go to college in Oceanside.

First of all, the CCI trainers are so cool! They all told Marianne that Hudson was the best dog EVER, that they loved him BEST, and he made the best match EVER! (I heard a rumor that they said the same thing to all the other grads about their dogs, but I'm sure in Hudson's case it was true.)

Second, Hudson looked magnificent in the real working dog blue cape. He kept bragging, "Look, I'm in a REAL cape! I'm GRADUATING today! Aren't I wonderful? Isn't Hilary great?" I can't wait to ditch this stupid yellow "puppy in training" cape. It's so immature and babyish. Ick.

Third, Hilary, Hudson's partner, is beautiful and funny and smart and boy is he going to have fun with her. Her Mom and sister were there too, and they also said Hudson was the best dog EVER. I think they meant it.

I'm a little jealous, I have to say. Hilary and her family live in Texas, and raise and show Quarter Horses. Besides horses, they told us that they have dogs, geese, chickens, and two camels, whatever they are. I don't know why, but Marianne seemed to find that quite amusing, especially when Hilary said she would send a picture of Hudson riding on the howda (don't ask me how I know that word) on the camel.

I guess I'll have to wait to see the picture before I understand why that's so funny.

Marianne said her three favorite parts of the day were meeting Hilary and her family and getting to know them a little bit, handing the leash to Hilary during the ceremony, and watching Hudson and Hilary working together afterwards.

The two parts I liked best were the video of the graduates talking about Team Training, because Hilary made everybody laugh when she talked about working with Hudson, and watching Marianne and John hand Hudson's leash to Hilary on the stage. Even I could see the joy in that moment.

Afterwards, Marianne whispered to me, "I want to do this again, Parker!" I guess she means with me, huh? Let's see, if I go to CCI College as scheduled in August, 2008, then I could graduate in February 2009. Dog, that's a long time from now. I guess I still have a lot to learn!

"Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match.

Find me a find, catch me a catch.

Matchmaker, matchmaker, look through your book

And make me a perfect match."

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.