Feb. 28, 2008

I keep thinking about what I might end up doing after I go to CCI College in August, so Marianne suggested I talk to some of the graduate CCI dogs about their jobs. That sounded like a good idea, so I started with Hawk, a CCI service dog who lives in California.

PARKER: Where were you raised?

HAWK: I was raised in Texas with a pawsome Puppy Raiser for CCI named Barbara. I was her Hawkweiller (she called me that since her other dogs were Rottweillers and I have a head like a Rottweiller!)

PARKER: "PAWSOME" -- that's really funny! Um, yeah dude.....your head really is big! Who are your parents?

HAWK: My daddy is Bobby - a very popular breeder for CCI. My momma is Judith.

PARKER: Hey, we're related! Marianne says Bobby is a gorgeous black Lab with a very large head, and that he's my great-grandfather on my mother's side. How cool is that? When did you graduate with David? Did you know he was “the one?”

HAWK: I graduated from CCI with David in Febuary of 2004 -- we're celebrating our four-year anniversary this month! I knew he was "the one" for me when I first met him, but he didn't know it until after the first week when I finally got to spend a night with him. I made it so he could sleep all night long by cuddling with him on the bed! Shhhh...don't tell the trainers. We pups weren't supposed to spend that first night on the bed but David REALLY needed a full night's sleep, so I got him all comfortable and gave him his first night of sleep in many years! The next morning he was a new person and then he knew I was the one. He saw everything I'd been doing all week for him to make his training so easy for him. I still get to sleep with him to this day. I even pull back the covers for him at night when he says it is bedtime!

PARKER: Wow, that's amazing! Marianne says if I'm really lucky I might get to sleep on the bed when I graduate. What kinds of things do you do for David when you’re working?

HAWK: He's taught me all sorts of ways to help him. Of course, I'm so smart and eager to work that I learn it all really quick. He says I know at least 150 ways to help him but shhhhh...I know more than he realizes! I help him getting dressed and undressed. I help him dry his back after baths by pulling on the towel. I help him with doors, lights, picking up things he drops (he's ALWAYS dropping things!) I get the phone, hold the refrigerator door, help him with the dishwasher, his laundry. Sometimes, when he's really tired and sore I pull him around in his wheelchair too. I also take things to the different people in our building at work so he doesn't have to push himself so much during the day. I love to work, and he keeps me really busy most days which is so much fun!

PARKER: *GULP* I'm not sure I can learn to do all of those things. YOWSER. You're the Superman of CCI dogs! What’s your favorite off-duty activity?

HAWK: SLEEPING!!!

PARKER: Oh, yeah, me too!

HAWK: I love to sleep, but I love it even more when I can cuddle with David on the sofa while I sleep. He lets me have my own part of the sectional right next to him so I can cuddle with him and he can rub my belly or my ears for me. I also love to go out and play ball with him or go swimming.

PARKER: Marianne says maybe she'll take me swimming this summer. I love water! Do you have any dog pals that you hang out with?

HAWK: I love hanging out with other CCI dogs. We tried going to some dog parks to meet new friends but most of them were just mean and didn't want to play. David got me a pet cat though -- she's really cool! She lets me cuddle with her, and we play hide and seek. We also lie on the floor and bat balls around. Sometimes one of David's co-workers brings his guide dog to work and I get to play with him on breaks.

PARKER: Everyone thinks dogs and cats don't get along, but that's just silly. I have two cats at home that I hang out with. Hey, I hear you actually LIKE having your teeth brushed – really?!? How about having your nails trimmed and your ears cleaned? I hate all of it.

HAWK: I LOVE having my teeth brushed! David uses a chicken-flavored toothpaste and lets me put my paws up on the sink counter so I can watch him in the mirror and make sure he gets all my teeth! I also love having my ears cleaned out -- it feels SO good and then they don't itch and I don't get a headache shaking my head so much trying to get rid of the itch. I don't really like getting my nails trimmed but I let them do it because I know afterward I'll get a good treat if I behave and get it done and over with. I also love getting brushed -- oh, it feels so dog-gone good, especially after a good bath! David has a bathtub especially for me in my own bathroom and he always gets the water just the right temperature. I'm so nice and shiny when he's done with me, and I get LOTS of attention then!

PARKER: Hmmmm, I can see that Marianne is going to use you as an example the next time she nabs me for grooming. You're a tough act to follow. What’s your favorite toy or treat?

HAWK: My favorite toy is a tennis ball! I love squeaky toys too, but only until I kill the squeaky thing in them -- then they're boring. Tennis balls are so fun, especially the squeaky ones made by Kong! I also love Charlie Bears treats. David says since they're lowfat I can have more of them, which suits me just fine. He even has a treat machine for me so I can get my own treats after I do a good job. I can only get them when David says it's OK, but he lets me get them a lot.

PARKER: It sounds like you and David have an amazing partnership and lots of fun!

HAWK: I have the best job in the world. I get to go out with David every day and go to so many different places. And both CCI and David treat me so well. CCI put me with a human who loves me and makes sure I'm spoiled! He also makes sure I get to do lots of work, and he's always willing to teach me new things, which is fun because he uses a thing called a clicker and Charlie Bears to teach me a new task. I feel like the luckiest dog in the world.

PARKER: Hey Hawk, thanks for answering all my questions. Graduation sounds better and better to me, even if it means putting up with getting my teeth brushed. If I graduate, will you come to the graduation ceremony? I'd like that a lot.

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.