DENVER -- April 19, 2008

With many apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan:

Three little pups in school are we

Smart as a CCI puppy can be

Filled to the brim with doggy glee

Three little pups from school!

Everything is a source of joy

Nothing's safe from becoming our toy

Puppy raisers are for us to annoy

Three little pups from school!

One of the fun things that CCI puppy raisers do is make presentations to different groups like Kiwanis, Elks, Girl and Boy Scouts, and schools. And of course we go along as Exhibit P (puppy).

Tommy, Zili and I got to tag along this week when Vanessa, Jennifer and Marianne gave presentations to students at John F. Kennedy High School. It was the third annual "Career Day" at the school, so they invited lots of people to spend the day talking about their careers. Some presenters even handed out free stuff or gave demonstrations. One fellow came in with newly shorn hair and told us he'd received a free haircut. Someone else stopped in on his way to try out a climbing wall. Tommy and I wanted to go with him, but Marianne nixed that idea.

Spoilsport.

Not to brag or anything, but I think that Tommy, Zili and I might have been the most popular visitors on campus. I kept count and Tommy and I each received 2,614 hugs, pats, kisses and tummy rubs. Zili was a little late so she only received 2,612 hugs, pats, kisses and tummy rubs.

The puppy raisers talked to the students about CCI's volunteer puppy raising program, which means they don't get paid anything to raise us. In point of fact, Marianne says her paychecks should be sent directly to the veterinarian and PetsMart. Ha ha ha. *eye roll*

The puppy raisers also answered questions about CCI's professional trainers and explained how the kids could pursue that as a career path. Really, what would be the downside of working with fabulous dogs like us all day? I can't imagine a better career. Of course, you have to accept dog hair as an accessory and a condiment, but that's a minor consideration in the scheme of things.

The puppy raisers made us show off some of our commands and I think the students were suitably impressed. We wanted to make a good impression so we did our best to pay attention, though we all kind of lost it when we realized Jennifer had cookies in her pocket. "Will work for treats!" is our motto, after all. After the initial excitement we settled down and did a pretty fair job of behaving ourselves. We won't talk about Tommy and the ABC gum he found under a desk that Marianne had to take away from him. *ahem*

It was a most excellent day, but we were exhausted when we got home. I don't know how real teachers do it every day. I hope they get lots of hugs and cookies.

Chow for now!

Parker

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

Questions or comments for Parker? Send them to Call7ForHelp@TheDenverChannel.com.