Pirate (Selah’s Terror of the Seas, CGC, Cert. SD) has just turned two on September 5. He passed a Modified Public Access Test with Task Testing (M-PAT-TT) this Thursday. He showed off his pretty awesome work ethic and his good behavior on the job. I was really pleased with how he handled himself in such unfamiliar territory! Good boy Pi! Evaluation (or certificaiton) is not necessary in the United States, but like to do it, just for my own peace of mind.
A week ago today, he had his hips x-rayed and sent to the OFA. We should have the OFA’s verdict on the hips in a couple of weeks, but our vet thought they looked nice and tight. (The same vet took my other aussie’s OFA films, saying they looked great, and she came back OFA Excellent.) He got a clean bill of health from the vet, too.
Today, Pirate went in to see Dr. Olivero, a local veterinary ophthalmologist, and got his eyes certified clear of problems of any kind. We fired off the results to CERF by mail.
So - Pi and I are good to go. It’s been a road that has been full of ups and downs, but I’m hoping he has a good career as a service dog. We make a great team, and I appreciate the things he does for me every day. He’s a bit of a nut, but he’s a good worker. Wouldn’t trade him in just yet.
Celebrate with us! YAY!
Elly & Pirate (yarr)
n’ the other hounds too: Valen, retired; Zap, dropout but awesome therapy dog; Spanky, the rug.
Oh, but Nick is SUCH a sweetheart. I remember grooming him - he was SUCH a nice dog. He takes his job as “doorstop” and “garbage disposal” VERY seriously.
Congratulations! How does it work? Do you get to keep him, or does he go off with someone?
We got lucky - our last guide dog puppy made it as a breeder, so she stays with us except when she gets bred and has her pups. (One litter of 8 so far.) Not a bad job for a dog, huh?
Thanks for all the well wishes. Pi will indeed get to stay with me and work for the rest of his career. After so many years of training dogs for others, here I am training one who gets to remain with me and work for me… something I never expected, really, but here you have it.
Dang, he looks familiar! And if you are seeing Olivero, you are from around here. Do you train at any local clubs/organizations? Did you breed him yourself?
Oh, and major congrats! I’d love to work with service dogs eventually, but my time is taken up with basic obed., flyball and agility. Some day! Here’s hoping Pirate’s OFA is Excellent!
Indeed, if you’re in the twin cities, you might have bumped into Pi. He’s kind of unique looking. We used to be spotted quite often in Eden Prairie/Hopkins, and more recently in Golden Valley. I did not breed him myself (I don’t breed!) I hand picked him out of many possible litters/breedings, and worked with his breeder (who lives out near Seattle) to find the right dog for the jobs I needed him to do.
I did some training at C&E and Southpaws a while, but mostly train on my own. Worked a little while with the kind lady at Sheepy Corner Farms, on herding, and plan to head up to work Pirate with sheep/ducks with Marie Murphy in WI next spring! I compete with my other aussie in ASCA shows and trials, and hope to start going to some Rally-O events with her and Pi! My old Toller, now retired, was an agility fiend before we moved out here. Now that he’s the right age for the veterans class, I hope to take him there!
And yes, aussies often have one eye of a different color than the other. My other red merle has an amber eye, and the other eye is marbled blue and amber. Very pretty, and also very odd!
Good DOGGIE Pirate! Shake!
Pi will indeed get to stay with me and work for the rest of his career. After so many years of training dogs for others, here I am training one who gets to remain with me and work for me… something I never expected, really, but here you have it.
