Category: Titan and Max

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Leader Dog Titan sits proudly at Lions Club meeting.
Leader Dog Titan sits proudly at Lions Club meeting.

On September 14, 2000, breeding stock mom, Whistler, gave birth to her first litter, destined for greatness as Future dog guides.  At six and a half weeks, the puppies were taken to Leader Dogs for the Blind to be issued to puppy raiser families for their first year of life.  Named after the movie, ‘Remember the Titans’, by his raisers, Titan spent this time near Detroit, Michigan.   He was accepted for four months of formal training in October of 2001 beginning an adventure that would last a lifetime.

Titan entered my life on February 13, 2002; just three short weeks after losing my first Leader Dog of more than seven years, Mississippi, suddenly to cancer.  For eleven and a half years Titan was my constant companion.  While working at Family and Children Services, he guided me safely daily on the ten block trek to and from the bus line.  St. Bartholomew’s nursery children shared many stories and tea parties with him.  Titan carried our wedding rings down the aisle in 2003, accompanied me on an Alaska cruise, and was a great ambassador for Leader Dogs and Lionism.  He was the constant in my life through two national moves, a second college degree, and plenty of shopping trips.

On August 30th, I bid a tearful farewell to my Golden angel.  I am in the process of applying for a successor Leader Dog.  Even though both of my Golden Retriever Leader Dogs own my heart, there is room for one more.  I thank the Augusta Lions Club for affording me the opportunity to have such independence and completeness of life that comes from the human dog guide bond.  Adventure number three will be coming soon.

Until next time…

 

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Titan, my second Leader Dog, turned 12 today.  He is his Mama’s (Whistler) first Leader Dog graduate.  I got him on February 13, 2002, which makes us partners for over 10 and a half years.  He has arthritis now, like his Mama (me); but is still going strong.   He will always be my baby puppy.

Titan stands with half of his body out the dog door while his ass still inside.
Titan tests the heat of the day by sticking the front half of his body out the dog door while leaving his ass inside.
Titan's 6 week puppy picture
Titan sits pretty for his first Future Leader Dog picture at 6 weeks old.

 

 

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The black of the sky before the storm hit on May 14th.
The black of the sky before the storm hit on May 14th.Titan 'Thunder Buns' Thompson James doesn't like thunder storms.
Titan doesn’t like thunder storms.  He doesn’t get his fear from me because I love a good thunder storm.  I especially love the vivid lightning that we get down here in the Lightning Capital of the World.  Titan is better about his fear than he was when we moved here two years ago.  He used to shake and quake and want to pace.  We have been working with him to reduce his fear response; and he has improved to the point of standing still and waiting it out.  He does like to hide in the bath tub from time to time.  As long as he isn’t pacing and escalating his fear, I leave him alone.  Our summer weather pattern is now here which means we have a daily chance for strong thunder storms from now through the end of September.  As the storms pass, Titan relaxes and lays on the floor in a calm state.  We do live in Florida, you know.

Titan 'Thunder Buns' Thompson James doesn't like thunder storms.
Titan 'Thunder Buns' Thompson James doesn't like thunder storms.

Thundr Buns chills on the floor as the storm lets up.
Thundr Buns chills on the floor as the storm lets up.

 

The passing of the storm.
The passing of the storm.

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Titan and Max pose like hams after being groomed at PetsMart, May 6, 2009.
Titan and Max pose like hams after being groomed at PetsMart, May 6, 2009.

Titan and Max are posing like hams because I am holding a dog treat just above the camera.  They look so pretty after coming home from their PetsMart grooming by Sue.  She is excellent trimming their hair, ears, tails, and shaving their under-bellies to help them survive the Florida heat and humidity.  The boys love a good day of pampering.  They were ready for the trip to Augusta to look pretty for Rosy on her wedding day.

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Titan gives his cutest little beggy face for Lays cheddar stackers, May 3, 2009Max gives his cutest little beggy face for Lays cheddar stackers, May 3, 2009

Titan and Max are spoiled rotten.  They enjoy sharing our chips and other treats.  They were giving me such cute beggy faces last night, that I had to share them with you.  Either, this afternoon or tomorrow morning, the boys will be getting baths for Sinco de Mayo and more importatly, for Rosy’s wedding.  I will put pictures of them sporting their handsome red bow ties at the wedding after we get back home next week.  Gotta love those rotten boys!!

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Max and Titan sit pretty staring at the partial loaf of bread sitting atop my head.
Max and Titan sit pretty staring at the partial loaf of bread sitting atop my head.

Max and Titan sit pretty in the entry way to our kitchen begging for a piece of bread.  I had the partial loaf sitting on top of my head so they would look up for the camera and pose nicely.  As you will see in the picture belor, I just crawled out of bed and look like hammered dog shit (no fuck hair though).  The boys got their bread treats and Wil and I had grilled cheese sandwiches for breakfast.  Yummy!!!

I aimed the camera at myself. I just crawled out of bed and look like shit. Welcome to my morning!!!
I aimed the camera at myself. I just crawled out of bed and look like shit. Welcome to my morning!!!

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Titan grins proudly as he carries a can of beer in his collar for Mama.
Titan grins proudly as he carries a can of beer in his collar for Mama.

Titan sits before his Daddy using his pretty head to support his beer can.
Titan sits pretty using his head as a beer can holder for Daddy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our boys support us in very imaginative ways.  They share our love for beer; and don’t mind carrying one or two for us.   They also volunteer as beer can holders when table space is lacking.  Their hard work does not go unnoticed however.  They are amply rewarded with their own beer treat on special occasions.  We sure love our boys!!

Titan licks top of cold can of beer in Living on the Edge koozie.
Titan licks top of cold can of beer in Living on the Edge koozie.

 

 

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Flash lays upside down on the couch with her head hanging off as if it the most natural thing to do.
Flash lays upside down on the couch with her head hanging off as if it is the most natural thing to do.

Max and Titan had a friend over for the weekend.  Meet Flash, their favorite bassett hound.  Flash made her self quite comfortable as is evident in the above picture.  She is a very sweet and affectionate dog.  But, that angelic look can be deceiving as she is a closet chocoholic; sniffing out some Cadbury Mini Eggs.  Well, the girl’s got good taste.

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Max enjoys his Birthday Cake from Fetch Dog Treats in Augusta when he turned 3.
Max enjoying his Birthday Cake from Fetch Dog Treats in Augusta when he turned 3.

 Max enjoyed his second Birthday cake from Fetch Dog Treats in Augusta.  I have been getting birthday cakes from Tara Scheyer at Fetch since Titan came home from LD and had his second birthday. Titan and Max love to visit Fetch as this is the only store where we take them out of harness and let them run free.  They think they own the place!  Tara and Kevin are always so good to them.   Since we moved to St Pete, we haven’t been able to have the large peanut butter birthday cakes for the boys.  We still get occasional Fetch shipments from the boys’ fans back home and from their Mama, Whistler, in Michigan.  We sure do miss our Fetch family!!