When was Owen Born?
Where was Owen Born?
Who were Owen's Birth Parents?
What is Owen's Adoption Story?
What was Owen's Puppy-hood Like? How did Rebecca potty train Owen?
* took his temperature
* listened to his heart and lungs
* checked his ears, eyes, his feet, his legs, his body, his butt and his head
* gave him shots to make sure he wouldn't get sick
* LAY DOWN
* SHAKE
What languages does Owen know?
Rebecca signs (American Sign Language) at home. Owen also knows hearing people, so he understands English too! Owen knows 2 languages: ASL & English !!
- Owen was born on October 31st, 2004.
Where was Owen Born?
- Owen was born in Virginia at Doodlesville.
Who were Owen's Birth Parents?
- Owen's birth mom was a Golden Retriever, named Joy. His birth dad was Benny, a standard poodle.
What is Owen's Adoption Story?
- Rebecca knew she wanted to have the best puppy in the whole world. She saw a picture of Owen and it was love at first sight! Rebecca knew he was meant to be her baby!
- On December 24, 2004, Rebecca, Owen's mom, and a friend drove from New York City to Virginia to adopt Owen.
- Owen was 9 weeks and one day old when his mom adopted him.
- Owen snuggled in his mom's lap in the car. Both Owen and his mom slept most of the way home. They stopped three times so Owen could go potty. Owen didn't have an accident in the car at all.
- They arrived in NYC and Owen said, "Hello NYC!" for the first time!
What was Owen's Puppy-hood Like? How did Rebecca potty train Owen?
- NYC was very different than Virginia.
- Owen learned to pee on a wee-wee pad in the apartment. In Virginia, he peed and pooped on grass. In NYC, he had to get used to peeing and pooping on the wee- wee pad. Sometimes he had accidents, but Owen learned quickly.
- Owen couldn't go out and walk on the street until he had all his shots. So, until he was 14 weeks old, he peed and pooped inside on a wee-wee pad. There are germs on NYC sidewalks that can make dogs sick IF they don't have all their shots. Owen's doctors at St. Mark's Veterinary Hospital explained that to Owen and his mom. Animal doctors are called Veterinarians. Owen's doctors are great! They:
* took his temperature
* listened to his heart and lungs
* checked his ears, eyes, his feet, his legs, his body, his butt and his head
* gave him shots to make sure he wouldn't get sick
- When Owen was 14 weeks old, Owen and his mom went to St. Mark's Veterinary Hospital and got his last shot. Finally! He could walk outside! And it was time to learn to pee and poop outside.
- When Owen was learning to pee and pop outside, every time he peed or pooped his mom would give him a treat and say, "Good Boy! Good Boy! Good Pee!" Soon, he learned when his mom signed, "PEE PEE" and he would pee!! And get a treat! And when his mom said, "Go Potty" he would poop and get 3 treats! Owen learned fast. He loves treats!!!!
- Owen liked walking around NYC. Owen learned which stores gave him the best treats. And lots of stores gave him treats. LOTS!
- And Owen loved going to the doggy park. Some dog parks have a special section for puppies. Owen loved that Puppy Corner at the Doggy Park. He played silly like the other puppies. Some of the older dogs were way too mature to play with a baby like little puppy Owen
- Owen started to learn puppy stuff:
* LAY DOWN
* SHAKE
What languages does Owen know?
Rebecca signs (American Sign Language) at home. Owen also knows hearing people, so he understands English too! Owen knows 2 languages: ASL & English !!
Why Is Owen a Service Dog?
How Did Owen Learn to Be a Service Dog?
helping her when she falls
picks up stuff Rebecca drops
lets Rebecca know when someone is at the door
gives Rebecca lots of kisses when she is not feeling good
goes to all the doctors appointments
turn on the lights
push the elevator button
close the cupboard doors in the kitchen
open the refrigerator by pulling a rope tied to the door
How Do People Know Owen is Allowed on the Bus?
Why Doesn't Owen ALWAYS Wear His Service Dog Backpack?
Is Owen Different When He Wears His Backpack?
Does Owen go to the Doctor's Office with Rebecca?
Yes. Owen goes everywhere with Rebecca. Everywhere!
Is Everyone Always Nice About a Dog in a Store, a Restaurant, the Bus or the Doctor's Office ?
Yes, most of the time people are very nice. Once in a while people are not nice, but Owen is soooo cute. How could you be mad with him?
But What Can I Ask about a Service Dog?
- Owen's mom, Rebecca has MS. MS means Multiple Sclerosis. MS makes it hard for Owen's mom to walk sometimes. Sometimes she would drop stuff. And sometimes she would fall. Some people with MS walk fine. Some people with MS use a cane. Some people use a walker. And some people with MS use a wheelchair.
- Owen's mom knew she needed help so she could keep working. So, she and Owen started practicing Service Dog stuff when Owen was a baby. So Owen learned the regular doggy stuff and some of the special Service Dog stuff.
- Owen had learned the "regular" doggy stuff with Christina's help and lots of practice!
- Owen first Service Dog job he learned was to pick up his mom's cane. He was so tiny - the cane was so big! But he liked picking it up and dragging it to his mommy.
How Did Owen Learn to Be a Service Dog?
- When Owen was a year old, a Service Dog school came to test Owen. They told his mom, "Most dogs don't pass this test." But he did!
- Then a few months later, the Service Dog school came back to test Owen again. They told his mom, "If he passes this test, he can come to Service Dog school." And he passed!
- So, in February Owen and his mom went to Service Dog school. Rebecca cried a lot when she left. But she knew it was important Owen stay at the Service Dog school to learn how to help her. Service Dog school was supposed to be 6 months.
- Rebecca called the Service Dog school every other day to check on Owen. Then, after 2 1/2 months, the school said, "He is ready!" Rebecca cried again! She missed Owen so much! She was so happy to go get him.
- Rebecca flew to the Service Dog school. She saw Owen at the front of the airport. Owen saw her too! Owen got all excited, he jumped up and down. His butt wiggled. He was so happy. Rebecca walked as fast as she could ! Owen gave Rebecca tons and tons and tons of kisses. Rebecca was so happy she cried and cried.
- The first night at Service Dog School, Owen and his mom snuggled all night. They both missed each other. A LOT!
- Rebecca stayed at the Service Dog school for a week. Owen had learned a lot of stuff. Rebecca had to learn all of it too.
- At the end of the week, they flew back to NYC with a trainer from the Service Dog school. The trainer helped Owen and Rebecca get used to "working as a Service Dog" in NYC.
- Since then, Rebecca and Owen have been together every day, and every night. And now Owen knows all kinds of cool stuff. He can help his mom by:
helping her when she falls
picks up stuff Rebecca drops
lets Rebecca know when someone is at the door
gives Rebecca lots of kisses when she is not feeling good
goes to all the doctors appointments
turn on the lights
push the elevator button
close the cupboard doors in the kitchen
open the refrigerator by pulling a rope tied to the door
How Do People Know Owen is Allowed on the Bus?
- When Owen and his mom are going to take the bus, a cab or go into a store, Owen wears his backpack. His backpack is labeled: "SERVICE DOG" so people know he is not a pet. He is a working dog.
Why Doesn't Owen ALWAYS Wear His Service Dog Backpack?
- Most people are very nice. BUT ..... some people are nosy. Nosy, nosy, nosy, nosy! Some people are very rude. Some people ask Owen's mom, "What's wrong with you?" This is just rude and not nice!
- If they are just going out for a short potty walk or if they are going to the pet store, Owen doesn't wear his backpack. But Owen always has a special name tag on his collar so if there was an emergency, people would know Owen is a Service Dog.
Is Owen Different When He Wears His Backpack?
- Owen is a little different when he wears his Service Dog Backpack. A little. When he was younger, the backpack was really important. The backpack meant: I AM WORKING NOW! PAY ATTENTION!
- Now, Owen is older, he is 7. So he doesn't need the backpack to remind him to "work" Even if Owen is asleep, if he hears Rebecca's cane fall on the floor, Owen wakes right up! He runs and gets the cane! Owen loves to get the cane. (Sometimes he gets a treat when he gets his mom's cane.)
Does Owen go to the Doctor's Office with Rebecca?
Yes. Owen goes everywhere with Rebecca. Everywhere!
Is Everyone Always Nice About a Dog in a Store, a Restaurant, the Bus or the Doctor's Office ?
Yes, most of the time people are very nice. Once in a while people are not nice, but Owen is soooo cute. How could you be mad with him?
But What Can I Ask about a Service Dog?
- Owen is very cute. And most people are curious. Rebecca and Owen understand that. So, they don't mind if people ask nice questions, like: "Oh, he is a Service Dog. He must be very smart. Do you mind if I ask what he can do?" That is a nice way.
- "What's wrong with you?" - that is just rude.
- And never, ever, never ever, never just touch a Service Dog. Owen is working, so he needs to pay attention.
Where Does Owen Sleep?
Most of the time Owen sleeps in Rebecca's bed. But Rebecca has a rule: Owen can only bring 3 babies (toys) to bed! Sometimes Owen sleeps in his doggy bed. When there is a Thunderstorm, Owen gets really afraid. He has a thunder-shirt that makes him feel safer. But, if it is a really bad thunderstorm, Rebecca turns on all the lights and the TV. Then they sleep on the couch.
How Old is Owen?
Who Was Owen's First Teacher?
Owen's mom, Rebecca was Owen's first teacher.
Then, when Owen was a little bit older, he started to loose his baby teeth. And he started to jump up on people. If you have a little dog, it may be cute when the dog jumps up on your leg. But Owen was going to be a big boy in a year. And no one wants a 80 pound dog jumping up on them! So, Rebecca decided to call Christina.
Most of the time Owen sleeps in Rebecca's bed. But Rebecca has a rule: Owen can only bring 3 babies (toys) to bed! Sometimes Owen sleeps in his doggy bed. When there is a Thunderstorm, Owen gets really afraid. He has a thunder-shirt that makes him feel safer. But, if it is a really bad thunderstorm, Rebecca turns on all the lights and the TV. Then they sleep on the couch.
How Old is Owen?
- Owen will be 9 on October 31st, his birthday!
Who Was Owen's First Teacher?
Owen's mom, Rebecca was Owen's first teacher.
Then, when Owen was a little bit older, he started to loose his baby teeth. And he started to jump up on people. If you have a little dog, it may be cute when the dog jumps up on your leg. But Owen was going to be a big boy in a year. And no one wants a 80 pound dog jumping up on them! So, Rebecca decided to call Christina.
Christina - Dog Expert Teacher
- Owen's mom wanted to make sure she was doing a good job teaching him to be a good boy. Owen was her first baby! So, when Owen was 5 months old, Rebecca called Christina, a Dog Trainer and Behavior Counselor. Christina's school is called NY Clever K9. Christina knows a lot about dogs! Christina helps dogs who haven't learned to behave nicely yet. Christina helps lots of dogs. She helps puppies like Owen, who are silly. Christina also helps dogs who have been hurt or abused. Owen was not hurt or abused, but he was a silly baby dog. And he was loosing his teeth, so Christina told Rebecca (Owen's mom) how to help Owen while his baby teeth were falling out.
- Owen didn't bite. But he was silly.
- Owen didn't rip the couch, but sometimes he didn't come when you called his name.
- Owen didn't chew shoes, but he did jump on people when they came in the door.
- So, Rebecca asked Christina to come help them. Christina came to visit 6 times. She taught Owen and his mom a lot! The first time Christina taught Rebecca to not say, "Owen, sit. Sit. Sit. Sit. Sit. Sit. Sit. Sit" It sounds silly but Rebecca would sign sit sit sit sit sit sit sit sit over and over until Owen sat down. Christina explained you only say it or sign it one time! Owen needs to sit the first time.
- Some of the stuff Owen and Rebecca learned were:
Puppy push-ups
Come
Stay
Sit ( Always - not just when he wanted)
Lay Down - he knew, but he would only Lay Down when he wanted
How to be nice when people came to visit and NOT jump!
Play Lots of Games:
What are Owen's Favorite Games?
- Owen's favorite is "Find It" (when Rebecca hides a toy in another room and Owen has to go into the different room and find it)
- Owen also loves to Play Hid and Seek (Rebecca would hid and Owen comes to find her)
Did Owen Really Go to a Kid's School?
Yes. Owen did go to a kids school.
- Owen's mom worked in a super , great, fabulous school, PS 347. PS 347 is a school for Deaf kids and hearing kids who can hear. This is a super school and extra great for Owen because he got to see people talk with him in American Sign Language like at home AND in English.
- Owen went to school with his mom every day. Owen made sure she safe going to school and going home. Most of the day Owen stayed in his mom's office. But if his mom was walking really bad, he would walk with her to make sure she was okay.
- Owen loved seeing all the kids and grown-ups everyday. Owen and Rebecca shared an office with Mary Grace and Angie. Their office was really busy and Owen loved it. He had a lot of his toys at school. He also had his doggy bed, his food and a bowl of water.
- After school, the cleaning guys would come by and play with Owen. Owen loved playing with Mike, Marty, Rocco, Nero and Sammy.
- A couple years ago, Rebecca had to stop working. Owen misses school a lot! He still pulls a little when they walk near school. They have visited a couple times, Owen goes into his "old office" and looks for his toys. The new principal, Dave, is very understanding and lets Owen look around the office. Owen always checks to make sure he didn't leave a toy there.
.
Owen's Mom had to stop working. What is Owen's life like now?
- Now Owen and his mom don't go to school anymore.
- Owen and his mom go to the doggy park when it's not too hot and when Rebecca feels up to it.
- The Doggy Park is too far for Owen's mom to walk. So they take a cab or the bus. (YES! Service Dogs can take a bus! They can take a cab! Owen has flown in a plane. He slept most of the time) Owen loves going for a ride.
- If you ask Owen, "Wanna get a cab?" Owen will look at the traffic and wait for a cab to pull over. Owen loves taking cabs. He likes looking out the window at people. Sometimes his mom wonders if Owen is thinking, "Hey, look at me! I'm the cool dog in the cab!" But maybe not.
- Owen is very good on the bus. The only problem is some people don't know the rules with Service Dogs. You are supposed to ask before you pet a Service Dog. Well - really you should ask before you pet any dog, but it's a rule with Service Dogs. And Owen is so tall, he is the right height for people to just reach out and scratch his head. Owen loves getting his ears rubbed.
- Some people ask if Owen has to pay to take the bus. He doesn't have to pay. His mom has to pay for herself. But Service Dogs ride free.
What Does Owen Do in the Summer? Does Owen go to Summer Camp?
- Some summers Owen and his mom go to NH to visit Owen's grandfather and his wife, Owen's aunts and cousins.
- Owen's grandfather and his wife have a camp on a lake. Owen learned to swim there! Owen loves to swim! And he loves to run around on the grass.
- When Owen and his mom come back to NYC, Owen is not happy about peeing on the street. He misses peeing on the grass. But he is always happy to be home so he visit all the people at stores and doctors offices. And he misses playing with his friends at the doggy park. Vacation is nice, but Owen is a city dog!
Owen has very skinny legs!!