Phantom's Tales

Movin On...

2010-02-11T13:41:00.000-08:00

This is my last entry as a Guide Dog Puppy. I graduated Monday and moved to San Antonio to attend advanced training.

I went to a movie Sunday and did a fine job...If I do say so myself. Some may disagree but I sware it was only a tiny little piece of popcorn.

In this shot, Floyd and I are getting ready to get off the bus.

There were some imbarassing moments living in Austin but all in all I had a good time.

Mostly, I'll miss Floyd, my big chew toy.

And my guide dog girl friend, Cougar Coral.

Farewell!

Groovy Dog

2010-01-30T13:42:00.000-08:00

Wow, two blogs from me in just a matter of days! You must really have been good boys and girls this week!

I wanted to tell you about this awesome yoga studio I get to visit every week with my sister Melissa. It's called Yogagroove. Melissa does HOT yoga there, so I'm not allowed to participate. No fair, right? But let me tell you, it's 105 degrees inside the room so I don't mind too much.

The owner of Yogagroove is a really cool guy named Cosmo. He loves dogs and has a beautiful...err, nice yellow lab named Cashew. Cosmo lets me come to the studio because I'm a dog, not just because I'm a guide dog in training! But he's very supportive of Guide Dogs of Texas. Look at the cool yellow lab bank that's at the check-in desk! Wait, how come it's yellow?

This is Cashew and I after playing around the studio for a few hours. Boy was I tired!

This is Bikram himself! He's the one that created the crazy hot yoga!

This is my friend Luna. She's another black lab that gets to hang out at Yogagroove, just like me! I keep saying that Cosmo should rename the studio to "The Lab Lab" but nobody listens.

Smart Dog

2010-01-28T16:54:00.000-08:00

Very interesting car.

What do you mean? We're going to take a ride in what? You've got to be kidding! This is like stuffing 78 pounds of sh...Phantom into a 1 pound bag.

Well. I'm in.

Not as bad as I thought.

Boring...Might as well take a nap.

I'm out...free at last...free at last.

Work...Work...Work...

2009-10-31T05:09:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, we all went to San Antonio for training at Guide Dogs of Texas. What fun...Or so I thought.

First of all, we walked from hoop - to hoop - to hoop. No one could seem to decide where we should really be sitting.

Next, I had to squeeze my XL frame into a space designed for miniature poodle. I managed to get in there but it is not easy.

While I was working, slacker Floyd was was hanging out with his new friends.

Oh joy. Now we get to do the same exercise again on a bunch of chairs set up to mimic getting on a bus. I saw several pups fall out the windows...Hope they can run fast.

This was a down stay exercise. I appear to be doing pretty darn good. Actually, they work me so hard I could't move a muscle. I was tired...done...finished...kaput...on empty...down for the count...drained. (I think that's just about all the thesaurus had.) I'm calling it a day!

I hear you laughing! Come on! Haven't you ever heard of a second wind?

Woooo Hoooo, play time.

Webb Middle School Doesn't Want My Help:-(

2009-10-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

Dad and I volunteered with the Partners in Math program to help 8th grade students at Webb Middle School with Math. O noble cause for such a noble dog as myself.

Dad and I took a class to prepare us for the program. The instructor thought I was amazing.

Unfortunately, we won't be helping out after all. Rey Garcia, the Principle at the school, said that "dogs would be to distracting to 8th graders" and turned down our offer to help.

Maybe we can find a worthy cause that wants my assistance.

So, who's distracted now?

I'm over the let down now because my friend Coral, the Guide Dog, stopped by to cheer me up.

That was fun...Now, time for a break.

Summer Fun

2009-09-01T17:53:00.001-07:00

Hi! I'm back. I didn't really go anywhere but I have been doing my best to avoid the Austin heat.

You may be wondering why my buddy Floyd and I look so tired.

We'll here is the reason...Jethro. He came to stay with us for a week and we sure had lots of fun, but the boy sure wore us old guys out.

Here's another shot of Jethro playing...He is so immature.

And this is just wrong...He's a German Sheppard but don't expect me to break his heart and tell him he's not a lab.

Finally, even Jethro got tired.

Party Time!!

2009-06-30T16:19:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that I'm celebrating my first birthday and 9 months of training Phil, Sharon and Melissa.

Time flys when your having fun!

By the way, since I've matured, I don't mess with the tortoises...They are just rocks with legs anyway.

I'm not as young as I used to be. All this partying wares me out.

I love Turtles!

2009-06-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

My buddy Coral came over today to play. The three of us love to play tug a war.

We have a fenced in area in our back yard , with many Turtles including Big Mac.

I heard Mom and Dad say how special I am because I'm the first of numerous guide dog puppies and 2 pet dogs to jump the fence and play with the turtles !!!!

I even brought out a couple of box turtles to play but no one was impressed.

They put up baracades.

What a joke! An elephant could get though here.

I'm like a Ninja. They would have to get up pretty early in the morning to catch me.

OK...How am I to know they are early risers?

Next Dad put up a metal fence on top of the wood fence. I was laughing the whole time. This just makes it more fun.

Into the turtle pen, no problem. Is that all you've got.

And back over.

If I weren't a guide dog puppy, I think there would be agility in my future!

I'm surprised they haven't thought about moving the bricks that have been here for years.

Oh! This means war!

To be continued...

A Day at work with the City of Austin

2009-06-07T16:22:00.001-07:00

I'm back...

6:00AM -- This is me arriving at my job with the City of Austin bright eyed, bushy tailed, and ready to help build web pages.

6:30AM -- I've already settled in for a hard days work.

10:00AM -- Here I'm taking a moment to supervise Dad and request my mid-morning snack.

12:00PM -- After a full morning of work, I finally get to take a break at the Dog Park a block away.

I love to meet and greet people and other dogs at the park.

12:15PM -- This is me when it's time to leave.

12:30PM -- I'm back at work, ready for a ruff afternoon.

1:00PM -- Work, work, work...Am I ever going to get a break?

2:30PM -- Time to go already? Time really flys when your working hard.

2009-05-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

Hi, Phantom here! yes,after 4 long months. Mom and Dad have been busy and I have been very busy learning how to be a good guide dog puppy. I am now 11 months old, so I have one more month to act like a crazy puppy,then I will be a big boy! We had a training session at Cabala's today with Michelle. I am still very dog crazy , so when I saw this gorgeous Black Lab, I went crazy!!!!!!! Turns out it was just a stuffed dog! Why is that little boy hugging the stuffed animal and not me!

Dad is asking me to find the button, I am such a good boy.

Mom, me, and Michelle going for a walk.
Melissa and I going for a Walk. I am really working hard today.

Michelle is helping me with the door.

Melissa my big sister. I get to go to work every Friday with her.

Here are some pictures of Guide Dogs Of Texas 09 Splash day. Yes mom dressed me up! I think I was the only dog with clothes on! Next year someone hide the clothes!!!!!!!!!

Here I am with some other Guide Dog puppies.

Learning to enjoy the water . Floyd my big brother loved the water, I think he's part fish.

Now this is one cute pup!

Floyd and I having fun in the flowers.

Well by for now, I will try to get mom and dad to keep my blog updated.

Phantom finds

2009-01-25T17:35:00.001-08:00

Hi, Phantom here.
Boy time flies when your having fun...I mean working hard.

Today we went to watch the 3M Half Marathon. My friend, Omar from Dad's work, was running and I was excited to see him.

Lots and lots of people were running by. It looked like so much fun I tried to run along but Dad said, "SIT!"

Later, we went to the mall to do some finds. Dad and I found a nice fountain to sit by for a few minutes.

I wanted to go for a swim but I didn't even try. I figured Dad would say, "SIT!"

"Step ups" are an important part of my training. I'm supposed to put my front feet up on the first step and wait to go.

This one is a picture perfect if I do say so myself.

Next, I found the boy's room all by myself. Since I've never been to this mens room before and I went right to it, Mom and Dad were very proud.

Yea for me!!!!

In this shot, Dad asked to find a seat. I guess he's getting old because he asks me to do this one a lot.

I took Mom for a walk down the stairs that are over the water. Last time I was here it seemed scarey, but today...No problem!

Mom asked me to find a trash can at least 10 times! She either has a lot of stuff to throw away or a thing for trash cans.

I am going home to rest now. Bye.

Seasons Greetings

2008-12-28T18:37:00.000-08:00

Hi, Phantom here.

Hope you all had a very merry Christmas.

I'm so cute, I scored invites to several Christmas parties.

This is a picture of me at Melissa's party. I had a great time even if they wouldn't let me near the eggnog.

Here I am with Santa and Melissa.

I can't quite figure out what the big deal is with this chubby guy with a white beard. I hang with somebody like this everyday. Besides, those bells on his pants were not as tasty as they appeared.

Dressed all in fur from his head to his feet...PETA must have a field day with this character.

I had a very busy weekend.

Went to see the movie Marley and Me. At first everyone was laughing about Marley being a bad Dog, then everyone was crying at the end, because Marley was old. Humans are wierd!

Today, Sunday, we went to Cabelas to pick up big brother Oliver. He's staying with us for a couple of weeks.

Mom and Dad thought I needed to work a little. Work...work...work...I think they must have run a slave ship in a previous life.

Here I am with a moose at the front of the store.

Dad wants me to find the front door. Dah, just follow all the people...no big deal.

Now I am doing a step up, so we can go upstairs.

Have you ever noticed that there is always something tasty or interesting on the second step?

Doing a nice sit, beforg going down stairs. Everyone has to agree, this is one very cute dog!!

Dad and Mom had me in a down-stay and walked away! Hello...Hello!!!...are you missing someone?

Wow, there sure a lot of stairs to go down! I can do it...I can do it!!

Ok? Do I pay attention to the little girl or the cookie crumbs on the floor? Little girl?...cookies?...little girl?...cookies? I took the cookies...wrong choice.

Bye for now, I've worked very hard today.

Nap time!

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It.

2008-12-08T19:10:00.000-08:00

Hi Phantom here.

Today was one of the biggest days of my life! No I did not spend the day at the park, or go to a movie, or go for a long walk!
I spent the day at the Vet clinic!!!
This is Erin , Lee ,and Jenna , they're
putting a IV in my front leg so I can get fixed.

I think they put something in the water!
I feel funny.
I look a little funny too.

I had to have a baby tooth pulled.
My Daddy has been trying to twist it out, but it wouldn't budge.

This is Dr. Boggs, getting ready for surgery...Surgery? Just for a tooth?
You can't see me but I am the one under the covers ready to get neutered...
neutered?...
NEUTERED???

How embarrassing...Naked pictures on my blog.
This is one of the xrays of my great hips!!
Now I think you've seen the worst day of my life.
Tomorrow will be better ! I get to sleep in and take it easy for a few days. I deserve it!

Note to self: If anyone mentions fixing again, run. I believe, if ain't broke, don't fix it."

Love
Phantom

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T16:35:00.000-08:00

Hi Phantom here, Happy Thanksgiving!... Although, I was a little disappointed this morning. I stayed awake all night waiting for a turkey to slide down the chimney and nothing. Then, Floyd clued me in..."Wrong Holiday kid."

Sorry for not writing earlier, but Ive been very busy going to all kinds of places to help me learn to be a "GREAT GUIDE DOG!"

Today we went to the matinee showing of the Changeling. I peeked between the chairs a couple times, but decided a nap would be more beneficial to me. Yes, I was good, I didn't even eat any popcorn off the floor! Again, Floyd clued me in, "Avoid matinees. The floors are always too clean, grasshopper." Maybe that's what helped me be good!

This is Coral.

She's a real working Guide Dog! She's staying with us for a few days, while her owner is in the hospital. Coral is telling me all about being a good Guide Dog. We do get to play a little too, but I am learning a lot from her.

After the movie, we came home and Coral and I got to go for a nice walk.

This is a close up picture of my friend Coral, Mom says she has a very expressive face. I'm not sure what that is but hope I have one too!

Busy Week

2008-11-10T18:30:00.000-08:00

Hi, Phantom here, this is my sister Melissa and me. I know we don't look alike...she is taller. Last Friday, I went with her to work, and everyone thought I was a very good puppy.

This is Melissa's office. Unfortunately, I couldn't enjoy it because she made me work all day!
We even went to a meeting and I slept through it...OK, so she gave me one break.

This is another brother, Oliver. He's in big dog school. He had eye surgery and came to stay with us for two weeks. In this shot, he and I are hanging out and taking it easy...Something I don't get to do often.

You'll never guess where we went on Sunday?

Wow, you're pretty smart. Sea World! Yea !!

We got to go in the back and see the Walrus and Seals up close. Thanks to Mongo aka Steve and Scott! Up close they are actually kind of cute...really, really bad breath...but cute.

These guys are really cute. I like them even better up close, and I think they liked me too!

This is Melissa and me looking at the seals...

Take my word, there are seals in there somewhere.

Oh, here is one now begging for food...How degrading.

Besides, Mom only had dog treats and there all for me! Give me one...give me one...pleeeease give me one.

After the Shamu show, we were asked if we wanted to meet the Killer Whales up close.

Sea World likes for their animals get to see other kinds of animals, so this was good for all of us.

Wow these guys are really big...but killers? They look like a bunch of pussy cats on the other side of that 10" thick bullet proof/killer whale proof glass.

Wow, this has been a long day. In this shot, I am dreaming sweet...I mean thinking deeply about all the neat animals I got to see today.

Before we left, we got to see the Dolphins. They made funny squeaky noises at us.

It was a lot of fun to watch them begging for fish...although very undignified.

Oh yah Mom, what about that treat? Please...Pleeeease...Just one more?

2008-11-06T18:41:00.000-08:00

Hi. Phantom here.

I made a visit to the Vet, Dr. Lynn Boggs, today for the last of my puppy shots. Karyn was her assistant and she was very nice. Since I also had a ear infection, Dr. Boggs put some medicine in my ear. I'll feel better having all this behind me.

Speaking of behind me... What is she doing? Oh no it's shot time!

My foster mom works at the Vet clinic (Griffith Small Animal Hospital) . This is her office and I stay here while she works.

After work,my foster mom and I went to the HEB to get some groceries. I was a very good boy, only surfed the floor a couple of times! My mom says I am getting better at walking next to the cart. The people that we see every week there say I am getting big and being a very good boy.

Tomorrow, I am going to go visit Melissa's work Everyone that works with her are very excited to meet me. I sure hope they give me some treats!!

2008-10-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Phantom and I am a guide dog in training. I live in Austin, Texas with my foster family. This is a picture of me and my big brother Floyd. He's teaching me all kinds of things, some good and some I am sure my foster mom would say is bad! I was born 22 June 2008 in upstate New York then arrived at the Schermerhorn house on 30 September. My Foster Mom and Dad say I am very cute.

This is a picture of my foster parents Phillip and Sharon holding me and my very own sponsors, Richard and Anne Hilton . Thank-you for being there for me. I will try to make you proud of me. I will study hard and learn all the great guide dog things.

We had a training session at the facility on Saturday 25 October. Almost all the Guide dog puppies were there. We got to check out Dot, a very tasty...I mean sweet cat. We were supposed to be very good, but Dot got mauled a little, but was quite a trooper. Thanks Dot!

When I grow up I want to be like Johnny!

2008-10-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

Johnny is our next dog to graduate! Phantom wants to grow up and be just like him, he has a LOT of learning to do! But we know he can do it!