Long holiday weekends for me are often dedicated to catch-up - cleaning, weeding, maybe a picnic or out to dinner with friends one night - but not attending a lot of the local events (for the 20^th time). With Paxton, things have been a little different. These days I actively look for new events to take him to for socialization. Memorial weekend offers many "new" things for a puppy to experience.

On Saturday we joined raiser Pam and puppy Noel (and family) to watch the East Rochester parade. The dogs experienced lots of new things. It was funny to watch their heads and ears going in tandem - Fifes! Drums!! Brass!!!! (Paxton's favorite) - watching the bands coming around the corner, in front of us, and past us. Oh, here comes another one! Pam and I were so proud of them - although both showed great interest in everything, neither of them showed any negative reactions, even to the BOOM of the cannon announcing the beginning of the parade.

Noel, Pam, Robbin and Paxton at the East Rochester parade

On the way home from the parade, I passed the Perinton Volunteer Ambulance Corps having an open house. There were fire trucks, ambulances, rescue vehicles, and lots of demonstrations and noise. Hmmm, more new things! As we toured the vehicles, I saw some steep stairs made of metal with grating in them (we take the dogs on all kinds of walking surfaces because you never know where they'll end up!). Since Paxton had really liked the agility "A-Frame" that we had at class one night, I decided maybe he'd like the stairs up to the rescue pontoon boat and into the fire engine (he did!!).

One of the firemen commented, "If he doesn't make it as a guide dog, he could be our fire dog!"

We had been asked by Bonnie, another raiser, to join her and Milton and her friend Bonnie and Upstate Guide Dog Abby on the Lion's Club float in Bloomfield's parade on Monday morning. In addition to countless other community services, the Lions Club sponsors many vision related services, including Guide Dog agencies.

Riding on the float offered more great experiences for the dogs. First of all, we had to get ON the float. Having just climbed the pontoon and fire engine ladders, the little wooden step-ladder was a piece of cake for Paxton (and I thought he'd never use the skill for real!).

The dogs were a little excited to be next to each other on the float:

Clockwise from the Lion: Robbin, Abby, Milton and Paxton in the center - wanting to be on the other side with the dogs!

Although the dogs were excited to be next to each other on the float, they all behaved while we rode the route. None of them tried to jump off to see the dogs watching along the parade. They didn't chase the candy the kids were throwing. At the end of the parade, we followed Bonnie and Abby back to their house. It was a great opportunity for both Paxton and me to see how a working guide does its thing.

One of the "Lions" walking alongside the float took my new Kodak V603 and shot these pics of the dogs for us.

Then it was back to Milton's house where he taught Paxton about playing in water. It was the first time Paxton has seen a kiddie pool. He danced around it while Milton was engaged in digging and splashing. Finally, I intervened, coaxing Paxton into the pool. It took him only a few seconds to join Milton in the splashing and water play. Now we need to visit a lake!

Milton showing Paxton" the ropes" of water play.

"See, if you dig like this they have to keep filling it up for us!"

Milton and Paxton relaxing during dinner prep.

"Maybe they'll drop some of that grilled turkey...."

And yes, on Monday I called my dad to thank him for his military service.

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