Our First Christmas.....

What a gorgeous looking boy and his special assistance dog. Their first Christmas together on December 25, 2009 at Tia Monica and Tio Ruben's house.

Family picture of all of the grandchildren (8 of them with Boots). Boots, Marciel, Jiselle, Marques, Joshua, Jacine, Miranda, and Jade

The Big Day...... Boots Comes Home.

On December 19, 2009 we headed down to San Diego to pick up Boots from Vicki's house. It was great to finally bring home Boots but so hard to take him from the home that has raised him for 8 months. But we have made great new friends with Vicki and her friends Jane and Tom who have helped with Boots' training.

Our first family picture with our new assistance dog. What a gorgeous looking family.... ;-)

Here we go...

Training with Boots in San Diego

Vicki and Jane took us out for the day to learn how to work with Boots. Jane brought along her experienced service dog Bill and we both traded between Boots and Bill.

We went to Target, Vons, a restaurant, the Dollar Tree, Petco, and walked through several busy public areas. We were nervous going prior to our training day but with Vicki and Jane by our sides we knew we were going to be okay.

After a nice day out we came back to Vicki's house and watched as Boots and Bill continued their play date. Bill is Tia Jane's and Tio Tom's dog, so he is Boots' cousin.... at least this is how we look at it.

One thing Boots and Marques have in common is not wanting to share their toys with others. Here Boots tried to get a toy from Bill or was running away with a toy he didnt want to share with Bill, dont remember which it was.

Shopping @ IKEA

Boots took some time to sniff through some hats at IKEA that he made look good or at least a little goofy.

Marques and Boots Go to Sea World

What an exciting day for Marques and Boots, oh ya, Marciel and Miranda were excited too.

Boots just knew who to go with... which made Marques happy and CALM.

Marques learned how to hold gently but is still learning how to lead Boots.

Miranda helped on occasion and then...

There was shade time underneath Big Daddy Max.

At last Marques got to meet his hero, ELMO..... Elmo has alot of good things to say and teach. AND best of all he loves animals and has a pet of his own who he talks to when he needs help. Just like Marques will be doing with Boots someday.

Taking a water break at Sea World

After a nice long visit with Boots, Marques took a nice little water break....

A short video of the beginning of the Adventures of Marques and Boots

Here is a small clip of Boots feeling right at home

with Marques, take a look.