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.

Boots takes a trip to L.A. to visit his boy Marques

Thanks to a great lady named, Patty from North Star Dogs, http://www.northstardogs.com/, Marques now has a forever friend named Boots. Boots was born in Connecticut and a good friend of Patty, named Kara, took great care of him when he was just a little baby. Then one early summer day Kara and Boots boarded a plane to Southern California so that he could go live with his trainers for 6 months in San Diego. He has been learning how to be an assistance dog for Marques.

It was a cool 80 degrees and a perfect day to go visit little Marques in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 8, 2009. Boots brought his trainers with him (Vicki, Tom, and Jane) on a three hour road trip to Marques' house. Boots was immediately welcomed by Marques and Marques' big brother Marciel as they ran up to meet the car that drove Boots and his companions.

That was not all, as Boots strolled into the house there was a house filled with what Marques' mommy called friends and family (boy that was a lot of friends family just to visit Boots). They were all excited and could not wait until Christmas when Boots is expected to come home for good. They all needed a sneak peek. There is a whole bunch more people that want to meet Boots but the Fire Marshal did not allow for 100 plus people to be in such a little house, so for now it was just a few people. Lets take a peak at the latest pictures that Marques' mommy took. If you have any pictures of Boots you would like to share and a little story please post them, we would love to hear from you...

The Top Ten Things About Boots

1. I was named after Dora the Explorer's best friend "boots" and I hope to be the best friend of my soon to be forever boy, Marques

2. I love to eat plants (hey its good for the digestive system)

3. I believe that all toys should be given playtime. No toy should be left untouched

4. Swimming is best left for labs

5. Snuggling is more fun than sleeping

6. Eating is the most fun of all

7. Training is hard but always involves hugs and treats

8. Going out to dinner and to stores lets me meet all kinds of nice people

9. Taking naps every day is good for you

10. Realize that your puppyraisers love you no matter what you do

Our First Visit with Boots Part 2

During their first meeting, Marques got to really know Boots. He was a little cautious (yes, cautious believe it or not) because he is so anxious about the unknown. And not knowing how Boots would move or react Marques stood back a little. But Boots kept slowly moving towards Marques and was so gentle. It was as if Boots knew Marques was the one he was made for.




Marciel and Miranda even got into the picture by helping Vicki give boots an introduction to swimming. He is learning to get accustomed to all the things Marques does and likes.

Our First Visit with Boots

Boots has a fabulous trainer, Vicki. Vicki has friends that are also helping train Boots. All these great people invited the Briseno Family to visit Boots for the first time in June 2009. Here are some great pictures from the first visit with Boots.

Boots will be with Vicki down in San Diego with

help from Jane and Tom for 6 months. Boots is expected to come home in late November or early December. The training will continue when he comes home to achieve public access certification in his second year of training.

Marques and Boots' story begins....

Once upon a time.....

There was a mommy and a daddy, they saw how their baby Marques became very calm when he met a dog that was very calm, cool, and collected. The mommy and the daddy realized a special assistance dog would be therapeutic and a great pal for little Marques. The mommy and the daddy found The North Star Foundation who decided to place a dog with the Briseno Family after the dogs initial training. Marques then decided to name his dog after his brother (Marciel he spelled it phoenetically = Marsil) and Dora's best friend Boots. So the little cute puppy was to be called Boots-Marsil Briseno (aka Boots).

The End, no wait, to be continued......

http://web.mac.com/mrsbriseno