Hi, everyone! It’s been a little while since you last heard from me, but trust me, I haven’t been snoozing the whole time (okay, maybe a little). These past few months have been wild—between hurricanes, sniffles, and my Captain’s big adventure at a Taylor Swift concert, life has been anything but boring!

Hurricane Hiccups and a Taylor Swift Surprise

First, let’s talk about those hurricanes. I may be a brave pup, but two hurricanes? Even I had my paws full trying to stay cool with all that wind and rain. Florida is sure an odd place!

Once the weather cleared, Captain jetted off to the Taylor Swift eras concert in Miami! I heard she had an absolute blast—singing, dancing, the whole thing! They even upgraded her seats to the hearing impaired section so she could really take it all in. Since I’m technically a service dog in training I was legally allowed to into the show, Unfortunately, Captain said I’m still a little too young for loud concerts and didn’t want me to be overwhelmed. So, while she was off singing Love Story with thousands of other fans, I had a lovely dog-sitter who took me on lots of walks and treated me like the star I am.

Just as things started to settle down, Captain got hit with some human sniffles, and soon everyone in the house was a little under the weather. But don’t worry—I stayed on high alert, checking in on everyone with plenty of nose-nudges and tail wags to lift their spirits.

Squirrels, Fear Periods, and Training Triumphs

Now, let’s talk about squirrels. I know, I know—I’m supposed to stay calm and focused, but those fluffy-tailed creatures just make my heart race! Captain and I have been practicing our leash walking, and I’m getting better at sticking close by her side, but every once in a while, I just can’t resist the urge to chase. I think it’s part of my puppy charm, but we’re working on it!

It turns out, though, that I’m also in a stage that humans call a “fear period,” which basically means everything can feel a little scarier than it used to. Captain is super patient with me, introducing me to new things slowly and reassuring me when I’m nervous. We’re making great progress, but Captain is realistic, too; if I stay too unsure about the world, I might not be the right fit for public access work. But we both know I’ll still be an amazing hearing alert dog at home—plus, treats make everything better, and I’m very treat motivated (seriously, you should see the stockpile in our fridge).

Big News: Hearing Alert School Starts Soon!

Captain just signed us up for an official hearing alert class with Martha Hoffman, who is basically the world expert in this kind of training. She wrote an amazing book on hearing alert work! Captain’s so excited to start now that the crazy October is over, and I’ve got my ears on full alert for all the new things I’ll be learning. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m ready to work hard and make my Captain proud. Every time I learn something new, I get lots of cheers, treats, and belly rubs, which makes the hard work totally worth it!

Lessons Learned (And a Whole Lot of Taylor Swift)

As I’ve been growing up, Captain’s learned that no matter how much training we do, my nature is just part of who I am—quirks, squirrel-chasing, and all. She says that’s what makes me unique, and no matter where we go next in training, I’m going to be one fabulous hearing alert dog and her best furry friend. Plus, I’ve picked up a few Swiftie anthems along the way, thanks to Captain’s concert playlist on repeat. If there’s one thing that’s for sure, it’s that life with my Captain is always an adventure.

Until next time, keep those treats handy and the Taylor Swift tunes loud!