Next Chapter - Forever Home

Making memories.  That's what's going on with Sassie during her last few days at the prison.  She has also been working hard to make sure she is ready for whatever life throws at her, especially if it's a tasty treat.  She deserves a few days off, don't you think?

Sassie's trainer said he is not the only one that will miss this sweet hot mess of a girl.  She is part of so many people's daily routines and without her, the lights aren't going to seem as bright.  They all wish her luck as she starts her next chapter in life and know her new family is going to love and enjoy her as much as they have. 

Get On The Sassie Fun Bus!

This past week Sassie has been cleared for graduation.  Look out world!!!  She knows all her basic commands and then some.  Her trainer could not be more proud of her progress from wild pro circuit racing queen to loving household pet. Do not get it twisted.  Sassie can still get wild at times, but that just comes from her appreciation of life in general.  Speaking of wild, one of Sassie's trainers favorite things about her, is her love of all things that squeak.  Even when you think she is too tired to play anymore, one squeak from a toy will crank her up all over again.  He  thinks she could squeak a toy until she falls asleep, if he would let her.

Word around the prison is Sassie is going to a home with a big brother.  Her trainer gets the feeling that Sassie is going to play the part of the little sister who always wants to tag along, and without fail, will find his toys and bed more appealing than her own.  Isn't that what little sisters are for?  Hopefully her brother can appreciate the fact that Sassie is just here to have a good time.  At the end of the day you can either get on the fun bus with her or be the object in her rear view mirror that gets smaller and smaller as the party, that is Sassie, rolls onward into the sunset.

People Pleaser

This week was swap week, where the trainers trade dogs to test for separation anxiety and to ensure they will perform their commands for someone new. Sassie's swap week trainer says he's one lucky guy!! She is so loving and friendly and has lots of playful energy. She loves to play with toys, especially ones that squeak. She does all of her commands for her entire training team. What a star student! 

Sassie showed no signs of separation anxiety at all. She is a real people pleaser and has such a wonderful personality. Sassie will make a great addition to your family!

Brush Your Beautiful Golden Hair

What's up fellow rockers?  This is Sassie, queen bee of the rock scene.  I had some down time between sets, so I thought I would personally give all my fans out there an update on my life, instead of getting my personal assistant, aka my trainer to do it.  He is a super great guy by the way.  I wouldn't be where I am today without him and the team... Team Sassie.  Because of them, I have now mastered such things like jump.  I plan to use this command to get in and out of cars as my forever family shuttles me back and forth from some place called "Petsmart".  I am told this place is heaven for toy lovers like myself, I am so looking forward to it!

I needed a variety in my act, so my trainer started working on a new command with me.  He calls it "brush your hair".  At first I was hesitant because I just assumed a goddess like myself had superb hair, but this guy gives me a treat just for running my paw over my head.  So I figure, it is a delectable treat and if he wants to give it to me for brushing my hair, then I'm down with that.  Like I said, this guy is smart, so who am I to stand in the way of perfect hair?

Well, I hear the crowd chanting for an encore.  Till next week people. Peace out.  Now if I could just remember where I put my guitar...

Party Like A Rock Star

If there ever was a greyhound that deserved rock star status, it would be Sassie.  She is passionate for playtime where she wrecks havoc on any and all toys, mixed with the occasional bed.  The reward, of course, comes only after obeying a few commands.  Even rock stars have to give a concert before returning to their hotel room to party until the sun comes up.  Which is what Sassie would do if her trainer didn't remind her that, yes she is cute when playing, but it is not very lady like to leave all our toys lying around everywhere as if a Texas twister touched down.  It's so comical to watch her throw her toys up in the air like she is the queen of the world and she deems them worthy of the gift of flight. 

Sassie's trainer thinks we could all learn a lesson by watching Ms. Sassie live her life.  That lesson is... when the kennel door swings open and you step out onto the stage we call life, you give it your all, whether it's a crowd of thousands or just a crowd of one.      #RockstarSassie

Sassie is doing great in her training.  She knows all her basic commands and has learned a few extras, such as shake, bow and give.  Get ready for this sweet girl to rock your world!

Jumpin' for Treats

This week was all about reaching new heights with Miss Sassie. Literally. The first part was learning jump. When Sassie first laid eyes on the jump obstacle, she gave it a look one might reserve for a door-to-door vacuum salesman who shows up right when you're heading out for a night on the town. Not unfriendly, per se, but an "oh, are you kidding me?" What is this unsolicited obstacle doing here? Tell me!

But once she figured out that jumping up on the obstacle earns her a mouth-watering treat, she greeted it with paws wide open! As if the vacuum salesman at her door had revealed himself to be a Publisher's Clearinghouse spokesperson with a comically oversized cardboard check for one million dollars ('just think of how many treats I can buy!' she'd cry to the camera). 

The second task? Stairs. Strangely enough, going up was easier than coming down. At first she thought, why step down slowly when I could just leap into the air and fly down in one cool move? But, after three or four tries, she developed the grace to descend stairs that would rival any debutante. Sassie has come a long way, and her trainer says he considers himself so lucky and fortunate to be playing a part in helping her develop the repertoire of skills needed to be the perfect companion, and some lucky family's newest member.

Here Comes Sassie!!

Sassie's training continues to go great.  She knows all her basic commands well in a quiet setting, but throw some excitement into the mix and she gets a little sidetracked.  Her trainer said it is hard to be stern with her because she is so darn adorable.  She will look at you with those quintessential puppy dog eyes, that could even melt the Grinch's cold heart, and you just want to love on her. 

News Flash!!  This is not my first rodeo and her trainer is convinced by the time she graduates, Sassie will be ready for the world and all of the exciting adventures that come with it.  Look out everyone!  Here comes Sassie!

Good Dog Syndrome: Incurable and Adorable

Sassie continues to be a tour de force when it comes to exploring her surroundings and the people in them. You'd think she was performing an archaeological survey! She is determined to make a name for herself challenging Lewis and Clark, and even Wishbone himself, as America's greatest explorer. 

Her training is going greyt! She has figured out that if she puts her daydreaming on pause for a second and pays attention to her trainer, she can earn a tasty treat. She really thrives when presented with a challenge, so to keep her interested in her studies, she's now learning some extras like shake and bow. After all, what would a true lady of refinement be without being able to greet her loyal subjects and adoring fans with a flourish?

One of the best qualities about Sassie is that she has yet to meet a stranger. This past week, there was a meet and greet with people who are interested in applying to the program to become a trainer. It was so uplifting to watch Sassie bring a smile to everyone's face as she went from person to person burying her head in their lap while getting a good petting. She is such a special dog who has taken her joyful outlook on life and infected everyone she comes into contact with it. So be forewarned - contact with Sassie may cause uncontrollable laughter, intense smiles that last for days, and in some cases increased heart size. It's too late for her trainer - he says he's already exhibiting all the symptoms! #I'mDownWithThisSickness

Stealing Hearts Everywhere

If Sassie were to wear a t-shirt it would most definitely have the words "Hot Mess" across the front of it.   She is very curious about everything.  Right now she is obsessed with towels and blankets.  She will grab them and try and run off with them.  Her trainers are trying to break her from it, but they say it's just so endearing and over-the-top to watch her run away with her prize.

Sassie is learning her commands at warp speed and you can see an amazing amount of progress in just one week.  She already "sits" and "downs" like a champ.  Her "stay" needs a lot more work.  After all, she is very busy and doesn't understand why her humans are lacking her sense of adventure.  LOL. 

Look out world!  Here comes Sassie with her cute face and lovable personality to conquer the hearts of everyone.  Her trainer speaks from experience.  She has already captured his.  He never stood a chance...

America's Next Top Girl!

When you first lay eyes on Sassie, you feel like you're at Fashion Week in Milan. She is a stunningly beautiful model working the runway in slow motion, and you're an awestruck bystander. She holds her head high, radiating the confidence usually reserved for royalty, but she lacks the typically concomitant snobbishness of the crown. The first thing she did was shove her head against her trainer's chest for their first ever hug!

Sassie is a fearless explorer who could give Dora a run for her money. The challenege with Sassie is channeling her love for the world into a life with boundaries that include sitting, staying, and "down"-ing to get what she wants, and not relying on her incredibly cute face! Tune in next week to find out how her first week of training went!