May 30, 2017

Dear Terry, I learned a new trick. I can count 5 and I can count 10. Mom says I have my own special way of counting. First I sit down and then Mom asks me a math question. Sometimes she says what's 4 plus 1?? and I hold my foot up! That's right she says! FIVE! And I get a treat! Fred, What's 12 minus 7?? and I hold my foot up! That's right she says! FIVE! Dad tries to trick me, he asks, Fred, What's 5 times 1?? But I know!!! I hold my foot up!! That's RIGHT! FIVE!!! But me and Mom always save the best for last. She asks me, Fred, What's 5 plus 5??? I hold up both feet!! That's right!! TEN!!! When we first showed Dad how I could count 5, he was all confused. Then he caught on. He said OHHHHH I see 5 claws on Fred's feet! Give me FIVE! Then he laughed and laughed! He said maybe one day I could learn the other numbers but Five is a good place to start!

Mom said she is going to try and teach me another Helper Job. Aunt Laura saw on TV how a shelter dog like me learned how to smell low blood sugar. He wanted to be a Helper Dog to his family. So he learned how to smell low blood sugar like it was a trick. Mom looked up how to teach me. I can learn anything. I don't know what low blood sugar is but if I can help Dad, I can learn it really fast. I have tricks that I do and then I have Helper Dog Jobs. I can turn on the battery lights for Dad. I let him know when he's going to get one of the bad headaches. I help when he gets confused about which room to go to and when he gets anxious. I'm a real good smeller. I KNOW I can learn how to smell low blood sugar. Helper Dog Jobs are things I do because I want to help Dad. I don't get any treats but I get lots of pets on the head! Tricks are when we are having fun and I get a treat. Mom said she has to get some supplies to help me learn but I am going to start learning real soon.

Hope you have a good night!

Barks and Wags, FredDog!