Jeep the Dog

We all know that Jeep is a good girl who is learning new things every day.  Because of her big size, it is sometimes hard to remember she is just a baby.  Just like all of us, Jeep  is making her own share of “mistakes” along the way.  Some of them are quite funny and not all that surprising considering she is one BIG fluffy pup.  We still love her anyway!

I guess these scissors won’t be used to trim her toe fur anymore. Jeep has ticklish paws and never likes it when I trim them.  Do you think she ate the scissors on purpose?  I am just happy she didn’t nibble the other end.

 

Remember that wading pool Jeep liked to play in? Well, there is no need to fill it with the hose now.

 

Jeep has always had a thing for outdoor rocking chair legs.

Finally, in this video, Jeep is caught in the act of pulling the stuffing and noise maker out of a toy gorilla.  (The screaming you hear is the gorilla – poor guy!)  Somehow, Jeep still manages to look innocent like only a Pyrenees can!

Ever wonder what Jeep does on the weekend when she is not at school?  This past weekend Jeep hosted a slumber party with Dot Com.  She invited a seven month old English Retreiver and a one year old Chihuahua mix to join them.

Yes, it is funny to see a Great Pyr play with a Chihuahua although I think you will agree that the little Chihuahua holds his own. Jeep remains our gentle giant.

 

Unfortunately, this fun event has been canceled due to rain.  Jeep is very disappointed!

Of course, Jeep is excited to celebrate National Dog Day with all her friends at Lake Villa 41.  And for those of you out there who think  Jeep and  I might be making this up, check out http://www.nationaldogday.com/

If you think National Dog Day is crazy, perhaps you didn’t hear about the Great Pyrenees in Minnesota who was elected Mayor two days ago.  Duke, a nine year old Pyr, is serving his third term as Mayor.  Maybe Jeep should run for president!  What do you think?           Great Pyr is Mayor

 

On Saturday, August 27 from 10 am until noon, you can visit  with Jeep and get a picture taken with her at the Lindenhurst Park District’s Touch a Truck event.  It will be held at the  Lippert Community Center Parking Lot (2200 E. Grass Lake Road).  It is free for kids of all ages.

Jeep will be there in her 1947 original Willys Jeep.  There will also be dump trucks, garbage trucks, a firetruck, mini race cars and more for kids to climb and explore.  Hope you can join us!

Lindenhurst’s Touch a Truck

Jeep was so excited to see all her friends at Thompson, Hooper, Martin and Palombi today.  Many of Jeep’s friends were astonished by  much Jeep grew over the summer.  You can see just how happy Jeep is to have kids back at school.  How can a dog even smile like that?

Jeep is now 7 months old and weighs over 80 pounds.  She still has a lot of growing to do.  Eventually she will weigh about 125 pounds.  Great Pyrenees belong to the “giant” breed of dogs.  Jeep has doubled the size of her dog sister Dot Com.  You remember Dot Com don’t you?  She is that crazy German Short Hair Pointer who can’t slow down enough to be a therapy dog. Dot Com is always on the go and I am surprised she stopped running long enough to get her picture taken.   This is a picture of when Dot Com and Jeep first met just six short months ago.

 

Jeep was very anxious to get back to school to see the smiling faces of teachers and staff as they arrived for the Opening Day Institute at Palombi Middle School.  Do you recognize some of the wonderful Lake Villa 41 staff posing with  Jeep?  Jeep is a very happy puppy!

Jeep is sure that  Tuesday will be even more fun than today because she will get to see all her kid friends at Martin, Hooper, Thompson and Palombi as they arrive back at school.

Did you know that Jeep loves kids more than steak bones?  It’s true!   Jeep also has a special surprise for each school so stay tuned!

Jeep has been a busy puppy this summer.  Jeep visited students at Martin who were attending summer school.  She also held a “Meet and Greet” at the Lake Villa District Library to promote summer reading.  Over 80 people attended!  Greet Jeep at the Library

Because she is a Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog, Jeep is not overly fond of the hot summer weather.  She spent a lot of time at home in her puppy wading pool.

One thing Jeep did this summer was GROW!  Pyrenees are “giant breed” dogs.  She just turned seven months old and weighs over 75 lbs.  It is hard to believe she had to be carried up and down the stairs at Palombi when she first started her therapy training visits.

Jeep thoroughly enjoyed mud splashing and playing with her dog sister Dot Com on a particularly rainy afternoon this summer.  Pyrenees just love everything about the dirt.  In Jeep’s mind she believes the dirtier the better!  You can check out Jeep in action here.  Even Dot Com makes a brief appearance.

Since making our twice weekly rounds to the schools last Spring, Jeep’s popularity has continued to soar.  Jeep’s personality is certainly suited to the work of a therapy dog.  She is extremely calm, especially for a puppy.  She loves visiting students and staff alike.  A number of parents have shared with me just how much their children talk about Jeep at home.

Hopefully students, staff and families will enjoy reading up on the antics of Jeep as she continues her training journey.  I appreciate how Jeep has helped me to connect with children and with staff.  As a superintendent, I know I have a much clearer understanding of the day to day operations of all our schools.

Thank you for allowing us both to be part of the greater Lake Villa community!

Sincerely,

Dr. Lynette Zimmer, Jeep’s human sidekick and partner