Category: Saint’s Great Adventure

Hi, everyone! How are you? The weather is becoming cold, and the snow is coming. I am so excited because then I can play with snowballs! Do you like snow days, too?

Today I want to talk a bit about BEYOND LIMITS. I want to introduce one of BEYOND LIMITS’ members to you: the brilliant and funny person, from Beijing, China, named Tong Liu. He is so funny that he always makes the people around him laugh long and hard. He is the only volunteer who communicate with others by a second language. His first language is Chinese.

Are you interested in China in general or Beijing in particular? How about the Great Wall? The Imperial Palace? Feel free to ask questions. Tong is very eager to explain everything about China to you. He also welcomes every person to travel to China to see these and other sights.

Also, Tong has a great project. He created and cares for a YouTube channel for BEYOND LIMITS where you can always find the precious moments about Mummy’s and my everything. He has very excellent equipment to record every special moment for BEYOND LIMITS. He even uses a drone to take aerial photographs. Would you like to try this machine? Just tell me and I will pass the word on to him!

Anyway, if you go to our BEYOND LIMITS channel, you will be surprised at the fantastic photos and videos! Many of them feature me. So be sure to check it out and see me smiling at you!

Hi, guys! It’s me, Saint. First of all, Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that you all had a great holiday and had lots to be thankful for. Mummy and I had a very nice holiday. And we even got some Christmas gift wrapping done. I have so much to be thankful for. We have done so many exciting things this year!

I have to tell you guys about the cool thing we did a few weeks ago. Mummy, six of her students and I did a Facebook Live event! If you follow us on Facebook, you might have even seen us. Mummy and her students talked about BEYOND LIMITS and they got to answer questions from people who were watching. It was really neat. I have to admit that I slept through some of it. Everyone was just sitting around and talking, and it had been a long day. It’s a lot of work being Mummy’s helper. I hope that we do another event soon. Hopefully we all can do something fun and entertaining!

The event seemed to go really well. Mummy was really happy about it and other people seemed to enjoy it, too! Everyone was laughing and having a great time. I love how close everyone has gotten. Just a few years ago, I remember meeting these students for the first time. Now, we have all gotten to know one another and some are even getting ready to graduate. I get to see them pretty much every week. Some even stay until late at night talking to Mummy and me. I think this makes Mummy tired, though. She says she likes her bed. I try to tell her to just take naps during the day like me. I guess she thinks her students wouldn’t like it.

Well, that’s what has been going on lately. We have some exciting plans coming up, so I’ll keep you all posted. Until then, take care. Bye, guys!

Hello, everyone. Halloween will be coming soon. Have you ever thought of dressing up for Halloween? I always think about that! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. It symbolizes love and kindness, joy and happiness to me because I can dress up together with Mummy! I enjoy dressing up! I always think that is very fun!

I still remember when Mummy dressed up as a demoness, Lilith, with a red wig and trident. I also remember when Mummy dressed up as a dark angel, with black wings and a black head ring. That is so cool. I was very extraordinary last time, too. Mummy gave me a hat with long hair and two braids. Everyone said that I looked lovely and beautiful! Everyone wanted to touch my long hair!

Wait! The most exciting thing for my Halloween is when Mummy has a class for Halloween week. She always requires all students to dress up and come to class. For me, that is a visual feast! Students have different costumes. They dress up as ghosts, witches or frightening Dracula, as lovely clowns and scary ones. In other words, they dress up whatever they want to be. That’s so creative! So funny!

I cannot wait to see what will happen this Halloween! Because of Mummy’s friends, Mummy and I have been away on the Appalachian Trail. I’ve been out with so much blue sky, white clouds and beautiful sunshine, beautiful landscape in the woods, too. Could you give me some suggestions about what should I dress up for this Halloween? Maybe a tree? A monkey?

Happy Halloween all! Saint loves you guys!

Hi, guys! It’s Saint again! Who’s loving this fall weather? I know I am! The trees are getting so pretty, the weather’s a bit cooler and there are lots of new scents to sniff! Mummy and I have had a pretty busy summer since we got back to take a little break from hiking. We have been meeting with her students (I really missed them!) and even giving some presentations here and there.

I actually wanted to tell you guys about a presentation that Mummy and I gave recently. It was in Caribou, Maine at the Outdoor Sport Institute. We call it OSI. Mummy’s friend Mike was there. He was one of the Sherpas who hiked Katahdin a couple of years ago. He had a class of four gap year students who are taking a semester to take an outdoor adventure class instead of jumping right in to college. Let me see if I can remember their names: Ruslan, McKensi, Libby and Sarah. Yes! I did it!

Mummy gave them a presentation about the Appalachian Trail Adventure. Then, Mummy, Mike and Seth, Mike’s helper, gave a demonstration using the carrier. Mummy got in and Mike and Seth took turns carrying her on their backs. The students got to help by assisting Mummy in getting in and out of the carrier. I watched for a bit. But mostly I sniffed around the room. There were several people and so many good scents to smell!

Mummy and I have some more presentations coming up soon. We’re always busy. But that’s how we like it. It keeps things really interesting. And it’s always fun telling people about BEYOND LIMITS and all of our adventures!

Well, I’d better get going. My dinner is calling my name. I’ll talk to you all again very soon. Bye!

Hi guys! Saint here. So, I don’t know if you know this, but Mummy and I are back from the Appalachian Trail for a little while. Even though I loved being with Mummy and exploring the world, I am more than happy to be back home in Maine, being able to sleep all day and see all my friends again!

Speaking of my friends, we got to see Mummy’s students again! They all were so happy to see me. They were petting me and talking to me: my tail wouldn’t stop wagging. The best part was that I didn’t have my vest on, so I could go visit with them as much as I wanted! I was being such a good girl that Mummy even gave me some carrots for my good behavior!

Some days Mummy and I don’t go to school. We stay at home. I thought that was a little funny, because Mummy was always in her office or talking to her students in her classroom before we left for the hike. Mummy says that she got some time off from her regular teaching so that she can write and talk about BEYOND LIMITS. I’m not complaining though. There’s nothing better than being home with Mummy, sleeping the day away with all my toys.

The days that we do make our way to school, I know that we will be able to see Mummy’s students. Like I said, they love me so much. They are my biggest fans. Well, apart from Mummy, who is my number one fan. I love being with Mummy and the students. When I want to sleep, I can. When I want to go say hello, I can. Then when it’s time for Mummy and me to go home, it’s back to service dog duty. We head home, where my vest can come off again and I can play and sleep all I want.

Even though I miss all of the friends we met when we were on the trail, I know seeing me makes Mummy’s students extra happy. And that makes me the happiest dog.

Hello, my friends. I would like to talk food today. The reason is that we all know that everybody needs to eat every day, which means most creatures cannot survive without food. Actually, there often are many people who are interested in what food I always eat. So, I would like to introduce my menu.

First, I eat Eukanuba brand Large Breed Adult kibble for my daily life. I always have two meals–Breakfast and Dinner–every day. It not only makes me feel full but also gives me energy for the whole day.

Second, I really like carrots. I get several carrots with each meal, and also sometimes have them for my snacks.

When I do something well, I always get a few rewards. For example, when I open the door for others, Mummy will give me some snacks. Sometimes I can get extra pieces of kibble. It’s almost like dessert. I really think it is delicious and also includes rich vitamins. Mummy also told me that it is really good for my body.

Third, comes Pup-Peroni. I know when I do something really great, Mummy will give me a piece of Pup-Peroni. I’m so happy for this, because this is not only very delicious, but also indicates Mummy’s approval. Do any of you like Pup-Peroni like I do？

At bedtime, I get a few Rawhide Chew Sticks. Not only do they taste good: they also help keep my teeth and jaws clean and in good shape. I feel good.

Now, just like with human hikers, I consumed more calories when I hiked than I do in my everyday life. So, Mummy increased the amount of kibble that she gave me for my meals. And I got more snacks–more Pup-Peroni and rawhide. This made me very happy, because I love to eat.

I hope that you guys will choose balanced, healthy food because it will help you have a healthy body.

Hi, everyone! It’s Saint (Truffles) again! Mummy and I have been hard at work preparing for our next adventure. And classes are about to start up again. But I have a few minutes to catch you guys up on what’s been going on. It’s been a busy summer!
As you probably know, Mummy and I have been home for a good part of the summer. We did two section hikes on the Appalachian Trail, and we decided to come home for a bit to take care of some things here. Some of our equipment needed a little TLC.
I was pretty excited to come home for a little while. When we left home, there was still snow on the ground. And when we came back, summer was here! It was really nice for Mummy and me to see our backyard. I could walk on it without leaving footprints!
Mummy had some people watching over the house while we were gone. But we still managed to have some unexpected visitors. Guys, there were little mice living in our house! I even visited them a few times. They brought their families and they were all so nice! They’re actually my friends now. Our home is so nice, I guess they just wanted to live there, too. Mummy found several cracks in the walls of our basement, so she says that’s how they got in. I don’t blame them. It was cold outside this winter!
Anyway, no one got harmed. The mice ate some of the food in the house. But that’s OK, I’ll share! I think that they have probably all moved out by now. At least, I haven’t seen them around lately. I think that Mummy just didn’t have enough room for them in our house. They probably all went off to find new homes. I think that Mummy’s friend, Al, is going to check out the situation at some point, just to make sure that everyone is safe and has a good home.
Aside from all of that, Mummy and I have been able to catch up with some of her students this summer. They all seemed really happy to see us. They all still look the same. Sometimes I have to sniff to make sure. They are all so impressed by the adventures that we’ve been having. They seem to really love the pictures that we took. Mummy and I take great pictures! You guys should check them out!
Well, it’s getting a little late. I’ve got to get to bed because Mummy and I still have some busy days ahead of us and classes will be starting soon. We’ve got to try to whip those students back into shape for the next semester. I will talk to you all very soon! Bye for now!

Hello, everybody! Saint here. Do you guys know that people can handle different roles or duties in life—at the same time? You must be familiar with the hero in the movie Superman. In fact, he is also a journalist at the Metropolis newspaper. The same as him, I also have various roles and duties in my life. Let me introduce them to you guys!

I was awarded Top Dog at UMPI where Mummy works because I am unique at UMPI and I have various skills. When you see the doors at UMPI with ropes on the handles, that suggests I can open the doors for Mummy. I believe many students and professors see my good performance.

I am a good student in Mummy’s class because I am never absent when she teaches. Also, I always seriously listen to the whole class. Sometimes people think that I sleep through class, but I’m really just resting my eyes.

Sometimes I am a model because when I am walking, I always catch so many eyes. Also, I often think I am an investigator because I am used to watching all around Mummy and am prepared to tell Mummy if any danger will happen.

I am a real daughter at home. I will open room doors for Mummy. I will help Mummy get on her warm winter clothes, such as her gloves and hat. I always accompany Mummy when she is working—she does that a lot, even from home. I will listen to Mummy’s every word when she is happy or upset and I try my hardest to keep her feeling good or to help her feel better. I will open the elevator door for Mummy. I will cover up Mummy with quilts in the night, etc.

I am a good teammate with Mummy when Mummy is hiking and climbing mountains. I have special climbing shoes and gear. Also, I sleep with Mummy in a tent. I just love the tent: it’s just the two of us and we are snug and safe from the outside. I am so happy that I can hike and climb mountains with Mummy because I can see the various landscape and make many friends. Some people think that this makes me a superstar, but it’s all part of being Mummy’s baby. (That’s what Mummy calls me.)

Different roles give me different values depending on the situation. But they’re all good. I enjoy the different happiness I get from each role. I always try my best for each one.

Hi, everyone! It’s Saint. Or should I say Truffles? If you haven’t been in the loop, I now have a trail name! Why Truffles, you ask? Don’t worry, I’ll get to that. Just be patient. I have so much to tell you!

Mummy and I spent 10 days on the Appalachian Trail in June. We made a lot of new friends, and everyone had a great time! And, you should all know that I’ve become quite an avid hiker. I’ve never been so fit before! I hear Mummy brag about me to people and even some of her students have commented on my physique. It’s kind of nice. I worked really hard! Sometimes, and don’t tell anyone, I sneak a few peeks at myself in the mirror.

Now, I know you’re probably wondering about my new trail name. Well, when you are on the Trail, there are so many smells to sniff. I can’t help myself. Everything is so new and green and yummy, I have to take a whiff! I tried to get the others to try it. I guess they didn’t want to get their noses dirty. Anyway, some people said I sounded a bit like a pig sniffing for truffles, and so that’s how I got the nickname. I guess truffles are very tasty mushrooms that grow in the ground. Who knew?!

Some of you are probably wondering where I walk, since Mummy is often being carried. Well, I usually walked in the very back. I could still see Mummy and of course I had to make sure that I was behind her if she needed me. One of the carriers usually walked with me, so I wasn’t lonely. The person who got done carrying Mummy would come to the back to walk with me. I got to know everyone really well this way. Everyone was so nice. And I’m pretty sure everybody wanted to be the one to walk with me. I’m a great hiking companion!

Mummy and I are taking a little break right now and are home in Maine for a bit to take care of some things here. But don’t worry, we’ll be on the road again in a few weeks. I’m so excited. I have the best life ever!

Well, my hands are a little tired from all this writing. I’m still resting up from the hike. But I’ll be talking to you all again soon. Mummy and I have many more adventures up ahead. Bye for now!