Black Dogs in the snow.

It can be so hard to take pictures of black dogs in the snow.  So often they just turn into black blobs against a sea of white.  I have been practicing with different camera settings, light conditions, ect, and have finally got some black dog pictures worth posting!

The first is Sterling, and I think the snow makes his eyes even more striking.  This guy has eyes the color of amber and whiskey.  They remind me of a panther's eyes.

Hugo always has this intense expression, and with his loving to roll and dig in the snow, he usually has some flakes still on his face.

Edie at Sundance

We went and walked Main Street today to practice walking in crowds (and man were there crowds!).  Edie handled it like a pro and was complemented several times on her good behavior.  Most people thought she was much older than she is!  Since she acted like such a star, she got her picture taken in front of the background that all the famous people do.

Edie...Sundance super-star!

And the verdict is....

Sterling will be going back to Guide Dogs around the middle of April, which is when the next puppy truck comes to this area.  He will be one OLD boy though, 19 months!  I am so happy I get to have him for 3 more months, but sad that he will be leaving 2 1/2 weeks before my graduation!  This means I will be starting my new pup by myself for all of May, as Tom will be up in Canada living on the Wapta (sp?) icefield.

To get a good perspective on any issues Sterling needs to work on before recall, I traded with Lindsey for the week.  I have the sweet, lovely, and very out-going Edie.  She has been great so far, and has the distinction of being the ONLY dog I have ever seen do a play bow at a vacum cleaner (while it was running!).  

Yesterday Tom, 2 other ski patrollers, and I hiked up behind Deer Valley Resort to go do some backcountry skiing.  It turned into a jump building/dog wrangling session in which we got some awesome pictures. Which of course blogger won't let me upload.  So here are two that it did!

Parrot for adoption?

We now have a parrot at my work. This is a true example of a lifetime commitment! (60-70 years is average!)

Meet...Sobe

Eval Saturday

At 2pm, on Saturday, Sterling will be evaluated by my CFR.  While I would love to see him go on to formal training, whatever he decides to do will make me happy.  A piece of my heart will alway be with this guy no matter where he ends up.

Lets hope for a good eval!

News

Well my CFR looks like she will be coming out earlier than expected, and that may mean a sooner decision about Sterling.  I really do think he has reached the limits of what I can do with him.  He is an awesome dog with amazing obedience, such a love to be around, and good public manners.  However, he does get a little stressed in some situations.  With him being my first dog, I do not know how much that could effect him and if they can work through it in formal training.  I hope so, but if not, I know he would love pet life too!  I have all online classes this semester so that I do not have to worry about leaving a baby pup for long periods of time.

Warning...little bit of a rant...

Yesterday I took Marley down to the unofficial dog park.  It is not really a dog park, just a field that a bunch of us congregate on to let our dogs play.  Well, there are some unofficial rules that go with this park.  You have to clean up after your dog, no aggressive dogs, and you have to watch your dog to make sure they do not push another dog over the edge!!!  Well there is a women down there who I ran into over the summer.  She would go down, stand in the middle of the park, and make her dogs sit there.  Then, if any dog comes over to her dogs (which are super special cause they come from Germany, you know, lol.)  she will yell at the owner, and then kick the dog if they do not get away fast enough.  She did this to Marley over the summer, kicked him so hard that it knocked the wind out of him, just for trying to greet another dog in a friendly manner.

Yesterday she had a new pup with her that was being really annoying to the older dogs. Running over, jumping at their faces, trying to take their toys, ect.   Marley, after being repeatedly jumped on, (despite me intercepting the pup numerous times) let out a growl and this women yells " Don't bring your dog here if he eats puppies!"  What the... 

Anyways, I let her have it, and now no one will talk to her.  I hope she stops coming back.  It is a dog park, and they are dogs!!!  Noise happens, that is one of the ways they talk to one another.  I wish people would educate themselves on basic canine interaction before they ever take their dogs to a social setting such as this.

Sorry about the rant!  Lol.  My club goes to see Marley and Me tonight, so hopefully I will have pictures from that.

What I have been up to...

Work, skiing, dogs, having fun, and living life.  I got the first bit of news for Sterling's recall this week.  Looks like he will be evaluated by a leader from a different club, and if all goes well, then he will go back.  If not, then I believe he will be cc'd in the field.

He has been doing awesome lately, but it really is all about how they do outside their comfort zone. My leader told me it looks like it is time to put in another puppy application.  Even though I really don't want to housebreak in the middle of winter again....looks like that is what will happen.

That is all the news I have for now.  

Lost Pup Found!

DONA ANA COUNTY, N.M. -- A guide dog missing since Dec. 26 was found Wednesday at a farm near Las Cruces, the dog's trainer Beverly Farmersaid. Farmer said she received a tip that two teenagers were allegedlytrying to sell and then decided to keep Argos, the 10-month-old yellow labrador who was being trained for the Guide Dogs for the Blind program. Farmer said she contacted a man who knew one of the two teenagers, who directed her to a house in Mesilla Park near Las Cruces. She said she talked to the teenager's father, who led her to a farm north of LasCruces. A neighbor directed her to a road where she spotted Argos. Farmer said she called the dog and he jumped into the car. Police were not called, and no charges have been filed at this time, Farmer said. She said Argos was fine. Argos is being raised by a volunteer family from Denver who visited Las Cruces for the holidays. Guide Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit organization that breeds, raises and trains dogs then places them with people that are blind or visually impaired free of charge.