Introducing the biggest boy...

On the truck! Meet Rafferty, my 4th guide dog puppy. He is a male black lab, born 8.14.2009, to Samuel/Sarita. He weighs 21 lbs and is the cause of my arms aching from holding him so much today! So worth it though, cause I know it is not going to last! He is cute, calm, and confident. He already thinks he can run with the big dogs! So far he has been a great little boy, and I feel so lucky to have the chance to be his raiser. Oh, and he was the big boy on the right from the puppy truck picture : )

Puppy Truck Heading Our Way!

Here is a picture that was posted on the GDB Facebook page yesterday. For all of you without Facebook, here is a look at some of the puppies heading to UT and CO today. All of our CFR's helped load up the puppy truck. Go Barb! That black pup on the right is one big boy!! Just a few hours until one of these guys is in my arms!

Just one day to go!

Tomorrow I get my new puppy! We have had snow the past two days and I am looking forward to a stop in the snow for housetraining. My new puppy is older, so that should help in that department. "R" boy, or Roomba as I have taken to calling him, will actually turn 11 weeks on Friday. He will be the second oldest puppy I have gotten, with Millie being the oldest since she was 6 months when she was transfered to me. But he will be the oldest puppy I have gotten off the puppy truck. Sterling was 9 1/2 weeks, and Paris was just barley 8 weeks when I got her. Hopefully my arms will hold out for pictures tomorrow!

"Roomba" is a Samuel/Sarita puppy, and since Sarita was a litter mate to Sterling, that makes him Sterling's nephew! I can't wait for this special little (or big!) boy to make his way into my life tomorrow.

Also, I am trying to make my blog more friendly to those with screen readers. Does anyone have any suggestions? Like how do you add descriptions to your pictures? Thanks for any advice!

Marley, Millie, & Dante Fall Pictures

I took Millie and Marley up City Creek Canyon for some fall photos. Here are the results!

I almost want to submit this one for Calender consideration....

Goodbye Baby Girl...

We are getting ready to leave for the truck. I have checked off the last of the things to do, made sure I have "Fun Things About My Puppy" and a picture cd attached. A cozy blanket is packed for her to snuggle in. Last breakfast has been eaten. She is ready, and I guess so am I.

Good luck Millie, I know you will do amazing things, but I am going to miss your incredible spirit.

24 things for 24 hours left....

With less than a day remaining with Millie, I thought I would do a post just about her.

These are 24 things that make Millie a special and unique girl.

1. Millie is always happy. This girl never misses a beat.

2. She LOVES her Nylabones. I have a big basket that she will go over to and pull out her chosen bone.

3. She has a great loose leash walk!

4. She loves to play with other dogs.

5. If I am sitting on the floor she will come and sit in my lap.

6. She will lick milk off of baby kittens.

7. When she runs she looks like she is frolicking

8. She LOVES dinner. She starts drooling the min the bowl comes out.

9. Millie is very sensitive to moods and will act silly to make you feel better.

10. She is great with kids.

11. She loves playing with her Jolly Ball, though I swear she is going to knock someone out one of these days.

12. I only have to look at her for her to come for a pet.

13. She is a pretty neat water drinker.

14. She will swim!

15. She LOVES Kongs!!! She will drop it and watch it bounce. Even down the stairs.

16. She runs around like a crazy dog after a bath.

17. She prances when she knows she is going for a walk.

18. She likes to lick my hand, or fingers, to get my attention.

19. She is so smart.

20. She is so loving.

21. She loves to 'work'.

22. She has never had an accident in a building.

23. She is a joy to work with.

24. I will miss her and her wonderful personality. I know this girl is going to do great things.

Puppy Delay...

Well it looks like I am going to have a break, albeit a short one, between sending Millie off to college and getting my new little pup. I had originally thought I would be getting my pup on the 29th and sending Millie back on the 31st, giving me two fun days of overlap. Instead Millie will be leaving (most likely in a training van) on the 21st, and my new pup will arrive on the 29th as the puppy truck makes its way to Colorado.

That will make for one sad send off as no one will be getting a cute little pup to cry into. I will probably end up watching another pup while I wait for my own to arrive.

No word yet on what I am getting though!

Fall Photos...

Yesterday we went on a walk near a historic barn. There also happened to be some very large trees that Marley found irresistible. He hopped right up and started climbing away...he never ceases to amaze (and sometimes worry) me with his antics. We also got some good shots of Millie and Hugo.

Marley sitting on the tree, so pretty with the sun lighting up his face!

Look how high I am Mom!

Exploring further out on the tree.

Climbing up the tree.

Me and Millie, both fixated on something. I think this was right before she jumped off the tree.

Millie, bored with picture taking.

Looking pretty in front of a fence.

Looking irritated in front of the same fence!

The trio. And of course Hugo has to have his Frisbee.

Me and Millie.

Marley and Me (haha, I knew I would write that at some point).

Pretty boy Hugo.

Recall: but not defective!

Recently I posted about Millie returning for recall on my Facebook page. Many of my friends, unfamiliar with GDB terminology, immediately responded, asking what was wrong, and just what kind of a recall affects a dog anyway....

I had to laugh as I corrected everyone on my wording, but it did make me think. Usually we here the word recall in other aspects of life, and it is always something defective, or bad. Like my Mom's Prius floor mats which had a recall this past week.

But with the guide dog pups, it is something good! It means you have done what you are supposed to do, done all you can to prepare them for college (formal training), and are now ready to say good bye. Well, maybe no one is ever READY to say good bye, but we know it is coming and can now look forward to watching our pups progress through formal training and whatever career they choose to undertake.

Millie will be my first dog to actually return for formal training. I did have to say goodbye to Sterling, but knowing he had chosen the pampered pet life. I just found out today that Millie's recall date is now the 21st of this month, instead of the 31st. That leaves me with just under two weeks to pack in final outings, lots of play and snuggle time, and lots and lots of pictures.

For lack of any real news....

Here is a cute picture post! I recently uploaded my little camera and had a whole bunch of pictures from this summer just waiting to be seen. From baby Paris pictures, outdoor adventures, and traffic walks to silly statue encounters, here is a sampling from my forgotten camera.

If you made it this far, good for you! Hopefully I will have some puppy news to report this week!