An October Update...

Time for an October update! Much has happened since I got back from California.

I will start with the best…Marley saved Dante’s life! I kid you not; Marley performed an action that was deliberate and saved Dante from serious injury or death.

The story…

I was out on a walk with Dante and Marley, both off lead. We were on a little-used trail near dusk when I heard something come charging out of the bushes. It was a Husky-type dog, and when he came out and saw Dante, he charged. Huskies have a very high prey drive, and are often aggressive towards small animals, Chihuahua’s included. Knowing this, I did not take this charge to be any play maneuver; I knew Dante’s life was in danger. I ran at the dog screaming, trying to get to Dante before him. Dante tried to circle back to me, but in his panic to keep away from the charging Husky, kept running in a parallel line.
I was frantic, and called for Marley, who was about 50ft up the trail. He stopped what he was doing, turned and ran right for the Husky. He charged the dog, broadsided him with his shoulder, and flipped him on to his back. At this point I was very concerned I would now have a dog fight on my hands, albeit a more fair one than what would have transpired between Dante and the Husky. However, Marley simply stood over the dog, who was now cowering on his back, until I was able to grab Dante and ensure his safety. Once I had Dante, I called to Marley, he let the other dog up, and we continued on our way. Marley was very alert the rest of the evening, and for good reason! About 15 min later the same dog popped out of the bushed about 10 ft on my right, and Marley once again chased him off.
I think Dante owes his life to Marley!

Now on to Guide dog news. Sterling’s brother, Shaw, will be going back to GDB at the end of October. He will be part of an experimental program where the dogs will receive 5-6 workouts a day instead of 1-3. This is in the hopes that they can graduate sooner and there-by reduce kennel stress. One dog from our club was transferred to the high school raising program, and that raiser will be getting a puppy at the end of this month. Sterling continues to improve in almost every aspect, but he will not be going back anytime soon.

I have had Bracken, Burgess’s brother, since Thurs. He is a sweet pup, but it makes me appreciate just how far Sterling has come! He went to a short movie with me, and was great, and has been going to work with me, much to the disappointment of potential adopters! (Everyone thinks he is sooo cute, but cannot believe he is only 4 ½ months when they see how big he is!) It snowed here this weekend, and Bracken got to experience the wonder that is that cold stuff!

School continues to move along; both my fine arts classes have been forcing me to be quite creative this semester. Lets here it for leaving Gen Eds till the end!

That is all the news I have for now, hopefully a picture post will follow. I have been getting great pics for my photography class, but it is a film class, and so not easily transferable to the internet! Have an awesome week everyone, I know I will since I am on fall break.