Change

I am still alive!  There have been some very big changes in my life over the past month and it is about time I did a post.  I am now living by myself and am down to *just* two dogs.  Marley and Rafferty.  Dante has decided to live in luxury with my parents and keep my mom company.  Hugo left with his dad for a different life path and Becky has headed to her very awesome high school raiser.  It feels so weird to only have two dogs after always having 3-4 for the last 3.5 years.   

What does this mean?  Well for starters I am no longer involved in training Hugo for Search and Rescue.   He has started down a great path and I wish him well!  I still plan to stay involved with SAR work, though I may take the winter off.   Marley and I are hoping to start tracking training this month.  Marley may not be the ideal tracking dog, but we will have fun and see where it goes.  Rafferty has 2 months left with me and then he heads off to college for his formal training.  I know he will have fun and be amazing at whatever career he chooses!  I do plan on getting another puppy when Rafferty leaves.

As for me I am taking this time to find myself and delight in the simple joys of life.  Work continues to be challenging and fulfilling, my place out in the country is perfect for me right now, and I have re-discovered and made some amazing new friendships.   I traveled to the GDB homecoming event last weekend and was once again reminded just how amazing these partnerships are...at every step of the way.  I will have a bigger post (with pictures) for the Homecoming event and Becky's new raiser.  

Always remember

Don't wait for the storm to pass....learn  to dance in the rain.

Rafferty with his shiny black coat and golden eyes pants after a hike.

All the Colors of the Rainbow

Rafferty, Snickers, and Becky sit in front of a stone wall.  They go in order from darkest to lightest...black, chocolate, and yellow.

Rafferty gives me pleading eyes as I take yet more pictures.  Rafferty, Snickers, and Becky all sit in a line.

Becky Update

While scrolling through old posts I realized I have not said much about Becky lately.  She is such a good girl and has been a blast to raise so far.  Of course, like every other puppy, she has taught me new things and made me happy to have a girl pup around again.  She turns 6 months in just 2 weeks, two days after our big evaluation with our CFR.  Becky is still slated to be transferred to the high school raising program at the end of September.  She is fun, resilient, and smart: this girl has a bright future ahead of her.

Some pictures from the past 3.5 months...


[Baby Becky, about 11-12 weeks old, hangs out in her crate, preferring to be under her mat rather than on it.]

[Barley legal Becky hanging out at the Farmers market.]

[Becky doing her frog legs sit]

[First Trax ride and Becky is stoked!]

[Becky tried after a big outing]

[Becky hanging out at the car dealership waiting for my car to be fixed.]

[Becky being such a good girl on an outing!]

Dog Days of Summer

Here are some thoughts on summer as told by my dogs...

1. Relax and just enjoy the sun on your face.

2. Make time to hang out with old and new friends.

3. Turn bath time into fun time.

4. Be enthusiastic

5. Share your stuff.

6. Go for a swim.

7. Take a nap in the shade.

8. Try your hardest to get dirty!

9. Take a walk and enjoy the great outdoors.

10. Do something you enjoy with a friend.

FunDay 2010!

Ok, ok, so I know it is still over 2 months until Funday...but I like to get my plans done EARLY!    We are driving out 2 days before and coming back the day after Funday.  I would LOVE to to a meet-up with any other bloggers/puppy raisers: you can leave a comment or email me privately.  We plan on doing 'Follow the Trainer', Muir Woods, Pier 39, and at least one beach trip.  If anyone is familiar with the area and can recommend any other activities (that would be good to do with 3 people and 3 guide dog pups) please let me know.

I am really excited for this trip as I did not make it out last year.  This year the theme is 'Western' and I am currently on the hunt for some nice cowboy hats for the dogs.  Already have a black one for Miss Becky...but Janetta and Rafferty need tan hats so they have some contrast.

A note on my posting (or lack there-of this week)....I have been meaning too...but with over 20 new animals in at work, plus SAR training and a new puppy, I have just been a little behind.  Hopefully I will start catching up and staying on target!

A big congrats to PARIS who is already in PHASE 1!!!!  At this rate I need to start blocking out Aug/Sept graduation dates for OR :)  Go PARIS!!!

Let me know if you are going to the San Rafael Funday...should be a howlin' good time!

River Pups

Rafferty watches Marley as he trys his luck at "fishing".

Rafferty wondering why I am snapping pictures instead of playing in the COLD water with him.

Marley "fishing" in the river.  Not sure if he was going for actual fish or just light colored rocks.

Marley planning his next nose dive into the water...

Missy, our 15 year old dachshund feeling her oats as she digs for a mouse.

Sparky, also 15, enjoys then sun and the smells.  He also enjoyed following me around and waiting for a treat.  He may be mostly deaf and partially blind, but man his nose is as good as ever!

And of course what post would be complete without a baby puppy picture.

And her name is....

Becky

Becky is my fifth puppy for Guide Dogs for the Blind.  She is a starter puppy for the High School Raising Program.  She will be with me until late Sept/early Oct.  She was born 2.28.10 to Piedmont/Geraldine.  So far she has been a great puppy.  As good as one can expect for a baby to hold still during pictures, not a whole lot of crying in her crate, and she was very easy to bathe!

This was a very cool puppy truck for me as I was able to have my 3rd, 4th, and 5th puppies all together.  Paris, my third pup, leaves Sunday for formal training at the Oregon campus.