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.

Happy Birthday Rafferty

My baby boy!

First Bath!

Recovering from his neuter.  Just waking up!

Checking out the snow.

In Oregon for Millie's graduation.

A more rustic bath!

In San Francisco!

Muir Woods

This is probably my favorite picture from Muir Woods.  We went there on the Friday before Funday.  Rafferty and I were just walking along through the mid-afternoon shadows when we came across this perfect beam of light.  It highlighted the fence and trees surrounding it, giving Rafferty a unique light in which to pose.  I love the curve of his neck and how he is turned:  he has such a regal expression on his face.  Oh how I love my boy!  The news that he will be staying with me until at least December was met with cheers of joy!

Wordless Wednesday

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.

Funny Friday

What's that you say mom...time for fun? With a tub, some water, and shampoo....?

Ug, well I am pretty sure that means a bath...which is so NOT fun.

Silly people and their fancy dinners.  I thought that dead squirell smelled just fine to me!

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.

Daily Blogging, Round 2

Well, May looks to be an eventful month.  One I am going to attempt to cover with daily blog posts.  Highlights to include: a recap of tonight's bowling send-off party for Paris and Jackson, coverage of two new puppies to Summit Guide Dogs, Marley's prep for Splash! Dogs, and Hugo's trip to Yellowstone for Search and rescue training.  Today's will be short but oh so sweet.

October-April

From October through the end of April: Rafferty has grown so much, both Marley and Hugo got their therapy dog certifications, and Hugo has started search and rescue training. Dante hibernated and is now ready for warm weather! Rafferty has been a great puppy and in less than two weeks he will have a younger 'brother' or 'sister' to mentor. I am once again starting a puppy for the high school raising program. We are going to have one busy summer...Rafferty continues to mature, Hugo works on wilderness/cadaver search training, Marley gets started on therapy work (and hopefully Splash dogs!), and a new puppy from Guide Dogs for the Blind joins into the mix.

Spring Time in the Mountains...

Things have been a little crazy around here lately. We had the biggest storm of the season over the past weekend and the dogs enjoyed the snow. I, however, did not enjoy snowblowing the driveway. Though I did get in some pretty amazing powder skiing on April 1st (no joke!). On Tuesday Rafferty got to show off his snow skills by plowing through powder and then knocking me over while I attempted to capture his snow frenzy on camera. Our Paw It Forward package arrived from Natalie and Bob yesterday and the Marley and Hugo had a lot of fun playing with their new throw toy while Rafferty bounded along behind. They were rather irritated when I made them sit and pose for the picture rather than letting them have all of the new treats.

All that powder "skiing" makes for some tired pups at the end of the day.

Leave a comment with the word "Spring" if you would like to particiapte in the Paw it Forward! First 3 will get a gift from the Pack!

Birthday Outing

Sunday was Hugo's 3rd birthday. In light of his special day we took all the dogs on a hike. Fun was had by all: Hugo played with his frisbee, Rafferty played in the snow, and Marley found a deer pelvis. Yup, that's right, not just a leg or a joint, but the whole pelvis, with vertebrae still attached. Rafferty turned 6 months on Monday and continues to be a great pup, even if he does like to wake me up at the same time on weekends. Here are some pictures from our fun day!

Thank you Mimi for the help on getting the "Big Pictures". I love it!