30 for 30-Day 16 (The History of my Pups)

I thought for today's post I would tell y'all about all my puppies. Sorry if this is horribly boring but too bad. :)

Prudy was my first puppy. She was born May 1, 2002 and I received her the end of June that year. I enjoyed raising Prudy and we went through a lot together. I raised Prudy during my senior year of high school and my first couple semesters of college together. We were also in a car accident together that I almost died in and Prudy wouldn't leave my side while we were in the hospital. She went through a split season my first summer with her so she was around a year old. Back then we boarded females in season at the vet so I dropped her off for her month long stay while being in heat. After the longest month EVER I got to go pick up my girl when she was finished with her heat. A week later while at a puppy meeting I noticed blood again. Not good. . . she went and spent another month at the vet for her second month of heat and after that she was spayed. So after 2 1/2 months of being at the vet I got back a fat, lazy puppy who forgot all her training. I kept her until she was almost 21 months old to get her back into shape before she left for training. When she was in training she made it to phase 8 out of 10 before being career changed for separation anxiety and relieving in harness. I got the call that she was cc'd and the next day was on my way to pick her up and make her my pet. She was an amazing pet and I loved every second with her. Unfortunately she passed away when she was six and I miss her every day.
Prudy and her brother Patriot the day they arrived at 8 weeks old.
5 year old Prudy in the snow.

My 2nd puppy was Tahoma. She was born May 5, 2004. She was always a sassy and stubborn little girl and I really loved her. She was a tough puppy and challenged me a lot, especially after mellow, easy Prudy. Tahoma was incredibly smart and I knew she had great potential. She left for formal training 4 days after her first birthday. After about four months Tahoma was pulled for breeding. She had a litter of seven puppies the end of November and after they were weaned she went back into training to be a guide. She cruised through training and then graduated as a working guide dog. She is now working in Ohio with a blind Rabbi and spends 2 months a year in Israel and also travels around the east coast so her partner can officiate at weddings. He teaches at a college so she goes there as well and all his students just love her.
Tahoma at 9 months.
Tahoma in harness.

Glennie was number 3. She was born September 27, 2005. She was my first transfer puppy so I got her when she was 5 months old. She was also the first puppy I raised while living in California. She had some issues to work through and I was up for the challenge. She was food and toy aggressive and didn't like going out in public. She made wonderful improvements during our short time together but being a guide was just never in the cards for this girl. She was career changed at 6 1/2 months and is now living as a pet in California.
Beautiful white Glennie 5 months old.
Glennie sleeping in the sun.

#4 was Adeline. She was born October 25, 2005 and I got her as a transfer puppy too, she was a little over 5 months when I got her. She was a great dog and we hit it off immediately. She was a sweet dog and loved to go out and about and meet new people. She was also about the happiest dog I've ever had, her enthusiasm was contagious and she always put a smile on my face. She left for formal training at 17 months old and was quickly career changed for a fear of men which shocked me. She is now living with her first raiser and is a therapy dog and runs agility as well. She loves her life and is in the perfect place for her.
Adeline at my work at 8 months old.
Adeline showing off her jumping skills in the Agility arena.

My 5th puppy was Sherman. He was my first male and I was really nervous about that. My fears were ill founded though as Sherman was just about the best puppy in the world! I absolutely fell in love with this cuddle bug. He was a mellow, go-with-the-flow dog and took everything in stride. When he left for formal training I had no doubt he wouldn't be a guide dog, but I was wrong as he was career changed for soft trachea. Bummer! I would have kept him in a heartbeat but he is the type of dog who needed a job so I asked if there was another school that would take him. A few days later he was taken into the Dogs4Diabetics program and after almost a year of training he graduated as a medical alert dog. WooHoo!! He is a happy working dog and his partner is just perfect for him.
Sherman at 8 weeks.
Sherman enjoying his new job.

Spanky was my 6th puppy. He was a transfer that I got at 11 months. I raised him while I worked at a summer camp for blind and VI kids. He was a great camp dog and all the kids loved him. We did have an ongoing battle with my socks. He ate 12 pairs of my socks while I had him and I still to this day can't figure out how he got them. He was career changed before he made it to formal training for some fear issues and is now a very loved pet in Oregon.
Spanky 4 months.
Spanky at 14 months.

Well, that's all I have patience for now, so the rest will be tomorrow. :) Enjoy!

A Review of 2008

Well, 2008 definitely had it's ups and downs. It was a good year though. Here are some of our adventures from 2008. :)

January:
on the 20th of this month was my boy Shermans first birthday. Other than that nothing too exciting happened, well Sherman learned how to honk my horn when he was sick of waiting for me. That made for some pretty entertaining experiences while putting gas in my car.

February: Sherman had some evals this month that decided which recall list he was on. We also had blogger pal Hobbs come for a few days.

March: Was the month that I found out that Sherman was leaving in June. It was also the month that Sherman made my Nephew, Cannon love dogs. :)

April: We went on a lot of fun outings like to the kids discovery museum, and the airport. Sherman also made it into the Community Connections Newsletter at GDB.

May: I found out that I got a job at Camp Bloomfield, I also learned that Sherman was going to be Mr. September for the GDB calendar. It was also my last month with Sherman. Tahoma (my second puppy) turned four. I was also supposed to get a baby puppy (MBL Texas) this month but since I was going to camp decided to get a transfer pup instead.

June: It was the month that Sherman was leaving for training. I received my sixth puppy Spanky. I also left to go to camp for the summer. Later that month I found out that Sherman was cc'd and was devastated that he would not be a guide and hoped he would find another job. And Spanky turned 1!

July: Spent all month at Camp which was such a blast. Spanky taught kids to walk dogs and about dog care. I turned 23 (AAAHHH!) and I found out that Sherman was accepted into Dogs4Diabetics!! :D

August: More time at camp, went to Fun Day in San Rafael, found out that Spanky had a recall for October. I also got home from camp and had to start doing real world stuff again. :) I was able to go to an agility competition for Adeline and saw Sherman at Fun Day.

September: Nothing really happened this month. I got a job at a jr high, which I like but can be overwhelming at times. (Jr High kids are just cruel sometimes!!) And had my last month with Spanky (so I thought)

October: Spanky was cc'd after an eval with our CFR. I kept his as a pet for three weeks before GDB could pick him up and I enjoyed every minute of it. Found out that I was getting a MYL "F" puppy the end of the month. (So I though) Took Spanky to the puppy truck ready to say goodbye but then returned home with him anyway. :)

November: I had to actually say goodbye to Spanky. Finally met my new puppy Fullerton. Found out that Sherman was placed with his partner and am still waiting for him to be official.

December: Well, you guys know, Had tons of snow, went to Mexico, found out Spanky had a forever home, Fuller continues to learn and grow and all my dogs are happy, what more can I ask for. :)

Here is to a fabulous 2009 with hopefully a few more ups than 2008 had to offer. :) Happy New Year Everyone

My boy is back!

Well, my boy is back and it is so nice to have him here.  He didn't get a great report from the puppy sitter but it was all things that I knew about and have been working on.  They said they liked him and that he was super sweet and really good out in public so that is good.  I was surprised how much he grew.  I dropped off a twenty pound baby and picked up a 27 pound toddler. lol Here he is in my car on the way home.  He was really happy to see me and went a little crazy.  But, we didn't go straight home I took him to run some errands and he was great.  I am so happy he is legal.  
We went to drop my computer off with a friend to fix it.  (Vladd shut off about a month ago and has been dead ever since, I am really hoping he can be revived before school starts next month or I am in trouble, it was hard enough ending the last semester without him I can't do it again!  Please Vladd come back, I miss you!)  We also went to Wal-mart to get a few things and he was okay there.  A tad more distracted than I had hoped and he wouldn't stop rubbing his face on my leg and I kept tripping, so we kept wal-mart short and left before I had everything I needed.  Then I had to run to school to sort some stuff out with my registration (they had me listed as non-resident, what the crap!)  So I took the opportunity to give Fullerton a tour of the school that he will be frequenting starting next month.  He did really well and we got stopped a lot and he sat patiently and let people pet him.  (Has anyone else, especially those with yellow dogs, noticed that people call your dogs Marley A LOT lately?  Fullerton sure got that about a million times today)  Anyway, here he is in the gift shop at UVU.
And I gave him his Jolly Ball (I left a wrapped sterilized bone with the puppy sitters to give him on Christmas and they said he loved it.)  The Jolly Ball was sure a hit, he loved it.
I also got updates on a couple of my dogs while I was gone.  When I got back I had an e-mail from Adelines mom.  Adeline continues to do really well at agility her speed is getting better too.  This is when she completed a fast and accurate course with 21 obstacles.  Good job Addie! Here are the pictures from her latest competition, she looks like she is really cruisin'.  


I also got a bit of an update on Sherman, which I am still smiling about.  A woman that I know from a e-mailing list sent me this message:  

My daughter and I were out shopping at the mall and ran into Sherman and his partner. I said I knew his original puppy raiser from online. She said to let you know how much she loves him! He has really gotten into her heart! She is hoping he will be fully hers soon. He is working about 70 percent accuracy. Not sure what they have to be to be fully successful. Wanted to pass on the info to you. 

I don't even have words to describe how happy I am. I am so glad that she loves him and that he is working well for her.  He was definitely a remarkable dog and was meant to have a job.  I am happy he is out there doing his thing and I hope he is officially hers soon too!! I also hope his accuracy gets better too I bet that would make the "official" process go a bit quicker.  But, I am happy to know he is loved.  Keep up the awesome work Sherman.  I miss you baby boy!

Well, have a grand night everyone.  

Around the Corner!

Well, with Christmas just around the corner I asked Fullerton what he wanted. He only had one request, a Jolly Ball that had not been chomped on by four other dog and well, I was more than happy to grant his request. (The old Jolly Ball has just been begging to be thrown out for a while) So, I went online and found a relatively cheap one (thank you Kings Wholesale) and also got a few things to send off to Adeline and Homie. So I am pretty much done with Christmas Shopping (well, of he canine variety) Yay me! I only have a few other human gifts to get. :) Anyway, I am getting off the intended subject, but now I am debating whether to give the Jolly Ball to Fullertons puppy sitters (I am going out of town from the 20th to the 29th) and having them give it to them or waiting until I get home to give it to him myself. I am leaning more toward having a late Christmas and giving it to him, besides the puppy sitters might think I am a tad mental if I ask them to give him a Christmas present. :)

I don't really have anything interesting to say, I am mostly just bored. So toodles for tonight, I do have to tell you about Fullertons recent puppy class so watch for that soon. (I need to get to bed so I won't type it out right now) Oh, and this is my second post in a row with no pictures. It is not often that I do pictureless posts so, enjoy. :) I've been told that the amount of pictures and videos on my blog can be quite overwhelming so I am trying to "cut down" lol Have a good night.

Happy Birthday Adeline!!

Today is Adeline's birthday. She is three, my goodness how time flies by. Have a good day Adeline, I miss you girl!! And to celebrate here is a picture her mom send me a few days ago. This is her most recent Agility trial. Still loving the sport and continues to progress nicely. I am so happy she is loving life. (Love the flying ears)

Spanky, Sherman, and Adeline!! (but not in that order) :)

Well, today I got a bit of news on my last three puppies. It was a pretty good day. Each e-mail I read made me smile and beam with pride. First, this morning I got an e-mail from Adeline's mom with this picture and a note saying:

"Last weekend Adeline completed her AKC Rally Novice title (RN) at the Santa Barbara dog shows, earning 2nd place. The week before, Adeline earned the 1st legs in her AKC Novice agility Jumpers and Weaves and also Standard titles with 2nd place in each. This trial took place in Ventura. In July she also passed her Therapy Dogs International test to become a therapy dog, and is awaiting her "badge" in order to start."

I could not be happier. And I love that my girl was adopted by someone who keep me in the loop.
My pretty girl doing what she loves!

My news about Sherman was short and sweet. I got an e-mail from his trainer at D4D and she said this:

"Sherman is doing very well, he loves the game of learning to find the scent. I'm glad you got to see him at fun day"

I am glad he is progressing in his new career and hope that he continues to do well. He is one remarkable doggie and I think about him every day. "I miss you baby boy!"

Spankys news did not come in e-mail form it came in the mail. My heart kind of skipped a beat when I saw the big envelope from GDB in the mail. I took it in the house and just stared at it. It was pretty thick and I wasn't expecting any mail. . . what could it be. I finally opened it and it was his puppy info, his vet reimbursement forms, and monthly reports, and id card, and parent/birthday/puppy project record (guess I should get on filling that out *sniff*) funny that they sent that out after I have had him 3 months, and he is leaving in a month. I was also told that our CFR is coming out on the 24th for puppy evaluations. So good luck Spanks. Our last puppy class was at Bridal Veil falls, one of my favorite hikes is to the top of the waterfall, I used to take Prudy up there all the time so I was a little distracted. Funny the first meeting we had after she passed away was at Bridal Veil Falls and then a little over a year (can't believe it has been a year) later there we are again. I have kind of avoided it since then but I need to go again I love it up there. Anywho, the pups had a great time splashing around in the water and I got some really cute pictures of the pups in our group. Here is the Spankers at the bottom of the falls. :)

And I am sure you all recognize this big guy. Ontario came to stay for a day. It was so nice having a normal (meaning not a guide dog puppy) dog for a day. I loved playing fetch with him, he was so loving it to, he did not want to stop. It was fun to have him join us for a day.

Well, that's about it. Have a good night everyone. And hug those pups for me.

Lots of Stuff. . .

Well, lots of new stuff this week. :) First I heard from Adeline's mom and Adeline is doing great. She is now in the more advanced Agility classes and loving it. I am so excited because I get to spend July 24th (my B-DAY!!!) with Adeline and her mom. I am going to go to her agility class too. It will be so fun to see her in action!! She really seems to enjoy it. Here is her in action jumping through a tire. Look at that form. :)

I also took Sherman to my little sisters softball game. I have never taken him to a sporting event so I thought that it was the perfect opportunity for him to see what that is all about. He was great going up and down the bleachers and with all the random cheering and all the kids. Here is a shot of him on the bleachers.
Also, I got to watch Safari this week. She is a darling little black lab, and while she has more energy than Sherman does (which I am not used to :) we did have a lot of fun and she is very well behaved for a 14 week old puppy. She is super cute too. Sherman seemed a lot more open to her. He was jealous when I would pet her or talk to her, he would try to wiggle his way in between me and her. He was pretty funny about it, but he did play with her a little bit.


Also, Sherman is leaving a week from today. *tear* I am SO going to miss this boy. He is super sweet, and mellow, and EASY! I have loved all the time that I have had with him but it is time and he is ready. I really hope that he becomes a guide, he is a great dog. But, you just never know. . . but I have had the talk with him so hopefully he listened and studies hard because he has a lot to learn in the next few months. Today he got his last bath. He is so silky and soft and he feels so darn good. Here's a pic of him during his very last bath.
I also got news that Spartan, Sherman's brother, was career changed. He left for formal training on May 3rd and was career changed a week later for what I thought was Hip Dysplasia but when I asked for clarification (because she called it something else that I assumed was hip dysplasia) I just got this back from her. "It means Laxity of the Patella; which means his back knees can get out of the socket and slide inward." That makes me a little more nervous, I really hope that Sherm doesn't end up having the same thing. I really think that if Sherman is going to get career changed it will be a health issue. So, one out of the five cc'd so far. Spartans raiser adopted him and is going to work with him to be a therapy dog. After a few months of Therapy training she is going to apply for another puppy so Spartan will be her co-raiser. I hope all goes well with him. From what I have heard he sounds like an amazing dog. The others are all going into training in the next few months. Sage, Sherman, and Samantha are all leaving next week for the June recall, and then Sirrocco is going in mid-July-ish. I am excited to see how the rest of them do. Good luck "S" pups! Oh, and I got Shermans official recall letter in the mail this week, that came with a few tears. So, now I am working on his "fun things about my puppy" and have a few pics to stick in there too. And then he is all ready to go. But, I will also be meeting Mr. "S" then so that is exciting. I hope he is a good puppy, I can't wait to meet him! Anyway, that is all for now. :) Happy Sunday everyone!

Happy Birthday Homie!!!

Today is my second puppy, Tahomas fourth birthday. She was such a very special puppy and I was so happy to get to raise her. She taught me a lot, (Corrections are okay, and consistency to name a few) :) She challenged me daily and kept me on my toes and I loved her for it. I really think she made me a better dog handler and a better person really. I am so proud of all she has accomplished, first being a breeder and then the best guide in the world (sorry I am a bit biased) She has traveled a lot, all over the east coast and to Israel several times and her partner never has anything bad to say about her. I know that she loves what she does!!!

We stopped at the beach the day before her recall, she loved the water and would jump over the waves and get completely soaked. She did get a bath that night for her recall the next day.
On the way to GDB for her recall.

At her breeder grad Oct 2005 she was bred the weekend before graduation and had seven beautiful pups on November 25th.

At her guide graduation. She looks just stunning in harness!

Also, this is the anniversary of Adeline going to live with her new mom after she was career changed. I got this picture from her mom today. It is her on the starting block at an agility competition. She is in the advanced classes now and loving every minute of it. Her mom says she is very fast and loves all the obstacles. So Happy year day to Adeline and her mom!! I miss this beautiful girl too. It is so nice to know that they are both happy and doing what they love!

No news on the new puppy yet. I am not even sure what day he is coming. I really hope I hear something soon because I am not going to have a lot of time for guessing names. :) Can't wait. It is also nice to be able to be FULLY excited to get a new puppy and not half dreading it because my current dog has to leave. :) But, I will definetly let you know when I know. I know of a few litters born around mid-march so I am trying to guess so there are a few letter possibilities. (ha ha, if you can't tell I am a little excited)

Happy Birthday Adeline!

Today Adeline is two! I e-mailed her new mom a few days ago after I heard about the fires because they live in that area and was getting nervous because there was no response. Today I finally heard from them and everyone is doing fine. Whew!! I hope that Adeline is happy and has a very special day. :)

Puppy Parents

I decided to follow in Brittany and Emily's footsteps and make a parent post. I have been trying to get a hold of all this pictures for ages and the only one I am missing now is Klondike who is Prudy's dad. He is quite hard to locate, but oh, well.

Flower + Klondike = Prudy
(Prudy in her fat days before getting those pesky 20 lbs off) She looked much better after the diet I promise. :)


Davida + Jessel =
Tahoma

Paula + Astro=
Glennie

Vonnie + Kinsey=
Adeline

Yolette + Norbert=

Sherman

(Norberts pic is not very good. I took a picture of the picture in the breeder book at Fun Day)

It is fun to look at all the similarities. I like seeing where my pups get thier looks from. :)