Legacy Puppy

So, my very own puppy is going to have to wait for a little longer. Why? I'll tell you why and I couldn't be more excited about the reason.

Remember when I posted that KENO became PWAP's very first ever breeder after having been an organized club for ten years? Well, his first litter was born on May 1st and the Momma dog is a female black lab named Disney (cute name huh?). Keno's raiser was battling back and forth about whether or not she would raise one of Keno's puppies because she goes to school and she's never had a puppy younger than 6 months because of this. I extended my services and said that I would be more than willing to co-raise with or fully raise one of these puppies for her until he/she was old enough to be with her full time. She finally made the decision about a week ago and we have been assigned a puppy from Keno and Disney's litter!

I'm excited about this for two reasons. First, Keno was an awesome puppy! Seriously, he was such a mellow yellow fellow. And super cute. Second, Disney is an Atrus puppy. For those of you who don't know my second puppy, Rocco, is also an Atrus puppy. Which means I'll have Rocco's half niece for a little while.

The little pup will be ready to come to Fresno at the end of June and I'll still be in Aberdeen until the beginning of August. So, Keno's raiser will have the little one for a full month before I take over and then I'll have the pup until early November. I'm very excited about being able to help her raise one of Keno's babies.

So, assignment!

Female Black Lab, Letter "Q"

Ok, so there are three reasons I'm excited. Female black lab! I love them little black labbie girls!

Ok, ok. There are four reasons. Miss "Q" will be PWAP's very first "legacy puppy". I think that's pretty cool.

Alright, five reasons. How cool is the letter "Q"? I've got one of the interesting letters now (and because I know one of the raisers of the parents I've been subtly suggesting names *wink*).

Maybe I'm just all around excited.

After Miss "Q" goes back to Keno's raiser in November, I'm not too sure what I'll be doing. I'm hoping that Dulcie becomes a breeder and if she does then I will wait until her first litter is born to get my next one. If she is spayed, then I will put in for a different puppy. I figure since Hilly gets her female black lab in Miss "Q" then my next one will be another female golden. (For those of you who don't know Hilly doesn't really like any of the puppies in training unless they are black labs. Well, she actually plays with the black labs. I know, I know. It's weird.) But who knows!? I sure don't, but I'm very excited to see where this next year takes me.

Even though I won't be there to pick up Miss "Q" or see her when she's a very little baby, I'm SO excited to see pictures.

A New Journey Coming Soon

Yesterday marked 2 weeks until my honours level dissertation is due. After that all I have left is final exams at the end of May and then my undergraduate University career will come to an end on July 10, 2014 when I graduate. It always shocks me how quickly the past 4 years have gone by. It seemed like forever away when I arrived in Aberdeen in September 2010. But forever has come...maybe a little too soon. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life when I started and now I have a clear path erm, idea rather, of what I want to do. What is totally out of the blue though is that I'm heading back to my home town. Gosh, I never thought that I would ever want to go back. But I do. And while I'm not looking forward to saying good-bye to Aberdeen I am looking forward to going back for a gap year while I apply for graduate schools (and try to convince the American schools that I'm NOT an international student).

Which brings me to my next journey.

I turned in my puppy application for August 2014. I can't believe that I'm actually going to start again. I know I've done bits and pieces here and there but to actually have my own puppy again is terribly exciting. I've loved my summer puppies (Hilly and Dulcie) and my Scottish Lads (Frankie, Quinn, and Marco) but I'm very excited to have a full time puppy again.

I'm excited to get back to GDB. There have been so many changes to the puppy raising scheme since I was a full time raiser and I'm very excited to learn all the new tools GDB has introduced.

I'm looking forward to my next venture, but soaking up all the time I have left here in the...well the rain. But, I love the city of Aberdeen.

Happy Birthdays! (Again)

I've realised something in the past months. All of my puppies with the exception of Marco share birthday months. Freya and Quinn even have the same birthday! I suppose it makes things easier for me to remember. Haha!

So, Happy Birthday to my March babies!

My fur-ever girl HILLY turned four on the 23rd of March. I have to say, I'm so ready to stop having to spend birthdays away from my Sweet Bean. I'm ready to wake up to her pushing me off the bed everyday. I'm ready for early morning walks everyday. I'm ready be able to call her really and truly mine. I've always held that these dogs go where they are needed most. Hilly could have been a Guide if she wanted to, but I think she knew that I needed her more. What can I say, she's one of two dogs I have formed such a strong bond with in such a short time. She is one of my "heart" dogs. I said my last good-bye to her in January and I'm ready to be reunited for good in August. Four more months Bean!

Hilly super happy at a baseball game this past summer. Gotta love Dog Days. 

And Sweet Dulcie Doodle Doo turned one on the 14th of March! She got to spend her birthday with Mary but then went back into season so is finishing up another two weeks of "spa treatment" just now. One year marks a time when recall is just around the corner. Dulcie has been given the title of PPP (practically perfect puppy) by the great and powerful Jim. An exalted title to receive. She's an absolutely stellar puppy and I know that she will do great things! We're hoping that she become a breeder because she's just such an awesome puppy, but if not she will be one amazing Guide. Happy Birthday Doodle Bug! I'll see you at your graduation because I'll unfortunately not be home in time for your recall. Keep making Mary and me proud.

Dulcie at a meeting in January with one of my homemade fabric flowers on her leash. 

Wordless Wednesday

Photo Description: Dulcie lying in the "frog leg" position in hot pink "feminine hygiene" pants.

Wordless Wednesday

[photo description: Marco at the park in front of some flowers in bloom holding a toy]

Yes, I Talk to my Dog

I get looks a the time out on the street and in buildings, classrooms, the office, etc. Why? Because I talk to my puppy. Not just "Good boy/girl!" when they've done something good. I actually hold conversations with my puppy. Obviously, their end of the conversation is all imaginary but I do say my part of the conversation out loud. Especially when I'm walking with them. It gets pretty boring, so having a conversation, even with a puppy, takes away some of the boredom.

So, this was the conversation that Marco and I had yesterday. Keep in mind, Aberdeen gets very blustery in the winter months.

Me: Marco, leave!
Marco: Yes Erin, those are leaves! Aren't the so cool when the blow in the wind like that?
Me: No Marco. I mean that you need to leave them alone and let them go about their business ok?
Marco: Oh, ok...But Erin?
Me: Yes Marco?
Marco: I REALLY don't want to.

I'm hoping that other raisers out there understand because otherwise I'd feel crazy.

Feeling Puppy-less

I've only been back in Aberdeen for three and a half weeks and I'm already going through puppy withdrawals. I'm so ready to have a puppy of my own again. It feels like it's been so long! Freya is still the only puppy who I have raised from start to finish and I kind of really want another one. Haha! It's an addiction.

Luckily, Marco Polo is coming for a short visit tomorrow evening. I think he's still a tad too young to handle a full week during term time, so we're easing him into the University Student life slowly. He'll be going to work with me Thursday and Friday and then hopefully he'll be ready for University by March.

Happy Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to my two January boys!

Rocco turned four years old on January 20th. As far as I know he's still working as a Guide Dog, but I haven't heard from his partner since just after graduation. While I miss him, I know he's well loved and right where he needs to be.

Rocco (yellow lab) in his harness when he graduated in August 2011.

Frankie turned two on January 28th. He's just graduated as Guide in September and still doing well. No surprise there of course. We haven't heard anything from his partner, but that's OK since he is also well loved and right where he needs to be. We were told that it would be a bad idea to visit again even if invited since he's such a baby boy and very attached.

Frankie (yellow lab / golden cross) in his training harness

I miss both of these boys very much and I hope they got the spoiling they so rightfully deserve on their special day!

A PWAP Update

It's been quite a while since I last updated about my puppy group back home. And since I've just returned from a month long visit I feel like it's a good time to give a quick update.

Our Current Club Puppies are;

WAFFLE - female black lab - 13 weeks
RAQUEL - female yellow lab - 5 1/2 months
JIMINY - male golden retriever - 8 months
CINNAMON - female black lab - 8 1/2 months
ALDEN - male golden retriever - 8 1/2 months
PIONEER - male black lab - 9 months
DULCIE (my girl!) - female golden retriever - 10 months
HARLEM - female black lab - 11 months
GIA - female yellow lab/golden retriever cross - 12 months
GALLOWAY - male yellow lab/golden retriever cross - 12 months
SWIFT - female black lab - 14 1/2 months
NEDRA - female black lab/golden retriever cross - 16 months

TINA (transferred) - female yellow lab - 16 months

CAMINO - male black lab - Phase 2 of formal training
CHEVELLE - male black lab - Phase 1 of formal training

Since I last updated TITUS, ELI, MARLEY, and TORI all became guides. HANK, NEVADA, NAPA, DARRELL, FIENNA, and SAM were all Career Changed. Hank and Fienna were both adopted by their raisers which Hilly absolutely loves. And KENO become our very first breeder in 10 years as a puppy group! We're all very excited about Keno. He's such a sweet boy and will produce some very lovely puppies.

We've got some really nice puppies at the moment. My guess is that all but Jiminy, Raquel, and Waffle will have finished their puppy in training stage by the time I get back since they will all be over 16 months old by then. Jiminy might also have finished his puppy in training days by then but since he's a golden retriever and right on the edge he may be given some more time to mature before formal training.

It's amazing to me to see how much my little group has grown in the years since I started almost 6 years ago and definitely how much it's grown since I've been in University. I seriously laugh when I think about how we used to have Harvard and Freya as club puppies and we were worrying about being disbanded as a group because we didn't have enough puppies. Now we have 12 puppies in raiser homes, 1 transferred, and 2 in formal training!

My Weekend with Marco

Because I'm a University student who also has a part time job, taking on a baby puppy would be difficult. That's why I'm so thankful for my "co-raisers" who bring me a pup whenever I feel the need for one. Last weekend I got to have Marco for the first time while they took Quinn to Edinburgh for one last big trip before he goes IFT. 

Let me just say, Marco is a pretty awesome puppy. Between him and Dulcie, I've had PPPs (that's practically perfect puppies for those of you who don't know) twice in a row now. Marco was nine and a half weeks old last weekend and he slept completely through the night and then went back to sleep for another hour after his breakfast. Seriously, from ten in the evening to seven in the morning. I was so lucky!

And, while he had a few accidents he didn't have as many as I was expecting. He got that if he showed me he had to pee and waited a minute for me to get the leash then he'd get to go outside to our courtyard and get a ton of praise and love. 

My favorite bit about him is that he's one cuddle bug. He's play and play and play and then he'd look at me. He'd properly stare at me for a while then come sit by me and look up as if to say, "I'm tired, can I sleep in your lap?" And because I'm a sucker...I let him. Shhh. Don't tell anyone. 

I don't really know what else to say about Marco except that I'm excited to get to know him more over the next couple of months. So far, he's a great puppy. 

Enjoy his cuteness! ENJOY...

Marco (yellow lab/golden cross) chews on a stuffed bunny

Marco cuddling up with me on the floor while I work on the PWAP facebook and web pages

One morning, he decided he would rather sleep in my lap...I let him.

Marco sitting like a good boy in the living room

Marco chewing on his teething keys.

Marco and the stuffed bunny.

Oh, one hilarious story I've got to tell you about is when we went to the grocery store. I carried him to the grocery store and then carried him through the grocery store. All in all, we were in the store for about 5 minutes as I grabbed a box of cereal or carton of non-dairy based milk...I don't quite remember. And we walked down the pet aisle and the little thief stole a stuffed toy from one of the shelves. Well, at the point I was committed to buying it for him right?

Fake Service Dogs and the Campaign Against Them

Any one of my readers who is also involved in the service dog community whether it be as a puppy raiser, a handler, or a training will have come into contact with this subject before. I've seen dogs in stores who were clearly not services animals. They were pestering other patrons, lunging, barking and a few have even been aggressive towards my puppy in training all the while their owner just stood there and did nothing about it while the manager looked on unsure of what to do. I've also gotten people asking me where I can get those cool vests for their pet because they'd like to bring their pet with them too and it has taken most of my self restraint not to slap them across the face and calmly explain to them that passing off their pet as a service animal was a federal offense.

The real problem stems from ignorance. Ignorance of the general public to what bringing their ill behaved pet into a store can do for public access issues for those who have actual service animals and use them to lead independent lives. Ignorance of shop keepers and store managers in regards to ADA regulations and what they are legally allowed to do and what they are not legally allowed to do. Ignorance of some of the online shops who probably genuinely believe that they are helping people register their service animal and that no one would EVER abuse the cheap "service animal" vests to bring their pets into public areas (poor, misguided souls).

Quite recently CCI (Canine Companions for Independence) have started a campaign to educate the public while making it harder for people to abuse ADA regulations concerning service animals to pass of their pets as service animals because they just want to take them everywhere. Guide Dogs for the Blind firmly backs and supports this campaign.

Below you will find a link to the CCI page where you can find links to an educational video and to the campaign page where you can add your signature. Please head on over and add your name!

http://www.cci.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cdKGIRNqEmG&b=4127877&ct=13406355

M is for... (for real this time)

MARCO!!!!

Marco's "birth certificate" 

Marco's profile. Handsome boy.

Me and Marco.

Marco wouldn't stop moving, so the best I could do is a blurry picture.

Marco arrived in Aberdeen yesterday, but I just got a chance to meet him today. Let me tell you, the pictures don't do this little guy justice at all! He's super cute. In fact, I think it's safe to say that he's super duper cute. Haha! Love at very first lick.

I don't know when I'll get a chance to have him. We wanna give him a week or two to settle into Aberdeen at his "primary" home and then Quinn is going away early December, so I'll probably want to take Quinn before I take Marco just so I can see him again. 

Marco is a yellow lab / golden retriever cross. He looks like he's going to be a little fluffier than Frankie or Quinn, but still isn't coated. And, this is the first time I know ALL of his siblings here in the UK. 

"M" is for...

Ok, so little "M" isn't here just yet as there is still some tummy issues. But I just couldn't resist posting up this picture of little, teeny "M"!

Luckily, this doesn't really give away the breed though I suppose it's safe to say that some breeds are far less likely. Haha! I just can't wait to meet little "M"!

Little M Delayed

Little "M" won't be here until next week. The poor puppy got a little ill in the kennels so GDB is keeping the little one up there until everything is all cleared up. Nothing too serious, just a bad tummy. But they want to play it safe just in case (I can't say that I blame them).

Of course that means that you all have another week or so to guess the gender, name, and breed (I'll tell you a secret, I don't even know the breed!).

Dulcie Pictures

I've gotten a couple of pictures of Dulcie recently and I tell you, she just doesn't get any less cute. I hear that she's still doing well even though she is getting into her teenage years. Golden teenage years can be hilarious, but can also be frustrating. But I think she's going to be just fine. I do miss her, but if all goes well then I'll be back home in 6 1/2 weeks.

Dulcie at 7 months old

Dulcie in her pink cowgirl hat at the Responsible Pet Owner Fair

Dulcie in her pink cowgirl hat

Dulcie in her Yankee Doodle Dandy Halloween costumes

Dulcie in her Yankee Doodle costume

Dulcie in a witch's hat at the Lathrop Fun Day

Dulcie at the Pumpkin patch

Finalized Arrival Date

We finally got a date for when little "M" will arrive! Hooray! Little "M" will arrive on November 6th! So you still have time to guess M's gender, name, and breed.

Just as a reminder you can guess the following breeds;

Lab
Lab/Golden cross
Lab/Shepherd cross
Golden
Golden/Shepherd cross
German Shepherd
Long Coated Retriever (or any of the crosses)

Can't wait to meet the newest little one!

Educating the Kids

Yesterday I was walking through the grocery store with Quinn. Some rain (and 'bad behaviour') disrupted our plans of spending some time in the park, so I figured I might as well go and get food while I'm out. And I noticed two things while I was there.

1. Children are ten times as observant as adults.

Since yesterday was Saturday the store was crawling with children. I mean, it was a weekend and raining so what else are you suppose to do with your children besides take the food shopping with you. Not that I'm knocking taking your children shopping with you. Quite the opposite. I believe it is important for the children to help pick out the food and cook it. But, that's a different story. Anyway, I heard "Look mummy! There's a dog in the store!" and it's many variations about twenty times in the half an hour we were there. Some of them really cracked me up because their language was very, very British. (I'm in Scotland so I guess that's the be expected, but it still cracked me up.) And a couple of time when the child noticed Quinn, the parent was confused until they looked around and finally saw Quinn. 

2. All the parents seemed fairly well educated on Guide Dogs.

Seriously, every single parent said "That's a helper dog." or "She's training that dog to help someone who is blind." It was refreshing to say the least. I don't know what it is about the States, but about half of the time the parent will explain to their child that my dog is in training to be a service dog and they can't pet him/her without asking and the other half will actually tell their children to just go and pet my dog or won't do anything when the child runs up to my dog and starts petting them. Here, every parent I encountered explained to their child what my dog was and kept them from petting him. It was...amazing. 

It's time like this where I feel I should start up a youtube channel or something about service dog education. Because this is really the only way we'll see a majority of people not try and love on the dog and we're walking; get to them young. 

What I really wanted to say with this post is Thank You. To every parent out there who educated their children with proper service dog etiquette I can only say that you are making my job easier and are helping to ensure the safety of any working Guide Dog team. And that's pretty big. So, thank you! We all appreciate it! 

What's in a Name: Dulcie Edition

Another edition of "What's in a Name" only this time, for Dulcie. Dulcie's litter has a bunch of great names. I think it's one of the only litters I've seen that has a mix of great names and "eh" names. They are all pretty cute, but some of them don't really attract your attention. One thing is for sure, Dulcie's name is the best name out of all of the females in the litter. And that's not just because she's my puppy and I'm biased. She really does have the best name out of all of the females. 

DULCIE

Name: DULCIE

Pronunciation: "dul-see" or "dool-see" 

Meaning: Sweet 

Nicknames: Dulcie Doodle Doo, Doodle Bug, Doodle 

Fun Fact: Dulcie is the second of my own puppies whose name I guessed correctly before she arrived. The first, was my first puppy Freya. (I guess technically I guessed that I was getting Hilly before I was told, but I didn't really guess her name...I already knew it). Dulcie fits her name perfectly. She's an absolute sweet heart and has the sweetest demeanor. 

What's in a Name: Frankie Edition

Ah, can't believe that I never did this for Frankie!

I love finding out more about my puppy's name. Normally when you get a dog you get to name it and that name means something to you. You don't get to choose your puppy's name when get a Guide Dog Puppy. And there are some pretty terrible names out there which means that not only to you not get to name your puppy, but you are stuck with a horrible name that you have to deal with and get used to. I've been lucky with my names so far. (Even though you may remember that I thought Hilly's name was the worse in the litter I really, really LOVE it.)

So, without further ado:

FRANKIE

Name: FRANKIE
Meaning: "free one" or "free man"
Nicknames: Frankie-boy, Frankenstein,

Fun Fact: Frankie was sponsored by Total Oil here in the UK. I can't remember exactly who he was named after, but whoever he was named after has a brilliant name. Right before his turn in date in March, Frankie visited Total Oil and the employees who helped name him.

Frankie Update: The Last

I just received word today:

Frankie is a Guide!

What a good job my little Frankie-boy! I loved that boy and I miss him a lot, but I'm super proud of him for making it all the way! I knew he could do it!