Rockford Update :-(

This is the title of an email I got from my leader about a week ago now. I always know what this mean when a puppy is Rockford's age.

So you've all probably guessed it too (or if you're really astute you will have noticed over in my phase tracker). Rockford has been Career Changed. It's a hard thing to accept because I saw such wonderful improvements in him from itty bitty puppy to a puppy ready for training. But we all knew that he would have fun in formal training for a while, but then he would start to get stressed when the trainers started to push him. He is just scared of...well, the whole world really. Me and his raiser used to joke that the world was a big, scary place for a puppy. They've decided to keep him as their pet and I think that's it's the perfect job for Rockford. I hear he's already enjoying being a pet dog. It also means that me and his raiser will get to take walks with Rockford and Arwen over the summer. Rockford loves Arwen. Then again, he loves every girl he meets. We've tried to tell him he's not suppose to roll that way anymore, but boys will be boys.

His family is going to get the female black lab on February 9th. So, if you haven't guessed already, go to the Name Game post and guess the little girl's name. :-)

Rockford Update...

I'm sure you have all been wondering about how Rockford is doing...well, my leader sent out an email to us all today and

ROCKFORD IS ALRIGHT!!!!

Apparently his hives were a reaction to the frontline flea prevention so they've switched his flea treatment to an oral pill. So he's coming home and he's doing just fine!

Guide Dog Trip

Rocco and I drove down with Rockford and his raiser to the Guide Dog campus today to drop off Rockford for medical evaluation. It's always hard to leaveyour puppy at the Guide Dog campus. It's even harder when he's being evaluated for allergies. We're all hoping here that he's fine and these hives are just a fluke.

I must say it's good to have my puppy back.

Rockford and I have had a wonderful time together today. We haven't done much but he seems to enjoy himself.

We just had some outdoor time and the goofball couldn't decide which toy to play with. I have three strictly outdoor toys; the jollyball, kong, and the jugs. The kong and the jugs became outdoor toys because Rocco started to chew and ingest them. So, now the rule is "If you aren't running with it you don't get to play with it." The jollyball is because it has a 5ft rope and I don't know how that would go in the house. Anyway, Rockford was so excited about playing with them that he put them in a circle and jumped from toy to toy. It was hilarious! Then he jumped at the jug while still holding the jollyball. Then we both held on to one endof the rope and ran from one end of the yard to the other. I really do enjoy this dog.

Surprise Visit

Rocco did very well yesterday! He is still a little shy with clapping, but he's so much better than he used to be. We went to see Guys and Dolls yesterday. It's an interesting show, but I've always thought it ran too long. Even when I was in it I felt like the first act should be half the time it actually is. One of my really good friends since 3rd grade was the stage manager. That's how I knew about it and really why I went to see it. She's probably already at the airport getting ready to head off to school. So, Good Luck Sarah!

Then we went straight from the play to a dinner and movie date with a whole bunch of my friends. He didn't get his dinner until 10pm last night, but did fabulously through the whole thing. He really enjoyed seeing his friends at the movies last night. Especially Taylor who always jumps at the chance to pet him.

Then guess what happened! Rockford came over. I got a call before going off to the play from Mary asking if I could take Rockford for a day or two and switch Rocco. You see, Rockford came down with hives last weeks so he has to go up to Guide Dogs on Monday for observation. The reason I have him is that they're afraid he might be allergic to something in his raiser's home. So, Monday I'm driving up with her and the two boys.

I do thoroughly enjoy Rockford. He's the kind of dog I love. He's too energetic, stubborn, and has some interesting issues. But that's what I like. :) He and I went on a two mile walk this morning and he only tried to balk for the first 5 minutes! After that he had fun! Everyone in my puppy group knows what a wonderful accomplishment that is for him. He's so handsome too...even if he does have puppy pimples.