Almost There

Well everyone! I finally got an email back from the "leader" in this area. He told me where to go and what to do and who to contact. The day I got the email from him I went to the website and sent in my application to become a puppy boarder. I was told that it would probably be a while until the information would be passed on to the "leader" here, but he also already knows that I'm interested in doing this and that I'll be attending the meeting at the end of the month.

So...hooray! Almost there!

A New Breeder!

I like going to the official Guide Dogs for the Blind blog occassionally to see if they've got the new littermate photos up from the whelping kennel. With the "Litter Announcements" is also a list of new breeder dogs that have been added to the GDB breeding colony.

The new Litter Announcements were added yesterday and I just got around to seeing them today. I took a look at the darn cute puppy photos which of course made me want a puppy all the more. Then I looked down at the new breeders list. First off I noticed the two puppies who graduated as Breeders this past weekend who were raised in the other group in my town. Just a little shout out to Medford (MLGX) and Heloise (FYL)! Also, Estee (FBL) who was from Belle's last litter ever was on the list too, but we all know that she was accepted as a Breeder. Then I skimmed the rest of the group, not thinking I would find anything interesting, but guess what name I noticed on the breeder list? No guesses? I'll just tell you then.

Reann!

Reann is Rocco's sister, and I think looks a lot like Rocco. So far this litter has two Guides and one Breeder! Go "R"s!

Freya is Three!!!

Happy Birthday to my very first puppy, Freya! Freya taught me so much as a first puppy. She was easily distracted, was over hyper, and was in general a goofy girl. She was the one that started my friendly competition with the our Overload Jim about always proving him wrong. From the first time he met Miss Freya he said that I shouldn't be too disappointed if she was Career Changed within the next few months. Every eval he said that. And now look at her. Best gosh darn Guide around if you ask me! *Smile*

Freya chewing on a Dental Dino. This was always a coveted toy when she was my puppy.

 (Just to be clear, I respect Jim more than I respect most people which is why I feel little remorse for poking the slight bit of fun at him every now and then)

At the end of next month she will be an Official Guide for a year and a half. How time does fly! This means that Freya and Mr. L have pretty much cemented their relationship as Guide and handler. Every time I get an email from the Ls I'm more and more proud of Freya (and sometimes I just have to giggle at what a bad quirky dog she really is).



Freya making a funny face while trying to "kill" her rope toy. This was always the number one toy when she was a puppy. She was the best rope player in the world!

  I tell people often that it took me longer than normal to receive my first puppy, but I know it's because Freya and I were meant for each other. I wouldn't change my first girl for anything...even a full golden (which shows you how much I truly love her). 

It's been a while since she's sent a postcard, but hopefully soon you'll all have an update on her Guiding ways. 

Happy Birthday my first Darling Little Girl!



Freya in her absolute favourite position at work: on her back.

And happy birthday to the rest of Dylan and Belle's "F" Litter; Falla, Freeway, Foothill, and Faulding! 

*These are pictures I got over the summer that for some reason I never posted. Hope you like them! I think they show off her beauty and her goofiness*

My Little Secret

Alright, so I really couldn't keep this a secret for much longer. I'm too excited about all the possibilities. Before any of you ask, no I'm not getting a puppy. Not yet anyway.

Most of you know that raising a puppy is like having a full time job without the pay and benefits. We puppy raise because we love doing it, but it does take a lot of effort and a lot of our time especially if we're raising the puppy by ourselves like I would be doing. Now, I've never actually raised a puppy by myself during school time. My dad and I were co-raisers with Freya and my leader Mary and I were co-raisers with Rocco. Hilly was only mine, but it was summer and I had no other responsibilities.

I've been thinking a lot about what it would mean for me to get a puppy while in University. It would mean that I would have to give up a lot. Mostly, I would have to give up three months of my social life from when I get the puppy to when it's old enough to be taken anywhere. To be honest, I don't know if I could really give a puppy all of the attention that it needs from me. But that doesn't mean that I'm not going to try.

About a week ago I emailed what is the equivalent to a puppy group leader about what I need to do in order to become a sitter. I don't know why I didn't think about doing that over the summer, but it seems like a brilliant idea if I do say so myself.

What I've decided to do it just puppy sit for a little while to see if I'm able to handle a puppy and my social life at the same time. If by Spring Break I'm confident that having a puppy will not interfere (majorly) with my social life or my studies then I'll put in an app to get a puppy. I will most likely ask for a puppy that is already over four months old so that I don't have to deal with potty training and a five hour University schedule. While I would absolutely love a little 8 week old puppy, I think it would be a lot smarter for me and better for the puppy if I were to get an older puppy.

I haven't heard back from the puppy leader yet, but I'm hoping to hear back within the next week. Hopefully, by the end of October I will have everything done and I can start taking puppies in for a day or two when needed. I let you know how everything goes.

Phase Report

Halette     45Y4     LAB     F     3

Hermes     46Y1     LAB    M    8

Hestia     LAB     F     Breeder Evals

Belle Puppy EPIC is in phase 6 this week.

Hilly's an Official Ambassador

Hilly at PWAP's fundraiser. She's laying down with her Pet Ambassador scarf on and being a very, very good girl.

Guess who is GDB's newest Pet Ambassador? That's right! HILLY!!!!!! I'm pretty excited that her pet ambassador scarf finally came. I'm also a little disappointed that I won't be there to take her to any fun Pet Ambassador gigs for a while. I'll be back over the summer but the jury is still out as to whether or not I'll be back over Winter Break. We'll see. At least I know that she's happy and healthy back home. I've been told she and Rosie play day and night, nonstop!

I don't have much to report about GDB over here. There hasn't been any more fundraising events since the last one and I'm still trying to stay strong and not put in a puppy app until January. I won't lie, it's getting harder by the day. Not only did little "Eli" arrive in the group two weeks ago but Meghan and Emily are getting another puppy in just three and a half weeks! Puppies, puppies everywhere but not a ball of fur to cuddle.

Phase Report

Regina     4Y16      LAB     F     5

Hermes    46Y1      LAB     M    8

Halette     45Y4      LAB     F     2

Hestia       LAB      Breeder Evals

Belle puppy EPIC is in phase 5 this week! YAY!

I also found out that HESTIA has passed her initial breeder evaluations! Now she just has to go on to the next phase. Here's the thing though, this could be anywhere from a week to a month. So Hestia basically goes into a black hole again. But hopefully we'll hear something soon.