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. 

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!

Happy Belated Birthday Hilly!

So, yesterday was Hilly's 3rd birthday. I was able to post up a facebook status about it, but I was just too busy yesterday to write up a post about her third birthday yesterday.

I remember the day I met Hilly. She was my first puppy truck puppy so I was expecting to stand in front of the truck and have her be walked down the stairs to my waiting arms. Or at least my waiting leash since she was a transfer puppy. I finally experienced that giddy anticipation before the puppy truck came through through. I was even there an hour early just in case. Instead of watching her come off the puppy truck we were standing around waiting for them to finish relieving the in for training, career changed, and transfer dogs who weren't making their final stop there when one of the drivers came over with a black lab. I ended up having to ask if that was Hilly instead of being asked. I'll be honest, it was a little bit of a let down compared to everyone else's puppy truck experience. But it definitely wasn't a let down in terms of finally getting Hilly. She was everything that I imagined.

Hilly was a challenge. I worked super hard with her and got amazing results from that little labby who just wanted to please, have fun, and go, go, go. Our bond formed quick and strong. When it was finally decided that she wouldn't become a Guide Dog, I really was devastated. The thought that I might never see her again after only just meeting was something I couldn't bear. Luckily, I have great parents who took her in for me until I get done with University.

I like to say that I set out to fix Hilly so that she could change someone's life, but she ended up deciding to change mine. I can't imagine my life without her.

Just one more birthday away from each other.

A Belated Birthday for Rocco

I didn't get a chance to post this up yesterday since I was pretty busy. But yesterday was the boy's 3rd birthday! I can't believe he's already three and has been working for almost a year and a half. It feels like only yesterday that Mary and I drove up to Guide Dogs to pick up our Mr.R, his brother, and a Mr. V.

I remember the sleepless nights of the first few months as Rocco adjusted to his crate and had his vomiting problem. I remember stumbling out of bed in the morning after only an hour of sleep with every intention of roasting him on a spit in the front yard. Then I would open the kennel and that sweet boy would bound out, give me a kiss, and go sit by his leash by the door and all I could think was, "Ok, boy...you may live another day." And that is how his nickname of "boy" was born. He grew to be an amazing dog!

Happy Birthday Rocco!!!

Happy Birthday Freya!

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday dear Freya!!!
Happy Birthday to you!



A birthday collage for Freya featuring pictures of her on her first, second, and third birthdays.

As you may be able to tell, today is Freya's birthday. She turns 4 today! Thank you Freya for being...well not the perfect first puppy but my first puppy. You got me hooked. Happy birthday Freya! I know your fam has spoiled you today.

Happy Birthday Hilly

Happy Birthday to the sweetest, bestest, cutest, greatest pet I could have ever asked for. Hilly is two years old today! I'm missing her something awful right now. In fact, I've been missing her since I had to turn down Indie. All I want to do is lay on the couch and watch some TV with my little girl. Alas, two more years apart, two more birthdays spent sending my love long distance. I can deal with it as long as she's waiting for me when I'm done with Uni.

I love you my darling, little girl. Make sure the "grandparents" spoil you rotten today. They have my permission.

Happy 2nd Rocco!

Baby 13 Week old Rocco

Rocco helped me vote for the first time.



Rocco in his cowboy outfit.

Rocco at my dad and stepmom's wedding.

Rocco wearing a goofy grin at Desconso Gardens.



Anoter goofy grin, only at a baseball game this time.



My handsome boy with his handsome smile.



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Rocco in Arizona over Christmas in 2010.



Rocco at just a few weeks under a year old.

 

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Rocco on stage in harness at Graduation.

Well, my handsome, little boy. I guess you're not little anymore, but you still are the most handsome! Happy second bithday Boy! I hope you're being spoiled rotten today.

Happy Birthday!!!

I totally forgot to post this on the day because my brother came in for his visit and then other posts have been piling up so I haven't gotten around to it. But still, I feel like a horrible dog owner.  

Arwen, Hilly, and Rosie. Arwen is such a good sport.



Arwen in her Santa hat.

 

Arwen in front of the tree in our backyard.

A closeup of Arwen's wonky nose.

On January 2, 2012 my gorgeous golden girl turned 10!!!! I love her very, very much and couldn't imagine my life without her. We bred our golden Brandy and Arwen was puppy number 5 born. When we would have people over to look at the puppies we would have to shove Arwen in the back room so that no one would want her. Haha! She really is my absolute heart dog and, while my parents say she doesn't seem like she misses me when I go, I do think I see a difference in her when I get back for vacations. She was basically my dog from the time she was a year and a half and if I could she would be here with me right now. I love this girl!

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*

12 Things at 12 Months

So, this is more like "12 Pictures at 12 Months". But I'll still include 12 things. I can't believe that my Boy is a whole year old today. It seems like just yesterday that I was picking up one of the giant "R" puppies from GDB. This boy has taught me a lot even in the short time I had with him. I love him to death and he will forever be "the Boy". I have decided for sure, that unless I'm asked to, to not raise another male. I could say that it's all because I prefer females, but a lot of it has to do with Mr. Rocco. He's the first male dog I've ever owned and the only male I would consider keeping. Contrary to popular belief, I would not keep every dog that crossed my path. If I asked for another male I would be expecting another Rocco and I would get one. Needless to say he's made a big empression on me and, I won't lie, it hurts a little every day that I'm not with him. Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Rocco's 12 Traits, Goals, Accomplishments, and Things I love:
1. He has the weirdest tongue you will ever see. It's like he got cow DNA injected into somehow before leaving GDB.
2. I love his goofy personality. We joke around that Rocky is the Old Man and Rocco is the goofy teenager who will stay out a little longer to "mature up."
3. He's such a cuddlebug! I absolutely love it. I would sit down on the floor and he would curl up in my lap like he wasn't over 60 lbs.
4. He is a sweetie pie who loves to please.
5. He remembers everyone and treats them like his best friend. When we saw Paula without Darwin (who has been retired and is happy being her new pet) on an outing one day, he recognized her right away and tried very hard to jump on her and find the place where she kept the doggie treats. I allowed him to be naughty because Paula adores it when the pups are naughty...except when the pup makes an idiotic decision like chasing her cat. Poor Miracle still hasn't recovered from that episode with Rocco.
6. There's another thing. He's getting better at not chasing cats. He pestered Mia when he was home, but didn't chase.
7. He makes friends wherever he goes because he's such a sweetheart.
8. I absolutely adore his goofy nose. It's just so big, I love it. Especially when he wakes me up pressing his nose into a hand that has flopped to the side of the bed.
9. He has wonderful house and yard manners (though he has to work on playing with dog toys only, not things that other dogs pick up...)
10. He loves to work.
11. Goal one is to make it in to formal training.
12. Goal two is to become the fantastic Guide I know he can become. And if he chooses otherwise his goal is then to come home to me and be the best pet I could ever ask for.

Rocco's 12 Photos

The Day I brought him home.

A few days before I left back to school.Day one at home with me.
Rocco at my Baccalaureate.
Then...

and Now.
Then...
and Now.
Then...
and Now.

Rocco and Rosie.