Welcome!

More pictures will come to follow about today and all the excitement, but for now I'd like you all to welcome my new little one (and I mean LITTLE)!

HILLY

Hilly is a 14 month old black lab female. She was born on March 23, 2010 to Dylan & Aqua. The reason she's such a special puppy for me is that she's Freya's half sister. She reminds me so much of Freya already, but she's definitely her own girl. I'm really surprised how little she is. I'll let you know more about her and why she was transferred to me tomorrow, but for right now we're just chillin' watching Dr. Who. She's sleeping on my foot and I'm in love. What I will tell you know is that she is littermate to fellow puppy blogger HALETTE.

Today's the Day

*bounces 'round the room*

Hooray! Today's the day!

7 hours left and counting...

24 Hours

In 24 hours my transfer will be with me! I'm very excited about this and can't wait to meet the puppy. There's still time to guess the breed, gender, and age if you haven't already. Again, I don't promise any special prizes, but I might be able to come up with something

24 hours and counting...

New Puppy for Erin

Alright, I've been keeping this under wraps for a little over a week just until things settled in. Now that it's been about a week I don't think anything is going to change anytime soon. Plus, it's a month today that the puppy arrives home.

Yes, Erin (that's me!) is getting a new puppy for the summer. Jim found me a transfer puppy (which I thought would be really hard) and my dad *grudgingly* agreed to let me take the puppy on (which I thought would be impossible). I'm sure you have plenty of questions for me like what the puppy's name is and the birthday and parents and all of that stuff. Well, you know what? I'm not gonna tell you. :D

You can guess if you like to. I can't say that there will be a prize or anything, but if someone guesses completely correctly then I might be able to arrange something. So, if you have the time please place your guess.

You can guess the puppy's:
Gender
Breed
Colour
Month of Birth
*you can also guess why this puppy is so special to me already, though you don't have to. It's just like a bonus thing.*

Please, Please don't guess any names. I've been asked not to post the name up which is why I thought that this would be fun for everyone. Also, saying that I've been asked not to post the name, I'm not going to tell anyone that they're right until the puppy is at home with me (or possibly not with me as the pup might arrive home before I do). But as soon as the pup is in the group I'll be able to post the name and birth date and parents and all that.

What Guide Dogs has Taught Me

You know, I think I'm a stronger and better person now that I ever was before because of Guide Dogs. Not only have a learned to give myself selflessly to a cause and to donate my time and energy into something that will better some one's life, but Guide Dogs has also taught me how to say good-bye. Something that a lot of people still can't do. So, thank you to Guide Dogs for teaching me how to say good-bye with dignity and grace.

Pictures to come of another last meeting tomorrow.

Pick Up Day

I'm sorry but I have no pictures of the day I went to go pick up Rocco for our month together.

Last Monday (December 13) I drove to meet Rocco and his new raiser in between our two towns. We were stopping for lunch together to talk about Rocco and what he needs now as a puppy in training. She and I drove up at more or less the same time and then it was time to see my boy. She got him out and he didn't recognize me at first, but he was very excited to see me when he realised who I was. He was just the perfect puppy during lunch. No one noticed that he was there and we had a wonderful lunch together and we talked about what he needed. But it's not much. He's such a good boy.

Now, one last thing I would like to say about the pick up day. They had told me that he had grown, but they didn't tell me he was a moose! I mean, he's HUGE! He's got a nice, stocky, lab frame with his big, square head. And to think! He's only 11 months old! He's just gonna be a BIG boy. He's also very, very handsome. Unfortunately he knows that he's good looking and he takes advantage of this. :D Thankfully he still acts like my little boy and cuddles with me whenever he gets the chance.

For the past week we've just been having so much fun. He really is just a perfect puppy. He's confident and loves to work and is good at it. :) I think I might have another graduate on my hands here. But I'm not going to count my chickens before they hatch and will continue to act as I always do about the recall date and formal training; I am paranoid about the puppies passing their medicals. So, we'll see. For now though, he's just a wonderful, wonderful boy.

November 23: Nothing to Post

I really have nothing of interest to post today. I wish that I had somehow been able to raise a puppy here, but it doesn't look like I'll get to do that until next year when I have my own place (hopefully with a few friends). But if I had I would at least be able to think of something more interesting to post than what I can't wait to see about Rocco.

Thing I can't wait to see about Rocco #2: I can't wait for his puppy kisses again. I know I complain about the fact that he has no control whatsoever over his tongue, but I really think it's an endearing quality about him. He'll have to be partnered with someone that doesn't mind Rocco Kisses because I don't think we can stop him from licking indefinitely.

November 22: Waiting on Pins and Needles

The new class comes in today at GDB and I believe that Dog Day is on Wednesday so we're hoping to hear then if Winston's in class or not. I really hope he is. I've gotten use to the idea of heading home a week early and getting to see Katlynn again. Of course that would also mean that I would get to spend a little more time with Rocco if his new Mom wouldn't mind me stealing him a little sooner than planned.

And that is the other thing I'm waiting for. I'm waiting (not too patiently) to see my boy again. I can't wait to see how big he's actually gotten. For those of you who remember he was a BIG boy when he came home and even had to be put away from the other puppies because he and Rocky were about twice the size. I know Rocky's going to get a little bigger than Rocco, but however big Rocco gets he's already bigger than Freya ever was. :)

So, as a countdown until I get to see Rocco again, I'm going to put one thing that I can't wait to see again every time I post. For the rest of November this means that I'll have something to post everyday at least and you guys get to hear my inner most thoughts about Rocco.

What I Can't Wait for #1: To see his goofy, big, black nose again and to feel press at the back of my neck when I get on the floor and play with him.

November 11: Little News

I have little to say today besides...

Can you believe how fast time is going?!

I can't. That's for sure. What prompted this was an email from J. about when I would be back in Fresno and when would I like to pick Rocco up. I thought about it and if everything goes the way I want it to I should be back in the States in a month! A MONTH! That's it, first half of first year done. What is this? I mean, I only just started. So weird...

But you know what that means don't you? I get to see my boy in about a Month! I'm so happy I could dance! In fact I think I will. *Sings Carnival tune while dancing around the room*

I get to see my baby boy soon.

November 10: Swimming

So, I was going to do a Mostly Wordless Wednesday, but blogger is being weird and not letting me upload a video. So, I'm gonna tell you about the video instead.

It's of Rocco and Toledo swimming. If you remember my Transfer Post you'll remember that Rocco really didn't understand how to get into the pool to swim. But he does now! I'm so happy that Rocco finally figured out how to get in because he really is a water dog. He loves it so much. Anyway, I'm glad to see he's fitting in very nicely with his new family. :)

9 months

Ok, so I've tried posting this twice so we'll see if Blogger allows me to post it this time. Anyway, Rocco turned 9 months old last Tuesday! I can't believe he's already 9 months old. They grow up too fact for my liking, especially when I'm not there to see them grow up. I miss the boy dearly and I can't wait to see him again during winter break. :) I'm going to take lots and lots of pictures of our short week or so together.

Anywho, I can't really give you a 9 Things at 9 Months but I can tell you that I've received a few little tid-bits here and there about how he's doing. I'm told that his raiser absolutely loves him and that he's behaving himself and is an absolute gem. That's something every raiser likes to hear when their puppy goes to a sitter overnight, but it's even more exciting when my puppy has gone on to another raiser. She keeps telling me that I started a wonderful puppy which is just wonderful to hear.

Here are a few pictures I've gotten of Rocco over the past month and a half.

Rocco (L) and his brother Rocky (R) at a fair.
Rocco, Rocky, and puppy Leroy taking a break at the fair. I'm pretty sure that Rocco is in the middle because of the stripe down his back and I know that Rocky is on the far right.

Rocco in Judy's car. Judy stole him for a day because she was in between puppies. She loved how he slept in the car. I must say I miss driving around my Mini Cooper with him in the front like this so I can reach down and pet a puppy at a red light.

I'm told so far the only problem with him is that darn tongue of his. his new raiser agrees with me in thinking that it has a mind of its own.

Rocco's Transfer: September 13, 2010

It's easy to say that September 13, 2010 was one on of the hardest days of my life. I hated the idea of having to transfer Rocco to another person, but at least I loved where he was going and I liked the raiser. So some pictures of the day.

Before heading out, my boyfriend Ryan came over to say good bye to Rocco.

Then it was time for Rocco and I to head to Mary's house where we would load up the car with Rocco and Colorado and head down to Rocco's new home. It took us about an hour to get there, but we got there with no trouble. And I loved where he was going to be living. He has a giant backyard and lots of dogs to play with and two horses and two donkeys. He's just gonna have a blast there. He even has a pool. Though he didn't get in while I was there, I'm sure he's going to get in eventually.

While we were there we had a mini family reunion. Rocco's brother Rocky was just transferred to the same group. So Rocky and his raiser came over so that the two brothers could play. Rocco is a little stalkier and darker than Rocky.

That's Rocco on the right.
Rocky was the biggest water dog I've ever seen.
I almost snapped the picture in time. Rocky dunked his whole head under water because we put a toy that sank in the pool. None of us expected that.
If Rocco hadn't had gotten in the way you would have seen Rocky's whole face underwater.

This isn't Rocky and Rocco, it's Rocky and Toledo. Toledo is Rocco's new brother who was CC'd. Toledo was actually suppose to graduate with Freya.

A close up of Rocky. You can see the similarities and the differences. Rocky has a longer face that Rocco.

The two brothers again.Rocco in a bit of a time out because his paws started bleeding.

There are the two boys.

Me and Rocco and Rocky and his Raiser.
A few pictures of Rocco, me, and his new raiser.
There he is with his new family as we were leaving.

A picture of me and my boy.

I know that Rocco is having a whole lot of fun with his new people, but I still miss him a whole bunch. I hope that if he is CC'd (I don't think he will be except for his health) I get him back. Me and his new raiser will have had him for an equal amount of time and I would love that boy back if he decides he would rather be a pet. I never thought I would want a male dog, but I really, really got attached to Rocco. So, hopefully he'll graduate, but he's always got a home if he doesn't want to be a Guide Dog.

I miss you Baby Boy!

The "I Miss Most" Post

So it's time for the "What I'll Miss the Most" Post. That's right everyone. Rocco is leaving me tomorrow afternoon. Right now he's sitting next to me on his bed chewing on a new toy I bought him. It's a sterile marrow bone and I got it so that he can take it with him and have a little something of here so the transition will be easier. Anyway, on the to rest of the post.

Things I'll Miss the Most about Rocco:

1. Rocco's colouring. I describe his colour as a picture of a dog done by a little kid. Only, the little kid wasn't too sure what colour yellow she wanted to use for the doggie. So, the kid used all of them. He's got a really dark stripe down his back, but the roots of his hair are white. Then lower down he's got a peach colour and his underbelly is completely white. And he's got really apparent angel wings. He's also got a white tip on his tail. I think he's one of the prettiest coloured dogs out there.

2. His really long cow tongue. It's so long and I don't think he has much control over it at all. He's a very licky dog and I love that he'll wiggle into the room, wiggle over to a person, lick them in the leg, and wiggle on by. It's really cute.

3. His personality. It's no secret that I'm not the biggest fan of male dogs and that I prefer females over males, but I really like this boy. He's such a goober! You can tell he's smart, but at the same time he can get this deer caught in the headlight look that make you think there's no one in there. He stumbles over his own and feet and doesn't seem to care. I really, really like this big boy.

4. The way he;ll wake me up by putting both front paws on the end of my bed then jump off and do it again and again until I wake up. It usually means he has to go do his business or that he's really hungry. He doesn't do it all the time. It's only like once a week where he eats earlier or he didn't pee enough before he went to be, but I'll still miss it.

5. I'll miss having a dog follow me from room to room when I get up in the morning or when I decide to go back to my room from the living room. It's going to be weird to not have that happen.

6. Mostly though, I'm just going to miss him.

Tomorrow after Mary gets off work we'll be heading off to drop him off at his new raiser's house. I'm so glad that he's staying so close even if he didn't get to stay in my group.