Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Vinnie update
Thank you for all your thought and prayers. Vinnie is now home and doing better. They found that Vinnie does not have cancer, but enlarged lyphnodes because of Diabetes. (Sad but still a Big sigh of relief that it's not cancer!) Although, he's still not feeling 100% himself, he is definitely on his way there. He will be on a strict diet, insulin shots twice daily, and lots of walks- short ones because of his stiff joints, but walks nonetheless.
The things we do for these dogs... we love them a lot.
We are so glad he is doing alright and he sends everyone lots of tail wags. We will be over to visit him this weekend and will give him lots and lots of hugs!
In other news, Placer is now legal and got to go to work today for the first time. Lucky guy.
He was perfect and will be visiting the office as frequently throughout the next year. :)
The things we do for these dogs... we love them a lot.
We are so glad he is doing alright and he sends everyone lots of tail wags. We will be over to visit him this weekend and will give him lots and lots of hugs!
In other news, Placer is now legal and got to go to work today for the first time. Lucky guy.
He was perfect and will be visiting the office as frequently throughout the next year. :)
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
This past weekend Vinnie, my 11 1/2 year old career change dog (and first GDB puppy) that lives with my parents, hasn't been feeling well. He's getting slower in his age and has a few fatty tumors that have been removed and grown back, but other than that he's been the same since he was 2.
We called the vet on Monday, and luckily someone was there and told us it sounded like a UTI and he would be fine until Tuesday. My mom took him in this morning and after a few tests, they found his blood sugar level over 500 (normal for a dog is about what's normal for a human between 75 and 120). The vet decided to keep him overnight to give him the glucose shots and for observation. The vet thinks he has developed Diabetes... They are also testing him for Lymphoma. I pray he is alright and gets to go home tomorrow. He's a huge part of all of our lives and it's sad having him away even for a night-- and I don't even live there.
Since we're in the process of getting a house, I've been thinking about how I really want a pet dog soon that is just *ours*, but going through this today makes me think... why would I want to do that to myself?
It's tough watching your dog get old.
It's sad seeing them get slower.
I don't know that I can do it again after watching my Vinnie go through it...
Please keep Vinnie in your thoughts and prayers.
We called the vet on Monday, and luckily someone was there and told us it sounded like a UTI and he would be fine until Tuesday. My mom took him in this morning and after a few tests, they found his blood sugar level over 500 (normal for a dog is about what's normal for a human between 75 and 120). The vet decided to keep him overnight to give him the glucose shots and for observation. The vet thinks he has developed Diabetes... They are also testing him for Lymphoma. I pray he is alright and gets to go home tomorrow. He's a huge part of all of our lives and it's sad having him away even for a night-- and I don't even live there.
Since we're in the process of getting a house, I've been thinking about how I really want a pet dog soon that is just *ours*, but going through this today makes me think... why would I want to do that to myself?
It's tough watching your dog get old.
It's sad seeing them get slower.
I don't know that I can do it again after watching my Vinnie go through it...
Please keep Vinnie in your thoughts and prayers.
Sometimes...
Sometimes I really miss Phoenix...
Then I get to cuddle with this guy and it makes it better.
Oh Placer... I'm really glad you're so darn cute and extra sweet?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
My dog is a pig
One of the funny, quirky things about Placer is the sounds that he makes.
Mostly in the morning when he gets out of his crate, he will lean up against me and start making this deep low noise...
at first we though it was a growl-y "Good morning"...
Then we though it was a little purr... (he does live with 2 cats at his other house)
This week we realized it sounds just like an OINK.
My dog thinks he is a pig.
From this discovery he has earned several new nicknames- "Piggy" and "Wilbur" among them.
I tried to get it on video, but it doesn't quite work out... I'll work on it though.
It's hard to capture the true Placer in a video- or even in a picture. Such a sweet guy, with a lot of fun personality. He's just starting to get out more and does really well. He went to church for the first time last week and did GREAT- especially considering we teach the 9-year-olds. He went right in and fell asleep. What a good puppy...
Mostly in the morning when he gets out of his crate, he will lean up against me and start making this deep low noise...
at first we though it was a growl-y "Good morning"...
Then we though it was a little purr... (he does live with 2 cats at his other house)
This week we realized it sounds just like an OINK.
My dog thinks he is a pig.
From this discovery he has earned several new nicknames- "Piggy" and "Wilbur" among them.
I tried to get it on video, but it doesn't quite work out... I'll work on it though.
It's hard to capture the true Placer in a video- or even in a picture. Such a sweet guy, with a lot of fun personality. He's just starting to get out more and does really well. He went to church for the first time last week and did GREAT- especially considering we teach the 9-year-olds. He went right in and fell asleep. What a good puppy...
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Road Trip
I heard last night that Phoenix made it safely to San Rafael yesterday with 2 other Breeder Eval dogs. It's not much, but every bit of information is ridiculously exciting for me.
Leaving you with a little bit of a ghetto picture of cute Placer.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Retired
I got another email today about one of my other puppies...
Sweet Judith.
Judith was my 2nd puppy I raised and she was the one in restored my faith in the fact that I could DO IT. Vinnie was one tough puppy- he was my first puppy and he was an intact male and no he's a marshmallow I know. But Judith saved me from having to convince my family to do it again. She was the one that made me fall in love with Female Black Labs... after her I raised 4 more FBL's (until I fell in love with the Males... I would LOVE a Male Black Lab- best of both worlds)
We all fell in love with Judith and were so happy when she graduated with the most amazing woman from Oregon.
Over the last 8 1/2 years we've kept in contact every few months. She will tell me how little Judi is doing and I tell her now my newest Guide Dog puppy is.
Today I got an email that said Judith is ready to retire. She will be working until a new dog is ready to take over the duties, then she'll enjoy the life of luxury in her retirement.
We've always said we would take Judith back in a heartbeat if we could, but over the years we've gotten the chance to see her a few times and I know she's in the right place and there's no where else she would rather be, than with the person that has taken such good care of her for the past 8 1/2 years and I know she will take great care of her in her retirement. I just think- am I really this old that I have a dog retiring? Have I really done it this long? Apparently so.
Happy Retirement, Judith!
Sweet Judith.
Judith was my 2nd puppy I raised and she was the one in restored my faith in the fact that I could DO IT. Vinnie was one tough puppy- he was my first puppy and he was an intact male and no he's a marshmallow I know. But Judith saved me from having to convince my family to do it again. She was the one that made me fall in love with Female Black Labs... after her I raised 4 more FBL's (until I fell in love with the Males... I would LOVE a Male Black Lab- best of both worlds)
We all fell in love with Judith and were so happy when she graduated with the most amazing woman from Oregon.
Over the last 8 1/2 years we've kept in contact every few months. She will tell me how little Judi is doing and I tell her now my newest Guide Dog puppy is.
Today I got an email that said Judith is ready to retire. She will be working until a new dog is ready to take over the duties, then she'll enjoy the life of luxury in her retirement.
We've always said we would take Judith back in a heartbeat if we could, but over the years we've gotten the chance to see her a few times and I know she's in the right place and there's no where else she would rather be, than with the person that has taken such good care of her for the past 8 1/2 years and I know she will take great care of her in her retirement. I just think- am I really this old that I have a dog retiring? Have I really done it this long? Apparently so.
Happy Retirement, Judith!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
One Quiet Weekend
It's kind of weird not having puppy for the weekend. But it's good. We get to sleep past 6 a.m. ;)
A lot of people ask how co-raising works for me and the answer is:
FANTASTIC!
We love it. My co-raiser is Marnie... and family. Her house includes a husband- Willie- who is equally involved and takes the puppies to work when they are old enough, 4 girls, 2 cats, and a working Guide Dog.
In the beginning I usually will take the puppy more because it's harder for Marnie and Willie to tell if puppy has an accident unless their girls are home. So they get puppy on the weekend (Friday-Monday) and I get him during the week. As puppy gets older, we start to trade every other week- switching on Sundays. We live pretty close to each other so it's not hard to trade.
We both have our strengths and fit together really well.
Marnie is really good at working on "Come" because that is really important for her to have a dog with a good recall that touches her so she knows he is there.
I'm in charge of teaching "Go to Bed" since Marnie can't see to treat him at the right time.
It's fun to show each other what puppy has learned in the days that we have him- and it's fun to see how much puppy has grown since we last saw him.
Also we both have such different home lives that puppy gets used to lots of different things.
Marnie lives in a house- we live in an apartment (not for long though! We're getting ready to close on a house soon! Yay!),
Marnie has lots of kids and dogs- We don't,
Marnie works in Voc Rehab and Willie owns a Cafe- I work at the University,
Marnie and Willie take the bus or a cab everywhere- We drive a small Toyota and a Suzuki with a hatchback.
Pretty much co-raising is great and if you ever get the chance to co-raise with someone great- I recommend it.
A lot of people ask how co-raising works for me and the answer is:
FANTASTIC!
We love it. My co-raiser is Marnie... and family. Her house includes a husband- Willie- who is equally involved and takes the puppies to work when they are old enough, 4 girls, 2 cats, and a working Guide Dog.
In the beginning I usually will take the puppy more because it's harder for Marnie and Willie to tell if puppy has an accident unless their girls are home. So they get puppy on the weekend (Friday-Monday) and I get him during the week. As puppy gets older, we start to trade every other week- switching on Sundays. We live pretty close to each other so it's not hard to trade.
We both have our strengths and fit together really well.
Marnie is really good at working on "Come" because that is really important for her to have a dog with a good recall that touches her so she knows he is there.
I'm in charge of teaching "Go to Bed" since Marnie can't see to treat him at the right time.
It's fun to show each other what puppy has learned in the days that we have him- and it's fun to see how much puppy has grown since we last saw him.
Also we both have such different home lives that puppy gets used to lots of different things.
Marnie lives in a house- we live in an apartment (not for long though! We're getting ready to close on a house soon! Yay!),
Marnie has lots of kids and dogs- We don't,
Marnie works in Voc Rehab and Willie owns a Cafe- I work at the University,
Marnie and Willie take the bus or a cab everywhere- We drive a small Toyota and a Suzuki with a hatchback.
Pretty much co-raising is great and if you ever get the chance to co-raise with someone great- I recommend it.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Greetings from Guide Dogs...
"We are writing to thank you for your puppy raising contribution and to inform you that Phoenix has been selected for evaluation as a breeder.
Breeding stock selection is based on the results of training evaluations, health screenings and the needs of the breeding colony in terms of pedigree and temperamental type. While the breeding department evaluates Phoenix potential as a breeder, Phoenix will undergo additional health examinations. These include orthopedic x-rays, cardiac ultrasound, and a pre-breeding physical. As we wait the approximate four to six weeks for the results of these examinations, Phoenix will remain at Guide Dogs’San Rafael or Oregon campus or in an approved foster care home.
Once these additional health examination results are finalized, a breeding department staff member will notify you of the results by telephone. If Phoenix meets Guide Dogs’ breeding criteria, Phoenix will then be placed in a qualified breeder keeper home within a 50 mile radius of Guide Dogs’ San Rafael campus...
By raising a dog that becomes a breeder, you have contributed to continuing Guide Dogs’ services and making it possible for future generations of working guides to assist the visually impaired. All puppy raisers of breeders are invited to present the dog at an upcoming graduation and we will work through scheduling details as the time comes.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication as a puppy raiser..."
YAY for Phoenix! Good Luck...
We always said that if we could clone Phoenix we totally would. Watch for more updates in the next few months...
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Placetraz
Here's Placer and his (future) BFF Alcatraz. One day they'll learn to.be friends... For now they just ignore each other
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
He loves his bowl...
Not because it has food in it... But because of the water.
I have my water lover.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
One Week Update
Pretty sure we have a pretty great puppy...
He's just a nice boy and we can't wait to raise him.
This week he's learned:
...How to walk up and down the stairs outside our apartment (5 open,grated steps)
...To crate himself when he's sleepy
...His raisers don't know what his name REALLY is- Place-er/Plass-er... we decided to go with
"Place-er" unofficially because too many people called him "Plaster"-- but we will make sure
he knows "Plass-er" too :)
...The basket of toys is the best thing in life
...Leaves are not good things to pick up
...Life as a guide dog puppy is going to be great!
I saw his brother, Pilgrim yesterday and he's just as nice as our boy. Hopefully they stay this good :)
Phoenix update? Nothing really- I do know they made a few cuts from Breeder eval and Phoenix wasn't one of them... So cross your fingers for him.
You know you all want cute, nice Phoenix babies. I know we do! (But he would be the best Guide Dog ever!)
He's just a nice boy and we can't wait to raise him.
This week he's learned:
...How to walk up and down the stairs outside our apartment (5 open,grated steps)
...To crate himself when he's sleepy
...His raisers don't know what his name REALLY is- Place-er/Plass-er... we decided to go with
"Place-er" unofficially because too many people called him "Plaster"-- but we will make sure
he knows "Plass-er" too :)
...The basket of toys is the best thing in life
...Leaves are not good things to pick up
...Life as a guide dog puppy is going to be great!
I saw his brother, Pilgrim yesterday and he's just as nice as our boy. Hopefully they stay this good :)
Phoenix update? Nothing really- I do know they made a few cuts from Breeder eval and Phoenix wasn't one of them... So cross your fingers for him.
You know you all want cute, nice Phoenix babies. I know we do! (But he would be the best Guide Dog ever!)
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Another pronounciation problem
We'll learn to say it right...
Meet Placer! (plass-er)
p.s. maybe I'm a little excited that he's Joaquin's nephew...aww..
p.s. maybe I'm a little excited that he's Joaquin's nephew...aww..
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Puppy Truck
Just thought I'd let you all know...
The truck is leaving San Rafael today with our new baby on it.
It's a good thing.
Just don't let me think about what happens next...
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Picture Overload
I know this doesn't happen often but- here are more of the pictures I promised. I think one of his senior projects will be one that we send in for the calendar. He's such a handsome guy and we are so proud of him. Good Luck, Phee...
Next post-- Puppy Truck day and the new Mr. "P"!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Leaving on a Puppy Truck...
I can't believe the cutest Yellow Lab puppy in the world is leaving in less than 2 weeks already! He's been such an easy and fun puppy to raise. If all puppies were like Phoenix, puppy raising would be the easiest thing in the world. So...
He's headed back to OR (I think) for Breeder Evals/Training... We thought we'd take a break.
Wait until Spring...
We'd have the whole summer to house break it...
No freezing in the snow...
Yeah...
That didn't last long.
We got our puppy assignment today.
I need more "P" names...
He's headed back to OR (I think) for Breeder Evals/Training... We thought we'd take a break.
Wait until Spring...
We'd have the whole summer to house break it...
No freezing in the snow...
Yeah...
That didn't last long.
We got our puppy assignment today.
I need more "P" names...
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Another post?!
Needless to say... I really did completely forget to post about Fun Day and even Phee's birthday. Poor guy feels forgotten.
Not really, but here's a picture of him at the Giants game just so I don't feel completely terrible. (Maybe I figured out how to blog on my phone so I might do it more.... Might)
Saturday, September 10, 2011
I'm a blog failure...
Phoenix is joining me this morning for my Photography class... we don't really want to be photographers, but it's the last one that's required for my major. Wish us luck!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Anything- as long as it's black... and home away from hom
This is our weekend in pictures:
Apparently Radisson likes riding in the car?
And while I had the black dogs....
Phoenix was playing with the cats at Marnie's house.
I got this picture on my phone yesterday- I guess Paisley, the cat, likes to cuddle just as much as Phoenix does.
Wish I could crash with a blanket in the middle of the living room too!
This is the puppysittee dogs: Cosette (not a GDB dog) and Radisson (PIT)
Apparently Radisson likes riding in the car?
And while I had the black dogs....
Phoenix was playing with the cats at Marnie's house.
I got this picture on my phone yesterday- I guess Paisley, the cat, likes to cuddle just as much as Phoenix does.
We both had a good weekend... especially Phoenix:
Wish I could crash with a blanket in the middle of the living room too!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Evals
Phoenix has his evaluation today with our CFR, Barb. He did great.
Lacole and Kay- both Female Black Labs, joined us for our evals. We started out by sitting down and just answering some of the basic questions: How does he do in the house? Where does he sleep at night? Does he bark in the crate? Does he typically wear a Headcollar or a Flat collar?
After that we started on walking around the Gateway Mall. This has become our official evaluation spot. We typically have them here because of the variety of distractions there... Tons of people, things to look at, noises, and smells. Starting with the Food Court, of course. Phoenix started off on his headcollar working with Willie, Marnie's boyfriend who helps out a lot with the puppies. Then we headed on through to the arcade and practiced walking over the Dance, Dance Revolution game for some different surfaces. There was a game that looked like the cab of a truck so we had our puppies jump in a get comfortable for a second to test their "scrunching" skills.... Phoenix was awesome at that... mostly because he's not one of those monster huge labs.
Next, we walked across the bridge close to the edge to let them see down on our way to the grated stairs that are there. Barb asked us to take all the puppies' headcollars off to see how they handled it. Phoenix is pretty much a pro at open stairways because we live in apartments that have open stairs... No big deal.
The last thing we did was show off our layover skills. Pro. Phoenix's favorite thing in the world is to cuddle... and layover=Cuddle time. Example:
Lacole and Kay- both Female Black Labs, joined us for our evals. We started out by sitting down and just answering some of the basic questions: How does he do in the house? Where does he sleep at night? Does he bark in the crate? Does he typically wear a Headcollar or a Flat collar?
After that we started on walking around the Gateway Mall. This has become our official evaluation spot. We typically have them here because of the variety of distractions there... Tons of people, things to look at, noises, and smells. Starting with the Food Court, of course. Phoenix started off on his headcollar working with Willie, Marnie's boyfriend who helps out a lot with the puppies. Then we headed on through to the arcade and practiced walking over the Dance, Dance Revolution game for some different surfaces. There was a game that looked like the cab of a truck so we had our puppies jump in a get comfortable for a second to test their "scrunching" skills.... Phoenix was awesome at that... mostly because he's not one of those monster huge labs.
Next, we walked across the bridge close to the edge to let them see down on our way to the grated stairs that are there. Barb asked us to take all the puppies' headcollars off to see how they handled it. Phoenix is pretty much a pro at open stairways because we live in apartments that have open stairs... No big deal.
The last thing we did was show off our layover skills. Pro. Phoenix's favorite thing in the world is to cuddle... and layover=Cuddle time. Example:
He flopped right over on his side and went right to sleep as soon as I reach over and grabbed his leg. Best way to end an eval.
Overall, Barb said he looks good. We're pretty proud of him.
Overall, Barb said he looks good. We're pretty proud of him.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Date night
Last Saturday Phoenix got to go with my husband and I on our date night. We went to eat at California Pizza Kitchen and got to see the new Pirates movie. It hasn't taken long for my husband to fall in love with this guy- He's always coming up with reasons why we have to keep him... too bad our apartments don't allow pets- only Service Dogs.
There was a little bit of a wait before we got into eat. I don't even know how he slept for 15 minutes on the hard cement- there were people, bikes, and skateboards going past him and he just slept.
We love this guy! Can't believe how big he's getting!
We love this guy! Can't believe how big he's getting!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Short updates
I guess it's been a while since I've updated. There isn't a whole lot to update on. Phoenix is just a great puppy. He's probably one of the most well rounded puppies I've ever had. He goes pretty much anywhere and has no problems with anything- except church. He's not used to having so many kids at church :) Before I was married we went to a Singles congregation for church and now we have families everywhere. He's pretty sure the kids need to be petting him. He's only 9 months old but I'm kind of excited to see him go back- to see how he does... Good thing we still have a long time with him!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Dog movies
Secret: I can't watch movies with dogs...or really animals in general.
They make me sad.
The animal always either dies, gets lost, or gets hurt and I can't handle it.
I was watching Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye (Don't judge. It's a good show) and Levi- her hearing dog- gets lost. I wanted to cry... all I could think about was my dogs... Not cool. Then when they were reunited- I was practically bawling.
It's a problem
They make me sad.
The animal always either dies, gets lost, or gets hurt and I can't handle it.
I was watching Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye (Don't judge. It's a good show) and Levi- her hearing dog- gets lost. I wanted to cry... all I could think about was my dogs... Not cool. Then when they were reunited- I was practically bawling.
It's a problem
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Joaquin (and) Phoenix
He's a Guide Dog... and yup... Still the same old Joaquin. They said this he earned the name frog dog while in training... Surprised?
And this guy:
Is getting bigger all the time. Last night we had a blindfold puppy class and we had to find our puppies. There were only two puppies there without a head collar on so I knew it was one of the two, but they both felt too big to be my little puppy. I forget how he's almost 8 months old!
He's doing really well... a VERY nice puppy and we love having him around. We are sooo lucky to have gotten such a nice puppy... Marnie (my co-raiser) and I decided that he can be a charter breeder so we can get one of his puppies, but he's too good not to be a Guide Dog- then he can come back here to retire. So we can have the best of all 3 worlds, right? The reality is, when I raise a puppy I want to keep this much, they graduate. Psh...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Phase 6
Is it okay that if he graduates March 12, I'm planning on going? Even if it is 3 days before my wedding??
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Pictures...
As promised...
But I think I'm destined to never have good pictures on my computer.
First, my camera broke.
Second, I can't find the cord to my phone so those pictures are gone.
and Third, my last resort- is the webcam.
The yellow blob? That's Phoenix now at 4 1/2 months old.
But I think I'm destined to never have good pictures on my computer.
First, my camera broke.
Second, I can't find the cord to my phone so those pictures are gone.
and Third, my last resort- is the webcam.
The yellow blob? That's Phoenix now at 4 1/2 months old.
I'm getting on Amazon to buy a new camera...
Friday, January 7, 2011
Phase Report
Okay so maybe Phase Report day is a good day this week.
Joaquin is FINALLY out of phase 0... not only that- but he's in Phase 2 :) Go Joaquin!!
Phoenix is at my co-raisers house this week. I miss him alot... but it sounds like he's being spoiled rotten at Marnie's and is doing so well! I'll post pictures soon!
Joaquin is FINALLY out of phase 0... not only that- but he's in Phase 2 :) Go Joaquin!!
Phoenix is at my co-raisers house this week. I miss him alot... but it sounds like he's being spoiled rotten at Marnie's and is doing so well! I'll post pictures soon!
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