Identity Crisis

Because Joaquin's only clothing consists of a green coat he seems to be confused as to if he is a dog or a frog...

It doesn't matter where he is- at home or out in public- he always tries his hardest to take up as much room as possible.

fail

Yes I fail. i've been super crazy busy and forgot post.

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Judith (on the 7th of May), Vinnie (the 18th), and Maryjo (the 19th)!!
Happy BIRTHDAY toooo you!!!

I told them all happy birthday but just didn't post. See I'm not THAT terrible of a dog mom.

Changes

It's Official... Monet has left for new adventures. I was impressed I only cried a little when she left (It's been a while since I've turned in a puppy. I had the usual feelings of "Why do I do this to myself" but there's still Joaquin) So... Upated Monet News?

She's been Career Changed. Monet just doesn't want to be a Guide Dog- but we think she still needs a job. The last few weeks she's really enjoyed just being a dog. Getting to sleep on the bed and couch, playing fetch, and just chilling at home. Lindsey is taking her to Oregon so she can catch her "limo" to the San Rafael Campus. She's been recommended for Search and Rescue work so... hopefully!! Wish Monet Luck! I know she'll be great no matter what she does and hopefully we get to hear how she is doing...We'll miss her lots and we love her even more.

Joaquin will enjoy being spoiled rotten while he's the only GDB puppy in the house. Don't worry that won't last for too long... You really think we can live that long in a house with 2 puppyraisers and 1 dog? I don't think so...

Updates...

Since I'm not so good at blogging about the dogs without pictures:

At about 7 months old Joaquin keeps growing. I tell him to stop but he doesn't listen...I think I give up. He's such a nice boy and we love him. He's got the cute golden look down- so people are in love with him the minute they see him. It is a problem sometimes because HE gives people permission to pet him- not me.

I don't know if you can see this picture very well. Monet and I went to the Gateway mall the other day. It was fun- although she was pretty worn out by the end (that is an accomplishment!) She got to go shopping, watch the water show, and try a few things on...

Like mother... like daughter?

She will probably be recalled on the first truck back to campus in the spring (April/May?) so were trying to get as much fun in as possible :)

Joaquin minus Monet

This last week Monet was at a puppy sitters so it was just Quin... He was pretty happy with himself being an only dog (we don't count the beagle ;))

Anyway... Right before Mone came home he got to head off to the dog wash so he wasn't so stinky:

He loved his ears being cleaned and the shampoo massage but wasn't too fond of getting sprayed down or blow-dried. Poor poor Joaquin. It's tough being so cute!

You know you're a puppyraiser when...

So, tonight I was reading the news. It was an article about the Bureau of Land Managment. Don't worry that when I saw the Bureau of Land Management condensed to BLM, I automatically thought "Why is there a Black Lab Male in this story?"... I might hav a problem. It's fine. :)

Masterpieces by Monet

Monet and I had an adventure today. Despite my complaining about her bad breath (I bought some mint toothpaste on the way home in hopes that it will help get the dead-creature-smell out) we got some good pictures of her and she got to have some fun in the snow. Lesson learned?

How to take Monet Pictures:
1. Tie down Monet to tree or bridge.
2. Let Monet sniff and do whatever (except eat things that are not Monet-approved).
3. Be prepared at any moment to take a picture.
4. Do not try to get Monet to sit-stay for the picture. It doesn't work. Just let her do it naturally and refer back to step 3.
ENJOY! :) (some still need to be edited...)

My favorite one :) A good one by fluke- I just clicked it from the side without looking.

It's dark but I think this would be a cool one once it's edited- anyone really good at that?

Halitosis

Do you think a dog could be dropped for having bad breath? I'm pretty sure something decided to make it's home in the dogs mouth and then died in there... Ugh!

Oregon Graduation

P.S. For those going to Oregon Graduation on Saturday- I'll be there- dogless (Too many dogs for the ride home/sleeping at other peoples houses) I'm going to pick up CC Teesha with her puppyraiser. So Excited... I love Portland even if we'll only be there a few hours! Wish us safe driving...

Coming of age...

There comes a time in the life of a Guide Dog puppy where they put away the childish things of the past and look forward to the future... this is celebrated with a ceremony that is called the "Changing of the Collars". If you have not been privileged to attend one of these special ceremonies here is a comemorative picture to symbolize the newness of life that is Joaquins. We offer our congratuations to him on his new big collar ;)

Getting bigger...

I thought I told them to stay small- but apparently they didn't listen. I think Joaquin will pass up Monet here pretty soon. I'm not sure how much he weighs but I would assume close to maybe 40-45 lbs. Monet sits at around 50.

Evals went well. They are both pretty confident puppies and love to hang out at the mall. It didn't hurt that we went by the mall the Monday before evals just to check it out ;)

Nice puppies+back to normal= boring posting

I was just noticing lack of blog posts. Sorry. I guess it's a good thing- nothing to write about other than what good dogs everyone has been. School has started and things are back to normal boring life around here I think Monet might have gone through a temperment transplant sometime last month- or maybe Santa brought her some "good dog dust" or soemthing because she's been pretty good. Normally she's a VERY sweet dog- but very independent and wants to do things her way. Lately "her way" has been our way. She and Quin got a bath yesterday (Thanks Linds) and they are both super soft now and ready for Evals at the mall on Tuesday. Quin is also doing very well too- he's a nice boy (although is slightly "forgetful" when it comes to what "sit" means... He'll do the golden shuffle for a little bit then figure it out) Basically he's a typical 5 month old Male Golden... goofy and sweet.
Evals bring updates... be on the look out for them.

Storytime

My Birthday is next week and my 7-year-old brother couldn't wait until my birthday to give me what he made. So here is my birthday present. I don't know if the pictures will enlarge if you click on them so underneath is what he wrote. So adorable.

Guide Dogs
I love Mickelle

From For
Philipp Mickelle

Dogs pull Blind Peo
ple

Guides The person a
cross The
street

I love You Dog.


I love my dogs too :)

The Holy Grail of puppy toys...

Monet and Lindsey went to Mapleton for Christmas so Joaquin got the toy basket all to himself. He was pretty sure he was in heaven... I thought he would enjoy chewing on the tons of toys without Monet trying to steal them away... aparently he just wanted to empty the basket...

...Go to Sleep...

...and leave the mess for mom to clean up.

Typical boy... ;)

Merry Christmas/Happy New year

So... since I FAIL in the cute picture/Christmas Card department. This is to wish you all a FABULOUS Holiday season. There are pictures to come-- promise. For real... why you ask? Because I have a camera that actually works now...
Here's to a 2010 full of many pictures ;)

Only Child

Monet likes being an only child. Joaquin and Lindsey have been gone since Friday morning- and although I miss them-- I'm not so sure Monet does (well... the Joaquin part. I'm sure she misses Lindsey) She's been partying it up here... she got to go to the lights on Temple Square, get crepes with me, go to church, get lots of walks, hang around the house, and suck up all the attention all without the little brother bugging her... tonight they come home and it all ends. She'll have to go back to being the older sister. It was good for her while it lasted-- but the Return of Joaquin will all be okay when she gets some Lindsey love... Plus I kind of missed him a little bit alot.

"While visions of sugar plumbs danced in their heads..."

Vinnie got to have a sleepover last night at our house... Needless to say- I think he liked it...too much. I couldn't get my pic of Monet to upload... (along with the promised snow pics... lame I know! I'm getting a camera for Christmas- don't worry.) I think I have some sleepy puppies...

Born to Lead Website Change

So basically for the past week I've been fighting to figure out why our website isn't showing up... oh By the way- they changed our address... Hopefully it will stick around that. Maybe one day we'll pay for our site ;)

https://guidedogpups.sslpowered.com/Index.html

SNOW!

This morning we woke up to snow... and since I don't have to work so early anymore, Monet and I got to go out and play in it. I promise a picture possibly tomorrow. Needless to say- Mone was SO excited for the snow-- Joaquin went to work with Lindsey so I didn't see him until ater this afternoon. I'm pretty sure I have the cutest puppies ever... Amen!

I'm thankful for little brothers...

Last night my little brother slept over. He's 6. He's cute. I love him. Lindsey took Monet so that means little Joaquin got to stay and have a slumber party... This morning while my brother was bored he drew me a picture...

Do you see the little Joaquin with the cute green puppy coat?