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

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...

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??

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.

I'm getting on Amazon to buy a new camera...

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!

Christmas Card

Here is our lame Christmas card... a) I don't have a real camera (this is my phone) and b) I'm feeling un-creative. I just finished a Photoshop class and I'm done making things complicated for now. Give me a semester off...

But really, We hope you have a fantastic Christmas full of puppy kisses.

Shorts

Joaquin IS on the phase report... in Phase 0. He's already passed his health during breeder evals, so I'm not too worried. Crossing fingers he moves quick! (Don't worry that I might or might not be looking at dates to get married in March and maybe I had to look at graduation schedules first...)

We heard from Monet's career change adopter. She lives in Portland and her new name is Molly. Maybe it fits her better now- but it doesn't sound like the dog I raised. Molly is a sweet name- my dog is too independent for that name. Maybe one day...

One week later...

It's been over a week since Phoenix came home and I'm pretty sure I have the best puppy in the world. He's mellow, but not so sleepy that he's boring. He definitely has a personality!
The first time I fed him he tried to dive into his food bucket and how he will sit and wait for me to get his food. It's so cute! As soon as he hears the "snap" of the lid closing he jumps up (literally) and gets as fast as he can to his eating place to sit and wait for his food.
He's a champ at "Go to Bed" and as soon as I get the mat out- he's on it and sitting.
Last night he got to go to a choir concert with my co-raiser, Marnie, and she said he was fantastic! I can't say enough good about this guy... Maybe he really IS Joaquin's other half? (Just smaller and less furry)

No new news on Joaquin- He got neutered last Monday and was sent up to OR for training. Here's hoping he's at least on the report this week!

Keeping Promises

told you I'd upload a pic... more to come...

Other Half...

After the last year of saying "His name is Joaquin- WAH-KEEN... like Joaquin Phoenix." I guess I'm not done with that namesake... because I picked up the other half of it last night.

14-week-old, Male Yellow Lab

Phoenix

Even though he thought that 4:30 this morning was time to get up, he's still a sweetheart and I'm excited to raise him. I haven't had a MYL since Vinnie- almost 11 years ago.

Pictures to come...

Might or might not...

I might or might not be REALLY excited today....


I might or might not be getting a puppy at the State Holiday Party...


This state party might or might not be on the 11th...


You'll just have to wait and see...

Any opposed?

Joaquin didn't like my deal.

Apprently he wanted to train to be a Guide Dog instead of a dad... he just doesn't know what he's missing out on, I guess.

It's okay though, I'm excited to watch phase reports. Although now I'm going to be having a nervous breakdown every time my leader calls me. It's fine.

So... now that there are no Joaquin puppies coming, I need myself a new puppy. I told my leader yesterday that I'll take anything as long as it's black. I just don't like yellow hair- unless it's golden, then I can deal, but since I just raised a Golden I doubt there will be another one in my near future- they have to spread the love. (...And I need a car that everyone isn't trying to catch the floating hairs while riding in it. The interior of my car is black. Not smart, puppyraiser... not smart...)

Missing Joaquin

Okay... He can come back now. Now that I've had the chance to get my car detailed and rid of all fuzzy golden hair, the crate cleaned and out of my room, and school is crazier than ever... he can come home.

Okay... really, Joaquin, you can stay but only if you send me little Joaquin puppies in the spring.

Deal?

A Dog by any other name...

Joaquin, I'm sure like many of your puppies, has several names he responds to. Here are just a few of the most popular names that he goes by at my house:

• Keen
• Keenie
• Joe-uh-Quinn
• Joe-Walk-in
• Bikini (My 2-year-old sister couldn't say his name. Poor guy)
• J (mostly over text or email.)
• Handsome (and we wonder why he's conceited)
• Little boy

It's no wonder he has an identity crisis ;) Don't worry though... the one he goes by the most is just plain, old Joaquin. After almost a year with us- it's grown on me. Just like all of my other puppies names. I love that fact that each GDB puppy comes with it's own personality in the name.

Joaquin fits him and I wouldn't have him with any other name. Joaquin: the suave, handsome Spaniard...

This is work?

A rare occasion, but I didn't have a student today, so Joaquin got to come to work today. We got to chill in the Disability Office for the 2 1/2 hours I was scheduled. Sound like an exciting life? I think so.

Leavin' on a ... puppy truck

It's interesting how much more protective of your puppy you get when you have a recall date. His days with us are numbered...

As of right now J-puppy is on the list of Utah dogs heading back for breeder eval in November. Cross your fingers and paws for him. He's such a nice boy. We really hope we get to see some little Joaquin's showing up around the GDB realm, but if not he will be an AMAZING Guide dog.

Back to school... okay- and some brags on J

Class this morning was not amusing for Joaquin.

Fall is coming! I'm excited for the leaves to turn and for it to be a little bit cooler... but I'm still not convinced of the excitement of school starting again. Last week was the first week of school. (only 2 more semesters and a internship!) Joaquin got to start it out right with going to see the kids in K-12 with Lindsey then heading off to higher education with me this week. He's such a great boy and I can honestly say- this dog was born to be a Guide Dog.

Looking back at pictures of him as a baby, besides making me really want a puppy, made me think about how far he's come since he was little. He just turned a year old and has gone from being a silly, wiggly puppy to a mature, grown up dog. No recall date set yet- so we get to enjoy the big guy for at least a few more months. I love it when they get to the stage where you can trust them with pretty much anything. He just got a headcollar last week to get him used to wearing one before he does go back for training- and even that doesn't phase him. He walks perfectly on a loose leash with it on and only rubs it a little when we stand too long (and even then it's super easy to get him to stop)... Okay so he deserves a little bragging every once in a while. His only fault right now is... he thinks he needs to take up too much room when he lays down. I guess I can deal with that...

Fun Day!

While Joaquin got to go to both Fun Days, I only got to go to one. It was a super fast trip up there and back, but it was alot of fun. Carlos made the trip up to Oregon and Joaquin ended up coming home with me along with some of his new toys we bought.

He didn't get to see any siblings in Oregon but on Lindsey's blog you can read about his adventures in California- along with his family reunion down there.

Needless to say-- he was one worn out puppy for the drive home!

Withdrawals

I miss Joaquin. That's all


Because I've been working at a day camp for the last 3 weeks (my last week!) I haven't seen him in 3 weeks and wont' see him until next weekend when we meet up with Lindsey at Fun Day.

I'm going through withdrawals.

I need me some golden in my life. Good thing he'll be back in a week and 1/2.

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.