Jumping is probably my least favorite thing about Zodiac. Sometimes it comes so unexpectedly when I’m sitting at my desk working on my computer and “zap” his paws land abruptly on my arm and shoulder. I sure hope that his future handler loves this trait because I think it is just part of who he is. We have been able to moderate it but not stop it all together.
Zodiac was still in phase 0 this week. Of the 40+ pups that were recalled the middle of May, nine of them moved to phase 1 on the report. It looks like they started two new strings, one in San Rafael and one in Boring, Oregon. I don’t understand why nine dogs, eight would make more sense. A trainer usually starts with four dogs. Zodiac’s brother Zenith was one of the dogs that moved on to phase 1. Hopefully next week Zodiac will start the actual harness training.
telling family tales 
Hello! I am a new guide dog user and I love reading your blog. It’s fun for me to see it from the puppy raiser standpoint. 🙂
Hi Jessica, I’m glad you are enjoying my blog. Your name is familiar. Do I know you from the GDB Lounge?
Hello! YES! 🙂 I am on the GDB Lounge!
Yeah! I’ve enjoyed the GDB Lounge because I get to see more of what the puppies we raise do for their partners and how much they are loved. Right now I wait anxiously for each week’s phase report to see how Zodiac is doing.
I can imagine!! I talked to my puppy raiser and she told me how she was so excited every time she saw my dog’s name on the Phase Report!