Banta: GDB Puppy #2
Recall: 3 November 2010
Graduation: 28 May 2011 as a guide dog for Mark of Colorado

[photo: close-up of Banta in harness outside on GDB’s San Rafael campus]

Businesslike: efficient, practical, capable

The first time someone called Banta a calm dog I was shocked. Then I realized that she indeed had grown into being a calm and businesslike puppy. When out socializing she was so great to work with. She quickly learned what was expected of her and handled everything like a pro. It is amazing what a year of maturing can do.

[photo 1: close-up of Banta laying alertly in our dinning room, photo 2: close-up of Banta as Bill scratches her neck before graduation at GDB, photo 3: Banta standing on the landing looking straight ahead, photo 4: close-up of Banta puppy in training collar with it brass plate with contact information for Guide Dogs for the Blind and Banta’s tattoo#]

Bullheaded: obstinately opinionated

As a puppy Banta was a challenge. She would sometimes do things just because she could, in kind of a rebellious way. For example on walks she would pick-up something off the sidewalk not because she really wanted it but because you had prevented her from doing something else she wanted to do and it was her way of showing her independence. One thing you didn’t want to get into with Banta was a battle and trying to get something out of her mouth was one of the worst battles. As she matured Banta chose not to be so bullheaded about things and it was rare for her to pick-up something off the ground.

[these photos where taken by photographer Lisa Thompson in a studio setting with a white background – Banta is 5 months old – photo 1: Banta with brown reindeer antlers, with a silver jingle bell tied on with green ribbon, on her head – Banta is looking at the floor with her ears pulled back and down, photo 2: front view of Banta sitting in her puppy jacket – she has a very focused look in her eyes, photo 3: Banta laying on her side with a red Santa hat draped across her head with the white fur ball on the top in her mouth]

Bright: animated; lively; cheerful

Banta has such a bright and cheerful attitude to life. Her big spirit can fill up not just a room but a whole house. She is a bit of an oxymoron because she doesn’t require lots and lots of sustained exercise like 5 mile walks. But she vibrates at a fairly high frequency. She does things with all her heart and spirit. She enjoys life and gives it all she has.

[photo 1: close-up of Banta with her head turned to the side – her mouth is open with her tongue hanging out, photo 2: close-up of Banta with her tongue curling up to lick her nose, photo 3: Banta on her back with her legs in the air and her body and head twisting in opposite directions, photo 4: close-up of Banta laying on the floor of our family room with her mouth open reaching for a sterilized bone]

Breeder: an animal that produces offspring

On November 3rd, 2010 Banta was recalled for breeder evaluations to Guide Dogs for the Blind’s San Rafael campus.

On December 9th we got word that Banta had been “pulled” for breeding but still had final testing to go through before being confirmed as a breeder.

On February 9th, 2011 we finally got word that Banta’s breeding clearances were in and she was officially a breeder.

One week later, on February 16th, we found out that Banta was going to be spayed. It seems her drama queen side came out and she had started to react negatively to needles and other equipment commonly used with breeders and it became clear that they didn’t want to use her as a breeder. Banta, that was a very short career as a breeder!

[photo taken the day Banta was recalled to GDB – photo 1: Bill standing in front of the GDB puppy truck with Banta sitting by his side – the truck has photos of young lab and golden retriever puppies, photo 2 & 3: close up images of Banta in the kennel on the puppy truck – one she is looking to the side the other she is looking straight ahead with a curious look on her face]

Breakneck: likely to end in a broken neck

Even though Banta can run at breakneck speed that isn’t what this is about. Banta is a master at playing tug and she knows how to use all of her resources to the best of her ability. She has this incredible way of using all her weight and just the right timing to whip her head. Sometimes if you are not prepared it feels like she is going to dislocate your shoulder. If she had to be a hunter to catch game for her children she would have no trouble at all dispatching what ever she caught. With one shake of her head that poor creatures neck would be broken.

[photo 1: close-up of Banta with her teeth showing as she grabs hold of a red canvas tug toy that is shaped like a bone with a handle on one end, photo 2: Banta low to the ground playing tug with the same toy, photo 3: Banta playing tug with Lisa Monson – Banta at the bottom of the stairs in our family room and Lisa sitting on the stairs]

Brash: impertinent; impudent; tactless

Banta has some unique ways of sitting. One of her favorites is to rotate so far back that she is sitting on her spine instead of her hips. When she does it her hips relax and she looks so slouchy.  Another favorite way is almost the opposite. She sits with her weight shifted forward and her knees tucked in with her feet out to the side.

[photo 1: view of Banta sitting from behind with her tail stick straight out the back and her back legs spread wide – in the background are several other puppies in training – the was Banta’s last puppy meeting it was taken in our living room, photo 2: close-up of Banta sitting with her back legs tucked tight into her sides, photo 3: front view of Banta sitting on her dog bed – she has rolled so far back on her tail that her back legs are sticking out in front of her and her belly is in full view]

Bow: to bend or curve downward

Banta has a cute little thing she does sometimes when she wants to lay down. It looks kind of like a bow. It all starts with a stretch of her back legs. She extends them back in such a way that she ends up with the top of her back feet on the floor. If you are familiar with yoga positions it looks a lot like “up dog.” From here she slides her back feet away from her front feet until she belly flops on the floor.  There she lays for a second or two with her legs stretch straight out in front and in back of her. Then she shifts to lay on her side. I was never able to capture this process on film because I never knew when she was going to do it.

[photo 1: a side view of Banta on our landing with her front paws out in front and her head low to the ground and her back end up in the air, photo 2: Banta laying on the landing looking down the stairs, photo 3: close-up of Banta with her head tilted to one side]

Boundless: infinite or vast; unlimited

Banta’s future has so many possibilities. She has so much to offer. She has grown-up to be an amazing puppy. We are looking forward to seeing what the future brings for her. She is an a smart dog who can do wonderful things if she decides that is what she wants. We are proud of her choosing to be a guide dog for Mark.

[taken along the Jordan River – photo 1: side view of Banta’s head looking off into the distance with snow and a river in the background, photo 2: Banta looking back with snow and river reeds in the background, photo 3: another side view of Banta with snow and rocks in the background, photo 4: Banta looking slightly back over her shoulder with snow and the river in the background]