Pupdate: Emma & Fable

Posted on October 17, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Just got word today that Emma won’t be assigned to a training string until November 3rd. If I understand right, the reports for Thursday’s phase reports are turned in the Friday before. If that is the case then we won’t see Emma’s name on the phase report until November 13th, two months after we put her on the puppy truck for San Rafael. I really appreciate our CFR (community field representative) for the heads up on this. I had noticed that it was taking what seemed like a long time for former breeder eval dogs to show up on the phase report, but this is a really, really long time. I was hoping she would show up yesterday.

Fable is growing fast and learning everyday. Some days are a struggle but she is improving. I can’t wait until she can walking nicely with her head collar on. Right now socializing takes ever ounce of attention and patience I have. I’ve continued doing #Inktober drawings of Fable. Here are the last weeks efforts.

Pupdate: Emma

Posted on September 26, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Emma on the puppy truck

We got word yesterday that Emma has been dropped from consideration as a breeder. She will be spayed and when she has healed she will start training to be a guide dog. She was dropped for TVD (Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia). It is a congenital and heritable heart defect that is fairly common in labs. Her condition is referred to as equivocal which means that the EKG shows she is in the gray area of the condition. From my research they don’t really know how much valve leakage is “normal” in dogs. It seems Emma has some leakage but not enough to be a problem for her health. But since it is an inheritable condition they don’t want to use dogs with even the equivocal form of the disease. I wonder if this is the same reason Yakira was dropped. All we found out for here was that her EKG wasn’t perfect.

Now the waiting begins for Emma to show up on the weekly phase reports. My guess is that it will be at least two weeks but could be as long as 4 more weeks. It would have been fun to see little Emma pups but I didn’t really expect her to be selected for breeding. Just doesn’t seem to be our lot to raiser breeders. I’m super happy to be raising guide dogs.

p.s. Fable is making great progress and is a fun and sometimes challenging puppy but very sweet and cute.

p.s.s. Today marks 5 years since we put Apex on the truck back to GDB to start his training as a guide dog.

Pupdate: All pups

Posted on August 29, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

As I looked back I realized I haven’t done an update on most of my pups since March so here goes:

Apex curled up on the car seat

Apex, the senior pup of the group turned 6 years old in May. He is still a happy and healthy boy. They went on a cruise to Key West in the spring. Apex is a frequent traveler. I wish I traveled to as many fun places as he does. Sue retired from a long-time position a couple of months ago, so Apex’s days are a little slower, though she has been super busy taking care of family and friends in need. Sue starts a substitute teaching job this fall. I’m sure Apex will enjoy being around the kids again after the summer off.

Mark and Banta at the Furry Scurry

Banta still loves being a guide dog. She and Mark went out to dinner a while ago and as they were leaving a group of people where admiring Banta. One of them said, “your dog looks so happy.” She had her head and tail up and wagging as they walked out. Mark loves her spunky personality. They are such a perfect match. He wrote this about her recently:

She has learned a new bad habit. When we are going home and I have my cane, I undo her leash when we are getting close to our back gate. She lets me walk about 5 feet and then runs and either jumps and hits me in the back or runs around and punches me in the stomach. She does this about every 5 feet until we get home. It probably does not help that I start to laugh and give her treats when she punches me. Sometimes I reach out to grab her and she will jump and do a 360 turn in the air, of course that is worth another treat.

Casey curled up on her bed

Casey and Carrie spent 10 days in Italy this year. She enjoyed the cobblestone streets and lounging in the sun. When they got home Carrie went through the final ceremonies for becoming a lawyer. She is working in the same firm where she articled. They moved her office to the sunny side of the building so that Casey could enjoy the sun. She is a fair weather girl.

Waffle met Carole two years ago on Sunday. She gained another sibling this year. It is a four dog household now. With Emma going to San Rafael there is a good chance we will be taking a trip there in a few months. Waffle lives in the area so I’m hoping the timing works out to see Waffle and meet Carole while we are there. No new photos of Waffle to share but Carole posted this Short Video on Facebook. I think you will be able to see it. Waffle plays the supporting role to her sister Shelley.

Sharan and Yakira on the cruise to Key West

Yakira got to go on her first cruise in May. Apex who is a veteran cruiser was there to show her the ropes. So awesome that two of our pups got to go on a cruise together. Sharan had hip replacements soon after the cruise and is now starting to get out and about again. Yakira is enjoying life in Florida at just the pace she likes, slow and easy.

Zodiac and friend Roxie watching over Kolton

Zodiac and David just passed their year mark as a team this month. They are now officially a successful guide dog team. Zodiac is devoted to David and remains the same fun-loving dog he was as a puppy. I am hoping to plan a road trip to Missouri to see them in the near future.

Dune chillin’ out in her new digs

Dune and Ashleigh have been a team for two months now. Though she is not a fan of the Arizona heat she loves being a guide dog. Here is some of what Ashleigh has said about Dune:

I have to say, Dune is an amazing guide. Dune is a spark plug. She always wants to get going and I am so happy to see her tail wag when I grab the harness. I really have seen her excitement and joy at being told she did a great job and getting a good pat on the head. It makes me smile regularly to see her tail wag in excitement at finding that tricky doorway or that randomly placed light post.

Emma’s Farewell Party Invitation

Emma will be getting on the puppy truck in two weeks from tomorrow. The last few weeks always go so fast. So much to fit into those last days. I never seem to get enough photos taken. I still need a really good picture for her official portrait. We are having the traditional farewell party for Emma a week from Sunday in the afternoon. If you are in the area and want to come let me know and I’ll send you our address. We are going to miss her lots, but she is ready to go and I’m excited to see if she wants to be a guide dog.

F puppy comes in just 13 days! Time to get geared up for a cute but clueless puppy. It is such a shock to go from a well-trained dog to the brand new puppy but it is also fun to see them for the first time, learn their name, and get to figure out their personality. Each puppy is different and we learn so much from each one of them. Still time to add names to the name guessing contest.

Boy that took longer than I planned. Guess I’d better do updates on the pups as they come in instead of doing them all at once. It will be my goal to get updates done every Friday.

Pupdate: Coming & Going

Posted on August 22, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Just 20 days until our new “F” puppy comes. Here is the current list of names from the naming contest. It is an impressive list of names. But there is still time to add your suggestions. Additions don’t have to be unique. This is also about guessing what her name will be, so you can “vote” for a name already on the list. If I’ve failed to credit you for a suggestion let me know and I’ll add your name to a suggestion. I see a couple that I don’t have anyone down for suggesting (oops).

Faberge Karen (Lisbon)

Fabia Minh

Fabian Jan

Fabiana   Karen (Lisbon)

Fabianna   Karen (Lisbon)

Fabianne Karen (Lisbon)

Fabrica Kellie

Fabiola Minh

Fable Karen (Lisbon)

Fabray Karen (Lisbon)

Fabrice Karen (Lisbon)

Fabulous Karen (Lisbon)

Facet Tina

Fáelán Karen (Lisbon)

Fahari Janine

Fahrenheit Tara

Fairfax Karen (Lisbon)

Fairlane Kellie

Fairy   Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Fairytale Kellie

Faith Jo Ann, Louise, Kellie

Fajita Martha, Tara

Fala   Karen (Lisbon), Janine

Falafel Karen (Lisbon)

Falcon Janine, Louise

Falina Karen (Lisbon)

Faline Kellie

Falkland Karen (Lisbon)

Falla Tina

Fame Martha

Famous Karen (Lisbon)

Fancine Laurel

Fancy Holly, Randy, Karen (Lisbon), Brianne, Tara

Fandango Jan

Fanfare Janine

Fanny Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Kellie

Fanta Karen (Lisbon)

Fantastic Karen (Lisbon)

Fantasy Karen (Lisbon), Tara, Kellie

Fantine Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Fanya Karen (Lisbon)

Fantasia Donna, Holly, Laurel

Fantine Kellie

Fara   Karen (Lisbon)

Farckle Tara

Faren   Karen (Lisbon)

Farewell Karen (Lisbon)

Fargo Toni

Farhana Laurel

Farica Janine

Farida Laurel

Farina   Karen (Lisbon)

Farissa   Karen (Lisbon)

Farley Minh

Faro Tina

Farrah Jo Ann, Tara, Karen (Lisbon), Toni

Farsi MInh, Linsay

Fascia Tina

Fashion   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Fate   Karen (Lisbon)

Fatima Karen (Lisbon)

Faun Tina

Fauna Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Fausta   Karen (Lisbon)

Faustine Karen (Lisbon)

Fava   Karen (Lisbon)

Favor   Karen (Lisbon)

Fawn Donna, Kellie, Karen (Lisbon), Janine

Fawna Kellie

Fax Karen (Lisbon), Jan

Fayda   Karen (Lisbon)

Faydra Kellie

Faye Louise, Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Fayette   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Fayla Karen (Lisbon)

Falin Kellie

Fayna Janine

Feather Jo Ann, Karen (Lisbon)

Febe Minh

February Louise

FedEx Jan

Fedora Karen (Lisbon), Jo Ann

Feisty Karen (Lisbon)

Felda Karen (Lisbon)

Felena Karen (Lisbon)

Felice Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Janine

Felicia Kellie, Karen (Lisbon)

Felicidad Karen (Lisbon)

Felicity Karen (Lisbon), Minh, Kellie

Felipa Karen (Lisbon)

Felisha Karen (Lisbon)

Felita   Karen (Lisbon)

Felix Minh, Jan

Feliz Laurel

Fema Minh

Fender Marilyn

Fennel   Karen (Lisbon)

Ferdinand Minh

Fergie   Karen (Lisbon), Toni

Ferguson Toni

Fermata Jan

Fern Kellie, Bill, Karen (Lisbon), Janine

Fernanda Karen (Lisbon)

Ferrah Kellie

Ferrari Roxanne

Ferris Kellie

Festal Jan

Festival Tara, Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Jan

Festive Donna, Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Feta Martha

Fez Laurel

Fianna   Karen (Lisbon), Katie

Fiat   Karen (Lisbon)

Fiddle   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Janine, Tara

Fiddler Tara, Kellie

Fidel Tara

Fidela Janine

Fiera   Karen (Lisbon)

Fiero Minh

Fiery Karen (Lisbon)

Fiesta Tara, Karen (Lisbon). Laurel

Fifa Minh

Fife Tina

Fifer Kellie

Fifi   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Fig Karen (Lisbon)

Figaro Jan

Fiji Tara

Filamena Brianne

Filene   Karen (Lisbon), Minh, Tina

Filigree   Karen (Lisbon)

Filipa Karen (Lisbon)

Filippa Donna

Filly   Karen (Lisbon)

Film Tara

Filomena Minh

Fina   Karen (Lisbon), Meagan

Finaky Louise

Finale Janine, Jan

Finbar Tara

Finder   Karen (Lisbon)

Finesse Donna, Karen (Lisbon)

Finish Louise

Fink Tara

Finley Minh

Finn Minh

Finnian Jan

Finola Karen (Lisbon), Lindsay, Tara, Katie, Jo Ann

Fiona Jo Ann, Donna, Karen (Lisbon). Kellie

Fionna   Karen (Lisbon)

Fir   Karen (Lisbon)

Fireball Tara

Firebird   Karen (Lisbon)

Firecracker Tara

Firefly   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Kellie

Firelight Laurel

Firework Tara

Firenze Karen (Lisbon)

Fisher Minh

Fisk Jan

Fix Tara

Fizz Tara, Laurel

Fjord Laurel

Flag Jan

Flagler Jan

Flake Kellie

Flair Jo Ann, Karen (Lisbon)

Flamingo Karen (Lisbon)

Flan Randy, Karen (Lisbon)

Flame Lindsay, Laurel, Tara

Flannel Karen (Lisbon)

Flare Randy, Tina

Flash Randy, Lindsay, Minh

Flavia Karen (Lisbon)

Flavor Laurel

Flax Tina

Fleece Laurel, Tara

Fleur Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Fletch Kellie

Fletcher Minh

Flick Kellie

Flicka   Karen (Lisbon), Marilyn, Katie, Kellie

Flicker Minh

Flickr Kellie

Flight Karen (Lisbon)

Flirt Jo Ann, Karen (Lisbon)

Flit Kellie

Flo Karen (Lisbon), Toni

Float Jan

Flora Jo Ann, Kellie. currentdescendent, Karen (Lisbon), Marilyn

Floral Jo Ann

Florella   Karen (Lisbon)

Florence   Karen (Lisbon)

Florencia   Karen (Lisbon). Laurel

Florentina Karen (Lisbon)

Florette Laurel

Florianne Karen (Lisbon)

Florida Karen (Viansa & Ballad), Donna, Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Kellie

Floriah Marilyn

Florie   Karen (Lisbon)

Florinda Karen (Lisbon)

Florine Kellie

Flossie Kellie

Flouta Laurel

Flower Jo Ann, Louise, Karen (Lisbon)

Fluffy Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Flurry Jo Ann, Kellie, Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Flute   Karen (Lisbon), Marilyn, Jo Ann

Flutter Karen (Lisbon)

Flyer Jan, Loiuse

Foggy   Karen (Lisbon)

Folly   Karen (Lisbon)

Fonda Karen (Lisbon), Janine, Tina

Fondant Jo Ann

Fondue Jo Ann, Karen (Lisbon), Lindsay

Font Jan

Fontina Jan

Fontaine Laurel

Fontainot Laurel

Fontana Jo Ann, Karen (Lisbon)

Fontina Jo Ann, Kellie

Fordham Minh

Forest   Karen (Lisbon), Jan

Formosa   Karen (Lisbon)

Forsythia   Karen (Lisbon)

Forte Jan

Fortitude Minh

Fortissima   Karen (Lisbon)

Fortunata   Karen (Lisbon)

Fortuna Jan, Jo Ann

Fortune   Karen (Lisbon), Kellie, Jan, Loiuse

Fountain Tara, Laurel

Forward Craig

Fossey   Karen (Lisbon)

Fountain   Karen (Lisbon)

Foxy Karen (Lisbon), Marilyn

Fraline Donna, Laurel

France Karen (Lisbon), Marilyn, Lindsay

Frances Jan

Francesca Tara, Karen (Lisbon), Minh

Francisco Minh

Francine Tara, Randy, Karen (Lisbon), Kellie

Francis   Karen (Lisbon), Kellie, Jan, Toni

Francisca   Karen (Lisbon)

Francoise   Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Franconia Jan

Frankenstein Karen (Lisbon)

Frankfort Minh

Frankie Lisa, cottonthemaltese

Franklin

Franklynn Katie

Franky Marilyn

Franna Karen (Lisbon)

Frannie Becky

Freckles   Karen (Viansa & Ballad)

Fred Toni

Freda Donna

Frederica Karen (Lisbon)

Frederick Minh

Fredrick’a Kellie

Freedom Holly, Tara, Karen (Lisbon)

Freetown Laurel

Freesia   Karen (Viansa & Ballad)

Freezee Louise

French Tara

Frenchie Randy

Frenchy Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Fresca Crystal, Karen (Lisbon), Lindsay, Minh

Fresh Randy

Fresia Kellie

Frey Tina

Freya Joanie, Karen (Lisbon)

Frida currentdescendent

Friday Louise, Karen (Lisbon), Laurel

Frieda Karen (Lisbon), Jan

Friend Tara, Kellie

Friendship Laurel

Frieze Tara

Fringe Tara

Frisbee Tara, Karen (Lisbon)

Frisco Randy, Toni

Friska Brianne

Frisky Randy

Fritter Jan, Kellie

Fritos Tara

Fritter   Karen (Lisbon)

Fritz   Karen (Lisbon), Tara, Minh

Fritzi Karen (Lisbon), Janine

Fizz Donna

Frizzle Tara

Frolic Janinie, Karen (Lisbon), Holly

Frost   Karen (Lisbon), Kellie

Frosty Minh, Jen

Frozen   Karen (Lisbon), Tara

Fruit Karen (Lisbon), Tara

Fuchsia Kellie, Karen (Lisbon)

Fudge Louise, Karen (Lisbon)

Fugue Tina

Fulani Laurel

Fun Randy, Karen (Lisbon)

Funky Karen (Lisbon)

Fusion Laurel

Futura   Karen (Lisbon), Jan

Future Karen (Lisbon), Laurel, Jan

Fuzz Tara

Fuzzy Donna

Fye

Fynn Minh

Fyodor Minh

Emma had her official eval today. It was planned for Liberty Park but the rain moved it to PetSmart. She has a hard time with pet stores so she wasn’t on her best behavior. She was super sniffy and some distracted. But she did fine anyway and she is on the September recall. So she will be leaving in 22 days for San Rafael, California. Our pups usually go to Boring, Oregon but for some reason this recall is for San Rafael. Banta was our only other pup to be recalled to San Rafael. While I’m excited to see what Emma decides to do with her life, I was hoping that she would be around for a few weeks to mentor miss “F”. But she is ready, more ready than Dune or Zodiac where. So there will be just two days of overlap between the new puppy and Emma, the time it takes for the puppy truck to go to Colorado and drop off baby puppies and then return picking up grown-up recall dogs.

I need to take lots more photos of Emma over the next 3 weeks and see if I can get her puppyhood book done to send a digital copy along with her on the puppy truck. Oh my, there is always so much to get done. Yikes! I’m sure they would like her end of project report asap too. Most of all we are going to miss that sweet little girl. I’ll just have to enjoying everyone of the next 22 days.

F Puppy naming contest

Posted on August 14, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Another day of delinquency. Not good, I’ve got to get back on track tomorrow. New puppy only a little to blame. I’m also busy getting things started on this years candy window Christmas display. The real problem is giving this history enough priority each and everyday. Thank goodness tomorrow is a new day and time for a fresh start.

Now to the other purpose for this post. It is traditional to let friends guess the name of our puppies before they arrive. We don’t find out their names until they hand us the puppy of the truck. So for little miss “F” I’ve decided to make an official contest to guess her name. The prize is a personalized fleece travel mat designed for dogs but it also works well for babies and it would work for a lap blanket too. If more than one person guesses her name, I’ll do a drawing to pick the winner of the blanket.

You can enter the contest by commenting below or send me an email. Facebook also works. Have fun guessing. Guide Dogs for the Blind is very creative in naming their puppies since they need unique names for all working guide dogs, puppies in training and breeder dogs. Have fun thinking up “F” names!

Puppy #9

Posted on August 13, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

I’m delinquent on my writing challenge today. My excuses are a busy day followed by the long-awaited news of our next puppy in training. Our little black lab will be arriving on September 11th and her name starts with an “F”! Yeah I’m so excited to get my “F” puppy.

We still don’t know if Emma will be leaving on the same truck but my guess is that she won’t go back until the next truck. It is a partly scientific guess based on the previous recalls this year. Emma is ready to go but it will be good to have her around to mentor our new little one.

Dune’s Tune

Posted on July 18, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

We are off for a quick weekend camping trip so I’m taking a vacation from the writing challenge today, but I thought I’d share this crazy video I put together for Dune. The lyrics were a collaborative effort of an email group I’m on called the GDB Lounge with guide dog users and puppy raisers. I song is so much fun that we did our best to sing it at Dune’s graduation. It certainly isn’t a musical master piece but it is very Dune. I hope you enjoy it and that our very imperfect voices don’t mess up the spirit of the video too much. Click on the image above to see the video.

Dune: d-day

Posted on June 20, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Tomorrow is the big graduation day!

Dune’s recall was unique for us. Because of timing she was due to return to GDB in February when there is no puppy truck to Utah. We volunteered to drive her and Esme and Felix (two other recall dogs) to campus. We got there a couple of days after a huge snowstorm. It was fun to see campus covered in snow. We took her for a walk around campus before leaving her in the kennel kitchen. Dune was excited to be there and not at all concerned about us. I’m sure she was happy to have new faces to meet and places to explore.

Dune: down

Posted on June 19, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Two more days until Dune’s graduation!

I’m not sure how this started but Dune didn’t learn to do this until she was older. When Dune saw one of us going down the stairs when she was upstairs, she would run around to the railing that overlooks the stairs and wait for you to make the corner. The difference in level puts our head about the same height as the floor above. Dune would squat down and stick her head under the railing and get all excited and want some attention as you walked down the stairs. So cute!

Dune: dropper

Posted on June 18, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Only three days left until Dune is an official guide dog!

Dune invented a game she played with herself. I’m guessing that the first time this happened it was accidental but she decided it was fun and played it regularly.

Step One: take a toy to the top of the stairs.
Step Two: drop the toy and watch it bounce down the stairs.
Step Three: after a short pause, run down the stairs.
Step Four: snatch up the toy and run around with it.

Sometimes she would repeat the game. The funniest thing is that Dune taught this game to Emma.