Keep up the good work Hooper!

Hooper 47N8 LAB M 3 No

I am so happy that Hooper is still in training, I took a look at Madeline - Hooper's girlfriend and she is doing well too. Madeline 4N28 LAB F 8 No. I also checked on Spike - I've got my fingers crossed for Spike, he is sooooooooooo close. Spike 4N55 LAB M 10 No

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL GUIDE DOG PUPPY RAISERS!!

Pilot - one week later

Pilot had a nice Christmas - he got a new tug toy. All of the other toys he has are hand-me-downs or "already-been-chewed" toys.

I heard that some more "P" puppies are on their way to So. Cal. on the January 5 puppy truck. I hope I get to meet them someday. I, of course, will go to meet the puppy truck as we are getting 3 new puppies to our club.

Pilot - Tiburon/Ryka - 10.22.08

I just could not wait until the January puppy truck so Pilot hitched a ride with John as he brought his MacGregor down from San Rafael.

Let me introduce you to my first cross:

Presenting PILOT

Hooper's Phase Report

Hooper is still in phase 1 with the possibility of being a breeder alive. He would just LOVE that job.

Hooper 47N8 LAB M 1 Yes

I am looking forward to my next puppy - strange feeling to actually be puppy-free. I got word that I have a Black Lab Male "F" on the way. I can't wait to meet him! Thank you, John, for bringing him to me.

Hooper is off to college

I've been out of touch lately.

Hooper is on his way to San Rafael now. These pictures are of his last day with us. For those of you who have not yet seen the new puppy truck, here is a picture. It is really first class.

Hooper isn't so sure his accommodations are what he had in mind though.

I didn't get a new puppy this time. It was very strange to walk away empty handed. I am going on vacation next week for two weeks to Brazil and didn't want to miss out on those 2 formative weeks of the new ball of fur. I will get a new puppy when I get back.

Hollywood Bowl Event

Saturday evening was the Hollywood Bowl event for GDB Puppies in Training. Thank you to Shavonn for putting this event together. We were entertained by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Diana Ross starting with a shuttle bus ride and picnic dinner. Here are some pictures.

Elbert joined us - once again, I was so proud as I watched him safely guide Dan through the crowds. Truely amazing.

Hooper went to Vegas

We took a road trip to Las Vegas last weekend. We went to visit family - fun. Hooper went to the show "Spamalot", wandered around the casinos, played with his "cousin" GG, and hung out at the pool.

Hooper and Madeline

Madeline came and spent an overnight with Hooper. She got to run and play and to meet Hooper's fence friend - a black and white great dane.

Guide Dog News

Click picture to read text!! The sense of pride never goes away.

Hooper got to meet Elbert

It was very fun to see Elbert in action. Hooper wants to get a job too. Elbert was so handsome and proud looking - amazing!! Of course, I was a proud mama.

Olvera Street Outing

We took the Goldline to Union Station where we met with other puppy raising clubs. As soon as you get off the train the first place you head is Philippe's for lunch. Waiting for the train
Hooper and Madeline were very comfortable on the train.Philippe'sHooper peering at me from under the table as I was sitting with Elbert. A little jealous, he was.

Then we walked over to Olvera Street. A very fun day made even more fun for me because "Elbert" met us at Union Station. Here are some pictures from the day.

The "H" Siblings - Oceanside Fun Day

Hooper - 10 and a half months old

Hooper is such a good puppy. He goes with me every day as I do my work. He is patient - no matter how long it takes. Isn't he a cutie??

Hooper and Harmon

We had a very Fun Day at the Oceanside Fiesta De Mayo this weekend. It was fun to put the puppies through their paces - we had a police car, lots of distractions, vet station (Hooper has to take off a few pounds), surface challenges and of course, the practice of being good under the table.

Here is a picture of Hooper and Harmon - we finally got to meet in person.

Hooper and Harbor

Hooper and Harbor got to spend some time together at the Rose Bowl event (Blind Dave Heeley). Aren't they so cute - I love to see siblings together.

Elbert's Graduation

I was so proud of Elbert. He behaved beautifully. When I first saw him, he didn't react but once I approached him he showed obvious signs of recognizing me. It felt good. His tail began wagging wildly and he was as excited as I was. As everyone knows, I was most attached to Elbert and would have been tempted to keep him if he career changed. I was so happy that I didn't have to make that decision - HE GOT THE JOB HE WAS APPLYING FOR!!

Elbert will be living with Dan in downtown Los Angeles. I am so excited because that is not far from me. We have been invited to meet up with them at Union Station for a tour. It will be fun to take the Metro with Hooper. Elbert made the trip last year for the Olvera Street outing.

Elsa babies - "A" puppies

I went to Guide Dogs for the Blind today for graduation. (I will post the graduation pictures on the next post.)

I went to the kennels in search of the Elsa puppies. Since Elsa is Elbert's sister that makes these puppies his nieces and nephews, they are family. Elsa had 8 puppies - all black labs and they are all adorable. Whoever gets an "A" puppy soon will be getting a cutie.

Blind Dave Heeley - Los Angeles

We brought our puppies to this event. I can't imagine how Dave does it - I was exhausted just thinking about it. Please read on - he is amazing.

Blind Dave Heeley finishes marathon No.3 in LA

Apr 9 2008

Blind Dave Heeley has completed the third leg of an amazing attempt to run seven marathons on seven continents in just seven days.

Dave, of West Bromwich, aided by his sighted running partner Malcolm Carr, hopes to become the first visually-impaired person to complete the Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge, raising £1 million for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in the process.

The 50-year-old was moved to tears by the overwhelming support of representatives of the Guide Dogs of America charity who turned out to support his third marathon attempt in Los Angeles last night.

Blind Dave, as he is known, runs attached to Malcolm by a wrist cord, and they completed the 26.2 mile run at the Rose Bowl stadium in four hours and 35 minutes, finishing at 7.15pm UK time (BST).

In a speech welcoming Mr Heeley to the stadium, Bill Bogaard, the Mayor of the City of Pasadena, said: "Dave Heeley's Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge has inspired and encouraged people across the world to reach for their dreams, no matter how challenging the effort.

"The success of Seven Magnificent Marathons will not be measured by how many miles run, but by the courage necessary to undertake such a challenge. Such courage, in the face of adversity, will be an inspiration for years to come."

On Monday, Mr Heeley completed two marathons, the first on the Falkland Islands, followed by another 26.2 miles in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tomorrow he will run a fourth leg in Sydney, Australia, followed by runs in Dubai and Tunisia. For the final leg of the seven continent challenge Dave will join thousands of competitors taking part in the Flora London Marathon on Sunday.

Mr Heeley, who has been visually impaired since birth, was a keen runner as a child but had to give up the sport when he was 16 as his sight deteriorated due to retinitis pigmentosa.

The father-of-three was registered blind in 1986 and has said his life was transformed by the work of the Guide Dogs charity.

Elbert is in class!!!

What a relief! I have been anxious about this day coming. I heard that England, Eli, and Emmylou have CC'd. I can't believe how many have CC'd in phase 10.

Graduation is slated for April 12. As we all know, anything can happen, so keep your fingers crossed that we make it all the way.

I am so proud of Elbert

A puppy raiser here in OC went to the graduation of his puppy Cade this weekend. I told John to say HI to Elbert if he got the chance to see him. Well, this is the note I received from John:

"Not only did we see Elbert, but he was a STAR! At the end of the graduation, as the graduates and the puppy raisers filed off the stage, one of the trainers gave a demonstration to the audience on how a guide works. IT WAS ELBERT!! He looked so sleek, proud and confident. I have little doubt that he'll be in the next class."

GO ELBERT!

Congratulations to the "E" Pups

Phase #10
Congrats to Samuel and Kalina - you can be so proud of your "E" puppies. They did very well. I know they don't have the job yet but they are all so close. I think a group graduation with Elbert, England, Emmylou, and Eli would be so much fun. Here is the picture again.

I also heard that Elsa is "with pups" now - she will have her first litter soon and Edison is doing his training "in home".

Hooper is growing up and Elbert is in Phase #9

Hooper is too cute. He is growing up nicely. We also heard that Elbert is now in phase #9. Hooper is looking forward to that too - he has a long way to go.


Phase #9
Final obedience testing including on-leash obedience with the instructor wearing a blindfold, off-leash obedience and distraction response. Final testing of guidework inside buildings (malls, stores, etc.) with the instructor wearing a blindfold. Includes working escalators, elevators, stairs, etc. The dogs are also worked by unfamiliar or novice handlers. Final traffic testing with instructor under blindfold and "real life" traffic situations.

Elbert's phase update

Just heard that Elbert is still holding in Phase #8. As long as he is still in, I'm happy.

All four of these sibling puppies are still in. Go "E" pups!!