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.