Hooper's siblings

You know all mothers like to hear from their kids

I heard from Whistler today. I sent him a Petco card for his birthday and Stacey took him to the store to choose a toy. He chose a rope tug toy.

Whistler's birthday 9/18/03, parents Baker/Westie, graduation 9/3/05, lives and works with Stacey in Bloomington, IL. I was known as "Whistler's Mother".

Hooper and the unsanctioned toy

We got this toy at Downtown Disney - I know it is not a sanctioned toy and Hooper only had it one time. But he heard the squeaky sound and was soooooooo cute about it. It's hard to get toys we can't have - it's like having chocolate chip cookies out when you are on a diet.

Downtown Disney - 9/30/07

One of my favorite Guide Dogs for the Blind events. Here are some club pictures. (click on the picture for a larger view)

Finally heard from Elbert

Elbert is in phase 1 - he has been through the medical checkup from nose to tail and introduced to kennel life. Elbert is not on the breeding watch list.

Go Elbert.

Hooper - up and down the stairs

Hooper is the one with the collar

Introducing ----- HOOPER!!

This is Hooper, male, yellow lab, born 7.3.07. His parents are Denzel and Vonnie. Hooper's brother Haggarty is also in our group. If you have a sibling or know of one, please let me know.

We are proud of you Elbert

Good luck to Elbert in the next phase of his life. Off to GDB to begin his formal training. I know he is going to do a good job!! I will keep you all posted on his progress.



Elbert is in his kennel for the trip back to "college" and Hooper is finding out he has a tough act to follow.

People ask me how the puppies get back to Guide Dogs and what is this truck like. Well, let me tell you, it is first class travel.

Saying Good-bye

Jonati and Niobi came to visit. Well, Jonati is BLIND and fell into the pool (not to worry, she loves to swim). That started the water fun. Elbert is not crazy about swimming - he will go in if carried in. Both Jonati and Niobi are now therapy dogs (Delta dogs).

Elbert and Elsa

We had a Guide Dog puppy event at the Hollywood Bowl last Saturday night. This was Elbert's first event last year and his last event before going back to GDB. We saw his sister Elsa there - she is so cute. She will be going back to GDB this weekend too. Good luck to the whole family!!!

The countdown begins

Elbert has gone back to Guide Dogs for the Blind September 14, 2007.

Cooling off in the pool

Today is Labor Day - it is sooooooooooo hot. A good day for a swim in the pool.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO I am not ready

Elbert goes back to Guide Dogs for the Blind on September 22. I was surprised to get the call so soon. The whole family is going to have a hard time seeing him go.

P.S. The date was changed to September 14.

Traveling is fun

Elbert and I traveled to Pennsylvania for my mother's 85th Birthday. There was lots of family there and they all loved Elbert. He was a perfect traveler. The take off and landing was no big deal. On the way home, we got caught up in the unending story of delays. It took 19 hours to get back to LAX and Elbert was an absolute trooper. He didn't whine or complain at all. We did get to fly business class from Atlanta to LAX which was very cool. Elbert made it the whole way without having to "do his business" - however, we headed right outside the baggage claim when we landed.

Thank you to United Airlines and Delta Airlines - they are so good to Guide Dog puppies!! I am thinking that along with a smoking room, maybe there can be a patch of grass somewhere inside the airport for these occasions. Going back through screening is way too much trouble.

Drive-in night

This was a night at the Drive-In Theater. We were celebrating Michael's 25th birthday. We saw Evan Almighty this time. Elbert is inside the car on the soft cushion.

Guide Dog puppies on Olvera Street

One of the recent Guide Dog puppy outings was a train ride to Olvera Street. We took the Gold Line from Pasadena to Union Station where we met up with other puppy raisers.

Happens that we met Elbert's siblings there. Guide Dogs for the Blind keeps track of litter mates by naming all of the puppies in a litter with the same first letter. That's why we have Elbert, England, Eli, and Emmylou. Elsa and Edison did not attend. Elsa was in heat and Edison is in the Carson City club.

Gladys went home today

Bye Gladys.

Elbert and Gladys

Gladys is spending the weekend with us. She is sooooooooooooo cute!!

Click on one of the pictures below to see an adorable video.

Elbert and Desoto playing

Click on the picture to watch the movie

Michael lets me break the rules - 1/14/07

Michael is home now and Elbert is soooooooooo happy. Michael lets him break some of the rules - then they both get in trouble.

Don't they look scary?

Tournament of Roses Parade Floats - 1/1/07

Elbert and I went with Fantine's family, Teresa and Diego, to see the floats after the Tournament of Roses parade.

The day was beautiful - sunny and comfortable.

This was a great experience for Elbert and Fantine to deal with crowds.


The people were packed in so tight - both puppies did a great job not bothering the people. We answered a lot of questions from the public.

Donald's Graduation - 12.16.06

Donald graduated on Dec. 16, 2006 from Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, CA.

He will be the best friend and partner to Jim from Santa Rosa. Jim is a wonderful gentleman with a great sense of humor, I know Donald will get lots and lots of attention.

Donald is the 7th puppy I have raised. He has the cutest face and the softest coat. He went with me everywhere - you can see him in some of my earlier blogs.

Here are some pictures from graduation day. (click on the picture to see a larger view)

I AM SO PROUD!!

Downtown Disney - 10/1/06

October 1, 2006 was the annual Guide Dog Puppies in Training event at Downtown Disney.

Puppy raisers from all around come together to go through exercises to show evaluators how our puppies are doing. For example, we walk the puppies around Horseshoe Falls to see their reaction to the sound of the waterfall. We also are observed for how well we walk the puppy. Other stations include a Health Check, a walk through ESPN Zone to deal with stairs, elevators, and the activity of an arcade.

We took Mark and his guide dog Nubert with us. Elbert and Nubert got along great - They rode together in the back of the car.

While there, Elbert met 4 of his siblings. How fun was that. I do regret that we did not get a family picture. I will make sure to do that if we get another opportunity.