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.

The party is over

I knew it was too good to be true. I am here to announce that Elbert is normal. He was quietly hanging out at the top of the stairs. Well, there is now a hole in the carpet - wonder how that happened.

Gotta still love him - he is just too cute.

Elbert and DeSoto side by side

We have been having fun with both puppies. I give equal time to going out - Elbert went to the morning meeting and DeSoto went shopping. When I took DeSoto to a meeting where the week before I took Elbert, people looked at him with a puzzled expression. How could Elbert have grown so big so fast.

Elbert and Desoto playing

Click on the picture to see the puppies playing. 

Health Fair - 08/06

Mark, Cindy, and I helped out at the Health Fair. Mark (in the middle) is a graduate with his Guide Dog Nubert. Cindy is a raiser with her puppy, Ferguson, and of course Elbert was there too. This is an event for the people in a senior living center in San Dimas.

Elbert and Fantine - puppysitting

We puppysat Fantine for a week - she and Elbert had so much fun. We went to fun places like the beach (Elbert had to be carried) and a trade show (what a hook for my booth).

Elbert

This is Elbert, we picked him up at Guide Dogs for the Blind on July 19, 2006. He was 9 weeks old. Of course, everyone wants to hold him so these are pictures of Elbert with his "brother" Michael, and his "sister" Sara.

Donald went back to school - 7/19/06

I know I haven't kept up with this information, so now I want to bring it up to date.

Donald went back to Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael for his formal training (like going off to college).

Last I heard, he was in Phase 3 which is very exciting. I will continue to post his progress here.