A Year in Review

Hi guys!
Its a whole new year! Can you believe that?
In the six years I've been with my family, Who knew that our family would expand beyond guide dog puppies? But even I have to admit...I don't mind having the little munchkin around.
Lets see....here......

January 2008
Mom started another semester of college, the current pest...aka..Midnight, was 3 months old and going to school like a good little dog. Much to my relief of course, cause I needed that break!! Mom was pretty busy with school and guide dog meetings etc..

{January 2008- Midnight and Bubbles on our first dog bed of the year..heh,heh,}

February 2008
Another long month of school, Midnight was doing very well in all of her training, and Mom's teachers all loved her, I was beginning to accept her being around. She didn't bother me and I didn't bother her.

{February 2008- She was starting to get really long and gangly at this stage :D}

March 2008
Mom got a Loong deserved spring break, and went to Dolly Wood!! Midnight and I had to stay home, cause the Guide Dog Foundation doesn't allow the PIT's to go to amusement parks so I guess that was ok.

{March 2008- We had a "pro" Photographer come to the daycare for portraits and these are the two that Mom picked out}

April 2008
This was a good month, Mom quit at the old daycare and went to a newer place!! I love going there cause I don't have to interact with the other dogs if I don't want too...I can just hang out on the couch with her! Midnight liked it too cause they had other dogs her age to play with!!
Mom took Midnight to this 4-H Club event called Teen Retreat....everyone loved her 'OF COURSE' every always loved Midnight. {hmph} Mom also went to Raleigh with Midnight, to see all the state buildings and museums; everyone received Midnight well; and the trip went very smoothly.

{April 2008 - Midnight curled in Mom's lap at Teen Retreat}

May 2008
Mom was out of school and pretty busy with things at her church, such as taking her siblings and neighbor kids to Vacation Bible School, friends graduations, and more work, she and Midnight even did an interview with her schools paper!!

{May 2008- Mom and Midnight exploring the city....why couldn't I have gone?!?}

June 2008
This was a sad/happy month for mom, cause she had to miss a trip to Florida. Work and all that other fun stuff. Midnight and I were glad though, cause that meant we didn't have to stay at her job. :((

Rei * our second guide dog in training graduated with her blind person, and mom got to talk to him on the phone! He sounded really nice! Mom was so excited! (Would someone please tell mom to start posting pictures relevant to the topic I am writing about?? Geezz)

{June 2008- Our little Family ...how cute are we?}

July 2008

Mom made up for missing out in June by going with friends to Arkansas Midnight stayed at her job...but just a little while after they got back, Mom, Midnight, and Mom's three sisters went BACK to Raleigh, for ANOTHER 4-H event....(can you tell they like 4-H?) Mom had fun, and said that Midnight did AWESOME with all the crowds of screaming kids/teens. They also got to meet another blogging friends pup...which was cool as well :D

{July 2008- Midnight and Frankie at 4-H Congress}

August 2008
Midnight decided to grow up and went into HEAT!! Mom was actually a little relived, despite being sad that her baby had to leave her for a month. Females and heat can act really weird believe me!! (Not that I've ever had to go through that torture); We also found out that Rei's new partner had died unexpectedly, and that Rei was being sent back to the Guide Dog Foundation for a reevaluation...Mom was sad, cause she never got to meet Rei's handler.

{August 2008- Midnight Pre-Heat}

September 2008
Midnight came home only two weeks later! Something about only a short heat. Mom was thrilled! I wasn't cause that meant my special time with mom was over :( Midnight also turned a year old. Which is sad and happy, cause that means we only had two short months left with her.

{September 2008- Midnight, Mom and Clifford...who knew dogs could stand upright!?}

October 2008
Early in October,we got the bad news that Midnight could be leaving in a couple of weeks, if they could get her up there. But THANKFULLY everything kept falling through and we all got one more month with her...

{October 2008 - Midnight in her Halloween Costume and Bubbles tucked under a blanket}

November 2008

Rei was paired with a new partner and they graduated together this month!! Mom is SUPER happy about this, cause she knew Rei's person!!
It was also time to say good bye to our labby friend. Even I missed her...but only a little bit!! I was preparing myself for some major cuddle time, but boy did THAT not work out.
Within a week after Midnight's departure, mom filled the house with not one, not two, but THREE different pups!! *Don't tell anyone, but secretly I was happy to have another canine in the house* Thankfully Mom only kept one!! THe one I like best so I'm cool with that. I turned 8 and had reached six years with my family. YaY :D

{November 2008 - Midnight and Mom...and our first picture of Texas...My wasn't he tiny!?}

December 2008
Busy month, But you guys were here for that, so just scroll if you want to read more. :D

So wow, for some reason that didn't seem like a lot....who knew a year could fly by that fast!!! Anyways heres to having a Happy, Healthy and Equally Crazy New Year!!!

Happy New Years Everyone!!!

Bubbles
Blog Editor
Posting for: Erin, Texas and Midnight

Belated Holiday Pics

Hi guys,
Mom was bored while at work today, so this is what she did to me.
The pain I go through for your looking pleasure. *sigh*

TTYL

Texas

Erin
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
Proud Puppy Walker of:
1. Jake - Male Golden - Career Changed
2. Rei - Female Black Lab - Guide Dog
3. Midnight - Female Black Lab - In Formal Training
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Pets:
1. Bubbles - Standard Dachshund - adopted: November 15,2002
2. Texas - Miniature Dachshund - adopted: November 29, 2008

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Hi People and Paw-Pals!
I hope you all had a nice day, whether you celebrate Christmas or no!

Texas: Hey guys, I don't know what all this Christmas stuff is, but mom got me this horrid red bandanna and ANTLERS!?!? UGHHH!!!!! I've started running in the opposite direction when she comes at me with those. (Erin says: Needless to say, there are no pictures of him in those)

Bubbles: Ugh yes I hated those things as well, we have a mean mom
Texas: But she did get us that cool couch, and a loofa thingy.....
Bubbles: Well yeah...

Erin: So yes my guys did get SOMETHING, but they've had "christmas" all month long, so I didn't feel obligated to get anything for them.My boss gave me a "couch" for them, which they feel is great fun to hop on and off of!

Well I'm off to get some Christmas Dinner!!

Have a great night everyone!

Playing Catch Up

** PLEASE FORGIVE ALL GRAMMAR AND SPELLING ERRORS THE TIME IS NOW 3:18AM**

My week started out with the news that we were getting a moving truck on Saturday, and moving some things across the mountain. All I could do was shake my head. If we get out of here in the next 10 years, it will be nothing short of a MIRACLE.

Tuesday: I have been a puppy walker for almost 3 years, and this was the first year we’ve had enough people to have a Christmas party! I was excited yet dreading it at the same time, as I remember quite clearly my reaction to the last meeting I went to puppy less. Not so much fun. But I wanted to see everyone again; so I decided to go.

My bosses were kind enough to let me off 30 minutes early, so I could get there semi on time; my whole family was scheduled to be there as well, but when I arrived...I was the only one there!!

My Area Coordinator was in the process of quizzing the rest of the group on our Puppy Manual Knowledge; as I walked through the room, I almost tripped on a black furry lump laying in the middle of road way.... since when did we have a puppy that small there??

As it turns out, in the last couple of weeks, we have gained another puppy walker! Bringing our group back up to ...well...4 ...technically 5 counting me. He is a 11-12 week old, MBL named Ross, and this dog is HUGE.

Sue’s puppy walkers were there minus a puppy as well, so I didn’t feel TOO left out. The Thomas family, (Honey’s PW’s and Sam’s sponsors,) were there as well. Penny and Neil were there with their P.Wing family as well as our resident guide Joe.

{Joe out of harness}

{Neil}

{Penny gets some loving from another party member}

{Sam gives my youngest sister Kisses}

{Sam looking quite handsome...only 5 months old this guy!}
After the quiz was over, the Thomas family had to depart, so I hurried over to talk to the mom a little, bit. While we were chatting about Rei and Honey, my A/C was describing how we were going to go through the food line.
The next thing I know, my family is happily blindfolding me and leading me through the food line.

Note to self: Never trust a six-year-old.

Even though I was only blindfolded for about an hour, it really struck me pretty deeply.
Since I’ve started puppy walking, I’ve been around blind people more often, and watching them be so independent, has kind of changed my opinion about blindness. I figured that if one day that was to happen to me, that I could cope. And while my opinion about that hasn’t changed, I just realize how difficult it would be to have to re-learn some things. Even though I had seen the layout of the room before hand, once I was blindfolded, I had no clue where I was, or how to get to the food table. And once there I had no clue what there was too eat. I was totally at the mercy of my family.
Who were more then eager to lead me astray. Well my siblings anyways.

My mom was the clearest in her directions and descriptions of things, while my sisters were very vague.
Being blindfolded was also hard in another way, as I couldn’t tell if people were talking to me, or if they were listening to me when I talked. I couldn’t see their face expressions to know; and so I kind of sat silently waiting for someone to acknowledge my presence at the table.
I wanted to talk to our new PW, but didn’t know if she was close enough for me to talk to her, or if she was even paying attention. Eating wasn’t that hard, just a matter of figuring out what I was about to put my hand into.

Half way into my second plate, I gave up and took off the blindfold. After that we did a gift exchange, and Texas and Bubbles got a bag of healthy treats! Which given my recent health kick, I was very grateful of.

After the gift exchange everyone started heading out, due to school finals and all. Even after I got home, my blindfold experience stuck with me, its not something I’m likely to forget soon.

I was scheduled to go into work at 7AM on Wednesday morning, but at 6:15AM, I get a frantic call from my boss asking me to come in ASAP.
He didn’t give me much information, other then his wife had passed out on the way in; so I threw some clothing on, and tore to work, as fast as I could go,....without getting a whopping ticket.

{we left so fast, the dogs had to eat on arrival}
Once there, the morning got busier; another co-worker came in, though it was her day off; even with that going on, I found out that our groomer, dog had passed away in the night (this is her second dog in two weeks to die), and they were having to make calls to all of her appointments and let them know what happened. XXXX aunt came and picked her up around 8:30AM, and took her to urgent care.

Around 9:00AM, we got another call that they were sending her to the hospital, so she could undergo some brain scans; which was really concerning her husband (of course), so as soon as XXXXX, came in at 11:00, he took off and left us girls in charge of the daycare.

Since they didn’t know how things were going to play out with XXXX, he went ahead and had us tell everyone, that the daycare would be closed for Thursday. And Xxxxxx and I got to work the horrid weekend shift. (7-12/3-6)
We ordered Pizza and took care of the dogs, and waited anxiously for calls. I finally left around 4:30 PM, and drub myself home; only to turn around and go to church for three hours, before calling it a night.

Thursday - Boring day of work. Texas and his friend Jersey had fun...well Tex did anyhow.




but at six, our youth group was going Christmas caroling, which was a lot of fun, after that we went to CiCi’s Pizza for dinner (.....), and then went over our pastors house, for more food and games.




By 11:30, I forced myself to go home, since I knew that it would be almost 12 before I got home. And I’m the type, if I don’t get some sleep; I won’t get up when my alarm goes off.

Made it to work bright and early Friday, and went to pick up my sister from a friends house, which also effectively squashed my plans to do some Christmas shopping. Which I suppose is just as well, because when I got home, I had to pack up my room....which took some time. It was close to 2AM, before I was done.
Texas and Bubbles chose the better part I believe:



My father comes in bright and early on Saturday; trying to get someone’s phone number from me; and I went ahead and forced myself up; because I knew my house would soon be full of men and boys. The rest of the day was spent packing boxes and FINDING things that were ready to go in the truck. One of which included the WASHING MACHINE. (ARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!)

I don’t know whose idea that was, but if you can’t tell, I’m not so happy about that.

This is what Texas and Bubbles did while the rest of us worked:

Thanks a lot guys!

Once we arrived over the mountain....I decided to go ahead and stay in “my” house for the night, and we made a trip to Wal-Mart, so I could pick up some cleaning supplies; and a queen-sized sheet for that bed.
The house is old and musty ...and despite my Lysoling, it was still hard to breathe; and on top of that, the stove has to be replaced....yay.
So basically, while I wasn’t nervous about being by myself (heh, I had Bubbles and Texas...who were having a great time), I was getting depressed with the amount of things that needed to purchased/done before I could feel comfortable living there.

Sunday was jam-packed with church, dinner with friends, shopping, un-packing the truck, taking care of the dogs, more church, and then traveling home again.

Monday morning came way to early..... and now we are filling the time, trying to make some room in the dining room, so we can have a place to eat Christmas Dinner.

Sooooo today is Wednesday - Christmas Eve
Texas, Bubbles and I are about to head out, I to do some shopping, and then later on, them to do some playing.

Merry Christmas Everybody!!

Erin & Co.
Bubbles and Texas

Guide Dog Foundation Puppies:
Jake, Rei and Midnight

We're Still Here

Hi all People and Paw-Pals,
Texas, Bubbles and I are still alive and kicking have no fear :D,
This week has been C-R-A-Z-Y; but we've made it through.
Be assured, as soon as I can find a long moment, I will bring you all up to speed, about what we've been doing.

TTYS

Erin
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
Proud Puppy Walker of:
1. Jake - Male Golden - Career Changed
2. Rei - Female Black Lab - Guide Dog
3. Midnight - Female Black Lab - In Formal Training
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Pets:
1. Bubbles - Standard Dachshund - adopted: November 15,2002
2. Texas - Miniature Dachshund - adopted: November 29, 2008

December 18: Photo Game

I was tagged by Lauren

*RULES*
Basically what you do is go to your Picture Folder, and in the 6th folder, choose the 6th picture and tell the story behind that photo. And then tag six more people to play!

This picture was taken last April, at our first Annual (or supposed to be annual) Guide Dog Foundation Meeting for the Southeast region. We had puppy walkers come from all over NC,TN and GA. That was another meeting I went to dog-less because Rei decided to go into heat that week. (URGH)
From Left to Right -

• I can't remember this dogs name (Male Black Lab),
• Paul ( Male Lab/Poodle Cross,who graduated as a working guide dog)
• Charlie (Female Golden/Flat Coat Cross - graduated as a working guide dog)
  
• Jimmy (Male Golden Retriever -Also graduated as a working guide dog)
• JJ ( Male Golden Retriever - In Formal Training or already working...?)
  
• Rainer (Male Golden Retriever - Working guide who retired soon after)

I don't know who hasn't or has been tagged so please feel free to play along!!

*Random note*

Have to love looking down the list on another blog, and seeing my name come up THREE times.

*sigh*

I know I have toooo many blogs.

Its happens when you are not in school and have nothing else to do.

*sigh*

December 17: MidDate No. 3

Amazingly enough, Midnight has been IFT for about a month now and I have received an update!!!

"Hi Erin, Midnight has beat out all of her litter mates and goes in for her hip x-rays next week.
If she passes these, then she'll be a breeder!! Good job girl!"

I'm happy to have an update so soon...I really can't believe it!

December 16: Please Don't Pet a Working Dog

I couldn't have said it better my self :D

December 15: Bath Time!!!

Hi Guys,
Not only did I have to get a bath...but I Had to have it in the sink!!!! URGh. Don't I get to have a REAL tub for this torture? Mom was having fun I think. :((

XOXO

Texas

December 14: Random Pictures

Boring ol' Sunday. Work and more work.
Hopefully everything is done; and there will be no bad repercussions on Monday.
Anyways since you all didn't get to see much of Midnight's puppy-hood I'll leave you with some pictures of when we first picked her up from airport, December 4, 2007.




She defiantly wins the best puppy ever award :D!! She was perfect on the car ride home, and slept until 7AM the next morning!!!

December 13: Texas and Bubbles

You are probably wondering why Bubbles doesn't make many pictures on here? Well she hates getting her picture taken, and will turn her head or walk away when I point the camera in her direction; And she is very stubborn about where she will sit/lay for pictures. *eye roll*
Today I was finally able to get him in the pic a lITtLe bit.

Also we want to thank Kess for giving us an award! Its displayed at the bottom our page!
Thanks guys!!!!

December 12: Like Laney

Hi Guys,
Here is random fact about me.

I HATE THE COLD.

I guess since Bubbles is so big ...fat...it doesn't bother her, but when I go outside, I shiver and shiver and SHIVER!!!
One day as I was trying to convince mom to put me in her lap, I noticed something blowing on her feet!! It was very warm and toasty, so I settled right down, pushing moms feet out of the way.
It was great!!

Ever since, that has become my favorite spot; and when I get to hot, I just go lay on my bed, and then come back and lay down.

And then just the other day, I saw that our friend Laney liked to do the same thing!! How funny :D

Mom took Bubbles and I to PetsMart today, we were buying presents for a party or something.
Anyways, that place is kind of fun, but I felt the need to "protect" Mom and Bubbles from all those strange people and dogs!!! I let them know that we was a pack not to be messin' with.

Mom wasn't happy with me at all, and kept correcting me; finally I listened, cause its not nice to have mom upset. But then this big person leaned over me, and can you imagine what that must look like to me?! So I had to tell them.

Bubbles was pretending she didn't know me, I think, cause she was staying as far away as possible.

I guess its a good thing I"m so cute huh? Mom says we're going to work on that...wooptiy doo.

XOXO

Texas - Blog Cutie