Happy Birthday Midnight!

Another Birthday Shout out to my pup Midnight! Midnight was the 3rd puppy I raised for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, (Rei was also a guide dog pup, but I forgot to clarify that in my last post).

Midnight was my "heart dog" I loved that dog so much it hurts still actually.She went back to the Foundation on Nov 2008 and was chosen to be a breeder. To my knowledge she is schedule to be bred sometime this or next month.

She had such an awesome temperament that I know she will make a great mom!! I sent a letter to her new family a couple of weeks ago, and hope to hear from them soon!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Midnight!!!

Happy Birthday

3years ago, today a small black puppy came into the world with a big mission ahead of her. I cannot believe it has been 3 years! Wow!!! This dog was one of the best teachers I've had so far...Ira is coming in close second. I remember our hectic first school semester and the amazement on peoples faces the second semester when they realized I had the same dog. Oh the adventures we had.

But I knew she was a dog that needed a job, and she has proved to do very well at that.

Every year, our church holds events we call Campmeetings one is held in Lakeland Florida, and the other here in Tennessee. Since our church is not big enough to hold all the people who come to this event, we set up a tent in our "yard" (which is ratha big btw) and hold services out there.

Ira came this morning, I brought a blanket and kong for her, and she did awesome through the morning service.

From EDIT

After that, I took her and Texas downtown to walk; Texas is not doing so well with the crowds of people, so he'll probably be laying low for this week...Bubbles is fine with people, but prefers to be alone.

The kids LOVE Ira, and believe me the feeling is mutal. And that is an understatement when ever I appear with her, I am swarmed by kids. Which since she is going to be an service dog for a child, is awesome exposure for her.


Hopefully I'll get some pics of her and her entourage :)


She slept through the entire evening service as well....and I mean in a dead-tired-not-move-a-muscle kind of sleep. She was a perfect ambassdor for Wilderwood Service Dogs. :)

Critters Camera #76

See other great pics at:

http://camera-critters.blogspot.com

Ira thought it would be great to roll in something nice and stinky, so I thought it would nice to give her a bath. Sort of a give take sorta deal. LOL. 

The Many Faces of Ira

 {Alright-enough-pictures- face}

 {Tired Face}

 {Goofy Face}

 {The Working Face}

{Playful Face}

Ira has been with me for three weeks now :) She still is a super sweet dog, and she's starting to bond with me for sure! Our chewing issuse is getting MINIMALLY better, as she's just limiting her chewing too...shoes, and paper.

Today I spent allll day shopping (so hopefully I won't have to do for another month) poor Ira did great, charmed everyone she cam across, we still have some work to do, but she's still young, and hopfully we have some time to work through these things!

But as of now she's sacked on the floor, hasn't moved for the last couple of hours! :)

******************************

Bubbles and Texas are still alive and kicking :)) Patrolling the grounds keeping the bad guys away! :))

Graduation - September 2009 - Day 3,4

Days 3 & 4

Stressful yet Sucessful.

We were able to get over some hurdles handling wise,the parents were more comfortable handling the dogs out in public, the dogs are slowly starting to realize their food/water/comforter is coming from these new people.

The children have been out and about more than they have been in a while, sitting through lunches in restaurants without meltdowns, or escapes.

Parents are SLOWLY beginning to relax while in  public with their child and dog.

The only downside to this glowing report would be to say that we were confronted in a Mall, and had to leave; (which is illegal btw)  but we were able to get on the news, and our president will be filing a complaint against the mall tomorrow.

We gave them today off to go do something fun as a family, something I'm sure they haven't been able to do in a long while.

Only 3 more days left! For me its back to UT's schedule as well as Wilderwood, than next week we have a big event at our church (which I happen to leave beside) so I'm going crazy trying to figure out how my dogs won't!

*sigh*


{Daniel's "new dad" is as much as in love with him as his boy is, he's going to be so happy with his new family! Especially since they are in a cooler region!! Don't worry they promised me that he won't look poodly ever again!! :)} 
 No Offense to Any Poodles!! :)))






{Just looking at how content he is with his new buddy just makes me want to cry. This is what he was meant to do! As for his buddy, he loves to walk along holding Ben's ear, ever so gently and is always giving him kisses. Soooo cute}

Wilderwood Graduation Day 1 - Sept 2009

This month's graduation is off to a great start!!

I had to keep my emotions in check for the most part as I watched Ben and his boy interact with each other, it was most definatly meant to be!

Though I didn't spend much time with Team Daniel; they too were getting along wonderfully!

I'm really excited to see how the rest of  the week goes, but if its anything like today it will be great.

 

Yep...Daniel got a poodle hair cut :(( 

...Waaayy Late

Awards!


Mom would like to say thank you to the Munchkin Memoirs for this cool award! She is super lazy when it comes to posting these things!! But that's why I'm here to make sure stuff like this gets done!!

"The only rule for this award is that to accept it, display it proudly on your blog for all the blog world to see your greatness and/or pass it on to other bloggers as you see fit..."

We love all of our blog readers but we'll just nominate a few! :)

1. The Journey of a Southeaster Guide Dog Puppy
2. Raising Miracles
3. A Puppy I Love
4. Baxter @Kalyxcornucopia
5. Dakota's Tails
6. Raising a Pup, Guide Dog Style
   

Outings

Mom took Ira out to Target today, (one of her favorite stores..) and they came home with a bunch of goodies!! Since Ira Loooovessssss to chew, mom wanted to get her some different things to keep her mind busy,even letting her pick out her own toy, and carry it to the front....well as far as she could.

Ira picked out the Air squeaky thing....*figures* and mom got a the green bottle thingy, and another stuffed toy, that didn't have any stuffing OR a SQUEAKER?!? How Un-Cool is that? But Ira likes it cause the tail sounds like crinkly paper, and I like it cause she likes it.

I like the green thing cause treats come out of it if you hit it long enough; Ira does't know how to me patience with it and gets mad fast.

Her loss is my gain!!! :)



We'll I'm off to go play with my new toys and try to stay cool!! Happy Labor Day!!! (again!)

Happy Labor Day!

I hope everyone has a nice and relaxing day as we have....despite having no A/C!!

Graduation Time

Its time for the 3rd Wilderwood Graduation: September 9-16th. Ben & Daniel will be graduating with their autistic children and their families.

Graduations are always extremely busy/happy/emotional/stressful times, as its a huge adjustment for the kids, dogs and parents.

The kids because they are in a new environment some for the first time in years; for the dogs because all of the sudden their trusted and esteemed people are not paying them any attention, the parents as they learn to work with the dog and child team.

Its an extremely intense 8 days, but so worth it in the end..

I can't wait to meet a new set of friends. I am going to miss both dogs terribly, but Ben more so. He's "my" baby that I brought into the org, and trained for the most part myself. But he's going to do great I just know it!!

A bit thank you to his family for giving him to Wilderwood!

Gooood Morning World!!