Bad News

Dear Diary,

Now dat I'm a whole 11 months old, mom keeps saying stuffs like "IFT" and "puppies" and "dissapointments" and all sorts of other stuff dat I normally understand but not like how she is saying them.

Like da other day, she was talking to our neighbor about getting another puppy!? I don't even know what she meant by that cause I mean HELLO I"M Sitting right here!
Then she said that she didn't know when I was leaving for IFT but it would probably be in a couple of months.

So any ways i had ta get on the Doogle network (google for dogs..you hadn't heered about that?!)

And then I gots a lot of junk like Career centesr an annual meetings stuff, so I had to have mom help me. I did not even like what I found on there!! 

So apparently dis I.F.T. stands for : In Formal Training. And what dat means is dat I have ta go back to the school place that I came from ( a loooooooong time ago). And then I have to stay in a kennel place and have lots of doggie friends to play wit and then I gots to do like I do wit mom and go into stores and stuff butt this time i has to wear a harness thingy cause that means I'm trainin to be a guide dog.

I gotsta say that it does sound like a little bit of fun, cept for the leavin mom part, but if I stays wit her I won't get to have a joby thingy and if I don't stay with her then I gots to go away all by myself to a bunch of peoples I don't even know.

*sigh*

I thinks I'm going to sleep on dis.


G'Night.

Happy Month Day!

Texas is 11-months-old Today!

Life and Stuff.. {by Erin and Midnight}

The Proximity Award"We all like blogs. Their objectives are to show the wonders and to make friendships; there are people who are not interested when we give an award, and in this way contribute to cut those bows; we want that they are cut or they propagate? Then we will try to pay more attention to them! We must give it to other bloggers that must do the same and put this text."

Midnight: Cool! Our friend Addie gave us ANOTHER award! Sweet! Thanks so much guys! We'll pass this one on to our friend.....

Erin: These last couple of days, have been pretty uneventful in a sense.. Monday Midnight and I went to Piano Lessons...which she thinks is DEATHLY boring. After that we came home, and walked with our neighbor and her two dogs. By the time we got through with that, It was time for us to head to our monthly obedience class with other guide dog pups. Midnight was her normal obedient self and my leader complemented me on how I was handling one of the more...excitable pups. * Very Cesar Millanish ha ha*

When we got home I decided that my room needed rearranging, and for the next two hours I spent my time, packing up my room and moving boxes around. While navigating around Midnight and Bubbles.

Halfway through Bubbles, who is used to these spurts I go through, got on the couch and curled up under a blanket.


Midnight however...kept getting in the way and I kept tripping over her!

But I did find many of her toys lurking under the furniture! Since then I've placed them in a bucket where she can get to them, and she's taken all of them out and placed them around the floor. Just for me to trip on I think.

I think she's a bit put off my all the rearranging..and moving of her favorite spots..etc.. but she'll survive. :-)

Today was just a plain ol' work day for me...here it is, I work at a doggie daycare..get to bring my dog for free, and what does she do!? SLEEP!!

She climbed in here of her own free will...she likes crates ::big grin::

{ Which one is Midnight? And NO we didn't DRUG any dogs here.. ha ha its the end of the day..they are all tired.}

{Midnight mainly plays with Labs...she and Liza love each other}

Earlier this evening..after swimming through my email, I came across this video that my leader had sent me:

This is the Guide Dog Foundation...:-)
Just seeing this dog working and helping his handler,just reiterated for me why I do what I do. I brings me to tears every time I see something like this, to think "MY" dog could be helping someone just like him!! Yes Its hard to give them up, Giving Midnight up will be one of the hardest things I've ever done... She and I have a bond like no other dog... I love her so much, but to know that she has the potential to make an impact on someones life like this? I can't stop that whatsoever!!!

Ok enough of that ... I need to finish posting SAM's blog for today as well.. so until next time!

Erin & Midnight

Sunday A Day of Play {by Erin}

Midnight got to come to work with me today, for the first time in about a month. She had a lots of fun ...in between naps.  Oh yeah...I work at a doggie daycare if you couldn't tell..... 

In the office with her friend :-) 

In the play yard.... Super DOGS!!  

Itchy, Scratchy, Midnight {by:Midnight}

I love my mommy, but she really, really, needs to stop pulling things funky things on me!! Its not nice!!! Our day started out ordinarily enough, we woke up, busied and mom fed us breakfast! As soon as we were done, we got in the car and headed off to work.

At least that's what i THOUGHT! When we arrived at our destination, mom took me out of the car, without my coat on! Ooh I know what this means!! We're at the PET STORE! I like that place!! .....Except this place looked nothing like any pet store I"d been in.....(and believe me, I've been in quite a few!)

As it turns out, we were at the vets office, not as good as the pet store, but there were still lots of cool smells and dogs! Mom and I walked in and sat down in the lobby area. There was only one other dog in there, but she was super scared for some reason...this place didn't seem scary to me!
Her owner was very impressed with the way, I was laying under mom's chair and not acting crazy...(she didn't seem me the last time we came here). And she and mom started talking about dog training etc..etc. *whatever*
A few minutes later a nice lady called us, and we got up and walked with her. Mom walked me onto this rubber metal thing, and then walked me back off again...I don't know what that was about. The nice lady, took us into a room, where she left mom and me. Mom had me sit and starting reading a book. *gulp* Here comes the scary part!

When the nice lady came back, mom hand me stand up, and the nice stuck something up me!! I did NOT like that whatsoever, so I hid my face in moms skirt. When the not so nice lady FINALLY took it out, I ran and hid behind mom. The not-so-nice-lady left, and I went and curled in a corner...I was so scared.

A little while later, a man and the not-so-nice-lady, came and started petting me, and looking in my ears, and my eyes, and teeth (which he said were gorgeous btw). After a little while I realized that he was nice, and rolled over so he could pet my belly. Then he and the not-so-nice-lady left AGAIN! When the came back, he had something in his hand..I tried to see what it was, but mom was holding me head..but I'm pretty sure it was a shot!!

After that he was all done, and talked to mom for a little while...apparently I'm allergic to something in the environment, so they gave me a some meds, and a ointment for the sore I licked on my paw. :-(

Oh well, at least I won't be chewing on myself any more!! Mom and I left a little while later for work...*phew*

{Hanging out in the office, notice the sore on my paw...that is from me licking it a lot!}

And so I can't figure out how to end this post, so I'll just give you a random fact about me:
Random Fact No. 208:
{Midnight can consume a Nylabone...we're not talking little ones either here folks. Either that or its hiding under the piano!}

The Fair Part II {by Erin}

A new bone I got her distracted Midnight, so I’ll have to tell you all about our second trip to the fair, and our puppy meeting. Do you know how hard it is to translate and type dog? Psshh
Anyways, my sisters and I arrived at the fair, around 4:00PM...since we were having a puppy meeting here, as well I figure, why not go and have some fun first!? So we did! Rode some rides, watched some of the shows and ate fair food!!
We were able watch a Mounted Shooting show, it was pretty good...once the Emcee’s stopped ...jawin’.
JUST AS A NOTE. MIDNIGHT IS A VERY STABLE DOG AND I KNEW SHE WOULD NOT BE CONCERED WITH THE GUNS GOING OFF.
Actually what she really wanted to do is run after the horses....*sigh* By the time this show had ended, it was time for our meeting so we headed up to meet them at the gate. Its still amazing how fast these pups grow!!!

We did a little obedience... we might as well become a show for all the people who stopped to watch! It was interesting....After that we walked through the animals, down through the rides, and such through a couple of tents, and back up through the animals. All of the Dogs did great! Even Mr. Sam, who rode most of the way, got out and walked for a long while!! He was soooo cute.I WANT A GOLDEN. ☹

Once we were finished with the animals, we made sure all the dogs were back to their rightful. Raisers, and most of the group headed home.

Midnight and I, on the other hand, speed walked through the fair, to where I THOUGHT my sisters said they were going to be. They weren’t there...!But I found them, with some more of our friends. After that we were ALL ready to go. And so we did...

*please comment if you stop by..its took a long time to write this, so it would awesome if even just said “hey!”

Our Day {by Midnight}

My day started out, a little oddly then what I’m used too. Mom has gotten kind of obsessed with this walking thing, and has been taking my neighbor friends and I, on a walk almost every day this week!
Something about exercise, while I think exercise is cool and everything...Its just very hot when we go. Oh well, we did our normal route and came home and ate breakfast.
Just a few minutes after I finished my breakfast, Mom started gathering up her things and my leash, which is a clear signal, that we are going somewhere! And sure enough a few minutes later she called me and we both hopped into the car. Now at this point its all just fuzz,.....I was sleep.
When the car stopped, one of Mom’s friends Mrs. B was looking in the window, talking to her! She was holding a leash, but it didn’t look like a dog on it...well not from my prospective, but mom was sounding all silly over it, so I had to get a better view. I climbed onto Mom’s lap...and all of the sudden found myself back on the floor again! {Touchy,touchy humans.:-(} It was just as well I guess, because Mrs. B came around to my side of the car, and let me out to love on me a little bit.
Turns out..the fuzz ball was a puppy!! Who would have ever thought!! His name is Sam and he’s a guide dog puppy like me!!
I wanted to play with him, but apparently mom didn’t meet them for us to play; So we got into Mrs. B’s car and went for another ride. This ride was really long, and boring...so you can probably guess what Sam and I did...?
When we FINALLY arrived at our next destination, I could hear the sounds of many children screaming and laughing; this was going to be fun. Whatever we are doing.
Mom and I went inside ahead of Sam and Mrs. B cause he had to potty; sure enough there were LOTS of kids walking around inside! That made me really excited!! Maybe if I were good enough, mom would let me play with one!! I walked mom into a big room...the media room.... I don't know what that means but anyways.
Mom then took me to a place FAAAR away from the kids, and made me down/stay. I really didn't want to do that, so I kept getting up, and she kept putting me down, after about two times, I contented myself with looking from a far.

A little while after Mrs. B started talking, mom told me to “Forward” and then to “Find the Stairs”. Which I did very nicely, if I do say so myself! ::grins:: Then mom told me.. “Find the Chair Midnight” I had NO CLUE what she meant, but I just followed her and sat when she signaled me too. Mrs. B talked some more about Sam, and mom had me do some commands. All the kids would clap every time I did it right, that would make me very excited! It seemed like forever until mom let them come and pet me! But she did and I LOVED it. Soon after that, it was time to go home.
Home Again - we stayed about 10 minutes before getting in the car AGAIN! But this time, my “aunties” and their friend were with us.

Busy, Busy Day {by Midnight}

Hi Guys! Mom sure is going to keep me very busy today!  First of all she's going to walk me and my neighbor friends around the neighborhood...at least she's taking us early, so that we don't DIE of heat exhaustion! Then hopefully she'll remember that we have eaten and give us something to eat. 

After that--she tells me -- we are going to get in the car, and visit one of FAVORITE, ladies!! 

Our Area Coordinator, for the Guide Dog Foundation!! *I love her a lot* 

She has a new puppy to train, and a new playmate for me!! Fun!! 

Mom says we're going to head on BACK, to the fair and hang out there..?? OH wait she says we have to go by, MY store and pick up some stuff for me!! i hope she gets me a toy! 

THen we're going to the fair, to have fun!! We're also going to meet some more of my puppy walker friends, there later on! 

I can't wait!! 

WOoF!!  Mom will take lots of pictures of course, and I'll post em' here when, we come home..k? 

Cool! 

Midnight 

Mountain State Fair {By Erin}

The Mountain State Fair, began Friday morning at 10:00 AM SHARP! The fair is memorable to me because it is, an event we always did as a homeschool group...and over the last couple of years, something I brought my pups too.

Jake - was 6 months old, during his first fair trip...quite young for the length of time we stayed; He did pretty well during the majority of the day, but closer the end of the day; he basically shut down, and let me know he wasn't walking another step. So I plopped his big golden self into our stroller and pushed him around.

Rei was 11 months old, and had a lot more stamina; I was looking forward to going with her, because I was really hoping to wear her out completely...which I did!! She did reasonably well...there were more animals during this time around, and they were FASCINATING to her; so she did a LOT of pulling..

Midnight - 11 months as well, did very well considering! She was pretty pully at times, but for the most part walked nicely! I did give up on trying to tell people NOT to pet her; and she did great...that was a pleasant surprise!! She was very interested in the cows and pigs..but surprisingly not so much into the chickens. One of the "attractions" was a herding demonstration..the sheep of course did want to be near the Border collie that was herding them, but felt Midnight was no threat, for the came right up to the fence and was sniffing at her. I wanted to ask the lady about that reaction, but she was busy, and besides they were giving away free chocolate milk a couple stalls down...who am I to miss that!?!?!

I stayed for about six hours, before calling it quits..the heat was pretty much unbearable, and since Midnight was in coat I didn't want her to have a heat stroke...or..etc.

So we went to Applebees for lunch and Air Conditioning. LoL

Midnights Home {by Erin}

I am so excited to have my baby back!!!! And she was equally happy to see me as well...I'm sure you can imagine the greeting she gave me. ::grins::

We spent a little time with GDF's Field Representative; asking questions about various things; it was a very informative meeting, we learned about the different types of toys that were acceptable for Guide Dog Puppies, as well as practiced the leave it command. After that I asked as many question as I could, about the training, breeding and raising programs, before she left!

I do have some exciting news about my fourth (hopefully) guide dog puppy, but that's about five months into the future after Midnight leaves...so we'll just keep that under our hat for right now, and be happy with the time we have left with my girl!

Tomorrow we is the begging of the Mountain State Fair! Always an exciting time around here! I'm sure Midnight won't be thinking that once have been their for several hours...but I now this year I won't stay as long as I have in past years, so it should be .....easier.....

Be sure to check back for lots of pictures from the Fair!!