Step I: Completed {by Erin}

Weekend Recap:

Saturday: On the weekends I’m normally not allowed to bring my dogs to work with me, due to a smaller staff size; but this weekend was slow, and because they knew Midnight was leaving, she was allowed to come with me so we could have a little more time together. (Which was AWESOME.)

Over the past seven weeks, we have had obedience class from 9:30 - 10: 30, and its my job to either move the boarding dogs to another building, or keep them quiet outside while class is going on. This week, we only had three dogs spending the weekend with us, so **** allowed me to put them in the small dog yard, and watch the class! This week was the classes “graduation”, so they mostly played obedience games with the dogs; but we were able to participate as well.

Midnight and I walked around (her on leash) as a distraction to the other dogs; I didn’t put her in coat right away because I was pretty confidant in her. Unfortunately she proved me wrong. After we got finished with that exercise, I went ahead and put the coat on her, and took some pictures of her, in the office.

A few minutes later **** asked if I wanted to play another game with them...as they needed another person to balance out the team.
Surre, why not? This time we were playing a relay, where we had to balance a biscuit on a spoon and walk around dogs in a circle around obstacles, WITHOUT dropping the biscuit. I kept Midnights puppy coat on this time, and she was perfect, our team won the first round!! ☺
After class was over, one of the other trainers with ABC (Animal Behavior College), came up to me, and asked was I a trainer; when I told her “No technically I’m not”; she said that she was impressed with how I handled Midnight! So YaY for us! ☺ ☺
Our Kong Wubbas came in as well (YaY huh Cody?), and Midnight and attacked them with gusto!

Sunday: We went and visited our favorite neighbor so she could say good-bye, Midnight was pretty crazy, as my neighbor is a great source of excited energy, so she was Miss Spazzo tearing around all over the yard, jumping in and out of the kiddie pool full of dirty water; digging in the soft dirt. So basically she was a mess, when we got home. Bath TIME!!!

And today; I was pretty much numb all day, and then towards the afternoon it started to hit me harder; What didn’t help was, there was a certain one-eyed dachshund puppy there as well.....Tex Walker Walter Cotton Eyed Puppy. (ok so he doesn’t have a name yet, and all the staff has a different named for him Guess which one mine is?)

The plan was to meet my area coordinator after work, and I would take her puppy for a couple hours, and she would take Midnight; and then I would give her puppy to his sitters and go home. Weeeelllll as it turns out, Sam’s sitter was able to get him from my A/C right away, so we decided to meet at a store. But my brothers took Midnights puppy coat out of my car, when they were getting their “junk” out last night. So I had to go home get the coat, and then go meet her at another store. I went ahead and fed Midnight her last meal (with me), and watched as she did her familiar routine of carrying around her toys and stuffing herself into Bubbles crate. (sob)

When I finally deemed it time to go, I put on her coat, got her leash, and headed for the car.... except she didn’t want to get in for some reason; but realizing I wasn’t playing her game, she jumped in.
Once at the shop, my area coordinator pulled in right behind me. She jumps out, and I handed her Midnights vet records and Health Certificate, before getting Midnight out, giving her one last hug, and watching her prance off.

So far I’ve just been pretty numb. Looking at her empty bed/crate/toys has been enough to bring tears to my eyes, but its kind of unreal.

Midnight and I have bonded so much, that I’m having a hard time thinking of another puppy; just because I know it won’t be her. Yes Its that bad. But not bad enough to make me reject another puppy!!!!! I just wish it could be sooner.

My A/C has called me several times, since then to rave about her ☺ She’ll do fine I know.
And so ends the part 1 in Raising Eyes for the Blind: Midnight Edition

Stay tuned for updates from “College” , Puppy Number 4 news, and Bubble’s adventures...and maybe a second pet? Hope springs eternal!

Update: Well I showed my dad and family the pictures of ."Tex", and he has said we can bring him by to visit, if that’s ok with his foster mom; so I’ll see if I can get in contact with her, and go from there. This is not a yess.....but ....its close.... squashes hopes

Update II: Dad saw bigger picture on the pup and goes...I don't know, I'm sure someone will feel sorry for him and adopt him.... ...
So I'll need him to clarify his previous statement and see if he was speaking just because he wanted to see him; or because he wanted to see if he would blend with our family... who can figure out the minds of non-dog people?

I'm going to bed.

We Got Our Prize {by Midnight}

Hi Guys!
Guess what I got in the mail today? It was from Addie how cool was that?
My favorite things were the spiky green thing ball, and the treats. I Loove the sound of that, and had to make sounds of my own, while squeaking it. Bubbles favorite things were the treats. She didn't stick around long cause ...i don't know she's old I guess.
Mom would have videoed it, butttt.....she said its a long story. So here are pictures!
The Bumble toy was weird...I couldn't figure what to do with it, so I started chewing on it. So mom put it away from another day. *eye roll*

{Wow what a stash! Mom..er..no flash please}

{Is it moving?}

{Gasp it is!!}

{Oh great Bumble toy will you play with me?}

{I love the ball as well}

Thanks Addie!!!!.......oh and my mom says thanks to Addie's mom and that Addie can come over anytime you need a break. ::big grin::

Midnight IFT - November 18, 2008

Its time for Midnight to move on to bigger and better things, she will be leaving with my area coordinator on Tuesday, November 18th 2008 - they will fly to NY, and Midnight will start a new phase of her life.
The bad thing about keeping oneself in a state of denial is when the reality comes, it feels ten times harder then it should have been. While I have already given up two puppies, it doesn’t get any easier. IMO. This time is especially hard, because I won’t have a new puppy to focus on. That really is the easiest way to puppy walk; just keep getting more! Oh, and have your own pet dog as well.
The reason I am taking a break now is because:
1. I refused to raise another puppy in the wintertime. (brrrrr)
2. My dad said that I had too...for my own good. But mostly because we are trying to sell our house and he didn’t want a puppy soiling the carpet.
3. We are moving and having a small puppy would be a little bit difficult
4. But mostly because of the cold...and my dad.
I’m just having a hard time imagining what I will do with my time for the next four months. No one to: walk, train, socialize, take to meetings, correct, play with, talk to, (well ok, with seven other people in my house, I have no shortage of people to talk to, but they all can talk back).
I know it’s hard for my family to really understand what raising means to me; because for the most part the dog is just a messy nuisance. I will say my mom has been the most supportive, she actually was the one who had the idea to start puppy raising. Before I could drive, she was the one taking me to all my meetings, taking the pup to the vet, watching the puppy when I couldn’t take it to school; etc..etc.. I LOVE YOU MOM!! Over the next four months I guess I will have to catch you guys up to how I began doing this in the first place. But I digress. What they don’t understand is I finally have my dream “job”.
When I was younger, I had many dreams and goals that I wanted to achieve when were got old enough to do so. For me; raising guide dog puppies is basically a dream come true. I’ve always loved dogs, and wanted to work with dogs when I was little. I can distinctly remember that I wanted to train dogs for somebody, not just obedience. And Now I am actually doing just that!

Just recently I had a first time raiser ask me some questions about turn ins, so I thought I’d share my answers with you all.

How did you feel when it came time to give your first dog up? “Jake was career changed/taken out of the guide dog program, at six-months-old, he had some things that GDF, didn’t feel were conducive in a guide dog. and placed with an adoptive family as a pet. We were shock and hurt by this, and I’ll admit to crying buckets for the three days it took, to find him a new home. But once I was able to meet his new family, I knew that he was going to be ok. And after my area coordinator assured me that I was eligible to receive another puppy, I felt worlds better. It still hurt, but I had something to look forward too.”
Since Midnight is your third dog, is it easier or harder to give her up? “ Both really and truly; its easy because I know what’s going to happen, and know what it feels like, to see the dog you worked with for a year, change somebody’s life...not once, but twice! But harder because I know I won’t be getting another pup right away, and so I’ll have to sit and wonder, how she’s doing, what she’s doing, is she sitting in a kennel? Is she out training?”
Does your relationship with the next ones get to be a little more "clinical" than the first one? “No if anything I believe it gets stronger...deeper... I know what to expect, how to handle different things as they arrive. I guess in away it does get more clinical at first, because I know we have to get through some things before the bonding starts. I try to go into each “relationship” with a clean slate, try not to compare the puppies with each other, because they aren’t. Each has their own quirks and things, and I’m always eager to see what the new one will be like.”

And just to make this long post, even longer.... today I found out that there was a lady trying to give away a four-month-old, dachshund puppy. Apparently its owners older dog, had bit it when it go to close to his food, and took out the pups eye; and now these “responsible” dog owners, are trying to find another home for the pup, because they don’t want it anymore. Now in light of recent events, you know what I’m thinking...how cool would it be..... And you can probably guess what my dad is thinking. Nope!

Sigh.

I was finally able to go a spend Midnight’s gift certificate, and I bought a collar for Bubbles and then two toys, for each of them. And of course Midi plays with both of them, and bubbles goes to sleep.

Sigh.

Does anyone have a dog I can borrow?

A Walk in the Park {by Erin}

The weather around here has been AWESOME lately, so Midnight, Bubbles and I have been hitting the parks for our exercise. Midnight is such a laid back puppy, that its really easy to neglect giving her proper excersise; but am trying to mend my ways and get BACK to the everyday walk.....long walk.
This week we went to a park, that was converted from car race track, and now has a huge kid play area, skating rink, volley ball court, and a bike track; as well as a walking path that goes around the outside of the park and joins to another park right beside this one. Yesterday, my friend Justine, and her dog Bandit joined us for our walk; I was prepared to work with Bandit, as he does not do so well on a leash; but its a good thing he decided to walk perfectly, because I had my hands full with Midnight!
Since she is a guide dog puppy, she is supposed to walk, with her back legs aligned with my legs. But according to Cesar Millan, she needs to walk with her head level with my leg...so its hard to get her out of her normal position, and let me lead. Especially with all the new sights and sounds of the park. So she was pulling pretty hard..for Midnight nose in the air, not paying attention to me whatsoever. (where are the treats when you need them?)

{Proper Guide Dog Puppy Position-Midnight four months old}

By the our second lap, she was responding to corrections and slowing some; But after an hour, Justine and I called it quits, and collapsed in my car. Bubbles was walking perfectly btw.
Today.... I had my siblings with me, so my sister and I walked the bike track so as to keep an eye on the younger ones. Since the path was just a monotonous circle, Midnight settled down quickly and walked nicely on a loose leash. *whew*
So to put in our memory banks for puppy #4, TIP #324: work on out-of-coat, walking in new environments.
After that we got something to eat, walked around the mall and headed home. There is nothing like a tired dog. Makes me feel good to know that she has been able to release some of that excess energy.

More pictures of our trip to the park: Click Here

New Beds {by Midnight}

Hi Guys!
I have the awesomest Mom EVER! You know how I told you that I wish mom would get me a bed like the ones at work? Well she did!! Boy was I shocked!! I got a big round one, and Bubbles got a small square one, but we decided to switch. Mom also said that we are getting a box from Addie and her mom, she said we won a contest!! WOW!!! And she bought some more kong toys! Boy is this Christmas??
Well gotta go, its Dinner time!
TTYL

Midnight

A Day in the LIfe of Midnight {By Midnight}

October 30, 2008 - A Day in the Life of Midnight

10:00 AM - I awoke to the sounds of my crate door being opened, AWESOME! Its morning time!! I love morning; I feel so fresh and relaxed waking up to a brand new day! Even it when it’s dark outside! Somehow I don’t think my mom feels the same way.
10:05- Back in after potty break.
10:30- Breakfast ...another good reason for waking up, time for a delicious meal that never gets old! Mom makes us sit/stay before she puts down any food. As you can see I am a “pro” at this, but Bubbles still needs some work. It’s hard for Old dogs to learn new tricks you see.

Bubbles Note: Listen here punk...WHO IS YOU CALLIN OLD??

While we eat, mom disappears in the water room, and then comes out smelling very nice. ::doggie grin::
11:00AM- clean up time, mom makes her bed and then cleans up my blankets and her stuff, while I make sure to either to be underfoot at all times, or place all my toys in strategic positions around the floor. Then we go outside for a game of “controlled Retrieve”. We guide dog puppies can’t be prone to chasing moving objects, as that would put our blind person in danger, which would be really bad!!
Controlled Retriever is very hard for me, cause I have to sit/stay, then watch mom through the Kong, and NOT run after it until she tells me “ok”. Most of the time I can’t help it and run after it anyways. Then she has to hold me still, she says sometimes its like holding a slingshot. That’s cause I’m way way fast! :-D Since I don’t have too much energy, I tire out pretty fast, and we go back inside.
11:30- time for my mid-morning nap! Mom goes to the computer while I sleep....
12:22 - What? Time to go to work? Man I thought we had the day off. ☹ Oh well...I have to stay with mom, while she runs around and grabs things, so that she doesn’t forget to bring me. Bubbles stays at home cause she doesn’t play with other dogs. sigh Then we both hurry out to the car, she dumps her stuff in the front seat, while I hop into position, in the co-pilot chair. That is the special place for us GDPs (Guide Dog Puppies), since we have to ride on the floor of the car.

12:30 - Mom stops at CVS cause she loves a drink called Arizona Tea, so she parks, hops out, puts on my coat and leash, grabs her money and keys, and we head into the store.
I was very good, leading her right to the drink cases..(We go here like all the time), and then walking with her to the check out. I know to stand very quietly, while mom checks out cause its hard to manage a rowdy dog and pay for stuff at the same time. Back to the car!!
12: 50 - Wow we are 10 minutes early to work! Go Mom!! We get out, and mom puts me in the outside yard, so I can busy before I go inside. (Cause going inside is a BIG NO-NO!) While I’m out there all of my friends come outside to greet me. They are very special.

1:00 - 2:00 - Play, Nap, Go Outside

2:30 - Mom got this weird idea that I needed a bath, so she came and took me Out of the yard, and to the tub room.... I knew what she was about to do and started backpedaling, but she caught me and plopped me in the tub.......it wasn’t as bad as I thought...
And thennn mom decideds to Furminate me, I don't know why, but I can't stand still during brushins I have to move in a circle so that i can see whats on my back, it makes mom "flusterated" I think.

Erin Note: that was nooo easy feat either, that dog is HEAVY!
3:30 - Mom and her co-workers start cleaning up the place, and taking away our toys so they can “clean them”. Whatever. They just want to be mean I think. They also start taking the sleeper dogs out so that they can go into their spaces and eat dinner. I’ve slept here before too...but I missed my mommy a lot, and didn’t even play.

{Other Dogs Food}

{Kong Time!}

{Look at all the dirty dishes}
4:30 - MY DINNER TIME!! WHooooo hooooo!!!!! Once again we have to do the sit/stay thing, but I do it right away, cause I know I can get my food quicker like that.
After that I don’t even have to go back in the yard with the other dogs, cause I’m a Staff Dogs, and we can do cool things like hang out with the people. ::big grin:: Mostly I just follow mom around as she does her “chores”.

{Alright mom enough pictures...time to EAT!}

{Laundry time!}
6:00 - my moms bosses and their dogs leave for the day, leaving me the run off the place, I can lay on their beds and play with their toys!! But most of the time they put the toys up so I can’t play with it...I don’t know why either!? Ah well, the bed is good enough for me. I think mom should get me a real bed like this one, instead of a bunch of old blankets.

7:00 - YaY! Time to go home!!! I walk out to the car all bouncy!
7:10 - Ah, but first a stop at the store....Huh? No coat mom?..Oooh we’re at the pet store.... oh look that person looks friendly, just a second mom I’ll be right back....OH YUMMY!! More Food!!

Look that lady Is crouching down, just for me, I know it!! I must reward her for that.
Erin’s Note: It’s a good thing these people like dogs...that’s all I’ve got to say
8:00 - YaY NOW we’re home!! Time for a long nap with some potty breaks, and some following mom around the house, saying hi to my “aunts and uncles and grandparents”

12:00 - Mom goes to bed.