Updates!

Well... I was doing good about posting.. and I had myself all set up for posting and then I just got lost in the track of time and have completely forgotten about my blog. I've been doing my best to keep Spunky's facebook page updated.. but I do miss blogging. I enjoy writing about my experiences with my puppies.

Click here to "Like" and view Spunky's page

Last time that I blogged.. I just put up a bunch of pictures of my first few weeks with Spunky.. and now she is almost 7 months old. I'm not sure how that happened so fast. Halo turned in May 17th and that was a really difficult day for me.. but I held myself together as much as I could. Good news is that Halo is still in Advanced Training. I should be getting her first report very soon.


I am planning on updating my blog at least a week.. A fellow puppy raiser friend of mine  is so awesome at keeping her blog updated.. and I love reading hers.. and it has inspired me to keep mine updated. I hope that you will join me in my adventures that are to come with Spunky..:)

Spunky's First 3 Weeks!

Spunky and Auntie Em!

Green Ear!

Froggy

Halo and Spunky!

First Kindergarten class!

Sheriff (Left) and Spunky. Getting pictures of sisters together isn't very easy!

Target had puppies on Sale!

Hopefully Felice's blue cape rubs off on her

February Thoughts

I have been wondering what it would be like to see through Halo's big brown beautiful eyes. If she were a person, what would she be thinking about? I know that the next best thing to knowing about her thoughts is knowing that she is full of LOVE. I see her face every morning and she is just so happy to start a new day. She can't wait to see what is waiting for her.

Each day I get reminded how special that she is to me.. Whether it be while we are out in public practicing our commands and socializing, playing at home, or even sleeping, I am in awe of what this little dog is able to accomplish. Though people in public comment that she looks "sad", I know that she just knows it's time to work. If only they could see her at home when she goes on her crazy. run all around the house burst of excitement.

Today marks a new month, which means that I am one step closer to having to turn her in. Though I am dreading May 17th a whole lot, I know that I am truly doing something to help someone else. Giving up my 1st baby who I have cared for since 8 weeks and that has been my responsibility will not be the easiest. I know that when she walks through that door into the kennels that she will be starting a whole new experience. If she were a person and could talk to me, she would tell me that it is all going to be ok, and that she is going to love it at doggy college. I just wish that she was turning in a few weeks later so that I could have her when I graduate high school. I mean... she's a senior too! Though we won't be able to walk together at my graduation, we will have walked together at hers (as long as she doesn't go into heat!!!).

For now, I will get off my blog because I have some puppy cuddling to do because the new baby puppy comes on Tuesday!!!!

Disneyland!

The last week of Christmas break my dad and I took the adventure to Disneyland! I had heard that it was the best outing to take your dog too, and so I knew we had to go. Halo is a pretty easy dog to handle so I knew she would be up to the challenge. Characters, lots and lots of people, and many new experiences.

 Halo was so amazing. She wore those adorable Minnie Ears around the park. I gave her breaks from them, but when she wore them she didn't try and take them off. When we first arrived at the park we stopped by City Hall to grab Halo a first visit pin! That pin was a hit. Everyone who walked by commented that Halo had a pin and that she was wearing ears. Lots of people stopped to ask if they could take a picture of her, and others would walk by and you would see them stop and stare.

 Halo wasn't afraid of the characters at all. I was really happy because that gave me the excuse to go up to all the characters. Boy did we get some cute pictures with all of them.

 Did you know that Disneyland has handy dandy "Hurry" spots?! Well they do. If you see a gate with a person and a pup, the gate opens and there you can have your dog relieve themselves. I was sure to give Halo lots of "Hurry" breaks, water break, and just resting time. It was a lot but Halo sure slept well at the hotel each night.

I made sure to get Halo a light to wear around her neck for the night time. It sure made it easier for people to spot her. She's yellow and was still hard to spot. If I have a black dog in the park I would be sure to add more lighting than just the necklace. People aren't very good at looking where they are going.

Halo LOVED Pluto. I think we went up to meet him about 15 times. She had the cutest reaction whenever we went up to meet him. She started wagging her tail and would just be so excited. I made sure we stopped to visit him whenever we spotted him while walking by.

Overall this was a great trip. If you have faith that your dog would be up for the task, I would bring them to Disneyland. It is great for the experience for them and yourself. It was really good bonding time with miss Halo. I can't wait to see where she goes in her CCI life. She really knows how to make her momma proud.

 

Long Time.. No "Speak"!

You know when your life goes so many different directions that you started a project and you completely forget about it. That's me and my blog. I started it with good intentions and then I completely forgot about it. Now I am back.. and hopefully can remember to update it more often.

Our trip to Disneyland. Will blog about this adventure next time!

So much has happened since summer. I am currently in my second semester of Senior year now. So close to being done, it's hard to believe how fast high school goes by. Speaking of fast.. my "baby" turns-in MAY! Where did the time go? She enters Big Dog class next month. Pretty soon Halo won't be the baby in the family because February 5th.. I pick up my newest addition to the family.. Spunky. Spunky is a full golden retriever puppy. I've been preparing myself for this new adventure I have taken on. Overlapping by three months is a lot, but I know I can do it! I have been fortunate enough to be able to visit my new puppy before I even pick her up because the breeder/caretakers are so close.

Spunky

My newest baby and me :)

I am also very excited for my next puppy because her sister "Sheriff" will be co- raised by our local contract trainer, Carly and another awesome puppy raiser Stephanie. I can't wait to watch the two grow up together.

Left: Spunky Right: Sheriff

GRC goes to Berkeley!

What do you do when you have an open Saturday, and a bunch of GRC (Gold Rush Champions) puppy raisers? You go to Berkeley! Saturday the 14th, about 24 people and 14 dogs went on a train to head on a training outing! The faces on the train were great when they saw all of us with our many dogs! When we arrived, we all went our different ways and went shopping. Well... our plan was to shop! Many of us ended up stopping to talk about CCI and giving out information. Then we all met up for lunch at Spenger's for a yummy seafood lunch! While we all enjoyed our food the dogs practiced their under command. After lunch, a few of us stayed for the later train and enjoyed the extra time for a little more shopping. We all hopped back on the train and said our farewells to the nice cool city and headed back to warm Sacramento. All of the dogs were pooped on the train back and they slept the whole way home!

Yashira!

Halo driving the ship at Spengers!

Linny's turn!

Yalu says "I would rather swim! Why am I having to drive the ship?"

You can never have enough CCI dogs in hand!

Mr. Linny on the train!

Cate Monster

How much longer mommy?

Cate was so tired! Time to go home!

"Isn't it hard to give the puppy up?"

YES!

Giving up the puppy that you have raised for 16-18 months isn't easy. The dog becomes your best friend and the one you can share your secrets with because you know they won't tell a soul. Yes, it is hard. What makes it easier is the fact that you know from the start, that you will be raising a dog that is going off to be something amazing.

Getting to see first hand how a service dog ends up working in the home with my mom really helps with the process. My mom's dog Felice III was raised in Idaho and then her puppy raiser had to give her up to go off to advanced training. Felice made it through the program and was placed with my mom. I got to stay with her at team training when she was placed with her dog, and it was the most amazing experience. Getting to see how these dogs change peoples lives SO much is the best feeling. They learn to make lives so much easier for a person who otherwise had it much harder. Just by having a dog pick up a pen off the ground can make all the difference. Seeing Felice and my mom every day is one of the examples I give to people when they ask about how I will be able to give Halo up.

So the answer to the famous question will always be YES. I know that I am raising a miracle and that is why even though giving them up is hard... I know that I am helping someone else that needs this puppy more than I do.