Happy New Year

Waffle would like to wish everyone.....

A Happy New Year!

20 days and Counting

Before she went back, my sister and I took Waffle into the mall for a photo shoot. We learned from our mistakes with Tacoma (our 1st FBL) and made sure we wore only light colors. (OK I thought it would be neat if we all matched-so we wore black.... I know what was I thinking?) But here is her big girl photo. She usually is not this focused, off camera the assistant is hold up a two foot rubber ducky. Which actually was pretty funny to watch.

She and her sister Wallaby have moved up to Phase 2! Yeah I did not think they would move her as she has just finished her season this week. We are still not sure if she will be deemed Mommy Material that will still be a couple of weeks away. In phase 2 they introduce her to the guide harness, work on basic commands, and learn about food distractions.

While this exciting news we really don't hold out much hope... Waffle is afraid of buses, cars, lawnmowers basically any thing with a gas engine. Call me silly , but I don't think you can be a guide dog and not like buses. I hope it is something the trainers can work out.

here is a link to GDB's site that lists exactly what she is doing in her training. Actually it is a relief that she made it to phase 2, it would be kind of embarrassing to say my dog failed phase 1 - grooming, walks on campus and group play are such demanding subjects. Don't laugh we know someone who failed phase 1 for non-medical reasons.

America's Vet Dogs

I was flipping channels waiting for the Simpsons to come on and I caught a news clip about two black labs going to war. What! I said no way, but I realized they were being sent over to Iraq as therapy dogs to work with soldiers. Apparently the program has been very successful here in the states and the Army wanted to see if they could replicate the same services overseas.
The Pups come from Guide Dog Foundation in New York, two beautiful Black Labs Boe and Budge. So a big shout out to Rei and Midnight and GDF for all their hard work. It sounds like they were trained to be guides but were shifted over to the Am Vets program. GDB has something like that with Dogs for Diabetics. It is nice to see that there is still work for them even if they don't make it as guides.

Here is the article
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-12-12-dogs-of-war_N.htm

here is the link to the web site.
http://www.vetdogs.org/

Making new friends

Afte struggling with blogger, finally was able to up load the video I took whe we dropped her off at San Rafae. Here she is meeting her new friends, She seems to really be excited about having doggy friends to play with. You can tell by her tail that she is happy.

So I remind my self that she will be ok.

Before and After

3 months Dec. 2006 / 15 months Dec 2007


2006 / 2007

Just a before and after look at Waffle, even the poinsettia has grown up too!

She has been at GDB for almost two weeks now, 1st report came in today, and, as expected, she is still in Phase 1 and on breeder watch.

Not much will change until January. 'Tis her season, you know.

Happy Holidays

It's begining to feel a lot like christmas

It's cold, at least for those of us in Los Angeles 44 is cold. How cold is my girl up in SR? We watch the storms roll in and wonder if she is on strike in her kennel refusing to leave the warmth of the heated floors. She never got around to reading the Labrador handbook- you know the one- it tells them they like water, snow, and are general all purpose outdoor pups. My little girl would pee on three legs - just so she could keep one out of the wet grass in the morning, she is more of an indoor spa type of gal. Malls are more her thing, here she is on our last trip to the mall.

Merry Christmas Waffle.

Kennel 5 Klub

Well here is where Waffle will be spending a good part of the next two weeks. As Katie our GDB tour guide told us, K-5 is for the 'girls'. I think they should re-christen it the nunnery. Still I would rather Waffle go here at least the boys won't be harassing my girl. When we were dropping her off, we tried to put her into a kennel but there were a few boys who were mean to her. They kept barking and one who was tied down outside in the hall snapped at her. The scene from Shawshank Redemption flashed in my head. The one where the new inmates are walking into their cells ,with the other inmates chanting 'fresh meat'.

I'm sure everyone there is nice, and after we got her in her cell...ummm I mean kennel, she seemed pleased that there was another fun dog next door to her. I hope she gets a nice roomie. blogger is acting up, and I am having trouble putting up the video - so until I figure it out. here is a picture of her in her new home.

Waffle has left the building

Yes Waffle has left the building. Mom and I left Thursday to drive Waffle up to San Rafael for the Dec. 1st recall. Now this is the only Waffle I have left.

We just got home and I am pooped, I have more pictures and videos, I'll post them soon.

Good luck Waffle - We miss you!