memories......

Do you remember this pup's 1st day of work.

Such a chunky monkey

Who was a right shoulder girl!

With huge paws

'honest, I don't know how it got it my mouth'

And who could forget this belly

Ms. Lani Lu - before

Lani Lu - After (look at that belly now)

Wow what happened to my svelte little girl

look and that baby bump! or bumps actually. Her short little legs doesn't leave her much clearance. I wonder if she will get much bigger. Her people say she has gained 16 lbs, how much more can she go?
love you Lani Lu!

9 days and counting.

Missing GDB puppy!

thanks to Sara for the heads up. Please if you live in Nor Cal, spread the word.

Help Us Find Missing GDB Puppy, Gannon!

Hi all - we need your help in finding a lost GDB puppy in Lodi, Calif. The following is the media release we sent out today. Please keep your eyes and ears open if you're in the area, and pass this information along to anyone that might be able to help us locate the pup. Thanks so much.

San Rafael, Calif. (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) - Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) is asking for your assistance in locating a lost puppy named Gannon. Gannon, a 3-month-old black Labrador Retriever male, is a Guide Dog puppy in training for the GDB puppy raising program.

Gannon was last seen on Friday morning, October 30 near the corner of Armstrong and Davis Roads. He may have been spotted early on Saturday afternoon in the area of Thorton Road, north of Stockton, between 8 Mile and DeVries Roads.

Gannon is being raised by a volunteer puppy raising family in Lodi, Calif. The puppy raiser families teach puppies, like Gannon, to have excellent house manners and socialize them to the world by introducing them to new people, places and experiences.

Gannon, like other Guide Dog puppies in training, stay in their puppy raising homes until they are approximately 15 – 18 months old. At that time they begin their formal guide work training at GDB and are eventually matched with blind students enrolled at the school.

Gannon has tattoos in both ears with his ID number and is wearing a black collar with Guide Dog tags. If you have any information about this lost puppy, please contact Jim Russell at 209-669-7657 or Guide Dogs for the Blind at 800-295-4050.

The Happiest Place on Earth

We took Nisha to Disneyland for a quick trip to see how it was decked out for halloween. We had this collar that has red flashy lights on it. It helps people see her int he dark. You can just see it flashing in the pic. Not sure she was too impressed with the whole thing. There were like tons of people there- shessh people it's a work day. Plus way too many kids out of control.

REALLY this one kid about 5 was hiding next to our table in the Pizza port, another kid around the same age comes up and whoops her on the head and runs off. So here is this kid on the floor crying and no parents in sight. The adults were not much better - just one thing to tell all of you adults who can't be bothered to teach or use basic good manners.

MY DOG IS BETTER BEHAVED THAN YOU and YOUR CHILD!

It was dark and there were too many people for good pictures. this was the best we could do.

All in all Nisha was really good just a little on edge, it's dark and crowded and we tried really hard to get out b4 the fireworks - but got held up in line. She saw/heard the start of the show and was a bit un-nerved. I'm not sure if she has ever been exposed to night crowds so I think she handled it pretty well. With just a bit of jumpy-ness.

Really want to take her back during the day with less people and more freedom to take some good pics. The train and the mono rail were down so no rides for Ms. Nisha. Sooo Saaaadddd. Next time honey-bun!

howl-een day

So Waffle and I went to Long Beach's Howln'ween day parade. Lots of cute pups and even stranger people. Waffle being a dignified former PIT chose just to be a pet black lab. She did a real good job of it too.

So this was the best costume of the day. Or is it just a hoax?

This guy should have been a 'bagel' he is a basset/beagle mix, instead he is a a pices of sushi

a gagle or is a pack of chickens

Where's the road runner?

Best use of a snuggie

only a dog that a mommy could love

Melli's a Mommie

If you remember Ms Melody we just got word that she had her pups two days early. Everyone was very worried because they though she was going into early labor. I guess they can't survive if they are more than 48 hours pre-term. They thought she had gone into labor on Monday, and they needed her to hold out until Sat. She lad lost her 1st litter. They don't know what happened, her keepers left her at Guide Dogs for the weekend while they were away. a few days after they picked her up they though she was acting funny and an ultra sound found out the pups were gone. No one knows what happened, she was fairly far along too, there was no evidence she had the pups it was just a mystery.

But happier news is that she had 7 pups, 2 each of the girls, and 3 yellow boys. Two are on the small side and are being monitored but big congrats to Ms. Meli

She's baaaaaaaaaaack!

And she has grown.
I am that person. I have begun to arrange play dates for my dog.

Nisha is her for a sleep over. Nisha is the one dog who Waffle seems to like to play with. (Waffle: it is because she recognizes my superior being-ness) They are best buds, who never seem to tire of playing chase. She has grown up and really makes Waffle look short and squaty in comparison. That is her on the right as you can see the family room is a wreck- the two of them have been busy. I try to have her over once a month so they can romp and play. Tomorrow all three of us will be off on a walk with Marie.

Last night Waffle must have been feeling threatened because she went onto the bed (Waffle: my bed) where Nisha has been sleeping. Waffle has two or three beds for her to chose from (like I said I am one of those people) and I guess she must have wanted to boss Nisha around so she went and settled down right in the middle of the pretty pretty princess bed - to which Nisha on tie down has to sleep on. Forcing Nisha to settle for sleeping around the little poop head. Waffle could have slept on mom's bed, her bed in my room or on my bed but no she would not be moved! What a brat!
(Waffle: hey it's my bed and possession is 9 parts of the law! it is not like I stayed all night, I let the little bugger have it after a while)

I wonder if there is a 12 step program out there.

Frosty Paws

Chelsie Belle

sorry to hear you've had such a bad day - my owies never required surgery and bed rest. Try puppy eyes to get your mom to make you some Frosty Paws. My BFF didn't like me eating all the stuff in store FP so she made her own. they are pretty easy to make a just as yummy to eat. Except with the cold weather it is not quite as refreshing, but I still love them.

Frosty Paws
-1 container non-fat greek style yogurt
-canned pumpkin or mashed banana
-honey

So BFF never measures stuff, she just dumps and mixes to taste, the texture should be like a thick pudding. Overall it will be kind of bland for people but for us pups it is just right. If you look really sad, you mom might let you lick the bowl she mixed it in.
enjoy
Waffle


Cooks note: So most would think that yogurt and labbies would not mix that's why I added the pumpkin to keep things firm - so to speak. The honey is just to take the tart down from the yogurt, I like using the non fat to keep her trim and the Greek yogurt is nice and thick. I put them in small souffle cups and covered them with wax paper, it keeps in the freezer for about three weeks. enjoy

I get by with a little

Help from my friends.
by Waffle

I had a bad day.
My ears have been itchy, itchy, itchy so the peeps took me to the vet.
Where they took my temp - not cool,
washed my ears out - yuck
poked me in my hinnie,
(something about my ears being inflames but I wasn't on fire?)
then.....................
They told me I needed my rabies, DHLPP, Bordello (Carrie: that's Bordetella) shots
Plus I got frontline today.

So after a frosty paws from my mom, my friends and I curled up for a snooze a good ending to a bad day.
how was you day?

Happy "Bring your dog to work" day!

So I snuck Waffle in to work with me today. She has an ear infection and I wanted her to see the vet but ran out of time to get her back home before Ihad to go to work so I just took her with. The only person who would say anything would be my boss, and he's not around all that much. Waht I forget is just how appealing a certain black lab can be on people......people who kept yelling 'PUPPY!' (***shusssshhhh**** slapping head!)

The picture above is sadly not my work place, but about 5 mins away, if you remember the big wildfire that raged in the hills above LA (yeah I know which one) the one that went on for like three weeks. Well this is just down stream from the area that was vvery badly burned. Now they are worried about flash floods, so who knows if this spot will be here at the end of winter. Waffle and I feel lucky to have enjoyed it one sunny afternoon.

lots of laughs when I checked Facebook and found this posting from Ed Robinson of Barenaked Ladies. Enjoy

Happy "Bring your dog to work" day!

For Eggo

Ed Robinson, from Barenaked Ladies

Isn't She......

Pretty in Pink

Lani Babies!

Well not yet give it another 4 weeks.

I got the news from Lani's new family that she is indeed in the family way with 6-8 pups cooking at the moment. I've told Lani that we are putting our order in for a yellow girl and to get working on it. So let's hope it all works out. I think I might have to have her breeder keeper do a bit of advance work and check out all the pups for me. I'd just love another pup with Lani's temperment and joyful attitude towards life what ever the color.

So far so good, I am hoping for pictures once she starts 'showing'. I know that she will be happy about the increase in food she is allowed to have, I'm glad I'm not the one to break it to her that it is not forever.

here's to health mommies and big, fat, rolly polly puppies!

bye bye Shermie

so sad.....

I had to flip my GDB Calender and say good bye to Mr. September - Sherman. :(

Boo Boo

No not this type of Boo Boo

This type. BFF bought this special ice pack for me when I have owies. Something bit me on the eye (Carrie: will you now believe me when I tell you to stay out of the bamboo!!!???) and my eye swelled up. Not to worry my trusty ice pack had me all fixed up by bed time.

love ya,
Waffles

Jedi Mind powers vs Puppy Eyes

Waffle here, hanging out waiting for my daily walk trying to figure out how I can train my BFF to do more things that I want to do. You know like fill my bowl with carrots or to give me more space on my bed (read the bed that Carrie 'thinks' is hers), hold my chew toys and my dream- feed me on command.

I've tried two different methods so far. The first is a hold out from my younger days, the Sad Puppy Eyes. It works like this, wag the tail look at them with sooo much hope and love amp up the wattage and then let it all dim. Drop the tail, let your ears go limp and sad, and this is the important part--- hold that for a good 10 sec. You gotta hold it for maximum affect.

What do you think pretty good huh?

This one is a variation on puppy eyes, you add on a bit of sleepy puppy and you get this.

But some times it is just not enough. So I go with the Jedi Mind Powers, willing BFF to give me what I want. Clear your mind visualize your goal and focus the power of your mind on what you want. Some times I concentrate so hard my lips get all scrunchy. My big sister Tacoma could wake people up out of a dead sleep, just with Jedi Mind power. The peeps said she would get up early and sit and stare at them willing them to wake up and play with her. They said they would feel like someone was staring at them roll over and they'd be nose to nose with Taco Bell herself. A bit freaky. But she really had mind control down to a snap.

I was just a pup when she and I met and I didn't fully appreciate the gems she was passing on to me. I was still costing on adorable cuteness. *sigh* youth is wasted on the young.

Right now, I'm having better luck with puppy eyes, but what works for you my e-puppy-pals. Post your best face on your blogs.

Tell me what you think Jedi mind power or Puppy Eyes

Love Ya,
Waffles

Wiggle Waggle Walk

Today we took part in the Pasadena Humane Society Wiggle Waggle Walk. It's a funday/5k walk. It has been pretty hot here, and sure enough this morning at 9am it was almost 86 degrees. The whole day was pretty hot, a lot of pups went on strike and just laid down. Waffle and Marie seemed to find nice cool dirt piles to lay in. *sigh*

Waffle after the walk cooling off in the shade, she really didn't appreciate it when I poured water on her head.
They had demos here are the dogs from the Pasadena PD' K9 unit

arrrrrrgggggggg

There were hundreds of dogs all shapes and sizes. Lately Waffle has seemed a little heavy when she plops down on me in the morning. She still has a waist and you can feel her ribs, but she has picked up 4 lbs in the past year.
BUT comparatively a 56 lb lad next to 150 lb St.Bernard not a big deal. Look at Waffle's eyes she really isn't sure she wants to be next to this boy.

After the walk at home all pooped out. But if you notice we scored a few new collars at the fun fair.

I wanted something girly looking, people are totally afraid of a black dog, esp. when she is in a halti.

and of course I had to have one for my favorite time of year!

Who is Marie you ask? This is my friend's new pup. She is just 5 months and is about as tall as Waffle. I'm trying to get her to understand that she will be a big dog and that she needs to get a hand on this cute puppy b4 she becomes an out of control dog. You really can't tell other people how to raise their dog anymore than you can tell people how to raise their kids.

hope you all had a good weekend.

picture post

Doggy pool party at our leader's house. Nisha our Olympic swimmer about to enjoy a dip in the jacuzzi

Dogs are color blind, but she really loved this blue boat. There was a pink one and she tried to herd both in the pool , but the blue was her choice.

Nisha and Arlo, who really didn't see the allure of the pool

Our newest baby Zeb, he is a Kentucky pup

"must stay awake, can't stop playing...."

"zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

Dumbo ummm errr I mean Palmetto another Kentucky Pup. He was a butt at the party so he spent it on tie down.

Waffle and her BFF Nisha

*gasp* could Waffle be showing interest in water?

Waffle: "hell no, I'm just trying to tell Nisha people pee in the pool"

Waffle, Gracie, and Tamika- I think

Hats look familiar?

why I don't like hats

'nuf said.

We're Back!!

l-r : Tamika, Nisha and Waffle

After a nice long break from blogging, I'm back in the land of DSL. It was kind of nice to disconnect. I was able to read a few blogs but because there was only one computer and 47 people who wanted to use it I kind of opted out of being wired this summer. after a few withdrawal symptoms I was able to move on and enjoy the great outdoors.

So for the 1st time in 3 summers there was no dog at camp this summer :( sadness. Our CRF is from the less is more school, so I was not able to steal a pup for a visit to camp. We all missed the four legged counselor. But the hope is next summer we will be able to have a little fuzz ball back in a staff tie and on the job.

To make up for the lack of dogs, over labor day weekend I agreed to dog sit for a few friends. Waffle's best friend Nisha was with us for a while so that her mom could recover from a little spill she took at funday. Waffle is such a stand offish pup so I'm shocked that she has taken to Nisha. They have had their moments but in the end they really are buds.

Tamika on the other hand..... well not so much. The extent of Waffle's fondness for Nisha became apparent when Tamika came for the long weekend. Let me first say that Tamika is just 5 months old and an only puppy and maybe an only child in her family. She still has a trace of puppy breath and a tiny little tummy. Basically she is a cutie. AND she is brilliant. I was warned about this from her raiser, I guess when she was 4 months old she figured out that the little lever in the fridge door dispenses ice cubes. Not the one on the right, that sent a whole load of water on her, but the other provided nice crunchy cool treats. Smart girl

But Nisha and Tamika don't really play well together. Nisha tends to horde all the toys and being bigger than Tamika ends up with most of the toys. Tamika likes to share her toys and gets up set when Nisha won't play nice. Anyway both girls were wrestling over control of a nyla the usual stuff nothing crazy, but then Waffle jumps in --- not like you think. No we didn't have WWF smack down, growling and barking, Waffle starts to lecture them- no lie. As they move around the room so does she growling barking, never stepping into the fight, just voicing her opinion. I'm in her mind she was in the fight. We think she was sticking up for Nisha - her dog - but at first it looked like she was lecturing both of them. Sorry I didn't have my camera it was really funny.

Here is Waffle, tired of the two girls, hiding on the sofa.