Life is better

When you give

My Last day of School!

Schools out! Yeah! I thought I'd show you where I work. Next week I get to go to camp so I had to say 'see ya' to all my pals at work.

Everyday I start at the top of the stairs and visit my friends at the student bank. They are the nice people who give me lots of love and my BFF money so she can buy me new toys (like a new wishbone - hint hint)

After I go down the stairs I visit my pals in the bookstore. BFF tries to hold me back but I know the way. My pal has a toy for me that she keeps in her desk just for ME!

BFF's office is in charge of running graduation so I helped hand out cap and gowns. Since I couldn't be there for graduation, I got my own special graduation cap.

I tried to look happy but please I'm wearing another hat.

Here is one of my good pals, not sure how I make it through the day with out him.

Lamby keeps me company and is a nice snuggle bunny- he was a gift from my Uncle Tim. When at work I sleep under BFF's desk it is kind of like my own little playhouse. I sleep a little, chew a little but always keep an ear open for my favorite friends. All day I hear "TRUFFIE!!" or "Is Truffie here today?" so of course I have to pop my head out to say hello and dispense kisses.

And here is my special spot, the gardeners were so nice to make this little secluded spot just so I can do my business in private. You can see the circle in the picture at the top of the post. Things are pretty quite, most of my friends were busy with school and I had lots of work helping with graduation so it wasn't the most exciting day - next fall we'll post pictures.

tootles

Truffie

Carrie: Don't know why blogger flipped the picture, I am also trying to upload a video I took during our visit to the bookstore. It was during finals and someone pulled a fire alarm so we all had to evacuate. The noise was horrible ! I was so worried that she would freak out but she was just soo pre-occupied with seeing her friends and all the activity that I don't think she noticed the sirens. So that makes me hopeful for her future.

cheek to cheek

Sulking

Does anyone else have this issue?

Waffle's tail is all in a twist. I just put flea treatment on her. To keep her from rolling around and putting that junk all over the house, I locked her in her kennel. When mom went in to say goodnight Waffle refused to even look at her. I tried and got the same 'tude. I know she dosen't like the flea junk, but after I put it on she got a litte p'nut butter apple as a treat.

anyone else have a dog with an attitude?

I voted

7 months and counting

Hey remember ME? Truffie? The one who this blog is supposed the be about, not that other dog - fancy toes humph. Especially today because I'm 7 months! Yeah Me! Who knew that I'd get so big! Back when I was a pup I guess I was a little chunky money


Now I'm sleek and svelt. My legs are long and stretchy and my tail is nice and waggy. How's your tail? Mine wags on it's own, when I'm happy my tail waggs my rear end. When I'm sleepy just the tip of my tail waggs. Some times my tail goes in a circle and some times it waggs in my sleep (bff- tells me it does).


Enough about my tail, here I am at Costo, we were there for our club outting yesterday.



We met up with lots of friends - including my big brother Zeb, he is 13months old and a bit jumpy. Don't know why- maybe it had to do something with me nibbling on his toes.

Anyway I'm a big girl now, If you notice I have my big girl collar on, and my big girl jacket, it's branda new! People say I'm small what do you think? 19 inches tall and a whooping 40 lbs - I feel big, I think big and snore big too.

Since it is my day, I thought I'd share 7 thngs I like:

1. snuggling with my mom
2. playing with my jolly ball
3. wagging my tail
4. ice cubes
5. belly rubs
6. my nyla wishbone
7. gardening

Happy month day to me (come on sing with me)
Happy Month day to me
Happy Month day dear Truffle (that's me!)
Happy Month day to ME!!!!

The day Truffle melted

At work yesterday, I had a run through for graduation and I took Truffle with me. My office runs the show and this time we are recognizing Japanese Americans who were forced to leave PCC during WWII due to Internment. So we were leading folks around showing the volunteers where people will be sitting and what to do ect.... anyway we were walking up into the football stands and Truffie starts doing the hot foot dance. Poor baby it was a sunny day and the stands are metal. I had looked at them and was more concerned about her tearing a paw on a jagged corner, thats when I noticed the little jig she was doing. I scooped her up and little paws and bum were a bit warm. I felt bad - because it was sad but funny! I grabbed her right away but the 1st one or two shuffles looked like she was doing a dance. Lucky no one laughed at her dance and she got lots of love.

She was so good just snuggling in my arms (all 40lbs of her) while we finished our tour, she was great the rest of the tour, walking on the field and taking a snooze when conversations ran long. I've been really good about testing the concrete to make sure it's not too hot for her paws, but I didn't think yesterday was that hot.

so puppies beware summer is here.

Her Color?

Remember me?

Here is a picture of baby Nisha, well big girl Nisha decided that being a Guide Dog is not for her, she was career changed this week for fear of children and non-lab type dogs. Weird huh....who knew that dogs would be afraid of different types of dogs. Makes sense she really was only exposed to labs and goldens- all of whom had been in some sort of service training program. I guess its like she has been in private school her whole life and doesn't know how to relate to 'normal dogs'.

the numbers of clean

1. wash two dogs


2. wash two loads of dog towels


3. wash tub out (twice)


4. wash one load of dog sheets (twice)


5. clean 4 dog ears


6. brush 64 teeth


7. wash two halti's


8. wash two dog collars


9. sweeping fur off floor - 10 mins


10. snuggle with two clean labradors

now on to my own laundry!

Foods poisonous to pets

Ok I knew about onions, chocolate and grapes. But Avocado and Mac nuts? who knew? Yeast dough makes sense - but I guess folks don't really think. Lucky for us we can all Guide Dogs, but it is still nice to have the ASPCA number handy for the times when your freakin' out! - found this on Yahoo
enjoy - Carrie and the sleepy Waffle

(Photo: Getty Images)

We all know that pets aren’t supposed to have people food. But let’s face it, sometimes, it happens…something falls on the floor when you’re cooking dinner, and Buddy is quickly there, vacuuming up the crumbs, or Felix steels something off the plate when you aren’t looking…

There are some healthy “people foods” for pets (only small amounts– not replacements for pet food). But there are also many foods that can be dangerous to our feline friends and canine companions.

Here is a handy list of the top common foods that are toxic to your pet along with tips on what to do if your pet happens to get a hold of any of these substances.

Avocado

Avocado

While many pet owners say they feed their pets avocados with no problems, studies have shown that their leaves, fruit, seeds and bark can contain a toxin called Persin. According to the ASPCA, the Guatemalan variety, which is commonly found in stores, contains the most toxicity.

Onions, onion powder, chives and garlic

These all can lead to gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage. All forms of onion can cause problems including dehydrated onions, raw and cooked onions. Cats are more susceptible than dogs, but it can be toxic to both.

Grapes

Grapes and raisins

These can be toxic to dogs and cause kidney failure. Researchers say there are still many unknowns about the toxicity of grapes and raisins, including whether only certain types of dogs are affected, but it is advised not to feed grapes or raisins to dogs in any amount.

Yeast dough

Dough that is not cooked and contains yeast can rise in your pet’s stomach, causing pain, and can potentially cause the intestines to rupture. This risk diminishes once the dough is cooked.

Bones

Left-over bones

Left-over bones pose a choking hazard to pets, and they can also splinter and puncture your pet’s gut or intestine. Additionally, do not feed your pet undercooked meat or eggs, as they can contain harmful bacteria.

Foods with a high salt or fat content

Excessive fats can cause upset stomach and potentially inflame the pancreas causing pancreatitis. Salty foods can pose a risk for the development of sodium ion toxicosis, according to the ASPCA. Be aware that if your pet gets into food with a high fat or salt content, she could experience stomach problems including diarrhea and vomiting.

Chocolate

Chocolate, coffee, alcohol

According to the ASPCA, the substances in chocolate, coffee, and caffeine, methlxanthines, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, and potentially death in pets. The higher the cocoa percentage, the more dangerous the chocolate is, making dark chocolate more toxic than milk or white chocolate. All these products can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even death.

Sugarless candies (products sweetened with xylitol)

This compound can cause liver damage and even death in some more vulnerable dogs. Xylitol is in many products including gum, candy, sugar-free cookies and toothpaste.

Macadamia nuts

These nuts can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Symptoms generally last up to two days, and usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion.

What do you do if your pet ate something poisonous? If your animal is having seizures or losing consciousness, bring him or her to your veterinarian or emergency vet center. If your pet is not showing symptoms, but ingested something potentially toxic, call the ASPCA hotline at (888) 426-4435. Have the following information available: the species, breed, age, sex, weight, and information about the product exposure. It is best to have the package of the product available for reference

Taco Bell

Taco after a long hike and at her 1st birthday


Taco Bell's people work at the same place as I do. They also believe in keeping in contact, so I get treated to regular visits from my problem child. So today I got to give ear squidgies and kisses to my lovely girl. She is still slim and trim, with her long beautiful legs. I wish I could be Taco, her peeps are taking her up to Mammoth for holidays. Cross country skiing and cozy naps by the fire. What a life!

New rules for animals weighed - News

New rules for animals weighed - News

Truffie made the student newspaper, page 4 -- and they mis-quote and take stuff out of context. oh well I tell myself it is a student newspaper. Plus they burry her cute little face behind the story who our new college president could be who cares! A cute lab should be front page news.

Out and About

by Truffle

I haven't really been talkin' much about what I've kind of busy - practicing being a guide dog is hard work! So last week I was telling BFF that I wanted to do something else besides work and next thing I know I'm loaded up into the car and off we went.

So the peeps went to Soup Plantation for lunch - just look at the carnage on the table, food - food everywhere but not a crumb for me. :(

this might be familiar to my fellow PIT's the peeps up top hogging all the food and here I am stuck under the table, suffering..... gee don't I look like I'm suffering. Quick someone should call GDB


After lunch on our way to who knows where, I ran into a friend. Her name is Java and she comes from the Seeing Eye. She was really cool, I was afraid that being a German Shepard that she wouldn't speak regular dog - but she did. In fact she is tri-lingual, she speaks regular dog, German and English. Yeah her people gave her directions in German! she is really smart, you know how I know? 'Cuz all she wanted to do was play with me! Even though she was harnessed up Java's person let her meet and greet and I snuck in a little kiss


Don't forget to bring your re-usable bag


Pudding? Pudding? where is she? (family joke)

Not another store!

ok- people, I need a nap

I mean when you are only 19 inches this is the only view you get, kind of on the dull side

Yeah let's wiggle waggle our way home

Happy Mommy Day!

Happy Mommy Day

I have lots of 'Moms' but I want to send a big slurpy kiss to my favorite dog-mom who is pregnant with her second round of pups. HOPE you feel good and they are all as good pups just like ME!

Love and licks to my hu-mom too. There is no one else I want to cuddle up next to.
love Truffie

working hard or hardly working?

both of them snuggled up with their toys - napping after a hard day of..... well of napping

The Fur will fly

We tried to furminate Truffie the other day, but she didn't like it. She actually jumped up on top of Waffle who was on the sofa to get away. So I tried the shedding blade on her with a bit more sucess.

A couple of days ago I wrote a post about Waffle and Truffle's snoring. Well I found the commercial.

Dumb A** people should not be allowed to own dogs

This is a RANT

The socialization we do with the dogs should be required of all dog owners.

Tonight I was walking Waffle around our local park thinking about writing a post about how much I love our park in the summer and spring. There is year round softball which means the park is lit until 11pm, but in the spring and summer it is filled with tons of interesting people doing interesting things.

Well one of those interesting things attacked Waffle. We were walking our usual route when we came across this man walking his chocolate lab, I asked if they could meet and he said yes, there was another couple there with their little fluffy yappy dog (this couple ALWAYS picks up their dog when they see us walking by) down on the ground talking to the man and his dogs, so I figured the dogs where safe. The chocolate approached Waffle and then lunges and starts barking and snapping. Waffle, who was at my side backed up behind me, the dog jumps forward. I am trying to avoid his teeth, I back up trip over Waffle and fall into the street on top of Waffle.

Lucky for us neither one of us was hurt and this jerk is apologizing and I say 'hey if your dog is violent - don't take him in public' he says 'he's not' - which stops me cold, I wanna say 'what the bleep was that! Instead I just walk away until we are far enough away and check Waffle out. She was fine, in fact she was a little peeved that I wouldn't let her do her usual sniff of the park. I just finished the lap we were on and took her home - none worse for the experience.

After I had imagined all the evil things I would like to do to that fool, it occurred to me just how vital all the socialization we do with the dogs is. Waffle walks well around the park, not pulling and responding when I call her. I can let her meet kids, and she walks calmly when they ride their bikes, skateboards and scooters around her. She meets and greets other dogs appropriately, but I can not tell you how many of the other dogs at the park will lunge and bark as we go by. I don't blame the dog, but I should have known something was up, the dog had on a harness. I find that at this park most of the dogs who are out of control have harnesses on, their owners are digging in while their dogs are on their hind legs desperate to make our acquaintance. I think their owners think it will give them better control of their animals. We greet very few dogs at the park because I'm afraid of a fight, and actually this is the third time we've had some dog come up attack Waffle. I used to wonder why this guy in my neighborhood takes his walks with a piece of water hose, but after I had a lose dog come up and jump Waffle it made a lot of sense.

Had either of us been hurt, I would have sued to have his animals taken from him, people like that shouldn't be allowed to have animals.

how did I get so lucky?

so there is this mobile phone commercial with this man and a dog both laying on their back snoring away. The tag line is the woman using her cell phone to share the sounds with her friends "I know how did I get so lucky"

I'm sitting here, one dog on the sofa one on the dog bed listening to alternating snores....how did I get so lucky?