GDB Fun Day

It is Guide Dog Fun day again!!!

This is one of the highlights of my summer. All the GDB puppies gather together on the San Rafael Campus and have a busy day of learning, playing, and connecting with new and old friends. Mom and I and Gotham piled in the car early Saturday morning and headed down to GDB Headquarters.

When we saw the campus full of raisers and puppies all gathered together catching up. We saw Sarah who raised Hansel’s sister Hominy who informed us that Hominy was graduating that afternoon!!! So exciting! Then we looked around the little booths and got some new bow ties for Gotham so he would look dashing every ware he went.

After that it was time for out littermate meeting! This is a time where all the littermates of your puppies litter gather together to meet, share personalities, and of course pictures.  Even Gotham’s mom Bloomer came out to say hi. The puppies that were there were (left to right) Gonzalo, Galileo, Garman, Gotham, Gwen and Bloomer (Mom) in the middle. Gotham and Gonzalo are twins! There are both dominant, head strong, stubborn, observant, puppies. They are difficult dogs to train. The other puppies don’t seem to be that way but they all love to play especially with each other. Bloomer wanted nothing to do with her puppies especially the crazy boys.

After lunch we watch sever presentation on the whelping kennels and R+ training. We learned a lot and enjoyed seeing all our GDB friends. The last presentation of the day was the graduation ceremony which is so magical. Hansel’s sister Hominy looked amazing now that she was all grown up and an official Guide Dog for the Blind.  I am so proud to be a part of this organization.  

April

April was a busy month for me! The first weekend was Hansel’s Graduation which was just amazing! I was puppy sitting Prospect that weekend so we had 2 GDB puppies and Aspen while I was home in Folsom. Gotham and Prospect did great together and drove down to San Rafael with us for graduation.

Once I got back to Nevada I was a mess. I was missing Hansel and my Dad so much; I was emotional, and tired. I decided to take a day off work and just spend it alone with God.  I am so glad I did! I went for a big hike and saw beautiful wild flowers that were blooming. I defiantly needed that time to rest and have good quiet time.

The next weekend I went rock climbing with Kim’s family. That was awesome! We went to a place out in the desert called pig rock and set up our ropes. This was my first time top roping on a natural rock. The first time I climbed up I only made it half way and got stuck. Then with more determination I went up again just before we were leaving and adjusted my rout slightly and made it to the top! I was so excited and exhausted after. Gotham came too and he loved eating sticks, weeds, and gravel.

 

Easter weekend Gotham turned 6 months and looks so handsome with his little bow tie. I got to be with my family for Easter and celebrated it with Dana’s Family (Drew’s GF). I was in all black because I was painting on stage during the morning services. That was such an amazing step of faith that was so fun! I got to be on stage surrounded by the band painting our interpretation of rejoicing. It totally sparked my creativity bug and I will be painting more especially with Arts Camp coming up.

That afternoon we took the puppies to Lake Natoma to go for a swim. Gotham is still unsure about if he likes the water or not. He did a big bunny hop in and then right back out. It took me a while to get him to just stand there. Maybe this summer he will change his mind.

The last weekend in April a storm came and brought with it snow and rain. I decided to head over the mountain the morning after which left me with an evening of no plans. So I made cheese! It was super easy a quart of milk, ¼ c vinegar and cheese cloth! The morning after the storm was absolutely beautiful! In Reno the hills were slightly green, the trees were putting out their baby leaves and the mountains were topped with a new dusting of white snow. You could smell the freshness and hear the birds delight in the sun shine. It couldn’t have been better!

Good Bye Hansel

On December 15th, 2013 I had to bring Hansel back to Guide Dog for the Blind Headquarters in San Rafael California. I had him for almost a full year from the time he was a tiny puppy until he was a poised confident dog ready for his next adventure. It was so hard to leave him but I knew he was going to do great! He was more interested in the new toys that hung from the ceiling than saying goodbye to me. That night was so hard! I could feel an empty void in the back of my car as I drove home. I collapsed in tears because I missed him so much! He had become my best friend over the last year and will always have a special place in my heart.

While he was there I got to watch his progress on the phase report that came out every Thursday. I was so worried about him passing medical checks but he flew through them no problem! Once he was in a class he wasted no time in learning 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8! A phase each week! I got the letter that he was in class and then graduating on April 5^th 2014. I found out that he got paired with a man named Dan who lives in Canada. WOW a fingerprint of God right there. When I brought Hansel home I put him on the bed so my dad (DAN) could see him. My dad loved it! Shortly after that he passed away. Now Hansel is paired with Dan. They are a perfect match. Hansel walks super fast in his harness and Dan loves it. Dan loves that Hansel is a lap dog and cuddles with him every night. I am so proud of my Little Man and how well he has done. I am so happy that he is with Dan and how much Dan loves him. Even though it is hard to let him go I know that my little puppy is changing Dan’s life every day!

Congratulations Hansel & Dan!!!