Thousands of people... and one little dog

Yep, that's me - I'm the "one little dog".
I went to some HUGE convention for a WHOLE day. Yes, a all day event!
I was the most popular dog their (well, the only one too...). I had lots of furry fun and even convinced my raiser to buy me a toy! (a baby toy - which we turned into a dog toy).

To get from parking to the convention it's self, we had to ride a shuttle.

And it was my first shuttle ride ever. (All I did was sleep...).

All in all I enjoyed myself, everybody loved me, I behaved like a champ - and my raiser is so furry proud of me!

My raiser told many people about me & the guide dog program (handed out lots of SEGDI info too!).

Though I slept through the whole event, I still think it was quite fun and I'm glad my raiser decided to take me!
Since I was so furry sleepy my raiser did carry me most of the day... but whenever she stopped at a table, I always got put down on the ground... and I slept :)

(She did try letting me walk - but with thousands of human feet walking around... she decided I was a "little" to young still!)

She took a couple pictures - see below and enjoy!
Thanks to all who are leaving comments on my bloggy, sorry I'm not commenting back! My raiser hopes to show me around some other blogs soon :)

P.S. Like my new header picture... ??

Rudy

The dog with a blog

Books make me sleepyLots of feet make me... sleepy

Lunch time for my raiser... sleep time for me!

My first shuttle ride!

My First Post

Furry kisses everybody!
I'm Rudy, a male black Goldador - age 9 weeks!
I'm the cutest pup in town - and will soon be the smartest (hopefully!).
(I know you already have "met" me - but this is my very furry first post!)

So, I'm kinda new at this "blogging" stuff, I hope it's okay :)

My raiser says I'm doing really good so far, crate training, obedience AND housebreaking!

I hope to keep up with ALMOST daily posts and hopefully you guys will keep reading my furry cute posts!
Let me know what you think of my blogging skills!

I'm sorry my raiser hasn't been visiting any blogs lately... she keeps saying that I'M taking up her time, I think I'm just a excuse though...

Enjoy the pictures of me at my first Zumba class!

Rudy - The dog with a blog

Rudy's Wordless Wednesday

Training is going sooo well!


Rudy's Raiser
The human with a dog that has a blog

Outings with Rudy (complete with PICTURES!)

Yesterday was our first day with Rudy.

Of course we headed off to town for shopping time :)

Rudy has a VERY sweet temperament and is calm and quiet.

For the first couple months of a raising a guide dog puppy, you are allowed (if wanted) to let it receive affection in coat (to learn that the coat is a good thing). Rudy is very sweet with children and is the calmest thing! (see pictures below).

I've already had many comments on how well we've trained him... to bad I can't take much credit for it!

With him being only 9 weeks old we can't wait to find out how is temperament will be as he gets older, so far he has been the calmest pup I've had!

I'm very happy we have all of you guys out there to follow our adventures and we look forward to sharing many good times together!

Housebreaking & crate training has been going very well. And so far in public he's been doing amazing!

Please enjoy all the pictures taken yesterday of our outings!
Rudy will be posting on the blog in the next couple days, I know you look forward to that :)

P.S. I do hope to visit some of your blogs in the next day or so... if "time" lets me...

Rudy's Raiser

The human with a dog that has a blog

Shopping carts are the way to go! (For the first couple outings we use shopping carts - not jumping straight into walking through the entire store!)

You can tell he is quite fazed by this girl...

Please Welcome:

RUDY!!

We picked up Rudy at 9pm, he is the sweetest and calmest pup (for now) that I know!

We found out that he's not just black... his real color is: A Black AND tan puppy.... which means?

He has "a little bit" of tan markings on his legs!
He did wonderfully in the crate last night - a little bit of crying, but soon realized it doesn't get him anywhere.

I would have posted last night - but 11pm was a little too late for me :)

I will give a real update on Rudy (with lots of pictures) soon - but for now enjoy the couple taken last night/this morning!

P.S. Rudy feels very sad that NOT A SINGLE blogger guesses his name :( But you guys did have some great guesses!

Rudy's Raiser

The human with a dog that has a blog

(Movie of Rudy playing with his puppy toys in the large dog crate)

Last Chance!

TODAY is your last chance to get your guesses in for the Name Game.
So far - NO ONE has guessed it (out of all 48 comments... not a single person has guessed the name!).
You have 'til Midnight TONIGHT (Saturday May 22nd 2010) to get your guesses in. That is in TWO HOURS.
Hop over to the Name Game post to learn more. (clue - the name is FOUR letters long)

Tomorrow the blog's name will change... you will never see the title "Toby's life... as a guide dog in training" anymore. It will change. It will be hard deleting Toby's name and replacing it with the new puppy's name, but tomorrow it will be done.

PUPPY COMES TOMORROW! :) :)

Toby's Raiser
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

A Clue... (still a chance to win the prize!)

Want a clue?
I found out my puppy's name today... yes, I KNOW MY PUPPY'S NAME!




I checked all the comments (and the list I made) - and not a one of you bloggers' out there guessed it!


So... haven't guessed yet? Go to the Name Game post and leave 5 name guesses in a comment (make sure they haven't been guessed already!).


I promise NONE of the names that have already been guessed are it.


Have you already voted your fav 5 names? Think it's a little unfair that you didn't wait 'til now?


Well, since I'm feeling really good today - and want to giveaway the prize still...


Go to the Name Game post and leave in the comment 2 other names - that haven't been guessed already :)

Got it?
Haven't guessed yet - go the the page and leave FIVE name guesses
Have already guessed before today - go the the page and leave TWO name guesses



Yes, you can use some of the names that have been used - just note that any names BEFORE today ARE NOT the new puppy's name. (want a chance of winning - don't chose any of the names that were posted)
So there is you clue and whether you've guessed or not - go back and do it again :)
(two if you've done it - 5 if you haven't).


Make sure to look at the post below this one - as I did a update on Brax today.
Have fun guessing - any questions? Feel Free to ask!


P.S. One other clue... it is a FOUR letter name :)

Note - if it wasn't clear - the clue was NONE of the names guessed so far are it. If you go leave a comment on the post right now - that doesn't count, as this post was done before the comment. So as of right now NONE of the names on the post are it. (The other clue was it is a FOUR letter name - these are the only 2 clues in the post, there isn't a hidden one!)

Toby's Raiser
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

What four letter name goes with one of these?

Remember Him?

Brax was the first guide dog puppy I raised for SEGDI. (I received him back in 2006 - he returned to the school in Jan. 2008).
He was also one of the fastest dogs to go through training. (Training is normally 6-8 months).
When Brax passed his medicals and started training (end of Feb.) he had 2 1/2 months of training... and then was placed with a blind lady!
No he wasn't ready to be matched - he was actually pulled out of training to be placed with a lady who couldn't find a match.
He was already zipping through training, so when they did decide to place him, he got extra training in little time.
The comments on him from different handlers was "He knows what to do and always tries to please".
Brax was a great dog. And with him being the first dog I raised, it made me really proud to hear that he graduated!
I didn't get to attend graduation (puppy raiser day), as his new owner had to leave 1 day early.
I've still not been able to meet with Brax's new owner - I hope to sometime soon.
If Toby ends up graduating, we may make a trip out to visit Brax "on the way" to see Toby.
Though I don't talk to his new owner that often - when I remember I do make a point to call her up sometimes and get a "little" update.
Last time I talked on the phone with her was back in Feb. 2010. Then is when she gave me her new email address, so we could talk more frequently.
When I sent her an email back in Feb. I never got a response, she had gone out of town that week and when returned the email happened to have been looked over.
I never tried sending another one, I just kept forgetting!
When Toby passed his medicals, I sent out a email to my address book. She happened to be saved in the book and that email was sent to her.
A couple days later I received a email from Brax's owner:

"Congratulations!! That's two under your belt. I hope he's as wonderful as Brax is.
Brax is doing wonderfully. It's hard to believe he's been here for two years.

His older little brother is having problems. He was diagnosed with enlargement of the heart six months ago, and just was diagnosed with cancer. He has another six months with us at the most. Brax really loves him, and I know he'll grieve as much as the rest of the family will.

We're going to the *** convention in **** this weekend. Ugh!! Ten hours on the bus each way! Brax will do fine. It's his human who probably won't!
Talk to you soon!"

I was so excited to read this from her. Of course the part about Brax's "Brother" (her other dog - I think it's her retired guide) was quite sad. I really hope that have some good "last times" together.

I have asked her to write a little something for the blog (she used to do that a couple times a year). But since she is heading out of town today/tomorrow I know she won't have time 'til next week sometime. (I'll make sure to post it when I receive it).
Though it wasn't much of an update, it was still great to hear from her. I'm so proud of my boy and hope he continues to be a great help in her family.
I did get her address so I could send something to Brax. Want to know what?
A BIRTHDAY GIFT!
Yep, Brax's birthday is coming up quickly. He will be FOUR YEARS on June 3rd!
So... I went to PetSmart, bought him some goodies - and I'll be making some homemade dog cookies soon. Then I'll ship out the birthday box. (also, whoever wins the "Name Game" will be receiving some homemade cookies for their special dog!).

Have a great Friday, just heard today that I'm picking up the puppy REALLY late Sunday... maybe I'll do a post Monday morning instead :)

Toby's Raiser
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

Me... Do a Review?

That's exactly what I thought when I received a email, asking if I'd like to do a review or giveaway on one of the products from their store.

I've been scanning their stores, and have come across some very nice things.
Many items have caught my eye.

If I had the money I would definitely be interested in one of their sectional sofas. They are so lovely and some even come with free shipping!
Of course I need to stop dreaming - I don't think the review/giveaway can be for a sectional sofa, but that doesn't stop me from viewing them!

On to a different topic - they do have a pet store. Compete with cute dog toys, nice leash/collars and even fancy indoor dog "crates"! (I'd call them homes).

When they asked which I'd like to do (a review or giveaway), I was planning on choosing a giveaway.
But since I've just done one of those recently (and currently doing the "Name Game" - with a prize), I decided to do a review instead.
And with the new guide dog puppy coming, I can always use more pet items!

I am quite excited over the fact that I was asked to do a review - and I can't wait!
I'll be sure to fill you guys in when I know more - and yes you will be seeing some pictures of the product I review; most likely being tested out by my new puppy (which comes THIS Sunday!).

So keep your eyes out for a review post - but for now, go check out their pet store (I've noticed that a lot of their items come with free shipping - I LOVE free shipping!).
And if you want, feel free to view their sofas, maybe you will find a sectional sofa you like - feel free to tell me all about it :)

Happy viewing and I'll be posting a little update about Brax tomorrow!


Toby's Raiser
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog



My lovely boy!

(almost) Wordless Wednesday

This is not a last time picture of Toby - this is a picture of Brax and I back in 2007.
(Brax was the first dog I raised - he graduated as a working guide in 2008).
Just thought I would change up "Wordless Wednesday" a little - and not do a "last time" picture of Toby (like I've been doing).

I've talked to Brax's owner recently - so stay tune for an update!

Toby's Raiser
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

I look so young and Brax looks so old!

Shopping is FUN!

Yep, it's that time again.

Puppy comes THIS Sunday, so I had to go "puppy shopping" - yes HAD to :)
Picking out a matching leash and collar and some cute "useful" puppy toys!

(already have the health/grooming items, various dog treats, bed, crate, bowels, food (which we are picking up "with" the puppy) and a couple other items).
The one main thing I still need is a...

NAME TAG.

Which I can't get yet - as I have no idea what his name is!

But all those awesome name ideas for the Name Game I did sounds pretty cool - I betcha one of those is his name! (which is still going - you have 'til Saturday night to enter - hop right over and guess some names - you may win a prize!)

Only one problem - I have OVER 130 name guesses, don't know which one it is!

Since my dog isn't here yet - I'll leave you with some pictures of the puppy's items!

(Don't forget to head over to the Name Game post and pick your fav 5 names!)

P.S. I talked to Brax's owner this morning - post coming soon! (New followers: Brax was the first puppy I raised for SEGDI, he passed rather quickly as a guide dog, and has been working for the past 2 years in FL)

Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter

The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

Shopping - my fav thing!

Blues go good together - and they are all fun puppy toys!

He will need some stuffies to cuddle with!

We all need "cute & fun" toys!
These are SO CUTE!

Great fun - and good for the puppy!

You can never have to many treats :)

I LOVE this collar & leash!

Who Wants a PRIZE??

Hey guys!
Didn't see my last post? Make sure to visit it. As you could WIN A PRIZE!!

Yes, I finally got the "name game" rules finished... and posted.
But only have 14 comments - and I have 145 followers... so check out the post to enter, as I know there are many more out there!
(You know you want to win the HOMEMADE dog bone bar of goat milk soap... made when Toby was still here!)
So jump right over to the name game post to comment with your 5 fav male puppy names!

Happen to pick my new doggy's name? You will win one dog bone bar of goat milk soap!
(I will do a drawing if there is more than one winner).

So hurry over to the post & leave your 5 winning names!

I will be reminding you guys over the next couple days - you have till THIS Saturday at midnight to enter... SO HURRY!
Name Game Post

(please note that the goat milk soap is for HUMANS only - not dogs, I may include a yummy treat bag for the dog!)

P.S. I did some "shopping" today for my new puppy - I have a new leash/collar, lots of awesomely fun toys and yummy treats - pictures coming soon :)

I'm going to head over to my "name game" post and guess 5 names (though I'm not going to give myself the bar of soap!). Just so I can have some fun in the guessing too!

Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

You could win it!

Name Game (WITH A PRIZE!)

Think you have what it takes to pick my new puppy's name??

You have FIVE chances to guess my dogs name.
Try to pick 5 that will match a cute MALE black goldador.

They can be any random name - just note that people are paying $3500 to name a puppy... so each name has a lot of thought & meaning.

To enter:
1). Leave ONE comment on this post - with the 5 names that you chose
2). You have from NOW until midnight on Saturday to leave that comment... so get commenting!
It is THAT easy!

I will be publishing comments when I receive them (feel free to check back to make sure your comment gets published - as blogger likes to "eat" some).

I have decided to publish the comments when I get them, so (if you want) you can look over the names other bloggers' picked - so you don't choose the same ones (more of a chance that someone wins).
(Yes you may use the same name as another blogger - if you want)

IF a blogger happens to have picked the right dog name they will be receiving a prize... !
You will win 1 bar of my dog bone homemade goat milk soap! (picture below).
If more than 1 blogger picked the right name - I will do a drawing to pick the 1 winner.

Have any questions? Feel free to pop me an email at: guidedogawarenessATyahooDOTcom.

I will be posting reminders - just in case you decide not to enter right away.

Remember: 1 comment with FIVE guesses (or less), you may also add a reason of why you picked certain names or a meaning to go with them (if you'd like).

Ready... START NAMING!

(Please note that I DO NOT know my dogs name yet - and most likely won't find out until Saturday/Sunday)

Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog



This could be YOURS!

Toby Won a Giveaway!

Back when GABE was going (last month) Toby was still here.

One of the blogs he visited was the We Three Doxies.
Toby left a comment on their giveaway post - and though he wasn't here to find out, he WON their giveaway!
The giveaway was for:
Some of Albert's fluff
A coffee mug with the GABE logo on it
And a 8x10 glossy photo of Puddles
She was kind enough to ALSO include some yummy looking treats for the new guide dog puppy!

Thanks so much Puddles for this awesome package, my new puppy will truly love the treats - and I'm already loving that coffee mug :)
Puddles, I'm thinking about framing the photo of you with Albert's fluff... hope you don't mind!

Still working on the name game rules and post- sorry for the wait! I'll go ahead and leak one rule... you can have up to FIVE names picked... so start thinking!
Enjoy the pictures of the gifts, no doggies in them - sorry!

(P.S. I'm a little behind on visiting your blogs - sorry! I hope to catch up in a couple days!)

Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

Toby Update - Once More! Report Card Style!

***NOTE: (Haven't read my last post? Please back up and read it before continuing on - as I heard GOOD news about Toby yesterday!)***

So, Toby's my first pup that I will be getting "report cards" on.

Starting last year each month you will be sent a short and simple report card on his training.

Of course since he was just moved to the training kennel - and still needs to be neutered, his training isn't that great (and he has only started with a couple commands).
But I'm excited to be able to "hear" how is training is going through out the months!

Note to my sweet boy:
Dear Toby;
You made it through the first little bit of your test - the medicals. But now it's really time to shine, show all the other dogs what I taught you and become the BEST guide dog you can.
And please watch your grades - I don't want to get a phone call that you've been expelled.
Thank you,
Your Loving Raiser

Any updates I receive on Toby, I will be posting.
Name Game Rules coming soon :)
Have a awesome Friday and give you furry friends a hug for me!

Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog








*Please click on picture to make bigger*

NEWS, NEWS, NEWS, NEWS - PASSED, PASSED, PASSED!!

YES - TOBY HAS PASSED HIS HIP X RAYS - AND IS OFF TO START GUIDE DOG TRAINING!!
Email just received:

"Good Morning

Good news this morning – Toby has passed his hip x rays and will continue into the training program – he has not been selected as a breeder – but will go full swing into his guide dog training now. Thanks again for all you did in raising him.

All the best
Suz"

I am SO SO SO SO SO SO HAPPY!
Of course if the same thing that happened to Frankie happens to him... I won't be :(
(I was told she passed her hip x rays and started training - but the following day I got a phone call saying she was put out because of allergies- they had to get my all excited to just break me the following day).

I don't know when I will be getting another "update", but I'll let you know as soon as I find out!
Keep your fingers (AND PAWS!) crossed for Toby!!!!

Didn't read my last post? Make sure to check it out :)

Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog - and who's very happy!

News on Twitter?

So one of the SEGDI guide dog trainers' has a twitter account.

Though I don't do twitter, I'm always checking this lady's twitter - hoping to see Toby's name come up. (or maybe a picture!).

No I haven't heard anything about Toby on the account...

BUT this morning she wrote:

"We did the big kennel shuffle this a.m. Consolidated dogs so Receiving dogs can come down. Welcome to the Big House!"

I know Toby counts as a "receiving dog" - so I wonder if he's moving into the training kennel?? Maybe this means I will hear some news soon!!

Not much, but hey - any update is better than nothing at all!!

I will be figuring out the rules for the "name game" soon - so make sure to start coming up with some good names!

P.S. If you want to check out the SEGDI Trainer's twitter - click here.

Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter

The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

I miss my sweet boy!

(almost) Wordless Wednesday - Coco-Cola Icy

The Coco-Cola icy in the pictures below was the LAST Coco-Cola icy I had with Toby. (Yes I really took a picture of that!)
Anytime I went to Sam's Club I always bought a Coco-Cola icy - and Toby knew that! He would always make a "stop" at the food place just in case!!
Good luck Toby, can't wait to hear how you're doing!
(P.S. I have decided to do a "name game" so stay tune!)

Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

New Pup Update... and a NAME GAME??

You may notice below the list of Toby's followers I have a new "ticker" (count down gadget).
This was just added to count down the days 'till my new puppy comes!

I called today and found out "new puppy" will be arriving in my state Sunday evening on the 23rd!
I was hoping to pick him up next Thursday, but the family who will be bringing up the litter happens to be vacationing down in FL right around that time - and will be leaving Sunday morning. I'm not complaining though - I don't have to drive all the way to FL!

I don't know "new puppy's" name yet. I most likely won't find out the name 'til he's picked up... unless I get lucky - if so I'll make sure to let you guys know :) Maybe...

BUT, while we wait on the puppy... why not have a little fun??

Stay tune for a NAME POOL! (I don't know if I'll give away a prize or not...) The only problem is... you are just guessing random names (for boys), as our school doesn't do "letter litters", they have people willing to sponsor a puppy (for $3500) - which includes naming.
I will be doing a "puppy name game" sometime soon though, but it may not have prizes... sorry!

Also note that as of TOMORROW, it will be FOUR WEEKS since Toby left. Which means... I should be receiving a phone call/email in the next couple days on an update (if he passed his medicals... how he's doing in training... such).

So stay tuned for a TOBY UPDATE and a NAME GAME!!

Please let me know if you guys would want to play a "Name Game" without even having any hints.

**Also note that the school has posted a new "puppy cam" movie - so check out the puppy cam to see "my" puppy!**

I'm off to go play with Tracker... who's playing with Liberty!

Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope every blogger had a great Mother's Day!

Pretty soon I should be getting a email/phone call about Toby... hopefully this Wednesday I should know something - Is he staying in training, getting "cut" (adopted out)... ?
I wish I knew - but only a couple more days to wait.

Since Toby isn't here to do a "Happy Mother's Day" post - I just picked out a couple pictures of him & I to include - I know he would have wanted that, (I kind of counted as "his mother"!)

Enjoy and have a GREAT Mother's Day!

Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

Pet Blog Hop

I read about this fun idea over at Life With Dogs. The "Pet Blog Hop" is a way to meet new furry blogging friends AND get new followers!
What to join in? Check out the post Life With Dogs did today to learn more.
If you are joining in - make sure to add your link below.
Now go start blog hopping!


Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

Package!

Thanks Samantha for this wonderful book!
Toby entered her GABE giveaway last month - and he was the lucky winner! (It is sad he was not here to "get" it though).
Tracker and Liberty cared NOTHING for the book when it arrived (see pictures below). I guess they figured "no treats - no good"!
They may not like it, but I'm enjoying it!
Thanks Samantha!

Toby's Raiser & Tracker's Sitter
The human sometimes with a dog that has a blog

(Movie of Tracker & Liberty ignoring the package)



(Movie of Tracker ignoring the book - he may not like it, but I do!)