Harness Every Moment

Time sure is flying by quickly... I head back IFT (In For Training) in 2 weeks!
My raiser introduced me to the guide dog harness a few weeks ago, and I feel like such a grown up while wearing it :) 
I can't believe that I'll be leaving soon, I'm really going to miss you guys!
My raiser's Fall classes started in mid-August, and boy have I been enjoying attending those with her.
She has quite a busy class schedule, and it helps to keep my life interesting.
I feel like I've been such a slacker when it comes to posting... and I've realized how many exciting things have gone on in my life that I never had a chance to post about.
I think I'm going to "assign" my raiser to dig up all the random pictures taken of me over the last year... and post them once I'm gone; keeping you guys occupied with lots of "never before seen" pictures of me :)

My raiser has started to fill out the "Final Evaluation" (which will be turned in when I head back IFT), and she's starting to realize all the "little things" she still needs to work on with me... I guess I'm going to have a very busy 2 weeks!
Enjoy the pictures below of the puppy meeting last week,

-Brandon

Picture of  Brandon in harness at puppy class doing a "forward walk"

Picture of Brandon in a down-stay beside me

Picture of Brandon in a sit-stay in front of me

Picture of Brandon in a stand-stay 

Picture of Brandon in another stand-stay going up against the other dogs for the "Puppy Olympic" gold medal...

Picture of myself blindfolded and trying to take Brandon's harness off (then count to  10 - and put it back on)

Picture of  me still blindfolded, and now succeeding at putting the harness back on

Success! Picture of Brandon in a stand-stay beside me and his harness is on correctly! 

Happy (late) Birthday Brandon! And a soon goodbye to my Sweet Boy...

*(written by Brandon's Raiser)*
I've been so overwhelmed with things lately, that I completely overlooked the fact that some cute puppy had his first birthday coming up!!
HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY BRANDON! 
The poor puppy didn't even get a birthday celebration, or a blog post the day of his birthday... I feel like such a horrible mom for overlooking this!
Brandon turned 1yr old on September 4th (3 days ago)... I just can't believe my little puppy is already 1 whole year!
I do hope all of Brandon's wonderful blogging pals are able to wish Brandon a happy (late...) first birthday!!

On a sad note... I just received notification that Brandon will be heading IFT (In For Training) on October 13th to the guide dog school; where he'll be finishing his training, have various evaluations, temperament tests and once finished be placed in his new home (whether as a working guide dog, or another career path he may choose).
It seems like I just got my sweet, chubby puppy and to receive this news breaks my heart, though at the same time I'm extremely happy for Brandon.
Brandon will be missed, not only by me, but also by all of the awesome friends and fans he has out there...
And to answer the question that is always asked at this time (will I be getting a new puppy??)
At this point, I'm not planning on raising another puppy for a little while and will be taking a break. Though I really enjoy raising the guide dog puppies, I'm extremely busy at the moment and since Brandon was such a "challenging" dog to raise (with all his medical issues...) my family would rather have a break for a little while, before making the decision as whether to raise again or not.
This choice isn't definite, and things can always change, but for now it looks like it might be a while before we raise another pup.  I do plan on staying involved in the guide dog group and hope to remain a "puppy sitter" so I can have a "guide dog puppy fix" when needed!
This doesn't mean I'll stop blogging... after Brandon heads back IFT in Mid October I will continue to update about him, and maybe Liberty (our English Mastiff) will start blogging again!
But enough of the emotional news... and one last "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to my sweet boy!!

-Brandon's Raiser



One of my favorite pictures of Brandon as a sweet, innocent little puppy...

Picture taken at Brandon's level of him walking through the grass , with our  porch on the left side

Pictures below are of one of the most recent guide dog outings... a ice skating rink!!

Picture of Brandon (middle) and a few dogs playing on the rink 

Picture of a little black female puppy wrestling with Brandon 

A group of dogs running on the rink (Brandon's the yellow dog in the rear... I think!)

Picture of Brandon and his new girl friend

Picture of Brandon and his new girl friend getting a little hyper...