The Expected... but Unexpected News

I know you guys have been waiting for the "exciting/sad" news I told you I would be posting soon, but I wanted to put it off as long as possible.

This post will be so hard to write - that I'm actually going to hand the keyboard over to my raiser...

(written by Rudy's Raiser)

Hey guys!
If any of you guys out there are puppy raisers, I know you are already guessing what this "news" may be.

As you know, Rudy is in training to be a guide dog for the blind - which means, someday... he'll end up having to leave. (We call it "IFT" - In For Training, where they head down the guide dog school for further training... and then hopefully get placed with a blind/disabled person).

We thought that IFT date would be in March/April, but we were quite glad to here Rudy wasn't going in around that time.

I was then told to expect him to return late May/early June. Which, back in March (when I was told) seemed like a while a way... but when I received this email last week, it seems like moments away:

" Good morning,

It's that happy/sad news time…. your puppies are almost ready to head off to college.

We were able to learn through somewhat "unofficial" channels that Al and
Rudy are due IFT June 13-16, so you probably won't get the letter from the
school for another few weeks.

Let me know if you'll need help with transport. Once the letter goes out we can contact
other groups and see if there's anyone else going to Florida.

Hugs to you, and to Al and Rudy!

***** and ******* "

So to sum this post up... Rudy will be going IFT around the week of June 13-16 2011.

In some later posts, I'll write up some more about the IFT process and such - but for now, I really can't stand to think about it.

What makes it even harder, is the fact that I really don't know if I'll be raising again. These dogs take a lot of green papers... and though the school pays the medical bills (and heart worm pills) - everything else is paid by us puppy raisers. (Unless I have a sponsor)

Yes, I'd love to raise again, and I really hope I'll be able to. This guide dog puppy raising is my life, and I don't know what I'll do without it.

After Rudy returns to the school, my goal would be (if I'm not raising) to be a puppy sitter for the group - but I'll be sure to update all of you on Rudy's training progress once he returns :)

I will be keeping this blog up, and even if I'm not raising puppies - I'll find something to post about! And we all know Liberty (our English Mastiff) will love to step in and do some posts.

Have a wonderful day, and Rudy sends kisses to you all!

Rudy's Raiser

Da Good News About ME

(Really, really, really good news!!)
As most of you know, I'm in training to be a guide dog for the blind, which means... I will be leaving my raiser one day, to head back to the school for future training.
I came into this cool home in May 2010, and (at first) my raiser thought she'd have me for (around) 1 1/2 years... but she found out, back in January 2011, that the school has started taking pups back early (no idea why) - which would make my IFT date be this coming April.
My raiser has been expecting a IFT email soon, and every time a new email from our AC comes in... her heart skips a beat, wondering if this is the email - then she'd start having to plan on returning me to the guide dog school.
But she was SOOO excited (and surprised) to find this email from her AC in her inbox:

Subject: We are NOT on the April IFT list

Email: Have no word on May yet – but it looks like this litter will be with us until at least late May/June timeframe.
My raiser was very glad to hear that I'm NOT going IFT in April, and I agree with her :)
So you guys are stuck with me for another couple months, enjoy it!!

BTW - for anyone who's thinking about asking this question:
"Will your raiser get another guide dog puppy, and if so -when?".
At this point, due to some "financial" issues, my raiser may not be able to raise again (seems as though, guide dog puppies cost a lot to raise/care for...). But since I'm staying with her, a couple months longer - she hopes that things will work out, and if so - she may plan on getting a puppy after I return (around) June 2011. It all depends on how much "green papers" she has :)
She will keep us update to date on that situation though... and if all else, Liberty (my Raiser's English Mastiff) can run the blog for a while!
Enough about that though... I'm not leaving for QUITE a while, so you shouldn't have to worry about it.

I'm still far behind on posting... I've got LOTS more interesting posts coming up, with even more good news about ME.
But fur now... enjoy the pictures below, of ME! (My raiser decided to take me out into a empty goat fence... and let PLAY and RUN in it! And she took many pictures, just for you).

Rudy - The dog with a blog

If your tongue hangs out while you run... it's double the fun!

Toby is a Working Dog!

(Written by Rudy's Raiser)
**This post DOES include what work Toby will doing - and NEW updates about him**
Remember the post Rudy did back in December? About Toby finding a NEW job to do? After the school found out he had severe allergies - they were left with the decision to Career Change Toby - or adopt him out as a pet. I was told the school loved how Toby worked, and they decided to evaluate him for the Gifted Canine program (He'd be a service or therapy dog - maybe for an injured veteran or a disabled child). I heard in November 2010 that it was official - Toby was to be "let go" (adopted out) as a pet. And of course - he was offered back to me. It was a hard thing to say "no" I won't take my pup back, some of you guys may have said "yes" in a heart beat - but for many reasons (that can't be listed) I had to say no. I hate doing that, Toby was one of my favorite dogs.
I waited over a month watching emails closely - as I really wanted to find out who adopted Toby. I soon gave up on receiving a email and just emailed my AC, who forward my email down to the school.
I soon got this email back:
"Hi *****,
I heard back from the school with some exciting news. Toby's been adopted by ******* County Search and Rescue in Florida, which means he'll doing very important work! His handler's name is ******.
Good job!"
I've been waiting since December to post that email - but I wanted to make sure it would work out.
I just received this email this morning:
"We have just heard from the school - that the person who adopted Toby has decided to use him as a Search and Rescue dog for ******* county. What a great career for him. I'm really proud of you - this is a big win for Toby and I know he is going to make a big difference in his new job.
Thank you again for all you do for these puppies.
With much love
*** and *****"

To make a long story short...
Toby was adopted out - but instead of being adopted out as a pet (like we all thought) he was adopted by someone who decided to use him as a Search & Rescue dog - yes Toby will be working - not as a guide dog, not as a therapy dog, but as a Search & Rescue dog.
With the last email, I also received a PICTURE of Toby with his new handler/owner (pictured below). This was one thing I was really hoping for - as I really wanted to use it on his blog, so I hope you guys like it!
Though Toby isn't a guide dog as I hoped, I know he'll do amazing work with this program - and if something does go wrong, he'll do his best at whatever path he decides to take.
Thanks to all who kept through reading all his adventures (May 2009 - April 2010), we really appreciate all the comments you left for us, when we went through hard, good, and amazing times.
Hope all of you guys are having a great day - Rudy sure is... as it's SNOWING outside! (Pictures/movies coming soon).
Thanks for taking the time to read this! Congrats to all who guessed Search & Rescue would be Toby's new job!

Rudy's Raiser

Pictured below is of Toby & his new handler/owner

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!

I thought I had 2 weeks :(

But now I only have 4 days...

We just found this email from our Area Coordinator this afternoon -

"Puppy Raisers for Toby, Rocky, Spike, Duchess & Cassie, I regret to inform you that your dog has been called back EARLIER then the IFT date set- their new date is for next week, Monday April 5th - Wednesday April 7th. If you are unable to return your dog in those dates please email me directly"

WHAT???
I THOUGHT I HAD 2 WEEKS?!?

Oh wait, forgot this part...

"April Fools Toby!"

*(Please note: This email was NOT sent/written by my area coordinator - it was written by me for a joke - none of it is true).

Oh, jee thanks mom -tell me AFTER I write the post :(

Happy April Fools everybody!

If you haven't already please make time to enter our giveaway - all you have to do is leave 1 comment on that post before April 18th! The prize is for some lovely homemade goat milk soaps!

Enjoy the pictures below of me "helping" with spring cleaning :)

Toby

The dog with a blog

Toby's Moving to China... and I'm going with him!

So I wish.

I came back inside from riding horses yesterday, to find THIS EMAIL from my Area Coordinator...

Email's title: "Our big pups are ready for their next stage in their training - yes - it's IFT time".

Email:

"Good Morning everyone
It’s an exciting time as we prepare to send our puppies back to school. The letters are on the way to you to explain all the details. For now, please mark on your calendars that your pups will need to go back to school between the 12th and 15th April.

Please let me know if you have any questions. This is an exciting time for the puppies and a tough time for you as we make this transition. Please know that I understand the emotion of this time – and that telling me you have left the country with the dog won’t work :)
Thank you for every minute you have invested in your puppy – that investment is getting ready to pay huge dividends down the track".

Wow, this was WAY sooner than I was planning for. He will only be 12 1/2 months when he returns, normally it's not till AFTER 14 months. This means I will only have him for TEN MONTHS!

He won't be returning back to me from puppy camp for another 1 1/2 weeks, I can't wait to get him back.

Toby will definitely be missed, and I will definitely be getting a new puppy... as soon as possible!

We have asked to see when new puppies will be available, but we won't know for a little while.

I do hope you guys will continue to follow Toby's blog while he's gone, even though we may not have another pup for a month or so.

(Yes my first thought when reading this email was I'M MOVING TO CHINA, Until I saw the part about not leaving the country) :(

Oh well, Toby's ready, and he will have a blast.

P.S. To my newer followers who are not guide/service dog raisers, IFT (In For Training) is a date that is set for our dogs to return back to school for further training with paid SEGDI trainers. It is very possible that we will never see our dogs again, it all depends on the career they choose.

Duchess's handler, Toby's Raiser

The human that has a dog with a blog

Letters From Camp... PICTURE TIME!

A few words from Toby-
"here's a few shots! More very soon!
~Toby~"
I also got an email update from the family he's staying with-
"Toby is a very smart boy...knows his commands nicely...
Distractions are many for his brain at the moment...(so much to see !!!.. so many things to sniff, to mark, to paw!!!) We are greatly enjoying him...

Hubby is off tomorrow and is planning for a full day of exposures and tooling around stores, etc.... I will give ya the lowdown on their day...

Did a bit of nail trimming just now.. he was so polite...
No issues with eyes/etc. so far - so good
More soon!!"

You may notice in the pictures Toby gets to meet their new puppies (rescued 3 week old Lab mixes).

More updates soon, enjoy the pictures! (Some Toby sent with words beside them, but all are tagged by me).


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








"No one loves this blankie more than me!"












"There's a party going on-- but I see a cat in the woods!!!"









"Puppy love??? No...They look like squirrels- or cats...or..!!"

Toby update

(picture of Toby before this medical issue -

laying head through staircase)

Thank you everyone for your concerns in comments,

Here is the email we got back from Toby's school -

"Obviously, Toby has a significant problem around his lips and muzzle. I would suggest he be seen by a vet ASAP. Unfortunately there are many things that may cause this. Sometimes we see this as an allergic reaction to plastic food or water bowls. The first thing I would do is make sure he has no contact with anything plastic, even play toys. We also sometimes see this as an allergic reaction to certain foods or other things he might be coming in contact with. If getting rid of plastic things doesn’t help, we could always try a hypoallergenic diet.

In addition to getting rid of anything plastic, I would do skin scrapings to check for mange mites (demodex) and also do cytology to see if there might be bacteria or fungi causing an infection and treat accordingly. Rarely, we see dogs with bizarre diseases like lupus or pemphigus that can only be diagnosed with skin biopsies. Hope this helps, let me know if I can do anything else."

The vet put him on antibiotics and steroids again. The scraping found no mites. He said that he doesn’t think it’s contagious. He does think that it’s awfully coincidental how this is right on the heels of the eye issue he had just recovered from.

He wasn’t too keen on the idea of the dirty bowls b.c. dogs eat all sorts of things outside and don’t get sick. So though he disregarded that we will still start washing toby’s bowl often. I changed out the 2 huge Tupperware water containers (3 indoor dogs!) for one big stainless steel spaghetti pot of water. 

Toby's trainer

**FRANKIE UPDATE**

Hey,

This is Frankie's trainer.

I received this email today from my Area Coordinator

Just wanted you to know that Frankie will be spayed and is staying in the Guide Dog IFT program. I wanted you to know how much we appreciate the challenges that went with raising a Breeder evaluate. I always thought that they picked breeders from a group that would not become guide dogs due to some guide dog defect. The reality is that Breeders are the best of the best. Know that Frankie is continuing on the path to guide dog work. Thank you for all you did with her.

Well most people who would get this email might be saying "rats, I wanted her to be a breeder", but I think this will be good for Frankie. I don't think she is the kind of dog that you need for a breeder; she would probably hate it.

Enjoy the photos of Frankie (various photos I picked that I have taken over the year)

Sending good luck your way Frankie, I miss you and I love you!!

Frankie's trainer

Frankie will be missed...

THE EMAIL

"Congratulations! Frankie is ready to continue on with her training at the “college” level. She will be returned to the school for training (IFT) during WAT. IFT dates are 2 March to 5 March. You will be getting your letter from the school in about a week. We can discuss logistics at an upcoming meeting. We need to step up her training in certain areas and we can discuss that on Saturday, too. You should be very proud as you have done a great job with her! Let me know how I can assist."

Hey guys, my trainer had this in her email box yesterday, I will be returned to the school when I go to Walk-A-Thon. I was quite happy when I was told there was a 99% chance that I would get to stay till May, but I guess it's that 1% that got me. :(

I will be getting another post with pictures done soon, but for now this should do. My trainer doesn't know anymore about getting a puppy, but when she finds out she will be posting it on the blog for me because I might be gone by then. :(

Frankie