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! 

Rudy's Life...

For your viewing pleasure, I've created a short "video" of Rudy's life... as a guide dog in training.

Complete with many video clips/photographs - and some "never before seen" pictures/videos of him (ones I never posted).

So, if you don't mind, please take the time to watch the video, Rudy would have loved for you to.

*Time length: 8 minutes*

Oh - and I'd love feedback on how it was :)

Rudy's Raiser

(You can pull it up larger- but for some reason, the "quality" of the photos aren't near as good - I think blogger might have saved it as a smaller size, sorry!)

Can't believe this little guy is already gone...

July Report Card

I was surprised to receive a email this evening with Rudy's second report card, (since I just received first one last week).
But I then realized that the last one was sent "quite" late... and was June's report card. (No wonder she said in the email "sorry it's a little late"!).
So what a wonderful surprise for me to receive yet another report card from my boy!
Sounds like he's doing wonderful, and I just love the comment that the trainer left...

"Rudy is a happy boy with a big donut for a tail. He loves to work and does so at high speed. Just when I think he’s going to blast right past a curb, he slams on the brakes and nails it".

That's so true, and I love how they even noticed his very "curly" tail :)

Rudy's Raiser

The Photos...

Now that the scanner is finally working, I'm able to upload the pictures/letter Rudy sent me.

I should be receiving Rudy's harness picture in the next week or so, and I'll be sure to post it:)

Enjoy the photos/letter below!

Rudy's Raiser

College Boy

As most of you know, Rudy headed off to "college" at the guide dog school on May 29th - though we already received the good news that he passed his medicals (and has started training) a week ago, I was happy to find a letter from SEGDI in the mail today. I just assumed it would be Rudy's harness picture, but I was surprised to find out... that the letter was "from" Rudy! Also included with the letter, was 4 wonderful pictures of my sweet boy. (I'll be receiving his harness photo shortly).

Our scanner isn't wanting to work at the moment - so each individual photo (and the letter) will be posted later - but fur now, enjoy the few pictures below!

Rudy's Raiser

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing you all a very Happy 4th of July!
Though it's hard to celebrate the 4th without a guide dog puppy (first in over 4 years!), I'm so glad that I know Rudy has passed his medical/hip exams, and started his training. I'm looking forward to posting his first report card... guess I'll be getting one in a few weeks!
Hope you all have a wonderful 4th,

Rudy's Raiser

The long Awaited Email...

As most of you know, Rudy headed IFT on May 30th, and I've been "excitedly" awaiting the email/call letting me know if Rudy has passed his medicals and moved on to training.

Below is the email I found in my inbox this morning:

Subject: Al and Rudy

Hi - Your boys both passed their hip and medical evaluations, and will continue into guide dog training. Congrats!

I'm so excited to finally know Rudy has passed his medicals, and I'll soon be receiving his report cards!

Fingers crossed for a good first report card! Best of luck Rudy & Al!

Rudy's Raiser

Quick Rewind - The Trip Down

Wow, I can't believe that Rudy's been gone for (almost) a whole month. I'll be looking forward to the "phone call" or "email" soon... giving me news on whether Rudy passed his medicals or not.

I'm doing a "quick rewind" and posting the pictures of the trip down the FL (for dropping Rudy off).
He was such a good boy, and slept most of the way - waking up sometimes, to find out what was going on.
When we picked up miss Cupcake (the mini piglet), Rudy was very calm - and didn't mind sharing the back with her (though she stayed in the crate). I know he was wishing he could have spent more time with her, they sure would have been great buds!
All in All, Rudy did wonderful - though the trip back (without him) was quite lonely.

Rudy is definitely missed here, but I wish him the best of luck with his training.

Rudy's Raiser

Where's Rudy?

Rudy has made a brief appearance on SEGDI'S Blog this week!
I was quite excited when viewing their latest post, as they had many pictures of recent IFT dogs... and luckily Rudy was in the group!
Thankfully Rudy has his "brindle markings" which allows me to "somewhat" tell him apart - but when the picture is slightly blurry, the markings aren't visible.
As you can tell in the pictures below... Rudy is having a blast, and happens to be the only dog jumping! (He never got the "exposure" of playing with many other dogs).

I sure hope Rudy is behaving himself, and I wish him the best of luck!

Rudy's Raiser

IFT Time

As most of you know, Rudy returned to the guide dog school this past Monday (5-30-2011) for IFT (In For Training).
I've been putting off doing a post on his blog for days, as I can't handle to think about him.

Obviously I really hope he does well with his training, and can make it as a guide dog; but I keep having this feeling in the back of my mind - that he's going to get CC due to allergies/such.
Please keep him in your prayers, not only for him to do well with training - but for him to also pass his medical exams.

Since I don't have another puppy at the moment, but I'm really wanting to keep this blog updated - I will be "drawing out" the pictures and such. So this post will only have pictures of the acutely "drop off", but the pictures taken on the way down, will be posted later.

We arrived at the guide dog school a little before 10am on Monday morning. Showing up a little early, as I wanted a couple pictures in front of the guide dog sign.
Rudy was quite interested in the dog scent that was everywhere - but did obey his sit-stay for the photos.
We were turning in Rudy on Memorial Day (as we were unable to attend the IFT date), so they had very few staff there; which ended up being quite nice...

Normally, once you hand over the dog - it's just taken away (heading to the IFT kennel). And we don't see them again (for now).
But since they didn't have a trainer there to take Rudy, they allowed me to walk him to the IFT kennel (which I've never seen!) - while a kennel assistant escorted us.
I was quite happy to be able to have Rudy for those few extra minutes, but the second I handed over that leash - I was in tears.
Did Rudy care? Not one bit!
Maybe after a little while he started wondering where I was, but he's quite dog distracted... and thought he was in doggy heaven.

When people ask what's the hardest thing to do with puppy raising - the "IFT Time" is always my answer. Giving up a pup that you've had since a young age, while keeping in mind that you may never see him/her again - is what I call hard.

I will be posting some more pictures soon, and Rudy also wanted me to let you guys know the "surprise animal" we picked up down in FL (still not a new puppy - or kitty).

Rudy's Raiser

Last Post

Hey everybody!
Furry thanks to all who've left goodbye comments fur me, I've really enjoyed reading them - and I know my raiser is really thankful to have all you wonderful followers out there, leaving her some nice words.
Just wanted to do a quick post, to let you know I've made it to FL - and we'll be heading to the guide dog school tomorrow morning.
My raiser did have a surprise, that we picked up on the way down here - which I knew nothing about... (nope, it's not another guide dog puppy). She'll be sure to tell you all about the new little animal, once she gets back from FL.
I do have to say that she is very cute - and I'm so glad I got to meet her!
Thanks again for all the comments you guys are leaving - I know this is going to be really hard on my raiser to give me up... and the comments mean a lot to her (and me!).
Hugs & Slobbery kisses to all!

Rudy - The dog with a blog

GoodBye to All

If I don't get a chance to post tomorrow (once I'm in FL), this will be my LAST post.
I'm leaving it picture free, as you will then have more to see later on, once I'm gone.
I've yet to see my raiser cry, about me returning to the school - but I know she'll be in tears, once she hands that lead over.
I know I'll miss her terrible - but I don't know how she's going to live life without me.
I really hope a wonderful trainer down at the school, will happen to snap lots of pictures of me - so then my raiser will be able to see how well I'm doing.
I can't believe how soon these posts I'm doing will be coming to a end. I'm going to miss running a blog, and I know I'll try with all my might to get my new owner to let me run a blog.
A furry tearful goodbye to all, and I'm sooo sorry I've not been able to stop by your blogs lately - I've been trying to save my time for my wonderful raiser.
I do hope to blog tomorrow while in FL, but if not - Goodbye!

Rudy - The dog with a blog

Miss Me?

As you may have noticed... I've been a little bit "behind" with posting (and visiting!).
I'm so sorry about this, and since I'll be heading IFT this Sunday morning... my goal would be to do 1 post each day this week.
My raiser has been super busy, and is so sorry she hasn't given me the time to blog.
I can't believe my time here is almost up, I hate that we've got to be leaving in just a couple days!
My raiser will be sure to post many pictures of me while I'm gone (trust me, I'm way behind in posting them!) - so you guys will have some things to view on this blog :)
Please keep your fingers crossed, as my raiser may have some possible sponsors... for another guide dog puppy :)
Pictures coming soon, with many more updates!

Rudy - The dog with a blog

New Plan

*(Written by Rudy's Raiser)*
It's almost like Rudy and I have been riding a 'IFT roller coaster'...

First off, we thought Rudy would be heading IFT ('In For Training' - back to the guide dog school for further training) June 13-18. We found out a week ago, that the IFT date was moved, and is know set for June 4th.
Not only is that 2 weeks sooner, but I also won't be able to make it - so I was just planning on another raiser taking Rudy down for us.
Plans have changed again though, and Rudy will now be leaving on May 29th/30th. But there is only one reason for that... so I can take him back.
So though Rudy is heading IFT even earlier, I will be taking him back myself - instead of another raiser dropping him off for me.

Rudy has a lot of "saying goodbyes" to do before he leaves, and 1 week from this coming Sunday... we will be on our way to the guide dog school in FL to drop him off.

I'm excited to have a dog at the guide dog school, so I can follow along with his training/report cards - but I'm not looking forward to giving Rudy up, and I know that day will be filled with many tears of sadness...

Rudy's Raiser

Da Lake

OMD, I have just found my true love fur water!
Way back (last year) my raiser took me to a guide dog pool party, and found out that I was not very "keen" of swimming.

But fur some odd reason, I've changed my furry little mind!
Today, after our "mini farm camp" ended, my raiser (her brother, sister & friend) took me to something called a "lake"... which held lots of water.

She let me go near the water to "investigate" and when I showed interest of wanting to get in, she decided to let me try it. Not knowing that I soon would absolutely fall in love with swimming.

Once I touched the water, I found my true passion... swimming, and man was it fun!
I've been reading some of my followers' blog posts, and noticed that a lot of my friends have a pool - or visit a lake. I guess that looked like so much fun, that I wanted to try it fur myself!
Since I'm heading IFT on June 4th, my raiser plans on taking me MANY more times to this lake, before I head back :)

Enjoy the pictures/movie below.

Rudy - The dog with a blog

Note from Raiser: (Rudy was on leash at ALL times during his "swimming" fun - though next time, I will be taking a longer leash!).

(Movie of Rudy with my/my sister's friend - he was on leash swimming, and then when I called him, he came swimming over to me - at the beginning of the movie clip, Rudy accidentally "hit" my/my sister's friend with his paw... while trying to "doggy paddle" )

A Change in Plans

(Written by Rudy's Raiser)
And when I was just getting used to the idea of Rudy returning to the school for IFT around June 13-16, I receive even worse news in a email I opened this morning.
Evidently the guide dog school is changing the "IFT" process... and decided to move UP the date to June 4th (of course, the exact day my brother is graduating... which means there is no way I'll be able to take Rudy back - and you have to take them back on that exact date).
Yes I did realize that sooner or later, Rudy would have to return back to the school... but since I'm not raising again (for now) this news is even harder to take in.
I really wish I could take Rudy back myself, he's going to be the first dog I did not return to the school.
Yes, I am keeping my fingers crossed, just in case something may change... but at this point, Rudy will be going back on June 4th WITHOUT me dropping him off.

Rudy's Raiser

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

Happy Easter!!

Hey furry friends!
I'm doing a quick post, to wish all of you a Happy Easter!
I just logged into my account... and found out that I've just reached 300 followers!! (My "goal" before heading down to the school... was to reach at least 300 followers) - so today is a very Happy day!
I do have some "sad/exciting" news about ME... which I'll be posting soon.
Fur now, have a wonderful Easter and enjoy visiting with all your family/friends!

Rudy - The dog with a blog

Toby Who?? (New UPDATE!)

Oh yeah - Toby is the pup my raiser had before me!
You guys remember the post my raiser did - announcing that Toby was being adopted out due to severe allergies? (post back in Nov.)
That was over a month ago that she heard the news - and she's been "dying" to know who Toby ended up with; and what state he'd be living in.
Yesterday she finally decided to contact her Area coordinator - hoping to get some info about Toby's new family. Sadly she got an email back saying that the lady at the school who deals with the adoption program - would be out of the office 'til next Monday. (Go figure!)
But much to her surprise - my raiser found an email from the Area Coordinator waiting in her inbox this morning.
Just is case something falls through; my raiser will give you the cool news next week (after she has contact with his new owner) - but here's a hint...
Toby may be working after all!
Here is a piece of the email my raiser received:"which means he'll be doing very important work!"
(No - he's not being put back in the guide dog school - he still is being adopted out - just not to who I expected!)
News to come next week, sorry to make you all wait - but just in case this falls through; my raiser doesn't want to get to many hopes up :)
If you feel like guessing what Toby will be doing - go right ahead - and feel free to leave it in a comment... BUT my raiser will not be answering questions on what he'll be doing... you just have to wait & see :)

(pictured below is of Toby - taken before he headed to the guide dog school in April 2010 for IFT)

Furry cool kisses!

Rudy
The dog with a blog

(almost) Wordless Wednesday

This was Toby's last outing at the bank, the photo was taken April 9th 2010.

As of today I've been 1 week without Toby. It's hard, not just because I don't have him anymore, but I have to wait. Waiting is just plan hard.
Toby could either choose a "career" as a guide dog, or get adopted out as a pet.
Either way, he's still my baby. Good luck Toby!

Toby's Raiser
The human without a dog that has a blog