Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Kennel

I've had lots of comments about Fina's first video regarding her kennel.

Thought you'd like to see the progress we've made!

And we progress!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Update

We've been progressing nicely...Fina is growing like a weed! We had class last week outside at Bicentennial Park, and it was a challenge. I think that next time I'll take Miss Thing for a long walk before we go, just to get her a bit tired. She was feeling her oats, for sure!

Yesterday we went to the vet for our shots, and she's now almost 24 pounds. Weight is perfect...I'm so happy. We're very careful with measuring and all, but it was something that I was worried about. Other than a little ear infection, a clean bill of health.

And, best of all, Healing Hands Animal Hospital (of Salisbury, MD) is going to donate all her office visit fees. They are the nicest people, and I'll gladly promote their business.

Today we had our first bath. We were not happy.

Somebody forgot to tell her she's a water dog.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Puppy Poop and the Roomba

Note to self:

Make sure that puppy has been outside and/or is not gastrointestinally challenged before cleaning rug with Roomba.


Yes, that is a wheel-track mark of puppy poo.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

One Small Step for Fina, One Giant Step for Mom

She went in the crate by herself without a lure.

I can't tell you how many times we've tried this over the past week, and she's done it.

It was almost zenlike.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Video from the Playground

She's not only smart, but funny too!

Working at the Playground

It's a tough job to be a puppy in training. You have to go to the playground and try new things!
The slide:


The sandbox:


Being a puppy is tiring.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Fina Howling in the Crate

This post is for demonstration purposes only. In the event of a real temper tantrum, Fina would be howling even louder. :)

Friday, April 11, 2008

Lunch

I met Maggie at Pizzaria Uno's on Friday, after driving around town looking everywhere for a place that had outside facilities. The weather hasn't been that warm, so nobody was set up, and/or people had gone out of business when we weren't looking.

Fina enjoyed it.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Pictures from Class

Just a few shots from class....including puppy pandemonium!





Friday, April 4, 2008

The Delmarva Region Grand Opening

We had our big grand opening party the day after the puppies came. It was a huge deal, with the Governor of Delaware in attendance (she said she was promised some puppy-holding time, and who could resist that!)

Barbara and Randy worked their butts off for this, and did a wonderful job. The local newspapers were there, as was Channel 7, WMDT. (Once I figure out how to get the video off of my DVR and onto a CD, I'll post the news story). Here's a bit of the story from the Milford Beacon:

Guiding Eyes for the Blind Delmarva Puppy Raising Region off to a great start
By Jennifer Robinson
Staff Writer

jennifer@milfordbeacon.com

Barbara Byle, the regional coordinator for Delmarva, has been busy setting the foundation for Guiding Eyes’ Puppy Raising Program.

The focus for the past few weeks has been for six new puppy raisers to attend pre-placement classes at Byle’s home.

“They’ve come every week for two hours for our pre-placement classes,” Byle said.

In addition, Byle has been visiting the homes of each of the puppy raisers to ensure that it is safe for their new arrival. The puppies are already equipped with kennels and supplies, thanks to a generous donation from All-Span Inc.

“I go there to help determine the best way to keep their puppy safe in their home because every home is different,” Byle said.

Kramer, the Labrador puppy that Byle is raising has also been a vital part of the training. He will remain with the couple for 14 to 16 months so they can teach him basic obedience and good manners.

“He’s doing really well,” Byle said. “He’s been the puppy we’ve used in classes and he makes me look good every time.”

Soon however, Kramer will be joined by his sister, Karleen, and two other puppies from the Bay Region, as well as Byle’s Labradors, Faulkner and Promise, for the training. One dog will be placed with each of the puppy raisers so they can sit for it and truly get a feel for the adventure they are about to embark on.

“Everybody wants to take Kramer home, but unfortunately we only have one Kramer,” Byle said. “It really is to give them a chance to see what it is with the commitment they’re going to make. It’s all to help them make an informed decision because it’s not your typical volunteer job.”

An opening ceremony will be held for the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Delmarva Puppy Raising Region at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 4, at Bicentennial Park. If weather prohibits the ceremony from being held at Bicentennial Park, it will be held in the banquet room of Smith & Co. Restaurant. Five of the six puppy raisers will receive their puppies there. Sen. Gary Simpson has accepted an invitation to the ceremony, and commissioners from Kent and Sussex County and the Milford City Council have also been asked to join in the event.

“What we are doing is welcoming Guiding Eyes to the Delmarva Region,” Byle said.

Classes will continue the first and third Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Bicentennial Park. Anyone interested in becoming a puppy raiser or becoming involved in the effort is asked to come out.

“People are welcome to come out and observe,” Byle said.

Those interested in the program should have a love for animals, high energy and be able to attend class twice a month. Potential candidates should also be able to provide a loving home. Guiding Eyes pays for all veterinary care, and the puppy raiser is responsible for food and any toys. The next series of pre-placement classes will begin in June.

“We encourage anyone interested in puppy raising to fill out an application online and attend those classes,” Byle said.

Those interested in helping may volunteer in a variety of other ways if not as a puppy raiser. Other opportunities include becoming a puppy sitter, helping with fund-raising, public relations, presentations for community awareness, recruitment, sponsorship, or by working as helpers or instructors in class. Volunteers are also needed to help find sites for classes and quarterly evaluations, as well as those to help track vests that designate the puppies as dogs in training. They are also in need of sponsoring vets. Haven Lake of Milford, is a sponsor for Kramer as well as one of the new puppies.

After the puppies complete their time with their raisers, they will return to New York for Infortraining. If they pass, they will then go on to more formal training to become a guide dog.

Dogs that do not make it as a guide dog do have other opportunities to work either through ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) for arson and bomb detection or for a new program through Guiding Eyes for autistic children.

For more information on the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Delmarva Puppy Raising Region, call Byle at 422-3522 or visit www.volunteer.guidingeyes.org.

“People are welcome to join us,” Byle said.

It was a smashing success; it also was a last hurrah for Pat Clark, who has retired. I was happy to be able to give her a big hug and a thank you for picking out Fina for us.

I'll just post some pictures from the event..


.

And finally, exhaustion after her big day!

Fina

I just happened to pick up the paper; it was about two days old, and I hadn't had time to read it. Richard and I were watching television and relaxing, and I saw the blurb: Puppy Raisers Needed. I quickly read it to Richard, and he said "sure, go ahead!" I ran up to my computer and dashed off an email within five minutes. Went to the first meeting, was totally blown away by the program and by Kramer (who is being raised by our regional coordinator, Barbara Byle and her husband Randy). I left the meeting so excited to get started.

Classes are held at Barbara and Randy's house, and it's 54 miles from my house. Each way. As usual, my timing is impeccable, with gas upwards of $3.20 per gallon. But really, I can't think of a better way to spend money. If I had a cup of starbucks coffee every day, or twice a day, it would be about $70 per week. So, I don't drink starbucks coffee and can afford to motor back and forth. Actually, I hate starbucks coffee.

So we completed the pre-placement classes, and then we got the sleepover puppy. Karleen came to our house, and we loved her.


Karleen is Kramer's sister, and almost as smart. I was in contact with Elaine, who is raising Karleen, over the weekend, and she was very reassuring with my many insecurities dealing with "her" dog. It was a hectic three days; Karleen was great, Mookie really enjoyed having someone to play with, and we got a little taste of what to expect. I was very sad to see her go, but glad that I have another puppy to keep track of in the future!

We officially became "parents" on April 3rd; we all gathered at Barbara and Randy's house on Thursday night and waited for the van full of puppies to arrive. Everyone was excited and nervous...we would have fit in well in one of those old movies where they show the expectant fathers pacing outside the delivery room. Finally, the van pulled up. They're here!

The back of the van opened and there were five of the most beautiful faces; four yellow and one black. Fina, Fabio, Holiday, Jewel and last but not least Elton, a big yellow boy.

Fina was a little bit overwhelmed by it all, but managed to eat her kibble. :)

She snoozed all the way home in her kennel, after a brief vocal session telling us she really didn't like being in the crate.

At home, she immediately loved Mookie, and Mookie returned the emotion. The cats, well, not so much. But the cats can have a say in all of this only if they get jobs and pay rent. Otherwise, they can keep their hissing and spitting to themselves.....


We're Getting Along!

She's home. And she's tired. Hallelujah! Must get some beauty sleep...going to meet the governor tomorrow!