Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from me at the Guiding Eyes kennel!!!

my trainer sent mom this picture of me!


Twas the Night Before Christmas - Guide Dog Edition


‘Twas the night before Christmas and the kennels were still,

with most dogs now asleep having eaten their fill.

The Labradors sprawled out, quite snug in their beds,
while visions of ANYTHING edible danced in their heads.

And the Goldens and Shepherds curled up on the floor,

some twitched in their sleep and some even did snore.
The dog food was stacked in the feed room with care,
in hopes that a trainer soon would be there.

On the window ledge, one of the kennel cats lay,

surveying the lawn at the end of this day.
Something was different, that little cat knew.
Tonight something would happen, it had to be true.

For that day as the workers had left to go home,

They’d wished Merry Christmas! before starting to roam.
The dogs had noticed it to during this past week’s walks,
the trainers seemed just that much happier and eager to talk.

In the mall where they worked through the maze of people and stores,

there were decorations and music and distractions galore!
Most dogs pranced along without worry or fear,
but some balked at the man on the sleigh and those fake looking deer.

The cat was almost asleep when he first heard the sound,

a whoosh through the air and a jingle around.
It reminded him of a dog’s collar when the animal shook,
but this sound kept on growing. He’d better go look.

From the ceiling there came a faint sort of thunk,

as the kennel cat climbed to the highest pile of junk.
Once before people had worked on the roof,
and come down through the trap door to a chorus of “Woooof!”

But the dogs still were quiet, all sleeping so sound,

as this man dressed in red made his way right on down.
He patted the cat as he climbed past his spot,
then made his way right to the trainers’ coffee pot.

A shepherd sat up, not fully awake,

then a Golden followed her with a mighty loud shake.
That did it! All the dogs sprang to life with loud noise.
In spite of the din, the old man kept his poise.

He filled the pot full and it started to brew,

then he pulled up a chair and took in the view.
Dogs all around him, so carefully bred,
he knew well their jobs, the blind people they led.

Some had stopped barking and looked at him now,

while others delighted in their own deafening howl.
Laying a finger in front of his lips,
the jolly old man silenced the excitable yips.

“You all may not know me, but I’m Santa Claus,”

the old man smiled and took a short pause,
While he filled up his mug with hot liquid and cream,
“I’ve always wanted to stop here. It’s been one of my dreams.”

The cat had climbed down and was exploring Santa’s sack.

“Yes, little kitty, that’s an empty pack.”
Santa smiled as he drank and looked at those eyes,
deep brown ones and gold ones held wide in surprise.

Some of these dogs,

he’d seen just last year,
He’d seen the effects of a pup on the tree,
but now they were here at the school, just waiting to be.

“I didn’t bring you presents or bones just to chew.

I’ll tell you something better, what you are going to do.”
“You all will work hard and the trainers will share,
both praise and correction, gentle and fair.”

“You’ll go lots of places and face big scary things.

You’ll ride buses and subways and hear fire sirens ring.”
“Cars will drive at you but you will stand strong,
not moving into danger, not moving toward wrong.”

“And then just when you think that this trainer’s the best,

the kindest, and funnest person, toss away all the rest,”
“That trainer will begin to ignore you and give you away,
handing your leash over despite your dismay.”

“Now the person who pets you and feeds you will be a blind person.

That’s a person who can’t see.”
“This man or this woman may see just a tad,
but their view’s missing parts or the focus is bad.”

“So you, well trained dogs, will act as their eyes.

You will work as a team and discover the size”
“Of this great world we live in, because you will go
a million new places with this person, you know.”

Santa sipped at his coffee and looked over the brood,

knowing what he had to say next might sound kind of rude.
“Not all of you will make it and become canine guides.
Your time here isn’t wasted though. You won’t be cast aside.”

“Some of you will be drug dogs and some will find bombs.

Some will become pets in a home with a dad and a mom.”
“All these things are important. People wait on long lists,
to receive such good dogs as you, the school folks insist.”

The last drop of coffee had gone into his cup

as Santa turned, smiling at each wide eyed pup.
“The best gift of all is to give something back.
That’s why there’s nothing for you all inside of my pack.”

Draining his mug, Santa went to each pen,

and petted and scratched each dog again and again.
“Now next year and many more years after that,
you all will give gifts wherever you’re at.”

“You might lick a hand that’s had a bad day,

Or notice a car and step out of the way.”
“You might help catch a crook or discover some loot,
Or just bring some joy to a tired old man in a funny red suit.”

“Your master will love you and treat you with care.

In return, your training and trust will always be there.”
After the last dog had been petted and soothed,
Santa put away the coffee pot and made ready to move.

Up the ladder he rose to the door high above,

with a smile and a wave as he slipped on his gloves.
And all the dog ears were pricked as he disappeared out of sight.
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!”

Monday, December 15, 2014

Phase 2 Report!

It's phase report time again! And I'm doing stellar! My trainer reported to my mom that I am a "nice high drive girl with good initiative." I am working on being aware of what is on the right side of my trainer. I still like to multitask and scan the environment as I work, but my trainer thinks once more pressure is put on me that I will stop doing that. I love to play in community run with my roomie Ireland!

this is me last Christmas

me last Christmas with Paula, Ben, and Dahlia

Saturday, December 13, 2014

My second favorite person!

Today was another graduation! And mom's friend Emmaline came to graduation and she stopped to visit me! Emmaline is my second favorite person in the world after my mom! I was so very happy to see her!


Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mom got sent these pictures of me and my classmates saying Happy Thanksgiving!

Back row left to right: Wichita, ME!, Nitro, Wilbur, Ireland, and Juniper. Front row left to right: Presley, Toggi, Pixel, and Hodges

Saturday, November 15, 2014

I love Graduation weekend!

Because! Then lots of people come into the kennel and take pics of me to send to my mommy! Ok maybe my mom loves graduation weekends more then I do... ;) hahaha but I do love all the extra attention!



I am now rooming with a handsome yellow lab named Ireland! :)


Friday, November 14, 2014

Phase 1 report!

Mom got another training report on me! I'm learning lots!!! I'm working in a local city and learning to move my trainer around obstacles that are in the way. My trainer also says that I am "a very sweet girl and is always a lot of fun to work with." Until next time!!

Flash Back Friday photo when Eden was a baby

Eden November 2013 :)


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

More pictures of me! :)

Mom had some friends who were at IFT today and on the kennel tour they stopped to say hello to me!










Saturday, October 25, 2014

Hello again!

One of mom's friends was at Guiding Eyes for a workshop and she saw me! She also snapped this picture of me. Thanks Winnie and Jodi!!!

Monday, October 20, 2014

Pre-Phase Report!

Hi Guys!

Guess what?! Mom got my first report today! It is a Pre-Phase report as I am just starting out training. Good news is I passed all my medical tests! Now I am starting training and also having lots of fun times in Community Run! My report also said that I am a very willing girl and I am eager to please. I also really enjoying working and I am always ready to go (sounds just like me!!!). I like to get all my friends to chase me in Community Run and I am still learning the rules of play time at GEB, but I have excellent recall so I come whenever I am called.

Below is a picture of me that one of mom's friends got for her when she had to drop off her pup for her IFT. Until next time!



Friday, October 10, 2014

Postcard time!

Hello! Quick update from me! I sent a postcard home to mom! Read it below. Hopefully soon my training will sent a training report to mom. Until then!


Tuesday, September 9, 2014

IFT Day Update!

I was a VERY good girl during my IFT. I showed all my stuff and was perfect! I am now in harness training! Due to a narrow teeth base that couldn't put me on breed eval, but that's OK because now I can study to be a guide dog and hopefully in 6 months (March 2015) I will graduate as a guide dog! Stay tuned for hopefully monthly updates on my progress!!




It's IFT day!!!

Today I take my IFT! Stay tuned for an update this evening!! 










Monday, September 8, 2014

A quick update!

Quick update! Mom's friend who was raising my sister Effie, sent me this picture and guess what I'm rooming right next door to my sister Effie! I wonder if I will get to play with her in community run! OK, I gotta go, it's my first day in the kennel!!

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Day 434 - 0 days left.........

Well, I'm all checked into the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Training School kennels. I had a fun last morning with mom and all my friends at the BK. I got to play with some friends and I even got to play with my sister Evita one last time! Then at 11:15 we headed to the TS, by 12:08 I was all checked into the kennel. I met my new roomie, her name is Gwyneth! I'll keep you updated as much as possible, but they give us limited time to get on the computer! I mean after all I'm spending an awful lot of time training so I won't always have time to type!
Wish me luck at my IFT on Tuesday!


driving to the TS

Here are some pictures of me at the CDC before we went to the TS


me and Garth

playing with my sister Evita and brother Lucky!







heading into the kennels

waiting to get checked in

getting weighed.

in my kennel


Good bye mom, I'll miss you, but I'm going to go on to do something great!!!