Winter Break

Well this post is pretty late but I thought I would catch everyone up on what Pinnacle and I did over winter break. Due to somethings I am unwilling to talk about I am back at Fresno State for one last semester.  I spent most of the winter break taking care of some headaches with the school so Pinnacle didn't do to much traveling. My sister's horse passed away during winter break too so we were also busy dealing with that. Pinnacle did get to have some fun though while we were home he got to go with my dad and I to the country club we belong to and watch my dad golf. He learned how to ride in the golf cart (aka not sitting or laying on the gas pedal), walk nicely on a loose leash on the course, and to ignore golf balls. He did really good and got tons of attention.

Pinnacle on the golf course

Pinnacle ready to ride in style

Golfing wasn't the only fun adventure Pinnacle had. We also got to go to one of Guide Dogs graduations. It was a special graduation as Warren who was raised by one of my friends was graduating as a guide. He is now working in Canada. Also one of Medford's pups Bishop graduated as a guide that day. My friend and I got there early so we walked Pinnacle around the campus and went into the gift shop. After all that we went into the dorm/graduation area to see Warren and meet his new partner. Pinnacle was a good boy and slept through the graduation. After graduation a few of us raisers went to eat at BJ's. All the pups did great and even slept through a fire alarm (there was no fire it just accidentally went off). After that my friend and I along with Pinnacle drove back to Fresno, and she continued back to Bakersfield.

Medford's pup Bishop

Warren 

Pinnacle at the Guide Dog graduation

Other than that our break consisted of going to stores, going out to eat, and going to movies. Agent stayed behind in Bakersfield and will come back to Fresno midFebruary that way I can spend some one on one time with Pinnacle to work on some things.

Malcolm Returns

I posted about a week or so ago that Malcolm was cc'd from Dogs for Diabetics. That call was heart breaking for me and I cried for days. He was a really great boy and had really hoped he would make it through their program. However, the stress of so many changes had caught up to him and he started to alert bark and alert growl again. He did it when I first got him but after working with him on it got him to stop. I had a short time to decide what to do with him. While I have a lot of respect for Guide Dogs career change placement department the thought of him going to someone who might not keep in touch was to hard so I decided to bring him home and place him.

One of my friend's had placed two of her golden career changes with a family, but 2 years ago one died of cancer so they were wanting one. After hearing more about them and thinking it over I decided they would be a great match for Malcolm. I had my friend contact them and tell them about Malcolm. They were thrilled to hear I wanted to place him with them. I explained we would do a week trial run to make sure it was a good match.

On June 21 the puppy truck came to pick up one of the dogs in our group for formal training, drop off 2 new puppies and drop off Malcolm. It was at the truck I met the family who would be taking Malcolm. After talking with them for a short bit I knew I made the right choice. Once the truck pulled up I handed the puppy truck driver my leash and they got Malcolm off the truck. Soon as I said his name he lost it and went crazy. He jumped right up on me and kept licking my face. It was a priceless moment. Once he settled down some I took him over to meet his new family and their other golden career change, and he quickly liked them. Our group got two new pups a male golden lab cross named Moab and a male golden retriever named Akron. Once the truck left it was time to say goodbye again to Malcolm. It felt weird to be saying hello and goodbye to him all in a mater of an hour.

Malcolm's reaction to seeing me again

He lost total control of himself

Malcolm meeting his new family for the first time

Malcolm and his new friend Chuck

New puppy in the group Moab male golden lab cross

New puppy in the group Akron a male golden

Malcolm's new family text me when they got home and the other day saying how much they love him. He has been swimming in their pool everyday and has been playing fetch as well. I will be giving them the paper work in a few days to fill out for his adoption and then he will be officially their forever boy.

Pinnacle's Eval

So this is about a week late but I have had a lot going on so here it is. Last Monday our CFR came down to Bakersfield to evaluate how the pups in our group are doing. I use to get a little nervous but after having Polaris transferred from me and Agent dropped in home I will admit I was a little more nervous than usual. My biggest fear was being told that he didn't think Pinnacle would be ready by end of summer to start school with me.

The eval was at 3:20 but we got there a little early so we sat off to the side. Once he was done with the pup before us he had us walk the two pups. Well Pinnacle was very distracted and wanted to play with the other pup. After a bit we finally got into the mall and found a quiet area. He then worked the other young pup who did really good. Then it was Pinnacles turn. Pinnacle was quiet a handful. He kept wanting to jump and try to chew on our CFR's shorts. He was a bit squirmy with puppy handling but didn't resist or get mouthy which is good.

After the walk the other pup and raiser left and it was our turn to sit down and talk with the CFR. He said Pinnacle is a good boy and has lots of potential we just have to work on him not getting so excited and not so distracted. Pinnacle was put on a food protocol and pretty much a long as he is not fixating on something he gets a piece of kibble every 5 seconds (this is due to the fact if food isn't constantly coming at him he looses interest in the food reward). We have a couple other things to work on with him but we are told he's still doing pretty good and hopefully will be on his way to one day being a guide dog.

Update: since his eval his distraction level is improving. He still gets distracted on outings but not as often which makes me happy.

Photo Shoot

It's been a while since I have posted so I thought I'd give an update on the boys. Agent is loving being back in Bakersfield where he can run in our yard every day. He does good with Pinnacle most of the time, but every once in a while he gets annoyed with him. I try to give him time with just me so that he doesn't get to jealous of Pinnacle. He continues to love to swim and chase squirrels when allowed. I got some pictures of him today just so he could show off how handsome he is.

Pinnacle is continuing to grow like a weed. We are continuing to work real hard with him on seeing the car as something fun and not getting car sick. He is improving. Right now he rides in a crate while in a car and we only do really short drives to keep it positive. So far he hasn't thrown up any and is drooling a lot less so its an improvement. He is learning his commands and how to walk on a head collar nicely right now. Hard to believe he is 14 weeks old now.

Last week/Good-bye Malcolm

So it has been almost a week since I turned Malcolm in for Formal Training. To start off we did some lasts with him during the week. He said his goodbyes to my teachers and they all said they were going to miss their "favorite student". I also took Malcolm to see his last movie G.I. Joe and of course he did perfect. On the Thursday before I turned him in for training I took him to dinner with my sister and her boyfriend. We went to Cheesecake Factory since it was his first outing with me so it was only right that I took him there one last time.On Friday night my mom drove up to Fresno to watch Malcolm while I went to the Clovis Rodeo/Dustin Lynch concert (I hd bought the tickets for me and my friend before I knew Malcolm was on the recall for that weekend). My mom said he did great. I had dropped Agent off to be boarded so that I could focus Friday and Saturday on Malcolm. When I got home I let him get in my bed since it was his last night with me. He didn't last long as he jumped right off as if to say no I know the rules mommy no getting on furniture.


Saturday morning my mom and I woke up got dressed and got things loaded into the car to make the drive up to San Rafael. Before we left we went through the Mcdonald's drive-thru to get breakfast. Then we hit the road. That was one of the hardest drives to make. I wanted to cry my eyes out but tried to keep myself together so that I wouldn't stress Malcolm out. After 3 hours in the car we made it to San Rafael. It was about lunch time so we went to the mall across the street from Guide Dogs and ate lunch there. After eating we got back in the car and drove across the street. Once at Guide Dogs we took some pictures of Malcolm and I.

Malcolm and I on the Guide Dog campus. I was giving him kisses

Malcolm got a little distracted by the construction going on (new dorms are being built)

I hate this part 

Malcolm and I on recall day

After pictures it was time to walk over to the kennels and check Malcolm in. That was a difficult walk to make. After handing in his paperwork we had the option to take him to his kennel which we chose to do. We closed the door and sat there with him giving him kisses and hugs. I told him I was proud of him and to do good in training. He even managed to take the bone in his kennel and drop it on my leg one last time for good memories. After that we got up and went to the outside part of his kennel to see him one last time. Unfortunately he saw us and started to bark and throw a fit which broke my heart so we walked away quickly. I'm told he has since settled in nicely which makes me happy. We then went back to the kennel office to pick up my new puppy (see previous post for details on my new puppy Pinnacle).

giving Malcolm a hug goodbye in his kennel

saying goodbye

I didn't want to leave

I love this boy

Every Thursday is phase report day where we get to see which phase of training our dog is in. Malcolm is in phase 0 this week. In this phase he will have his medical exams and is enjoying some fun time right now. After he passes his physicals he will be assigned a trainer. I can't wait to watch him go through the phases.

Medford

Medfords breeder keepers sent me a picture of Medford today. They say hes doing great and they love him to death. As much as I wish he couldve been my forever boy I am so happy hes with such a great family who keeps in touch with me. As I was looking at the picture of Medford I realized how much Agent looks like him just a bit lighter than medford.