Medford will be a dad ....AGAIN

So when I had last talked to guide dogs breeding department Medford wasnt scheduled to be bred again any time soon. Well.... I got an email today saying that a female went into heat and they decided to use Medford as the daddy. He was bred to Damsel a female yellow lab. So now that there is another litter i have to decide do I get a pup from the first litter and hope it is a medford pup since two males were used, or i could wait few months and know for sure it is a medford pup. Its a hard choice. The thing is i prefer to have the more golden to it over the more lab. Ive always liked goldens more than labs, dont get me wrong i love labs but goldens have and always will be my favorite. If i take one from the first litter it would be 7/8 golden if it was a med but there is no promise it would be medfords. If i get one from second litter then it would be more lab but i would know its medfords. As of now im sticking to the first litter but who knows i still have some time to decide.

Happy Halloween

Wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween.

Wilbur in his king costume(yes being king of the couch is hard work)

More info

So after much back and forth with the head of breeding department at guide dogs I finally got all the info I needed about the pups. As you know Medford and another male was bred with pilllar. Once I heard that news I began to panic about would i know if I had a medford pup, and if not would I be ok with the other males pup. With this being my last pup for at least a little while I was hoping to end with a grandpup and wasnt sure if I would be ok with the other males. So I sent an email expressing my concerns to the head of breeding department. She informed that a DNA test would be done on the pups once they were 6 weeks old but would not have results till they were 12-14 weeks old. That made me feel little better knowing I would at least know who the dad was even if it was after i had it for a month. However, I still worried would i be ok with the other males pup if I ended up with it. I thought about waiting for his second litter but was told it doesnt like hell be used anytime soon and with only a certain time frame I could get a puppy I have decided to go ahead and stick with the pillar litter. I was told that the other male used was ralph a male golden medium color, and that he had a good success rate. After hearing that my fears were put to ease. I would be happy with whatever I got, would I be little disapointed if the pup i got wasn't medfords yes but I'd be ok with it which is important. I also found out that I can schedule to see the pups once they are 6-7 weeks old I know i will be taking advantage of this opertunity. My thinking if something happens that i dont get a med pup at least i can say i saw them.

Medford as a puppy

funny dog video

My dad sent this video to me. My first dog Wilbur is in love with food, so this video reminded me of him.

puppy news

Well I just talked to guide dogs and Pillar who Medford was bred with had 8 puppies on saturday. There are 4 males and 4 females, and the litter letter is A. Since Pillar was also bred with frozen sperm from another male we do not know yet how many are medfords. We have been told different things but we should know when they are 6-12 weeks old. Yes that means we might not find out until we have the puppy. So fingers crossed they find out at 6 weeks so we can know we are raising a medford pup and not some other males pup.

Puppies, puppies, puppies

So I got a very exciting email today from the breeding department for guide dogs for the blind. It said that at the time of the email she had deliverd 4 pups with 2-3 more still to go. Thats all I know right now and should no more info in few days. Also since Pillar was bred with Medford AND another male we arent sure what pups belong to what dad yet. There will be a DNA test when they are about 6 weeks old to find out. Once I know more ill post.

Medford update

I received this picture from Medford's family. I am told he is doing well, and enjoying the rope toy we gave him at graduation. In the picture is Medford with Gail the family's female black lab who was their first breeeder and is now retired.

Medford and Gail

update

So now that my life has somewhat settled down again I figured I should update everyone on what is going on. First Medford's first litter is due oct 19. Unfortunally the female was bred with Medford and another male so until they are born and dna test are run I will not know how many of the pups are his. Secondly I have received the news that my appartment has changed their minds and will not allow me to have guide dogs stay with me luckly I had signed a month to month lease since I was nervous if they would keep their word to allow the dog. So now I will be moving again at the end of the semester, so I can continue to raise. This means three months without a dog. This will be weird since it has been a while since I went this long without a dog. So since I will not have much to update about my blog will be slow for a bit. I will however keep everyone updated about medford's pups.

graduation pictures

Medford and I with his breeder keepers children
Medford and I in front of the congratulations sign
Medford giving me kisses
Medford and I before graduation

Family photo(my dad, me , medford, my sister, and my mom)
group photo (hilton, medford, heloise,and hobbs) with raisers and hilton and hobbs partners
Medford and I being called onto the stage
Making Medford sit before giving my speech

Tearing up during my speech
Medford sitting in my lap after graduation
Giving Medford one last hug

Medford graduates

Yesterday Medford graduated as a breeder. It started out with my family, my sister's boyfriend and I driving to San Rafael on Friday. We arrived to the Embassy suits at about 8pm, and checked in. I then let Palau run around our suit to burn her energy while I worked on my speech for Medford's graduation. Then it was off to bed. At 8am I woke up took care of Palau, and got ready for the graduation. At 10:40 am we headed over to the Guide Dog campus to meet Medford's breeder keeper family. We enjoyed sharing stories about Medford for a while, and then Medford's family had to leave. Once they left I enjoyed loving on Medford and showed my sister's boyfriend the campus. While walking through the kennels I happened to run into some of the trainers I had worked with during my internship few years back. It was great to catch up with them. I then headed back to the student dorms to have Medford and I picture taken. Then I met up with some memebers from my group for more pictures. We were having Medford and three other dogs from our group graduate that day, so we wanted pictures of all the dogs together. Then it was time for graduation to start. I was the second one to go on stage, and was allowed to say a few words about Medford. I had the worst time giving the speech, since I kept breaking down into tears. After my turn I was able to go sit in the audience and watch the students receive their guides. Once graduation was over there was a small reception where we had cookies to eat. Then it was time to say goodbye. We walked Medford to the kennels and checked him in. We then took him to his kennel and gave him the last few kisses. Then we had to walk away in tears. On our way home we stopped in Merced to drop Palau (who did great at graduation) off with her raisers. Yesterday was very emotional but I couldnt be more proud of Medford. I will post pictures from graduation once my mom emails me them.

Palau

Sorry lot of this is late. I was in the process of moving so i didn't have internet access for a bit. So as I mentioned I am watching Palau a female golden/lab cross for 6 weeks. I picked her up on my way back from an outing to old sacramento. She is a sweet girl. Since I am still getting use to her we have been keeping outings to small quick outings to avoid any accidents. She has been attending class with me and has been great to have in class. She just goes under my desk and sleeps. I have found that she loves to sleep near her food and water dish. She is pretty different from her brother polaris who I had started. She has more confidence then polaris did and she looks like a lab while polaris looked golden. One thing both have in common they both love to cuddle. I look forward to our adventures together.

Now for some exciting news. We have found out along with Medford 3 other dogs from our group will be graduating. Pups Hilton and Hobbs (aka the H brothers) will be graduating as guides and pups medford and Heloise will be breeders. This will be a special graduation having 4 dogs from one group graduate together. Only 1.5 weeks till graduation.

news....

Well I got a call today that ive been waiting for since polaris was transfered. They have found me another puppy to care for short term. What that means I will be watching the puppy till end of October so almost a long puppy sit. I will be picking up a female golden/lab cross tomorrow on my way back from sacramento. Her name is Palau. The best part is she is polaris' sister. I am excited to have a puppy again even if it is for short time. Hopefully once my time is up with her there will be a pup who can be officially transfered to me to finish up until a Medford pup is old enough to come to college with me.