:-( Christmas toys taken away :-(

Sadly I reviewed the toy policy (haven't read it in a while) and realised that neither of Hobb's christmas toys are aproved. So they have been confiscated and donated to a local shelter. I think I am going to get him another couple toys because his supply has dwindled.

Christmas....

Hobbs had a great christmas even though we weren't at home. I think he needs to be puppy sat because he really has a hard time being at other houses. He gets nervous and I can just tell that he doesn't feel comfortable. So I may be switching puppies with someone soon!
Robert, Hobbs, and I headed up to my in-laws house in heber christmas eve-afternoon, with all of our presants from under our tree. To make Christmas just perfect I had come down with a cold that sunday and I was steadly feeling worse and worse. I got hobbs a couple of toys that are from the aproved brand, but I am wondering now if they are really aproved toys....they kind of got to the "throw away" stage quickly.

It was definatly interesting to be a part of another family's christmas traditions. We had a pizza party christmas eve and then stayed up doing different things. Robert and I stayed up watching Transformers (great movie) and then I started feeling really awfull so we slept. Christmas morning was great, and we got lots of things that we needed, and wanted. Hobbs enjoyed unwrapping his presant himself, but his toys had to be retired by the end of the day because they weren't very durable. He did have a great time playing with his old buddy Dodge, who is living in Heber with Robert's parents.

Hobbs Christmas eve with all the presants

Christmas Morning

Posing with his new Nylabone toy

Yummy!

What a handsome boy!

Later Christmas day we went down to my parent's house to have an afternoon dinner with my visiting Grandpa and his wife. It was great to see my family and Patriot. I cant wait until life settles down a little and he can come live with us.

At my parent's house helping with Christmas puzzles

An update on Hobbs....he is doing well, but the hormones have definatly kicked in and he is being increasingly defiant and difficult. Me not being able to walk him for the past week hasn't helped either. His dog reactions are not consistant; sometimes he is really good and is only a little hesitant and other times he refuses to say hi or hackles (out of fear I think) when he gets near another dog. I am starting to lose my confidence that he is going to make the perfect guide dog.

Pre New Years Resolutions

Looking through my photo's both here on the blog world and in my photo albums, I have realised something. What is that? I have realised that I don't take pictures of the important things. Looking over this past Christmas pictures, I noticed that most were of things other than the people in my life. Actually most were of Hobbs, and while he is a major part of Robert's and my life right now he will be leaving us in April - June! None of my pictures this year were of my new in-laws or of my family. I got one picture of Robert and that is all! So what is my plan for this dilemma?I am resolving (I know it is about a week early but still) to:
take more pictures of what is important. The people in my life especially my dear husband and our families.
lose and keep off 17 lbs (this is a continuation of my failed goal to lose 20 by thanksgiving)
cook one new meal every week
That is all I have so far but it will grow before the new year! I think it is much better to think through your resolutions rather than make sleep deprived spur-of-the-moment resolutions.

Merry Christmas!!

Even though it is only christmas eve I thought I would post a Merry Christmas to everyone! Hobbs and Robert and I went up to Heber for christmas with the in-laws. We brought all our presents with us including Hobbs' two so that we wouldn't be left out in the morning.

Sadly our kitty had to stay home (too much stress for a pregnant momma) but she has plenty of toys waiting for her. One down side to this christmas is that I am sicker than a dog! I have been sick since saturday, but hopefully I will be better tomorrow morning. Thats all for now! Pictures next time!

MARRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Let it Snow!

We got almost a foot and a half of snow overnight and Hobbs couldn't wait to play in it! I don't know if this video is going to work but he was having a blast running around the potty area at my apartment. Don't worry it is fenced you just can't see because it is around the buildings as well.










I was trying to get Hobbs and his Kitty to lay next to eachother but the cat wasn't too cooperative, because Hobbs kept trying to chew on her.


This was the best shot I could get....silly animals!


My family went up to SLC's Temple square to see my brother's chior concert and we got to ride trax (light-rail train) there and back. I was too frozen to take any pictures once we were there (and Hobbs was being a pill) but here is Hobbs being a good boy on the trax.

My Monster of a Puppy

Sorry about the lack of posts lately! I have been busy trying to find a miniature horse to buy and have decided to keep looking but probably not get one until spring. For more about that read my other blog.

Anyways, I had Hobbs weighed at the vets office today (he wasn't sick I just wanted to weigh him) and he was 65 lbs!!! He is not even 9 months yet! I think he is going to be another huge dog like Patriot! I think Patriot was 75 lbs when he went back at 13 months and he is now 100 lbs! Hopefully Hobbs is just growing early and he doesn't continue at this pace until he is recalled. Other than that he is doing great! He was a little offended that we went to Petsmart the other day and bought the cat toys and not him. He doesn't realise I already bought his christmas presents.

We went to the Utah Guide Dog Christmas party on saturday and brought along a couple who is VERY interested in raising. I am not sure I like them but that may be because the wife is one of my husband's ex-girlfriends. They must ready want to do it though because they are both allergic to dogs! We had a group of blind/visually impaired children come learn about dogs and caring for them. There were different stations and the children rotated from one to another. It was great to see the children's confidence around the dogs grow in that short time. It was great to see all the puppy raisers and some people I haven't seen since I had Calliope.

Hobbs got a little evaluation from the CFR about his dog issues and now he is on a special toy protocal to help build his confidence. I am glad because I am quite worried that this problem may get him cc'd. Hobbs is super excited about his "baby" as we have started calling it....I know I am crazy. But he is supposed to absolutly be in love with this toy.

Hobbs and I had a great experience today walking accross one of those Ski-walk sidewalks. They are the sidewalks that go up and over a major road (this one was over Bangerter Hwy) and it is quite the experience for the puppies! It was a little un-nerving for me though. I have never had a problem with hights but this made my stomach a little nervous. So if you have one near you, take your puppy on it! I don't recommend it for any dog that has issues with traffic or is under like 6 months.

I don't have any pictures, kinda been busy with christmas stuff. Maybe next post I will have some.

Pictures of new apartment

Ok, I am actually not going to put the pictures on this blog. I decided to put them on my "Life" blog so if you want to read them click here! I have changed the blog to public so that more people can read it. Here are a couple of Hobbs and his kitty:


Hobbs and his Kitty (who is very pregnant and still a month from her due date!) Sorry this one is dark, the kitty really didn't like the flash


I tried to get a picture of how big her belly is but every time I went to take the picture she would flop on her side!


She is very uncomfortable and lays like this quite often

Hobbs on his makeshift bed. He threw up in his other one and it soaked into the foam and ruined it. So we are deciding if we should get him a new one or not.....I am leaning towards getting it to lower his stress level.

As for an update, Hobbs is doing ok, we are having some barking problems and some crate behavior problems. And of course the on-going dog fear problem. I think the most recent problems are due to the fact that he is still stressed from the move. We went to the Utah County puppy meeting on saturday and had a great time. It was nice to be around so many puppies and Hobbs actually handled it well. I am hoping to get a picture of Hobbs from the meeting and will of course post it.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!!

I can finally post my pictures! Not much else has happened. Hobbs is starting to relax in our new apartment, but will jump up out of a dead sleep if I leave the room. I think he may need some puppy sitting once he calms down here a little more. He is way too attached to me. I am accepting a job at PetSmart as a trainer once again...and I hope I don't regret it. I liked it last time, but it was tough. Hobbs will definatly get a lot of exposure to other dogs! Anyways here are the pictures! I am in the process of taking nice pictures of my new apartment so they will be coming soon!



Handsome 8 month old Hobbs


Right after his first bath in Utah

Patriot came to visit for almost a week and he had so much fun! He thought Hobbs was a little too rough with his play though.

Hobbs and Patriot snuggled together on a blanket


Before the chaos of the snow took over

Patriot eating snow off the overturned bucket

It is funny to see the differences in two dog's personalities. For example, Hobbs loved me kicking snow in his face or in his general direction and would do labby scoots around the yard. So I kicked some snow at Patriot and it hurt his feelings and he pouted by the back door for quite a while.

I love this shot of Hobbs and his Jolly Ball

Handsome Patriot (I can't believe he is almost 6!)

Two tired boys after playing in the snow!

Hobbs and the "Dog Tree" at the Utah Festival of Trees


A close up of Hobbs and the tree. Hobbs is squinting in the flash

"A Guide Dog Christmas"

'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 too 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 decoration 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 too 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, in their puppy homes, cute and full of holiday cheer. 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 funniest 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!"

(Author Unknown)

Oh the joys of moving

Today is finaly the day that we get to move into our new apartment. It has been really tough on Hobbs to not have a schedule and to kinda not have a home. He has finally settled down and stopped stressing, and now I am boxing up everything we used in the last two weeks (suprisingly a ton of stuff) and he is back to pacing and staring at me and whinning. Other than that he has been great since the last post. He hasn't tried to lift his leg again at all, and has regained his hearing, and perfect manners. He is starting to bulk up a little, and is starting to look more like a dog than a puppy. It makes me sad because I start to think about how he really isn't my dog. And unless something is medically wrong with him, I really don't see him being career changed.

I will post pictures when I can, our card reader for the computer is still packed away somewhere.

Hormones....please no!!

So I think Hobbs has officially gotten his hormones. He has been restless and whiny for the past couple days....ever since Patriot went back to my parent's house. Then today he lifted his leg for the first time in his life and pee'd on a tree. I was so proud of him that I almost took a picture of him, but then he almost fell over and I laughed and he got embarrassed. He also has started noticing that there is a lot to look at when we are out in public and gets distracted by little things like people getting in their cars, traffic, leaves, rocks, the ground....you get the picture. The wonderful selective hearing has started as well and I think Hobbs has gotten more corrections in the past couple days than in his whole life. Sad. I figured he was going to stay perfect forever, but hopefully moving into a stable home again in THREE DAYS will help him remember that life has rules.

Scary!

So last night I was loaded onto an ambulance and taken to the ER because my husband and I though that I was possibly having a stroke. Ok, a little background here:

I had been sick with what I thought was strep throat since thanksgiving day, but my strep test at the doctor, on Wednesday, came up negative. Weirdly enough, on Monday, my tongue on the right side had gone kind of numb (like it does if you rub ore-gel or baby numbs-it on it) I though that it was because of the strep. The doctor gave me penicillin and said that 5% of strep tests are a false negative. That was on Wednesday. Well yesterday morning I noticed that my right eye was having a little difficulty closing/blinking. I could close my left eye and leave the right one open, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't do it the other way around. I just blew it off and told Robert about it later that evening. His mom is a RN and she told me that if it got worse that it was probably a reaction to the penicillin and to go to the doctor for something else.

About five minutes later I was talking to Robert and I smiled at him and it felt weird so I asked if my smile was crooked. He went white and said YES!! I then stuck my tongue out for him and asked if it was crooked and he said yes again as he was dialing the phone. He then started yelling to his mom that I was having a stroke and that he was calling 911. He did and by that time I was freaking out that I was going to die of a stroke and kept waiting to go unconscious and never wake up. Robert put the dogs away (they ended up eating dinner about three hours late) and made me sit quietly on the couch. The paramedics came and strapped my on a gurney and put me on the ambulance. Scariest thing in my whole life! I kept thinking of all the things I hadn't done, and all the things I needed to tell Robert before I died.

We got to the Hospital and they did a neuro exam on me and it came up good. My smile was crooked off and on and but they finally told me that I was not having a stroke of any kind and that I was going to be fine. The outcome was a diagnoses of Bells Palsy. It is where the facial nerve on one side gets inflamed and damaged, so that the muscles on that side of the face don't react properly if at all. Mine so far is a very mild case and the severity comes and goes. But it takes a couple of weeks to a couple of months to fully recover and about 1/3rd of the people that get Bells don't recover full use of that side of their face. No one knows what causes Bells but I guess it is more common than people think. The funny thing is that this condition happens mostly in older people and pregnant women.....which I am not....I had them check. The only think I can think of is that I am....was on the Ortho Evera birth control patch. As with many birth controls it fools your body into thinking it is pregnant which is the only explanation I can see to why I developed Bells Palsy. I was put on a couple different medications, and now it is just a waiting game to see how quickly I will recover.

On a happier note, Robert and I are moving into our apartment on Wednesday and I can not wait to get some schedule back into our lives. Hobbs has been quite difficult this past couple weeks, and I am hoping it is just him being stressed from the move. Patriot went home to my parent's house earlier today, but will be moving in with us shortly after we get settled. It ended up that the person at the doggy daycare who was planning to leave is staying so they are no longer hiring. Very disappointing because I was looking forward to it, but they have my application on file.