Monday, January 31, 2011

Life is Good

Yup, I can get used to this!
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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Black Pearl

Mama says I am the best thing that can be found inside a clamshell.
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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

16 Things at 16 Months (The Last Edition)

Yep! The title is right! This is my last Month post! There will always be more to tell, but it's hard coming up with this stuff! And this one is SUPER special! I am not sure I can beat this edition. Here's what's happening this month:

16 Things I want to do as a Career Change Dog!

Yep. That's right. I have come to the end of my puppy raising journey. A while back, I hurt my leg and they determined that I had pano. Well, the limp went away for the most part, but sometimes I still shifted my weight off my leg. I look a little dorky when I do it.

Dagan standing with 3 of his 4 feet square with his body. His back right leg is shifted out away from the body, though the foot is on the groundSo, as I started shifting my weight more and more over the past 3 weeks, Mom started asking questions and worrying again. I went back to see the vet at GDB today. Turns out, there is a little more going on in there than just Pano. I have loose knee caps! Go figure. So, as I move and pivot around, my knee cap pops in and out of place. This causes pain and I limp. As a guide, pulling into harness would put more pressure on my rear legs. My knee caps would move around and cause pain. A limping guide dog is not a good thing. So, as of Monday, I am a free dog!

Without further ado, here's my 16 things:
1) Get a super cute collar (rather than the basic black of GDB)
Profile of Dagan's head, showing his neck with a light blue collar with bones all aroundCollar - check!

2) Learn to get comfy on the couch.
Dagan sitting, a bit awkwardly, on a pink blanket on the couchCouch - check!

3) Spend time snuggling in bed.
Dagan lying in the middle of the bed, looking contentBed - Check!

4) Schedule an off leash beach day. (In the works!)
5) Visit a dog park (Mom's never been!)
6) Learn to shake hands.
7) Take an acting class (or a tricks class - some sort of fun non-GDB training)
8) Eat yummy treats (not kibble!)
Dagan sitting on his bed and my hand giving him a bear shaped dog cookieBear shaped dog cookies - Yum! Errr, I mean check!
9) Stuffed Kong! Can't wait!
10) Ride on the front seat of the car!
11) Sniff whatever I want to on a walk.
12) No more Gentle Leader!!
13) Illegal toys!
Dagan sitting with a stuffed bunny covered kong, a blue hurley and a chuck it flying squirrellToys - half a check. 3 is totally not enough!

14) Be Dad's work buddy and ride in the truck.
15) Help raise more guide dog puppies.
16) Stay with Mom and Dad forever and ever.

I started checking stuff off already! It's been a really busy day! And, my blog will continue! Poppy left for college and stopped updating you all. SO not me! Looking forward to lots of new adventures and fun!

Wags,
Dagan

Sunday, January 2, 2011

15 Things at 15 Months

OK! I'm late again! It's been a very busy month! This month's installment of 15 Things at 15 Months will be:

15 Things I Did This Month!

1) Mom, Dad and I spent time ringing the Salvation Army Bell. I was way cute and brought in lots of money!
John wearing the Salvation Army apron and ringing bells with Dagan by his side2) I was even cuter and brought in even more money after I learned to help ring the bell.
Dagan sitting on his GTB mat, wearing a Santa hat, with jingle bells in his mouth3) We were so busy, due to my cuteness, that I had to learn to collect too! (Luckily, soggy money works just as well as the dry stuff!)

Dagan with a dollar bill in his mouth, the Salvation Army kettle in the background
4) I taught my buddy about Gentle Leaders.
Dagan lying down with a toddler in front of him, holding Dag's GL5) I went Christmas tree shopping!
Dagan, in his Santa Hat at the Christmas tree farm6) I rang the bell a second time.

Dagan in his Santa hat and Christmas collar at the kettleIt was more tiring this time.
Dagan lying on his GTB mat, head on the ground with his Santa hat over his eyes7) I hung out with my buddy Katra at Church (we don't normally get to sit together, cause we just want to play).
Top view, looking down, at Dagan and yellow lab CCI puppy, Katra, lying down at churchThen we took a nap together at home.
Dagan and Katra sharing his dog bed8) I visited a Crazy Christmas House.
Dagan sitting, in his Santa hat, at an insanely lit up and decorated Christmas house9) I visited Dad's family on Christmas Day.
Dagan lying on the carpet, surrounded by presents10) I let Lupe borrow my hat (she didn't know how to wear it though!)
Lupe the cattle dog with the Santa hat under her chin, like a beard11) I ummmm... Broke into the bag of dog Christmas presents before I was supposed to. (Santa left them for us, I thought we should be able to have them whenever we wanted to!)
Dagan with a gift bag and stuffed dog toy in his mouth
12) I posed with Brian.
Dagan and 5 year old Brian in front of the tree, Brian wearing a hat shaped like a chimney with Santa's legs kicking out the top13) I hung out with Beamer. (He is a guide dog. Mom raised him 7 years ago and he is hanging with us while his family is in Hawaii)
8 year old golden retriever Guide Dog Beamer and Dagan in front of the tree14) I got lots of Brian hugs.
Brian lying on top of Dagan, giving him a hug with a big smile on his face. Dagan is looking over his shoulder at Brian trying to figure out what the heck is going on

15) Took a nice long nap! It was needed after all that excitement!
Floor level close up of Dagan's face asleep
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Wags and Wiggles,
Dagan