Bath time!

Time for my first bath cuz I stink!

Mom and dad could tell I'd had baths before at the school in Florida because I was such a good boy.

Dad started bathing me from outside the shower...

but eventually ended up in the shower with me! 

All clean!

Getting dried..

Oh yeah... I feel good now! And I smell better too!

See how patient I am getting brushed?

Oh man, what a reward!! One lousy kibble!

But what I really wanted was some snuggles with dad.

I think I'm going to like it here!

My first trip to the vet

When I got to Texas my stomach was all messed up. I felt sooo bad. After waiting a couple of days for me to settle into my new home, I still felt bad, so I needed to go to the vet. 

I have a really nice vet in a brand new facility in Angleton, TX. My Vet's name is Dr.Raymond Miller and his clinic is called Veterinary Medical Center of the Gulf Coast.

 Mom had to take my picture in the foyer even though I didn't feel like having my picture taken. But don't I look cute in my new blue coat?

Do you ever wonder why they call it a waiting room?  Maybe they should call it an anticipation room cuz I'm not sure what is about to happen to me.

To begin with, I had to be weighed on baby scales!  I was scared at first but found out that it wasn't so bad. I weigh exactly 13.4 lbs!

Next I had an exam. My vet tech, Lora, was really nice to me because I wasn't feeling too good.

Now it looks like I have a record! My vet is very modern and has everything computerized and automated. They have a state of the art facility equiped with digital xray, surgical facilities, and an in-house laboratory.

After the vet tech completed my initial exam, we waited to see the doctor. I was prodded and probbed in places that are embarrassing to describe. I also had an xray to see if there were foreign objects in my belly. You see, I had a pebble in a place where it shouldn't be and the doctor found it. Maybe I should give up eating pebbles!

Now here comes the bad news. I had to have a shot to help stop my nausea. Then I had to endure these big syringes to get some oral medications that I needed for my other problems. I was just glad there weren't any big needles to go with these big syringes!  But as you can see in my photo, I wasn't too scared.

Here I am with my vet, Dr.Miller, and his vet tech Lora. I know that because of their help today, I will feel much better soon. And, I have learned that I do not have to be afraid to go back.

Oh, and did I mention that this doctor gives treats to good puppy patients like me?  Yum!

Follow Dr.Miller on facebook and check out his website Veterinary Medical Center of the Gulf Coast.

Thanks Dr. Miller for making me feel better! 

Your new friend, Smokey.

Introducing Smokey!! (with an E!)

We were so glad to finally pick up Smokey on Monday afternoon, March 7, 2011 in Houston. He is 9 weeks old and was born in Florida. He is a guide dog puppy that we will be raising and training for SouthEastern Guide Dogs for the next 12 months. Smokey had traveled with Bob and Carol Rone, our area coordinators, from Florida.



Meeting Smokey boy!





Smokey



Smokey



Smokey had been in a truck for two days - 1000 miles - with his sister, Parkie. 



Parkie

 

 After a few minutes of getting to know each other, we took a few pictures and signed all the puppy raiser contracts to make it official. 



Melissa, Greg, and Smokey

 

Wendy and Parkie

Then we loaded Smokey in our car for the 70 mile trip home to Angleton. 

A tie down is required for guide dogs riding in vehicles. A tie down must be about 20-22" in length and can be secured in the passenger front floorboard, or in the backseat floorboard (behind the driver's seat).  Guide dogs must ride in the floorboard so they are protected from the airbag in the event of an accident.



Smokey's tie down



After getting Smokey situated on his tie down we waved goodbye to Carol and Bob to start the journey home.

After putting the car in drive we drove a block and a half before Smokey went "busy busy" (eg guide dog command for going poopy) all over the floor, including Melissa's shoes! (sorry, no photo provided). We immediately thought...oh no, here we go! We turned around and headed back to Bob and Carol's house for a hose down. We depositted the soiled bedding in their neighbor's trash can (sorry, neighbor) and got a fresh towel to start the journey again. 

As you can see, the rest of the trip home was a breeze.

  We arrived home, safe and sound, just in time for a few cuddles...

Smokey's first supper at our house...

Some play time with new toys...

A few minutes to relax on Chey's favorite pillow..

I like my pillow..

I REALLY like my pillow!

Catching some Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's.

Before heading off to crate for the night...

well, until the first wake-up call...

The pick of the litter...

One of these precious pups is little Smoky...the puppy we will be raising for the next 12 months for Southeastern guide dog service.  We don't know which one he is, but Greg wonders if he might be the one with his back to the camera - LOL...   Whichever one you are Smoky, we can't wait to meet you on Monday!  

This will warm your heart

Here's a slideshow of one of Southeastern Guide Dog's recent graduated teams - Maureen & Dexter - and their work at hospice.

Maureen Smith and her guide dog Dexter

How to support the cause

Some people have heard about the guide dog service program, and have asked us how they can help. Here is a way.

The Houston puppy raiser group is raising funds towards Southeastern Guide Dogs' biggest fundraiser of the year: the Walkathon. This year marks the walkathon's 25th anniversary, too, which makes it even more special. The Walk-a-thon is March 5th in Bradenton, FL.

The $3000 goal set by the Houston puppy raisers group is to sponsor a guide dog puppy.  All monies collected go directly to Southeastern Guide Dog organization, who rely 100% on private donations, receives no government funding, and doesn't charge their students a dime for their services.

While puppy raising is a volunteer activity, these funds do not go to the puppy raisers themselves, but are used by the Guide Dog school for breeding, housing, veterinary care, and administration of the Guide Dog school.

If you want to help the Houston Area Puppy Raisers with fundraising for Walk-A-Thon 2011, click on the link below.

Thank you for supporting Southeastern Guide Dogs!

Sit Stay Give - Houston puppy raisers fundraiser

Feb 2011 Guide Dog Meeting

Our February meeting was on SuperBowl Sunday. 

We had a farewell party for Star and Bruce, who will be returned to Florida for IFT (In for Training).

Left to right: Lauren with Star, Christie with Bruce

These two pups have spent the last 12 months learning the required commands and are now ready to be handed off for final training and pairing with a visually impaired client. We wish them well! 

Here are recent photos of the 3 remaining pups in our group::

Look at how cutie pie Sunshine is growing!

This is Little Star. She is so sweet!

This is Houston. He is a beautiful boy!

And guess what?  We got the news that six new puppies are coming into our group in March.  Our "birth announcments" gave the sex, color, breed and name of the puppy that we will receive.  

In this photo, Eileen and Jenny get the news of their new pup, a black female lab named Lulu.

Last but not least, WE got the news that our puppy will also arrive on March 8th. He is a black male lab named Smoky.

We look forward to reporting his arrival!!