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| Me, Luna, and Lucky |
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| Me, Luna, and Lucky |
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| Wearing my red, white, and blue! |
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| Salute the flag! |
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| A moment of silence. |
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| I met a new friend at college. His name is Keifer. It's funny because we're both called yellow Labs, but we sure aren't the same color! |
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| Keifer and I attended class together in the big fenced in woods at the Canine Development Center. It was "Nature Appreciation 101." We both got an A+! |
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| I had a visit from my Grandma (my Mom Halsa's puppy raiser!). I gave her lots of kisses and whispered in her ear, "I love you!" It's so special that I get to see my Grandma every day at college. |
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| Grandma told me to send some love to mom through a picture. Of course, I happily did just that! I love you, Mom!!!! |
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| I had visitors from my home region!!! I'm wearing a cone since I've had a little problem with my face. |
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| I got to play outside with my visiting friend! |
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| I might have a cone, but that doesn't infer with my sniffing skills! |
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| I got weighed this week! |
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| I hung out on my dog bed. |
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| Resting up at college in between classes. |
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| Hi ya, friends!!! |
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| I attended my first training class for all the boys who are on breed evaluation! I behaved sooo well and remained connected to my handler, despite all the distractions. |
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| College selfies are the best!!!! |
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| My Grandma (on my mom side) took this picture of me chilling in my dorm room. I make sure I tilt my head when family and friends walk by, so then I get lots of "awwwww's!" Yep, I have the handsomeness factor covered! |
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| Monday, July 27th This is my brand new, never lived in, dorm room. Not many college students can say that!! |
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| Monday, July 27th Showing of my trademark head tilt at college and causing many smiles in the process! |
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| On Sunday, July 19th, we got up super early and went on a car ride. We arrived at this McDonald's for Mom and me to meet up with our friends to head to Guiding Eyes. |
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| Here's a quick throwback picture...This was me a year ago at the same location when I took Angelica to catch her ride to college. I've grown up a bit in a year! |
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| My half sister, Intrigue, and I rode to college together. Intrigue is a black and tan Lab. She is a really nice sister! We're polar opposites when it comes to size...she's tiny, and I'm huge! |
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| I slept most of the trip. This duffle bag made a great pillow! |
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| I looked out the window for some of the time. |
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| We stopped for a potty break and a stretch break. |
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| Mom and I got some last minute snuggles in! |
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| Then, I arrived at the Guiding Eyes training school campus. There were a lot of smells, sights, and sounds to soak up! |
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| I weighed in at 81.5 pounds. I made sure that the staff member was writing down my weigh correctly! |
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| Then, I went into the kennel run with Mom. We hung out for awhile. I introduced myself to my new roommates. |
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| There was a bucket of water to drink. |
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| There was a cart with treats and peanut butter for stuffed Kongs! |
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| Mom stuffed a Kong with peanut butter and treats for me. |
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| I waited patiently for my release word, "FREE!" Then, Mom said goodbye until Tuesday, 7/21 (my testing day!). |
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| First off, I was brought into this large room. All I had to do was explore! You know me! I LOVE to explore! |
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| I met this nice turtle. I introduced myself to him, but he didn't say a word. |
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| I looked out the doors. |
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| There was a sandwich on this table and a garbage with kitchen trash in it. But, I didn't sniff either of those things...I remember Mom saying never to counter surf or sniff inside trash cans! |
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| Then, a person called my name. I remember practicing my name response a lot with Mom. |
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| She gave me some treats. Mmmm...what's there not to like about this test?! |
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| I will admit...I spit out the first treat...it wasn't my flavor! |
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| This lady opened up an umbrella, but it didn't scare me! |
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| I walked over this cool footing. I practiced a lot of footings with Mom! |
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| Who knew that cleaning would be a part of my test? I suppose they want to see if I'll keep my dorm room clean. Of course, I will! I helped Mom vacuum many times. This loud vacuum didn't scare me! |
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| It's hard to see in this picture, but there was a laughing, rolling lion on the floor. He was like a stuffed animal, but more vocal! I looked at it and then, checked in with my handler. I did let out a bark at the end because honestly? What a silly toy! |
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| Then, the handler started to eat a peanut butter sandwich. I sat nicely, but none for me? Even though I noticed it, I didn't attempt to jump up to grab it nor did I try to get it when it was put back on the table. |
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| I watched the bat that was flying. I didn't bark or jump at it...just watched nicely. |
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| I wore a guide dog harness for the very first time! Don't I look great in it?! I was comfortable in it and didn't show any signs of harness sensitivity. Yay for me!!!! |
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| After the test, I got to see MOM! |
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| Mom, how did I do? |
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| Mom told me how very proud she is of me. She said that I rocked it!!! We got the official news that I passed my test with flying colors. Because I did so well, the evaluators decided to consider me for the elite breeding colony. That means I'm now on "breed evaluation." I will now have additional behavioral tests and health tests. It's an honor to be considered for the breeding colony. Only the top 3% of Guiding Eyes dogs are chosen as parents. |
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| There were some little puppies across the hall who were waiting to go home with their raisers. I really wanted to go visit them and give them a pep talk about how it feels to have passed one's guide dog entrance exam! |
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| After my test and seeing Mom, I returned to my "dorm." There was a tour of the kennel (or as I like to call it my dorm building!!). Even though there were many people walking around, I was very settled and calm in my dorm room. |
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| Mom came to say hi to me again. I made a silly face to the camera! |
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| Wink! |
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| I chilled out again in my dorm room before leaving for the other college campus where I'll be further evaluated for the breeding colony. That's called the "Canine Development Center." |
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| On Wednesday, I had a visit from my Great-Grandma! I had so much fun hanging out with her! |
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| I chewed Nylabones! |
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| And chewed some more! It was so nice to have a visitor! |
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| On Thursday, I had playtime in a big fenced in area. I was sure to smile for the camera when my other Great-Grandma took this picture! |
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| I was reunited with my Daddy Maestro (center) and my brother, Lucky! We had the best time playing together. It's great to be with family! |
