SSHS

Late last year I got an email from my mom's sister - who is also involved with Dog Related Things - asking if I could make some leashes for her Chicago-based dog rescue organization, South Suburban Humane Society, to use during adoption events. Many of the leashes they have been using are donated, and come partially chewed and definitely look used. I felt so honored to get the request to make some fancy leashes for them, knowing how much my Aunt loves this organization and the dogs she helps save. To her credit, in the years she's worked as a volunteer, she's only brought home just a few of the rescues to keep as her own. I am not sure I would have such self control.

Supervisor Saxon helped me pick out leather for the leashes while we were up in Northern California for Khaki's graduation.

Saxon standing next to a cow's worth of leather. Yes, those things are huge!

Soon the leather was cut and looking more like leashes and less like a cow (thank goodness).

A few of the leather strips ready for braiding.

A close up of a few of the finished leashes.

Before we sent them off, Saxon was nice enough to pose for a picture with the finished products. Doesn't he look happy? :)

Saxon posing with the finished leashes, including one on top of his head. Maybe he's sad because I told him the leashes were made for dogs that don't have homes yet. Or maybe because I put a leash on his head. :)

The leashes arrived in Chicago just in time for the weekend's adoption event and from what I'm told, they were a big hit. My Aunt was kind enough to take some pictures of the leashes in action.

This is Winnie, an Australian Shepherd mix.

Pippen

And this is Buttercup, a ten year old lab/bloodhound mix. Buttercup was abused and was recently rescued by SSHS. 

Keith, my Aunt's dog for the day, putting the leash to the test.

It is such an honor to have a hobby that can be of use to people who do such wonderful things. I hope the leashes can, in some small way, help some lucky rescued dogs find the loving homes they deserve. If you're interested in learning more about the South Suburban Humane Society and the wonderful things they do, check their website here and like their facebook page too.

Fun Things, Part III

Well midterms got in the way of finishing the final installment of Fun Things, but here it is. Think I can just print this out and hand it in with Saxon? :)

My puppy's daily diet consists of:

a close up of Saxon's puppy coat

Saxon eats what he wears: Natural Balance. In the years I've raised pups for GDB, I've fed Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, and Pro Plan. I have to say from my own uneducated experience, I like Natural Balance the best, if for no other reason than the kibble is not greasy and doesn't stink to high heaven like some of the others. All 69.7 pounds of Saxon eat one and a half cups of kibble twice a day, with enough water added to the kibble so that it floats. He always has access to water and can drink as much as he wants without issue.

Let me tell you about my puppy's personality:

Regal Saxon looking dopey.

 I cannot say enough good things about this dog but I will try. Saxon is my sweetie pie puppy. He is very low energy, very cuddly and just a happy-go-lucky dude. He makes us all laugh because he makes such dopey faces and so laid-back. Sometimes when people knock on the door he's too sleepy to even get up and greet them. If they're lucky, he'll wag his tail. But he does get a good occasional crazy run going, and greats 'his people' enthusiastically. I remember every time he's barked in the last 15 months (it's been 10 times - 10 single barks). He still loves his plush toys and sleeping on anything fleece. He really is an old man stuck inside the body of a puppy. When Saxon is working, he walks FAST and LOVES his food rewards. He is just a good boy.

My puppy's favorite travel adventure was:

Last Thursday, my best friend Becca had a birthday. Becca and I have known each other since we were two years old and our brothers played on the same Tee ball team. She sent me a text message the night before her birthday saying she wanted to go snowboarding to celebrate and would I go with her?

There were many negotiations going into the next morning, me mostly saying no over and over again since my grad school budget doesn't really include rental equipment or medical bills when I inevitably break bones and have to pay for it out of pocket since I don't have insurance, and Becca doing what she always does - convincing me to go anyway, against my better judgement. Best friends are great that way.

I had a commitment into the early afternoon that day, so Becca and I compromised. She said she could just snowboard the night session, and Saxon and I would bum around town, checking out the snow and winter weather but avoiding the extra cost/injury. She got the road trip snacks and I picked her up around 3 PM and we headed east towards the mountains. After two hours of awful LA traffic, we were nearing the mountain turn backs and the final stretch of our journey when Becca got really quiet.


Don't be mad, okay Mandy? she said.

Always a good way to start a conversation.

There's no night session tonight.

We had just driven 90 miles through bumper to bumper LA traffic for no reason. We had a pretty good laugh at ourselves, and I told Becca that under no circumstances was I turning around and sitting through another two hours of bumper to bumper rush hour traffic - so we went to Big Bear anyway, right up to the  ski lodge, and Saxon got to see snow for the very first time.

Really crappy iPhone picture of Saxon sitting on the snow. His eyeballs look like headlights because of the flash. :)

Watching Saxon be a complete goofball on the snow - bouncing and running and trying to eat ALL of the snow made the entire day totally worth the negotiations, traffic, and disappointment.

Becca poses by the Snow Summit sign that clearly reads: Night Session: NONE

We went into town and ate a pretty crappy dinner, a man with long cheek hair showed me pictures of his dog, and we drove back with no traffic. Sometimes the best, most memorable experiences end the complete opposite of how you think they will when you start.

Last night, Becca was over when I received confirmation that Saxon will return for training next weekend, February 25th, 2012. When I learned that Saxon is going to the Oregon campus of Guide Dogs, where it can sometimes snow, I just had to laugh, knowing we'd actually done a really awesome thing to prepare him for the Oregon winter with last week's misadventure.

Nine more days with Saxon. I'm going to stop typing now and cuddle some more with my sweetie pie Saxon dog. I'm sure going to miss him!

Fun Things, Part II

My puppy’s home environment:

Saxon has spent time in a tiny two bedroom beach apartment and several houses with big backyards and pools. He's spent time in an office and on a huge college campus. In smaller environments, Saxon's energy level is much lower. 

Saxon yawning in a sunny spot in the apartment

In more spacious environments, Saxon enjoys following me around everywhere, spreading his toys throughout the house, and running like a puppy in the backyard. In any environment, Saxon strives to find sunny spots for napping. 

Saxon yawning before napping in the sunny spot at the house

My puppy’s favorite companions (family members, work pals, other pets):

This one is easy: Saxon's favorite buddy is Hero, his 13 year old career change yellow labrador 'brother'. 

Hero as baby Saxon's pillow - Saxon is a blob of a 12 week old puppy here

Saxon is very particular about his 'people' and remembers my close friends, any puppy raiser who has given him a kibble reward, and even family members that visit occasionally. He greets his favorite people enthusiastically - there will be no doubt who is special in Saxon's life!

grown up Saxon, still using Hero as a pillow.

My puppy’s bedtime routine:

Saxon is an excellent sleeper and had slept free in the room since he was housebroken, although he will sleep in a crate or on tie-down as well. As if the pictures posted so far aren't enough proof - Saxon needs a lot of sleep and will put himself to bed if he's tired enough. He is great about staying in his bed until it is time for me to wake up. He's not a dog to wake you with a wet nose.

to be continued....

Fun Things About My Puppy

one of Saxon's formal portraits - can you see the white hairs on his chest?

Before Saxon heads back for formal training next month (oh yes, he is still here, good ol' Sax, last one in his litter to be recalled) I have to fill out a two page questionnaire called, as the post says, "Fun Things About My Puppy". This form is given to and/or read to whoever receives our puppy - hopefully it will be read aloud to Saxon's handler in class shortly after they've met to give them a bit of background on him, what his upbringing was like, what they ate, that sort of thing. If I include pictures, they will end up with him as well. This is all encouraged and in some way cathartic for puppy raisers.

A screen shot of the top of the Fun Things form

I don't know about other puppy raisers, but I always cringe when thinking about this particular two page form, for two reasons: 1. the name itself reminds me of that banally named Fun Day pilgrimage I so look forward to making every year, but always avoid using in conversation with non-guide dog people because it sounds like an offshoot of chuck-e-cheese and therefore something no self-respecting adult would go out of her way to attend... and 2. because I nearly always leave this particular form empty until the days before my puppy returns for training, making it that much harder to fill out because I don't really want to think about the puppy I am giving away. At least - not in the terms it so specifies. And not through eyes clouded with tears.

Saxon passed out with his head in his basket of toys.

But anyway, I decided to get into Fun Things here, because as I sit here right now, legs propped up on top of an exhausted Saxon, I can still technically say his recall is probably "next month" and it seems far enough away to not worry about saying goodbye yet. Since I've already rambled on for 300 plus words, I'll go ahead and start tomorrow. It should be......fun...yes?

That's the Spot

Saxon enjoys close attention from a group of Kindergarten students

Saxon had a busy month full of the ups and downs of every day life - we said hello to a friend's new kitten, and goodbye to another friend's former dog puppy, gone much, much too soon. We had a visit from Ginger, and my mom had her knee replaced so we've shifted gears to help her recover with that. Through it all, Saxon has been absolutely wonderful. From sitting calmly while surrounded by many 5 year olds (some of whom decided to draw on him with chalk) to playing nurse in the hospital - he's done it all with poise and the professional attitude I'd expect of a future guide dog.

Saxon poses by the therapy dog portraits at Torrance Memorial Hospital

So now that he is perfect (I can say that, right?), it is almost time for him to leave. Puppy raising is almost like surfing in that way - so much work to catch a wave for just a few seconds before it's gone, then paddle out again with the next pup.

Tonight Saxon went to a local kennel for a three night stay there, something our club requires and of all pups and funds as well. Stupid me, I left this requirement for the very last minute. There is a strong possibility that Saxon could return for formal training next weekend, and he will spend the next three nights away from me. Oh well. I keep telling myself that it does not matter in the long run - three nights, but right now it kind of feels like an eternity.

Khaki Graduated; Here Are Some Pictures!

Saxon's best buddy Khaki graduated as a guide dog last weekend. We had a wonderful weekend trip up in San Rafael supporting Khaki's puppy raisers, visiting with Khaki's new mom, and staying with Cassie, John, Dagan and Scooter. City dog Saxon got to see cows and experience life outside of paved streets and driveways of Los Angeles. Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Sleepy Saxon in the car on the way up north

Saxon visiting with Khaki the guide dog (in the background) and retired breeder Elsa, also raised in my club.

5 month old Scooter poses with Saxon and career change Dagan

cuddles with off-duty Khaki. I think she remembered me :)

Morgan Watkins give his last graduation introduction as Guide Dogs' acting CEO during the last graduation at Guide Dogs' current dormitory stage. This was the last class to graduate from this dormitory before remodeling - quite a day.

Khaki, raiser Pat and handler Fran on stage during Graduation

Retired breeder Elsa in the audience at Khaki's graduation. Khaki's raiser also raised Elsa.

Female black lab Snug and her trainer demonstrated guide work for the crowd

Sleepy Saxon watching a 4th grade basketball game after graduation.

Saxon and Scooter pose in Rohnert Park, Ca at Weaver's Winter Wonderland. They have a LOT of Christmas Lights!

Cows staring at Saxon. This isn't Los Angeles, pup.

Saxon and Scooter posing by the Christmas decorations in downtown Petaluma - a train and a nutcracker

And that was our trip! Hope that was enough pictures!

Guess who Won This Time?

It's not the puppy, that's for sure. Good job, old man Hero. The puppy can sleep on the ground.