Meet Petunia

Miss Petunia was born on April 14, 2011 to Eric and Joyous. She is 8 weeks old and weighs a mere 12lbs, making her, by far, the smallest puppy I have raised.

I made it no secret that I didn't want a puppy named Petunia, but the entire way down to Denver I just knew her name would be Petunia. It's kinda weird that I knew it, but I did! When I was handed her is "Lion King" fashion off the truck and told her name I was in shock.

But I immediately fell in love with my little whiteish grey girl.

Right after coming off the truck, Petunia met her big sisters, Betsy and Jorinda.

We also got to meet her sister Precious.

Precious had eye surgery for entropion while at GDB and poor Petunia is scheduled to have surgery on Monday.

See how drippy her eyes are :(

That's all for now. My puppy is calling me!

Maddie, Betsy, Jorinda, and Petunia

She's here!

You'll never ever guess who I picked up today.

Yep that's right, I picked up an 8 week 1 day old PETUNIA today! And although she's exactly what I said I didn't want, I am absolutely in love with her. She is such a sweetheart, but man is she stubborn! 

I'll do a longer post later!

Maddie, Betsy, Jorinda, and Petunia

Name Game!

On June 10 I will be picking up puppy #4! She is a female yellow lab with the letter P! I am very excited to begin yet another puppy raising journey, although I am a little disappointed that I won't be raising a golden or golden cross. I'm kinda jealous that another raiser in my club is getting a golden cross, but oh well, life goes on. I know I'll love Miss P just as much as I would love a golden and that's all that really matters!
I have a few names in mind for this pup, but it sure is hard to come up with good P names. When I got my first three puppies from GDB I used to be very nervous I would get a "bad" name, but now I've learned to just go with the flow. If I can handle Gabrina and Jorinda, I can handle any name they throw at me! But anywaysss...here is the list I've come up with so far:


Paige
Payson
Peyton
Pear
Pam
Polly
Penny
Pez
Pongo
Promise
Pebbles
Ponder
Pixie

That's about all the names I can think of that would be "good" names. So let the guessing begin!

Maddie, Betsy, and Jorinda

I'm back!

Hello there. I'm not so sure there are any of you left out there...but I shall write to you anyways! It has been way too long since my last post. I had an unbelievably busy school year and beginning of summer. To catch you all up on my ((mostly)) puppy raising adventures:

February 15, 2011: Gabrina's  1 year anniversary of graduation!
April 1, 2011: I turned 17!
April 11, 2011: Jorinda went into season.
April 25, 2011: Gabrina turned 3!
April 27, 2011: Jorinda turned 1!
April 28, 2011: Betsy turned 2!
May 11, 2011: Jorinda was released from her "in season" house arrest!
May 15, 2011: I turned in my puppy request for a new puppy.


June 10, 2011: I will get a new puppy!

That's about all I have to report on. I haven't received my puppy assignment yet, but hopefully it will come in the next couple of days. I requested a golden or golden cross, but who knows if that will happen. I know the goldens are usually snatched up fast!
Jorinda and Betsy are both doing incredible, especially Jorinda. After coming out of heat, little miss Jo has been a brand new dog. She is still her usual wiggly happy self at home, but in public, she is calm and focused. She has become so serious about her work. I know she is going to go far in life. We are expecting for her to be recalled in mid August. Betsy is doing awesome as well. She is being..well..Betsy. She likes to sleep and eat and play in her pool. When she wants to make you happy she will come up and shake your hand or give you a highfive. I love my silly girl.

Andddd, my computer stopped working so I don't currently have access to any of my older pictures. Luckily, I have them all backed up, but I don't feel like retrieving them right now.

Here are a few of my girls. ((without ALT tags because blogger won't let me publish with them))

I am going to try to keep this blog more up to date! I have been reading all of your blogs, but haven't had the energy to write up an update. I will definitely let you know my puppy assignment so you can guess!(:

That is all.
Maddie

:)

As Betsy, Jorinda, and I crawl into bed tonight we are watching big fluffy snowflakes fall from the sky! How I love winter :) and busy days!

Maddie, Betsy, and Jo

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Halloween

Better late than never right?
And Blogger is done being tempermental for now. I'm beginning to think it's my computer though, not Blogger.
 Either way, Happy Wednesday...halfway there!

Maddie, Betsy, and Jorinda...AKA Mini, a Princess, and the Chicken!

!!!

I'm about ready to quit blogging! Stupid Blogger won't let me upload any pictures!! Is anyone else having trouble?


A very annoyed...
         Maddie, Betsy, and Jojo

Snow!

This past week we got our first snow here in Colorado! This is really late for us! Normally we have our first snow by October 1st so to wait until November 10th was a really long time! I'm a snow lover and all of my dogs always have been too! This was Jorinda's first time experiencing snow, and I don't think she even noticed it! We'll she what she thinks when we get 2 feet of fluffy white stuff! Betsy of course recongized it right away and ran like mad! She loves snow but hates wet grass. So as long as it stays snow she's a happy camper!
Oh my silly girls! <3

Betsy playing in the snow last winter. I swear she wait until I hit the button to stick her tongue out!

Maddie, Betsy, and Jorinda
                    ...walking in a winter wonderland

Squeaky, Squeaky, Squeaky!

 

Betsy absolutely adores her Cuz squeaky toy! Jorinda thinks it's so unfair that Betsy gets a cool toy, but she never tries to take it! Betsy just loves to lay on the ground and squeak it. She's not a fan of fetch, it's too much work with not enough benefit for her! Silly girl!

Maddie, Betsy, and Jorinda

Harddd

This 30 in 30 thing is way harder than it was last year! I guess my life just isn't as exciting as it was a year ago! haha
Let's see, today Jorinda and I went to blockbuster and got gas....yepppp that about sums it up! I could tell you all about my personal life, but do you really care? I doubt it! haha. Who wants to read about the life of a junior in high school. I bet you can guess what goes on...friends, boys, school, sports, boys, guide dogs, music, boys, homework....:)

But look....pictues!

Mr. Vernon!

 

Jorinda, Verono, and Betsy!

Hopefully I'll have something more to say tomorrow, but don't count on it! I guess my plan to not bore you guys isn't really working out. Sorry bout that!

Maddie, Betsy, and Jojo

Bye Bye Vernon!

Vernon went home last night. We really enjoyed having him. He is such a sweetheart and fit into our lives so well. He reminded me so much of Betsy. He is calm and loves to hang out at home.
I wish I could upload some pictures of this guy. I'm about to punch blogger! :( I reported an issue so maybe is will be fixed!

Sorry for such a short, super boring post! Jo and I are rushing off to a 4-H meeting! Pray for pictures tomorrow!

Maddie, Betsy, and Jorinda

Failure already!

This whole 30 in 30 thing is already not working for me! I missed a post on the 6th day...oops! But in my defense, I was home for a total of 3 hours yesterday. It started with a soccer team sleepover on Friday night. I woke up Saturday morning, rushed home, showered, and rushed off to school to help run a debate tournament. When that was over I came home, ate dinner, grabbed Jorinda, and rushed off to see a school play. After the play we came home for the last hour and a half before midnight. Ahh the life of a high schooler, I love it! :)

And Blogger still won't let me upload any pictures, so sorry my posts have been so lame!


Maddie, Betsy, Jorinda, and Vernon.

PS I love my parents who watch my puppies while I run around from event to event :). What would I do without them?

A visitor!

Meet Vernon!


{{Pretend there is a picture here of a male yellow lab with a big blocky head that still has a puppy-look to it. He is absolutely gorgeous, but Blogger won't let me upload any pictures!}}

Vernon's raisers had to make an unexpected trip out of town so he is staying with us over the weekend. He has been playing great with the girls, but always settles down when asked! Vernon is 2 weeks older than little Miss Jo. She has loved having someone her age to play with, but man, it's amazing how much more work 3 dogs is than 2! I'm just glad they are all so well behaved and listen so well! We are loving having Mr. V visit! :)

Maddie, Betsy, Jorinda, and Vernon

The Joys of a CC

Having Betsy home has been absolutely amazing. I love the freedom of being able to do whatever I want with her. My favorite thing is lifting her into my lap for some good cuddle time!
My parents didn't want her learning to jump onto the furniture on her own, so instead when I want to hold her I just pick her up and put her on my lap. She is small enough to easily be lifted.

It's sleepy time after a long cross county practice!

I don't let Betsy sleep with my at night though. I know this is something that a lot of people love doing with their dogs, but I can't stand sharing my bed. I tried one night and Betsy takes up way to much room! She likes to lay right in the middle and not move! What a stinker! So instead she cuddles with baby Jo!


Maddie, Betsy, and Jorinda

Sisters [[Best Friends]]

At the airport!

Betsy has settled into my home so nicely. It's as though she never left. Jorinda loves having her big sister home! They play so well together, but stop as soon as they are asked to. Betsy and Jorinda can even handle both sleeping loose in my bedroom together. They will sleep until at least 9 on weekends without making a peep. All they ever want to do in the morning is cuddle on the dog bed! Oh my girls, they're not early risers!(:

I have clicker trained Betsy to wave, shake, fetch, and give high fives. She is great at all of them and just loves learning new things! Betsy never liked to learn how to do anything so it's great to see her so eager to please. She definitely gets upset when she doesn't understand what I want. She will perform all of her tricks and then pout if she didn't get a click. But it's a work in progress!

I'm just so happy my girl is home!

Maddie, Betsy, and Jorinda

It's that time!

First off I would like to apologize for being gone for so long! But I mean I'm in high school, I'm never home! I spent the entire month of October running...literally. I ran cross country for the first time and loved it! Now I run almost everyday after school even though the season is over. I am hoping that one day Betsy will be able to go with me, but I don't know if she has the energy to do it! But I'll save that for another post!

Today is November 1st! Which means the first day of No Shave November and National Blogging Month! I am going to try to post everyday for an entire month. I was able to do it last year. But who knows. I haven't posted in an entire month, so do you think I can post everyday for a month? I'll give it a shot!
 

Anyways, Happy November! I'll update you on what happened last month throughout the next few weeks!

Maddie, Betsy, and Jorinda!

--don't forget Heartguard and Monthly Reports--

SHe's Homeeeeeee(:

We picked Betsy up from the airport at 9:45 this morning. And, let's face it, she looks as gorgeous as ever!

More to come...


Maddie, Betsy, and Jo

The Report

I got Betsy's report from her trainer yesterday. Here's what it said:

DOG: 4W03 - Betsy F\LAB\Black - TRN\REL  DOB:4/28/2009
LOCATION:  OR  
RELEASED DATE: 9/17/2010
PLACEMENT:
SUMMARY:   Betsy is an average sized female black Labrador retriever.  Upon Betsy’s arrival on the Oregon campus, she showed major signs of fear both in and outside the kennel.  She was quickly assigned to a master instructor for a temperament evaluation.
Betsy seemed so show more fear towards men then women.  She was introduced to the clicker and high value food was used.  She was quick to learn the clicker “game”.  Unfortunately both on and off campus she continued to have major fear reactions to some people, traffic and any loud noise.  She was slow or never would recover and refused food during these reactions. 
Due to her reactions and poor recovery she is not suitable for training as a guide.  She currently is on 3 cups of Natural Balance Lamb and Rice.
RELEASE REASON(S): 21101 - BEH: Fearful Behavior People  Generalized
LOCATION (if applicable):
IMPORTANCE: Primary
RELEASE REASON(S): 21301 - BEH: Fearful Behavior Environment  Generalized
LOCATION (if applicable):
IMPORTANCE: Secondary 


The part about her refusing food really concerns me with how stressed she must be. Betsy is one of those dogs that would go through walls if I called her with come. She would do anything to get that piece of kibble. If she is refusing food, she must be super stressed!


Also, it looks like we will be flying Betsy home. While my CFR is in California right now, Betsy is in Oregon! It will cost us around $300 to fly her home, which is cheaper than driving out to get her. If everything goes as planed she should be home this weekend!




Maddie and Jorinda

Why the CC?

I have had many fellow bloggers ask why Betsy was career changed, and the answer is, I'm not really sure. I didn't get to talk to my CFR because she is on vacation. I actually wasn't even home when GDB called, I was running in a cross country race. My mom talked to a guy from GDB who said the "official" reason she was released was for fear of people in (and) public places. The guy also said that Betsy never really adjusted to living in the kennels. She was always very stressed and almost depressed while she was there. He said there was an especially long report written about her. I can't wait to get the report and see what they have to say about my special little girl!

Maddie and Jo (anxiously awaiting a phone call from my CFR)

HUGE news....(:

Remember this beautiful girl...

 

Who was born on April 28, 2009...

Who arrived on July 10, 2009...

Who stole my heart...

Who adopted a new litter sister on June 25, 2010...

Who was recalled on August 13, 2010...

 

 And who was career changed on September 17, 2010.

Yep, that's right, Miss Betsy Sue was career changed yesterday. Honestly, I am not surprised at all. And I know, you are supposed to be sad when the dog you poured your heart and soul into for over a year fails at what you were working so hard to achieve. But really, I am so incredibly excited!! My baby girl is coming home! I can't wait. We are still working out the details of when she will be back. My CFR just happens to be in California right now, so if she drove out there, most likely she will bring Betsy back with her, and if she flew, Betsy should be flying back with her! I'll be sure to let you know when I find out more!

Maddie and Jojo!