Kirby, Kricket, and park time

On Saturday, (when we went to Petsmart) it was a beautiful day out. On Sunday(when Sara & Kricket came over) we were planning on going to the dog park but nooooo, it had to rain. Not that that's worse than snow, in New York we have some of the worst winters in the US. But since it was all muddy, we had two 70 pound labs running around the house. They were really happy to see each other - we had to make them rest at regular intervals so everyone could get a break!(especially Molly, Kricket has a bit of a crush on her)
on Monday, of course, it was nice outside, so my mom, the dogs, and I all packed up and went to a park(not the dog park) we had a good time, and it was really nice day. I brought exra leashes to make long ones for Molly and Kirby(I need to buy a long line...someday) I would've given some to Hope, but she prefers watching the other 2 chase toys around. We met a really cute pit-bull type dog( I say pit bull type because I know he wasn't an am staff, but I'm not sure what he is) his name was Julio. He and Kirby got to say hello to each other - Kirby loves making friends!

p.s. I know I've seen photos of Julio's breed before - so when I find out I'll tell you.

Petsmart

Today Kirby & I went to petsmart. my friend Sara (she owns Kirby's brother, Kricket) works there, so we went to visit & look around. (Sara and Kricket are also coming over tomorrow) We were there almost 2 hours! Everyone there commented on how well behaved he was. I didn't work him or anything - we just had a good time. On a poopier note, a lot of people peole at 4-h did really bad at pratice graduation, so the graduation was cancelled until futher notice. What about the other people who did good with their dogs!?!? No fair. During doggy games however, I won musical chairs. Molly is starting G&H (grooming and handling) next week. Kirby may start rally, I'm not sure. I'm really upset though, because I wanted to do level 2 outside of 4-h, then get into level 3 when they start new classes in the fall. I don't have that much time left in 4-h, and I want to get him as far as I can till then. OK, I'm done venting now.

Poll

Poll: Do think I(or anyone, really) can handle 3 dogs and raise a puppy for guiding eyes? I think that with help I could do it. My Mom and I want to raise a pup together, but I don't think my Dad will go for it. ( heck, he didn't even want Molly at first)

Today I worked Kirby in a parking lot. It gave him good practice on figure 8's (posts along the side walk) and people and a little traffic pratice. There is a Guiding eye's meeting tomorrow. I'll probably go, I mean, I still want to stay involved ;)

Obedience pre-test

To night at 4-h was kirby's pre-test. It shows us what we need to work on, goes just like the evaluation and how a obedience compitention would go. He did well although he did lag a bit - 8 points off for that. When he came in for the recall, he sat like he was supose to, but then he jumped on me and sat back down. The finish was a little crooked- 1/2 points off total for the recall. He did perfect on his stays - no points off ! With a possible perfect score of 160, so he got 151 1/2 points. Thats pretty good! I hope he does this well on the real thing!

Keeping Kirby

Yep, we are most likely going to keep Kirby. There is still small room for change, but I want to feel secure in my decision, I wont if I go through guiding eyes. This decision is hard for me, as it is for me to explain why I chose what I chose. I think it was the security thing, plus the fact I just want to close the issue. I'm still grieving for upstate guide dogs, it still fells like an open wound, and I still cry sometimes. If Kirby goes, I lose my last link to the best part of my life, the part of my life that's over. it's hard for me to admit I'm still upset over it, I'm near tears as I type. I'm done now,but I don't know how to end.

tiny post

My last post IS my pro's and con's list! From what I've been hearing, guiding eyes is try to figure out the legal work about receiving a previously guide-dog-organization-dog. Whew, what a mouthful!

I still haven't decided about guiding eyes. I feel really bad, their so trusting they keep e-mailing me notes and stuff. Even if I do decide to go though with it, I have this feeling I'll regret it. It's like this: if I keep Kirby, I'll be temporarily not able to raise anymore service dogs. But if I give Kirby away he'll be gone forever. Plus I don't want to choose guiding eyes just because it the "Nobel" or "right" thing to do. However, I'm really grateful to guiding eyes and what their willing to do for me, and it would be good to take him places again(he misses that) and to re-enter the world of puppy-raisers. Not to mention he still may not make it! The stress is KILLING
me!

Happy Holidays!

My dogs and I have been really lazy lately. Kirby has missed 2 classes due to my being in a Christmas musical and then there were no classes for 2 weeks because of the holidays. This Friday is a no dog meeting, then there is a review class. After that, is the pre-test and then - the finial test for level 1. I'm not to worried(considering he passed UGD level 1 and UGD equivalent for a CGC test) .But he's been a little out of practice lately he lags when he heels during right turns, fast pace, and figure 8's. I'm also not sure how well he'll do on the stand for exam- he did well on it when he was a guide dog in training, but that was before I started spoiling him. ;)
After graduation, Grooming and Handling(A.K.A. G&H or junior showmanship) classes start. I'll be going in with Molly. I'm having trouble finding the show leash I need for her, so hopefully I'll find it soon. On the same day that G&H starts I'll be starting rally classes with Kirby. Sounds like fun, eh?