One Year Later

Hi Guys!!

So I know its been about a year since I have updated this blog. Sorry. Lots have happened in the last year, Roscoe was Career Changed and his owner is incredible. He works at Guide Dogs and takes Roscoe to work like I took him to school. How great is that? :) I got to go to my husband's guide's graduation in November 2012, I got to meet Pat, Roscoe's owner. He was so kind and let me hold Roscoe for the entire graduation and tour. Roscoe was so happy to see me. He jumped up and gave me the biggest hug. It was the hardest thing to leave him knowing there is not a chance of me getting him back. It was heart breaking but it was sweet to get the chance to see him and know he loves his new dad. and I found a new love of Portland with my (then boyfriend) now husband.

Alfie was such a good puppy all through training. and I can't imagine him not being a part of my memories. I am so glad I got to be with Alfie and pour my heart and soul into a sweet dog.

Alfie graduated on November 9th 2013. And we got to go to his graduation, it was the most incredible experience I have ever gotten the chance to have in my life. I got to meet the reason I started raising, a blind person who needed another soul to gain their mobility, a very humbling experience that has changed my life forever. His name is Donny and Alfie is his first Guide. Donny lost his sight in a brutal attack on August 2nd 2011 exactly two years before I got the text saying that Alfie, My sweet, cuddly, playful companion had passed all evaluations and classes and was waiting to receive his blind person with perfect compatibility. We waited 3 months for Donny to surface and become Alfie's partner. (we had started planning Alfie's escape thinking that he would never get a companion. To which got a few laughs when we told a few staff members about our elaborate plans ;) It was bitter sweet to officially let Alfie go into the loving arms of Donny and his family, I could not have found a better mat had I searched the entire world twice.

We got to stay in Pat's house, he was out of town but made sure I got to see Roscoe. His house was so clean, and nice, the back yard was beautiful and everything was perfect.Portland, again, I would love to live there, the city is a confusing master piece and its exquisite. Powell's book store is a wonderland knowledge and imagination. and we have turned The Original Old Spaghetti Factory into a grand tradition after graduation.

Lots has happened in this last year; I graduated from high school, searched three months for my first job, got my first job, got proposed to, traveled with Luis and we got married in July, visited Arizona for the first time, (Scottsdale is AWESOME!) I quit my first job, and am currently continuing a search for another one, I have gained an unhealthy obsession with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series (Thanks to the hubby) 

I hope one day to raise more guide dogs, but not for a while and not until Luis and I have a place of our own. Thanks for keeping up with my vague descriptions of my incredible journey with my wonderful guides. I want to take a minute and express my indebted gratitude to Guide Dogs for the Blind; I am so grateful to Guide Dogs for the experiences I got to have and people I have met while raising, my best friends and my wonderful husband and true love, Luis Lee and also my soul mate Roscoe to male black lab. I have been introduced to people who are so trusting, giving and helpful and have saved my life, people who trust other people to just chill in their house for a few days but have only met with one time. I will forever love Guide Dogs and the experiences they have bestowed upon me. I will always be a raiser and I will always be an advocate to them. I am sad to take a break but I will always be involved with Guide Dogs. I am proud to be a puppy raiser. 

They have a saying at Guide Dogs; "It takes a community to raise a puppy." But I think they're wrong, you see, I think it takes a puppy to make a community rise. <3

All About Alfie

Hey guys! So I mentioned in my last post that I'm on my third Guide Dog puppy. His name is Alfie. He is almost a year old. Holy cow he is a big dog! He is such a cuddly dog, not as floppy as Roscoe, but close. I got him on the first of September 2012, he spent his first few months of life with a family in California, Alfie's first raiser is named Reed. My little sister is my co raiser because I planned to graduate early and Alfie needed to be in class every other day, and well... I wouldn't be there to take him. Plus my little sister needed a co raiser anyway because she is a freshmen this year. 

So I'm graduated and looking for a job. Its really weird not being with Alfie for the majority of my day, but I guess I'll get used to it eventually.

So.... I really super duper suck at updating this blog... Its been so long. 

OKAY! Down to business. I am on my third GDB. His name is Alfie! He is a Black Lab. But back to Roscoe. My sweet little man became my best friend, I can only describe him as my soul mate. Yes, I love my boyfriend, who is the love of my life :)  But I swear Roscoe could read my thought process. He did really well through everything, Slow at first, but a great dog none the less. He made it to the end of phase 8 of 8 in the Campus training. He could guide someone if he ever needed!! However, he had a filth habit that was unbreakable and was adopted by one of the trainers at Guide Dogs For the Blind in Boring, Oregon. I got to go see Roscoe and his new owner back in November when my Boyfriend's second dog graduated. It was really cool to see the whole process of graduation. Anyway-half way through the dog/raiser reunite + meet the blind person meet and greet the owner of Roscoe texted me and told me he was there in the visitors center! I pretty much kissed boyfriend on the cheek and said "Love you, but my baby is here to see me!" Freaked out and ran out the door. Hahaha!! I was so stoked to see my beloved Roscoe! I walked in the door and instantly started crying, My baby was okay!! ... And huge!! I choked out his name and the second time was more clear than the first and he FLIPPED the heck out and basically trampled me to the floor, and my Roscoe does not lick, but he did lick my face, and sniffed me in his normal affectionate way. I bawled for about ten minutes before I could get up and introduce myself to his sweet owner, who was so kind to contact me and stay in touch about Roscoe because I was devastated when I couldn't take him back. I got to spend almost two and a half hours with them, and Pat (Owner), was so incredibly kind as to let me hold Roscoe for that time. He was in my lap, I got to hold the leash, and just maul him for two hours. I noticed how big Roscoe had gotten, and was told my fat puppy was put on a low cal doggie food (Because he really is a bit lazy and can pack on the Lbs.) Pat was so kind and patient as I sat on the floor after the tour and just held Roscoe as we talked. When my boyfriend's mom tapped me on the head and told me it was time to go I choked back more tears (I was leaving my soul mate behind for a second time. Knowing that there would be no chance of me getting him back, ever.) We took a few pictures that sadly got erased by mistake as we were loading them on the computer. and I said good bye. I didn't cry again until I had my back to them. But it re-tore my heart open in a place I thought I had gotten over and healed. I still think of my silly soul mate often and I'm greatful I got to meet the amazing man who adopted him. Thanks Pat, for everything, I am so indubitably grateful.. :)