Thank you - it's been up and down and all around, with too many diversions regarding ready-meals, but an adventure. Yes, Brogan is leaving some pretty big shoes to fill, though I truly don't think of it in terms of "replacing" as much as just recognising how much this decision will pretty much effect every aspect of my life for (hopefully) the next 15 years. So a huge decision when I stink at even small decisions. Plus missing Brogan. This kind of rapid-fire travel can be fun, but it's precisely the sort of circumstances where Brogan would have been my rock in his assistance dog role as well as my partner in crime. I'm missing him very much right now and thinking that not only can those big shoes not be filled, it's not even fair to any other dog to try. So yes, I'm feeling just like running away screaming right now, but I've got some good Forum members talking me down from the ledge, so I'm just going to have faith that once I put my car keys and suitcases away, my head will stop spinning and all will become clear. Having said all that, today was a no dog day. Well, except for all the dogs I saw while I was out and about. I kind of gravitate towards those. I'm in the Lake District, so of course I went to the beach instead of the lakes. As you do (if you're from California). It was next to a landfill, but there was saltwater, sand and dogs. That will do me. The view over the dunes was rather spectacular too. Then I headed over the hills and dales (are these "dales"?)... And ended up at the rather creatively named town of "Cockermouth", where frankly I was disappointed to not see any Cockers. I saw whippets, a pit bull, a black Lab, and a poodle...but no Cockers. But there was a "Shampoochies". Every town needs a Shampoochies. Then I went home to my cute little cottage...it's the green one with the roller skate Tardis car parked in front. Tomorrow is Zaba's breeder and a visit with Mags, Keir and Tatze!
Have a great day tomorrow! Once the tour is finished you’ll have plenty of processing time in a familiar environment. I’d just put the thinking aside for now. You can come back to this thread later on as a bit of a record of how you felt about different options too.
It was a big day on the Labratour yesterday. So big that I fell into bed without posting any photos. If there's going to be a Labratour Part III, I'm going to need to build up some stamina first. The morning started with saying a fond farewell to my little dog-friendly cottage near Cockermouth. Even the Tardis had to get into the photo outside the front door: Then it was a pretty drive through the Lake District and down to Lancashire, where I met with Zaba's very friendly and helpful breeder. She proudly showed me her dogs, all of which are related to Zaba in some way, shape or form. Though it's all a bit fuzzy to me today. I especially liked this little girl with her teddy-bear face... And here are the two grande dames of the house, Zaba's mama dog and grand-mama dog, with lovely sweet temperaments that you can see just by looking at them. Also onsite at the kennels (but not related to Zaba and bred by someone else) was this cheeky little 2 month old yellow tank and his littermates. Can't you imagine this is what baby Pongo could have looked like? He looks like he's trying to have a chat and tell you all about life... And then have a laugh at his own joke... I'm not sure, but he could be doing a Shar-pei impression here, with all those wrinkles and rolls. Finally it was off to Mags' and seeing Tatze and Keir again...and even a visit with Zaba! This is a horrible photo (I've got a lot to learn from Mags' ability to photograph black dogs) but here he is: Today it's off to training class with Mags and Keir at the guide dog center!
Ooooh, I just love the wrinkles and chubbies on that puppy. Can you nip back and slip him in your bag for me?
Just fabulous photos...love the Zaba Clan, especially the mamas, reminds me so much of Casper in those eyes...and how many times have I gone back to look at that puppy??? No wonder you are exhausted....
Fabulous dogs, I love the black one, second down. I wouldn't call the photo of zaba horrible, but black dogs sure are difficult to photograph. I'm very envious of your visit to the Guide Dog Centre, hope you enjoy.
Yes, you are right - I didn't realise it at the time, but there was a definite "softie Casper look" in her eyes. Oh wow - I've never seen a baby Pongo picture! Isn't he wonderful! And you can absolutely see today's Pongo looking out of those eyes in that tiny baby face. As well you should be. It was a wonderful day with Mags and Keir was such a star. I've just arrived at my hotel for the night and need to do a few hours of work, but hopefully enough time later to also get some pics of the guide dog puppies up as well. A huge thank you again to Mags (@Boogie ).
So...puppy class! First of all, let me say I felt really privileged that Mags invited me to come today. During our caravan weekend, I learned a lot more about puppy walking and all the rules and restrictions the volunteers have to agree to and follow. I really am in awe of Mags and the other volunteers that take on a puppy time and time again. Most people can only imagine how hard it is and now that I know a little more, it is even harder than I imagined. The class today was held at "Big School", which those of you who follow @Boogie 's threads will know. I'm probably oversimplifying, but it's the place where the puppies go after they have been with the walkers for the first year. They then spend nearly as long with their trainers at Big School, either boarding there at the onsite kennels or in volunteer homes. In the latter case, the volunteers bring them to school in the morning and pick them up in the evening - just like kids (only furrier). Molly is currently at Big School but we didn't see her as it isn't allowed unless it's just a chance sighting. This is part of the "much harder than I even imagined" part. In addition to the kennels and training centre for the older dogs, there are also classes for the 'babies' as well as an infirmary. There are probably lots of other things there as well that I didn't see or hear about - it was a big place. Keir's class had less than a dozen pups: some Labs, some Lab/GR mixes, some GRs, a GSD and what looked like a Labradoodle (or an animated stuffie experiment - that dog was seriously floppy). What was very impressive was the excellent attention they all paid to their humans. I've been in classes with puppies that age where most were literally bouncing off the walls - especially the Labs. Here it was focus, focus, focus. I don't know if that's down to the dedication of the puppy walkers, the training techniques or the breeding - but it's definitely working. It was funny then to see some of the same dogs in the break room be a bit on the wacky/shouty side - in other words, acting like normal five month old dogs. There is definitely a separate "work" and "not work" mode, even at this young age. In addition, we had a "ninjas cutting onions" moment after class. There was a working guide dog, Oak, there to go to the infirmary. Someone who wasn't his puppy walker but who knew his puppy walker and spent a lot of time with Oak as a puppy was there. He looked at her, looked at her again and then went crazy with happiness when he recognised her. There was a lot more to that backstory that's not for me to tell, but let's just say it made the whole thing even more touching when Mags explained it to me. These dogs, they definitely do not forget. Then Mags and I headed out to find a nearby pub for lunch, which was NOT as easy as it sounds. I've (kind of) sworn off talking about food here, but let's just say it took us four tries, a couple different towns and a lot of frustration before we finally ended up with our lovely fish and chips. And Keir? He didn't make a peep and settled right down in the pub - after checking under the booth seat for any carelessly discarded chips, of course. Thank you again for a wonderful day, Mags, great advice on my own puppy quest and all round fabulous dog chat!
And here is Oak. Just sitting being calm before recognising his friend. Focusing in on her... And then full out "You're heeeere and I love you!" mode...a little hard to photograph, but you get the idea.
The portrait photos of the dogs are excellent. I thought Oak looked rather sad in the first photo, is he unwell as there was mention of the infirmary?
Yes, I do think that he was there for a check up, but he seemed to be doing well. Mags may know more. Mainly he just has "that kind of face."
Yes, like Mollie, Oak has a serious face! This is his story - He’s two and a half years old now and has been working really well for six months. He’s had a spell in hospital lately but all is well now and he was just there for a check up. I knew him for five months at puppy class. The friend who he greeted was a great friend of his puppy walker and visited their home often, their pups playing. The pup she had at the time was Picasso - Keir’s cousin, a black GR/Flatcoat - just like Keir in every way, but black. But, tragically, Oak’s puppy walker died very suddenly of cancer and Oak had to be moved out of the area to another puppy walker. So none of us had seen him until Friday. I said to my friend ‘look at him, he looks exactly like Oak’. His owner heard us and said ‘he IS Oak!’. My friend asked to say hello and as soon as she stepped forward her went completely nuts. Tears all round.
Oh My! Just had a look at the photos... then read Oak's story..Emily's photos have captured the moment perfectly.
