Puppies Galore!

My puppy raising club is went from 5 puppies to 9 puppies this week. That's almost doubled! and will be doubled within a month because Tisha's coming in 19 days. One of the puppies is a return transfer, she didn't work out at her transfer home, and the other three are new yellow labs. Two girls from the same litter named Kashi and Karma, and a boy named Jethro. 

Pictures coming soon.

A message from Tazzi

Hey it Tazzi, Mom's too worn out to write tonight so I'm doing it.
I don't understand why Mom's worn out, I thought today was great! First Mom got up half an hour early so I got breakfast early, yum. Then she put a boda bone in a kong to entertain me when she was at school, but I got it out in a few seconds, yum. Then there was some boring time when mom was at school, I took a nap. Then susan got home which was cool I guess. Then mom got home and we went out to play! we went to the fenced in tennis court at the park, no one was playing tennis, so mom said we could go in and play ball. At first I was disappointed because I wanted to go hunt squirrels, but then she took my leash off and threw the ball! It was wonderful! We went home before I was done, but I got dinner (yum) so that was ok. Now I'm lounging next to mom and all is right with the world.
I guess the next part of the post that mom does is "Guide Puppy News" so I'll try that next. The Tisha count down is at 25 days left. I don't know how I feel about Tisha coming, on one side I'm jealous that the guide puppies get to be with her all the time, on the other side I get someone to play with (Mom is ok, but she doesn't play like a dog). Also I have to teach the puppies EVERYTHING. It takes them so long to learn that all the toys are mine and they only get to play with them if I say so, even if the toys come with them on a puppysit or if mom says she bought them for the puppy. And I have to teach them not invade my space which is right next to mom (I still have to remind kitty of this as she ignores it too often). Also they take about a week to learn the pecking order, namely that I am above all puppies, and only mom is above me...well I suppose Susan and Patrick are too, but the point is that no puppy is above me. Now don't get me wrong I actually like all of these puppies, it just takes them a week or so to figure it all out.

Me in MY space aka on mom

See I do like most of these puppies. It was a blast every time Delphine came to visit.

food and my boy playing

Mmm, Smoothie

Peach Kefir Smoothie: I call this a smoothie even though its really just peach kefir, because it's refreshing like a smoothie. The kefir has just enough tang to be refreshing while the peaches don't bombard you with sweetness. All my measurements are rough because I just eyeball it. If it tastes good then you've done it right.
About 8 ounces Helios Vanilla Kefir
About 1 ounce Pureed tinned Peaches
Stir the two together and enjoy.

Heres the main event gastronomically speaking; Greek Quinoa Salad.
I can't take full credit for this as a friend introduced me to the recipe but I did tweak it a bit by adding tomatoes instead of red pepper and using sheep's milk feta. Once again all the measurements are approximate because I don't actually measure.
A cup of quinoa made with chicken broth instead of water
6 kalamata olives
2 cherry tomatos
2 tablespoons sheep's milk feta

In Doggie News Today:
Tisha arrives in 25 days
Tazzi took advantage of the sunnier days to get me to pull out the frisbee. He loves frisbees which is funny because it took him forever to figure out how to pick them up.

 

 

Discouraged

I am throughly discouraged. I've been sick for about 2 months now, I've tried not eating milk or gluten, and I'm on a double dose of acid reducers, and I still feel awful! The only options I feel I have left is to go to a gastroenterologist and see what they have to say or go to a fellow called Paul Rosen that my friend recommended who will take my life apart. I don't like either of those options and more importantly I don't think either one will work. And even if they do it's going to be at least six weeks before I show any signs of improvement. I can't waste that much time!
   At first I though this would be annoying but we could figure it our fairly fast or it would resolve itself. It's two months later now with no end in sight and it's having an enormous impact on my life; I don't want to and see no point to going to school, A trip I was excited about taking to go see some of my friends in Seattle this weekend I'm canceling because it's more trouble than it's worth, and I'm breaking down in tears at least three times a week, which is throughly embarrassing, and more to the point not like me.
   I'm just stuck, and I don't know what to do, and I don't see myself having any sort of future, certainly not one I like. And I'm really afraid, I don't want to be this uncomfortable forever and it feels awfully like the bad old days.
   I have two term projects to work on this weekend plus application stuff and I just don't know how I'm going to do it.

Guide Puppy News: 26 days until Tisha's arrival.

Guide Puppy News

My Guide Puppy's name is Tisha and she's going to be just under 7 months when she arrives February 19th. Oh boy, is she going to be a pretty girl! I've found or been directed to pictures of a lot of her family: her Papa Curt, Her Mama Tilda. Tisha as a rolly polly puppy , all the Curt X Tilda pictures are of her littler, But I don't know which one is her. Her aunt Deanna and uncle Doug (both of whom were in my guide dog raising club). Her full brother Tuareg (he's on the far right), The writer of the post is a friend from my raiser club. And last but not least is her half brother Vino, who is currently in my club.

While knowing your  puppy's genealogy isn't required, it seems to me that it's best to learn it because you'll be asked about it by other puppy raisers. So let's see if I can show you Tisha's. Bingham and Mango are Curt's parents, Tisha's grandparents. Bingham is also Doug and Deanna's father. Trent and Kola are Tilda's parents, also Tisha's grandparents. Curt and Tilda are Tisha and Tuareg's Parents. And Curt is Vino's father. Perfectly clear. Right?

As for Tazzi, he has almost learned his first trick! The trick is to turn a circle on command. It's so amazing to watch him learn. He's so smart.