BALSAM

Since before Christmas when Kona and then Lowell were at my house, I've been pretty much goofing off - hanging at home, going to work and hanging out, terrorizing the GG's - so it was time for me to get back to work.  Early in January

Balsam came to my house.  She is a black girl like the rest of us GG's.

At first she was scared of everything.  I guess that as a group we can be pretty scary.  So I had my work cut out for me.  She did not like being by herself in a crate at night so my mom and I took turns sleeping with her for a few nights.  Then she was OK all by herself.  She did not want to go on stairs - and that was a problem because our office at work is upstairs - so we worked and worked and finally, one day she decided that stairs are fun and she ran up and down with me.  Good job, Raisin!

Balsam does not like the cold - and boy is it cold this year - so we all take turns at home and at work snuggling with her so she will be warm.

She got to do all the normal puppy things at the ski area - groomer ride which she liked right away, hanging with the ski team, walking with my friend Lea.

She also got to go to the restaurant and meet some people from Frozen - they all thought she was very cute.

She went to the laundromat - BOOORING

She got to do one thing that I never did - nor did any of the other puppies.  My friend Sara wrapped her up snuggly in her sweatshirt and TOOK HER UP THE T-BAR to go skiing.  So jealous.

For some reason, nobody wanted Balsam and she was with us for a really long time.  Finally after almost a month, we found out that she had a raiser!!!  She will be living in the Baltimore region - great place for a puppy who does not like cold weather.

GOOD LUCK BALSAM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DORIS

DORIS, MY FRIEND - AND THE ELDEST GG -  IS 13 YEARS OLD TODAY.  THAT'S VERY, VERY OLD.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DORIS, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

LOWELL

When we brought Kona back to the CDC, we got Lowell. He is black like all of us GG's.  I'm not sure, though, that a boy puppy can be a GG.

  I really liked him.  He was lots of fun to play with and I will miss him - but it will be nice to be puppyless for a while so I can get some attention.

Lowell got to do all the things I used to do before I became a regular dog.

He met Roger the Jester at Christmas in Stockbridge - and like me was part of his show.  Please note that he is wearing the dreaded elf suit - I am so happy it does not fit me any more.

 Athough I have to say that it looked good on me.

He went to lift operator training (actually we both did but I did not get my picture taken very much).  Please note that he, not me Raisin,  is the puppy snuggling with my friend Janna.

Making sure that ski patrol does lift evacuation properly - very important in case the lift breaks so that was my job.

Lowell also got to go to a Christmas party.  I did miss going to that because it is always nice to get presents but only Lowell got to go and get a Christmas present.  And he did not even ask Santa Paws for it!  I hope I will still get a present at Christmas - maybe some bones for me and the GG's and we could use a new bed at work.  Because somebody (who will remain nameless) ate our bed.

 Lowell and his sister Lennox went first because they were the youngest puppies and got to pick out their presents at the same time   - he picked out the big red stocking.

He did meet Santa Paws but not at the party.

I was jealous when he got to go to the car place to get snow tires

because Ralph is MY special friend and always gives me treats.  At least Lowell did not get any treats. 

He went on a groomer ride - I remember I was very scared the first time I went.

We went to work every day - and on the days we worked in Lenox, Lowell got to go to McDonalds

We had a snow storm while Lowell was here.  So much fun to play in new, fluffy snow.

Best of luck to Lowell as he heads off to his new life in the Bay Region.

KONA

SO.   I have decided that being a big sister is not so bad. The hardest part is that a puppy gets everybody's attention.  When we both go somewhere it's "Oh look at the cute puppy - OMG you are so adorable - can I hold her - can I pet her."  What about me?  I might not be little and cute any more but I am exceptionally beautiful and well-behaved! Now it's just "Oh - Hi Raisin." But is is fun to have someone to play with who is closer to my age. Unfortunately I just got used to Kona and she is leaving for her puppy raiser's home on Saturday so we will be making a trip to NY tomorrow to bring her back to Guiding Eyes.  I think she will miss me.

Actually I think she will miss all the rest of the GG's also.

KONA and Doris - Doris is letting her cuddle but does not have a happy face 

KONA and Granny Oneida

KONA and my mom Bea

KONA and my teddy

 I think Kona had fun while she was living with us.

She helped mom tile 

Went to the car place

Met some hunters

AND best of all saw her first snow~

I spy Kona

         I wonder who my next puppy will be