HOME

I'M HOME!!!  In the summer I saw The Wizard of Oz and at the end of the movie Dorothy said "There's no place like home".  So true - I am so, so happy to be back in Otis at my house with my GG's and my mom and I can't wait to see all my Otis friends again.  It's been a huge adventure the last several weeks but I've found out that I'm not really an adventurous kind of puppy. 

Robin came home with me (her mom picked her up at my house last night) and we were very excited to find our mom Bea in the car and our little sister Blossom.  It was almost too much excitement for us to manage!  Then when we got home it was chaos while we reunited with the rest of the GG's.  

Mom had an operation on Wednesday so she cannot play with me for a while but Blossom and I are having a great time.  I like having someone close to my age as a playmate.

OREO SISTERS - me, Blossom and Robin

                           Snuggle time with Blossom

When I was a baby I thought my destiny was to be a guide or other service dog  When I left Otis 3 weeks ago I expected that the training school would be the next chapter in the book of my life and although I actually still think I would have been an awesome autism dog, that is not to be. Who knows what lies ahead?  It's a mystery.  

Thanks to everybody who followed my journey and helped me along the way.  

And best of luck to my sister Regina and brothers Ricardo and Rupert who are in harness training and to my brother Randy in Heeling Autism.

COMING HOME

So - being a Heeling Autism dog is not in my future either - and next week I will be coming home to live with my mom and the GG's.  I worked so hard but it just wasn't meant to be, I guess.

My mom and the GG's and all of my friends in Otis will be very happy to see me.  And I'll be able to play with Clarity and Bliss again!  And I can just be a dog with no pressure to perform! And I can get on the furniture!  What's not to like?

GREETINGS FROM NEW YORK

SO - it turns out that being a guide dog is not in my future.  I worked really hard while I was growing up and was very brave everywhere I went with my mom - BUT without my mom I lost my brave.  There is still a chance that I can become an autism dog but if that falls thru, I guess I'll be heading back to Otis!

This is me with my sister Regina and our roommate Holiday

My sister Robin - she also was not brave enough without her mom.

My brother Romeo - he has to wear a lamp-shade because he has an ouch on his head.

My brother Randy took his test today - he did not like the harness.

My brother Rupert did a great job.

So did Ricardo.

So for now - Good-bye from New York

TEST DAY

PHEW - TEST DAY IS OVER.  Unfortunately, I did not do so well.  I did not pay good attention to the testing person, the harness worried me a little bit and I jumped once at a noise although nothing else scared me much.  I had a bad cough when I checked in on Sunday so did not feel my best.  My friends watching the test said "What??? Is that really Raisin?  What is she doing?"  I will have a chance to work with a trainer who will reevaluate me.  I hope that I can do better and show everybody what I really can do.

My sister Robin took her test today and did an awesome job.  My sister Regina is in training and Romeo is being evaluated for another career.  

Robin

Romeo

Regina

Next week Ricardo, Randy and Rupert will take their tests.

After my test

I was so excited

 In the kennel

Paws crossed that I can pull it together when I go with a trainer

For now - Good-bye from New York

HELLO NEW YORK!

I'm in New York!  All settled in my new home.  It's been a very exciting day.

It started with a walk with the GG's early before the sun was really out, then to Spectacle Pond with mom.

                                       I LOVE to swim

One last set of photos with the GG's

 Me and my mom Bea

Me and Granny Oneida

Then we headed for New York.

We made one stop on the way because the Hudson Valley is so pretty.  And because we were stalling.

We had time when we got to the Training School to walk around a little bit.  And of course take some more photos.

But finally it was time - no more stalling - and we went into the kennel.  I gave the people checking in puppies the gifts from my friends.  Then I got a new collar, got weighed (a whopping 47#!!!) and we went to my new home.  I did not walk politely - but nobody expects the new kids to do that.

I checked out my new space.  Lots of water - that's good.

It was very, very noisy

Then mom and I just chilled while I got used to the new smells and the noise.

Finally, though, it was time for me to be on my own. So hard.
In a little while, I'll meet my roommates G-lee and Kiara.

note from Bea's mom - walking away with an empty leash and collar = the worst!

So until Tues - GOOD-BYE from New York