Calendar scarf 2009

Knitting friends, the Calendar scarf for 2009 starts December 1, which may even be as soon as this evening (9 hour time difference).

Remember to download the pattern every day - the calendar is free until December 26, at which time you have to buy it with yarn. This year the yarn is musk ox and is out of my price range.

I'm downloading patterns like crazy. Mostly small shawl patterns and cowls. Here is one of the cowls I'm going to be knitting out of sportweight alpaca, I think. I joined a KAL (knit along) at Ravelry and will be knitting this with a group of people doing the same. I'm going to be busy, busy for the next 4 weeks and may not post much.

Poll closed

And the name is Willow. I think this name really suits her. She's been a delightful kitten. She gets along with both dogs and Theo (who has been housebound due to a paw that was bitten by a raccoon or possum, resulting in 2 lost toenails and part of 2 toes), and Misha will come around ( I hope). I have awakened 3 nights in a row sandwiched between 3 cats. It's been fun!

Willow has a new favorite hiding place, and we're getting better about keeping the door closed so she can't get in. She also likes to play with water from a faucet.



Here's a picture of a hummingbird Lyn took. I can't believe he got the wings in motion!



He really does guard the feeder. He's an aggressive little thing.

Thanksgiving Blessing award

I got the above award from Maddie and I am to pass this award on to 5 of my blogger friends and they in turn are to pass the award on to 5 of their friends. It's a great way to introduce blogs to fellow readers. I have a few interests so not all the friends I name will be puppy raisers.

Pam has a blog that I think has one of the most creative names out in blog land. She is also a fellow guide dog club member.

Another blogger named Pam has a knitting blog that I love to read. Pam knits more than socks and inspires me.

Jen doesn't know me but I know her sister and her blog is just packed with wit, inspiration, knitting and just plain great reading.

Francoise has a picturesque blog of her life and travels. If you read nothing else on her blog, go to the July post titled Part 4. I'm sure you'll want to start at the beginning and read parts 1, 2, and 3, too.

Kate is a fellow dog lover and coworker who just began a blog within the last few months. I love her writing challenges and just love the way she writes, period.

Thank you, Maddie, and I hope you all enjoy the blogs I awarded today.

Edit: I keep thinking of all the blogs I left out. I'll have to post some more one of these days.

Thanksgiving and Visiting Stevenson

Thank you to everyone who voted in my poll. I believe the new kitten has a name by a pretty wide majority, but I'm going to leave the poll up through Monday since I started the poll over a holiday weekend.

We had a quiet Thanksgiving. Ryan and Keri went to Ryan's parents' house and we had Kevin over for a few hours and Tim came home for a 30-minute dinner break since he worked. Kevin, Lyn and I talked, ate, and watched The Planet Earth - the episode about caves. Besides getting claustrophobic, we laughed a lot because of the spooky music and adjectives used in the narrative when some species was about to be eaten. It's traditionally my cue to leave the room when the music starts, but the bad animal this time was a glow worm and I was able to stay in the room. I was definitely grossed out. I can also tell you that I will never be eating Bird's Nest Soup. There was a lot of mucus in this episode (Sorry if that's too much information).

I've been knitting a lot and spent my few shopping minutes on Black Friday at the local yarn store, StitchCraft. I was buying yarn for gifts I'll be making, so that doesn't count as Black Friday money spending. This is usually a day I boycott, but I do make exceptions for local small businesses. No Waldemart (the store that cannot be named) or Target for me.

I started a spooky book called The Owl Masters and am having trouble putting it down. I hate that I have to work tomorrow because I just want to curl up with a cat or dog or two and knit and read. I'm in hibernation mode!

This afternoon Ardella went to her second agility class and this time there were other dogs and people in the class. Though Ardella wanted to interact with the dogs, she wasn't so distracted that she couldn't participate. We did some new challenges - Go to table and sit, a chute (like a tunnel but flat), a curved tunnel, a covered jump and a broad jump. Ardella had some initial difficulty with the chute, but her hardest thing to learn was the broad jump. She did everything she was supposed to do and I'm still impressed with her ability to learn. We ended the class learning "spot" where the dog learns to hit a target with its nose. We didn't quite get that one yet, and it's our homework for the week. Next week the dogs need to hit the target across a room when given the command.

I'm enjoying agility, but I doubt Ardella has the speed to compete. We'll see. We're taking the class as a confidence booster and I think that's working. I'm baffled by the dogs in our class. They're about 80% Labradoodles! I expected to see Border collies and Aussies.

After class Lyn and I drove out to Stevenson to see how far the drive was and what the road was like. It was a beautiful drive, but it took us 50 minutes and there was no rain or traffic to slow us down. We tried a different route back by crossing the toll bridge right outside Stevenson and traveling down I-84. That took us 55 minutes but it was faster and the road felt safer. I don't know. As much as I'd like to be part of a smaller guide dog group, I don't know if the travel time is something I could handle. We'll see. I certainly have time to make up my mind. I might try finding a group in Portland as that's closer than Stevenson, although I think Stevenson is charming and I really like the group there.

Ardella and Annalynn will be working with Cathie Laber, our former CFR, this weekend. I'm looking forward to that.

New poll

We're on day 3 of no name, so I created a poll. Help me choose a name for our new kitten. The poll is on the right-hand sidebar.

Thanks!

Have a great Thanksgiving! I'm working, but it was my choice.

Kitten pictures

Here she is. Lizzie and Mira are other names I'm thinking about.

Names

I can't walk dogs at the humane society anymore because it's brutal on my hands. I asked for another job and took the cat handling class this morning so I could hopefully socialize cats. The preference is that I work in adoption/socialization and there's a potential of socializing dogs instead of walking them. Regardless, I'm starting out with cats one of these days - I'm just not sure how yet. We had the usual introduction to cat handling and then saw a really depressing movie about two animal shelters - one in Los Angeles, the other in Chicago - which followed a cat and a dog that had been picked up and taken to shelters. Only one of them survives. So after quoting dismal statistics, interviewing a clueless public, and showing the dead animal after it had been euthanized, the film was cut off before it ended. We were supposed to take a break. Lots of people were crying and no one got up to have snacks right away. We were rather somber. I was told we accidentally saw the long version and that's why they didn't finish. I asked if anything ever got better, but of course it doesn't. The only redeeming factor is that it was narrated by David Duchovny (Mulder).

So, we took a tour and ended up in the cattery. I know you probably know where this story is going. I stood beside the cage of a 6-month-old kitten named Ballofur who kept reaching out to pat my face. I've followed Ballofur and always liked the cat, but never could figure out if it was a male or female - the web page said male, the card on the cage said female. Anyway, I was charmed.

After I went home I mentioned Ballofur to Lyn and suggested we go visit him. We were supposed to drive to Stevenson to see how far the drive was (I'm considering changing guide dog clubs). The short version of this story is that we never made it to Stevenson - we adopted Ballofur. Ballofur is a female and is one of those kittens that just relaxes in any position you hold her in and she's a typical wild 6-month old kitten that is a lot of fun. I really think she needs another name though and we're trying to decide between Willamina (Mina) or Minerva (Minnie). She could easily fit both, so I'm asking for outside name preference. Our other female cat is called Misha and I thought Mina and Misha or Minnie and Misha sounded nice together (not that they care).

My camera battery is dead. I'll post a picture tomorrow.

Annalynn and Ardella Reunions

Annalynn and Ardella have seen one another a few times this week.



I met Karren at Everything in the Ark on Tuesday when she and AL met with a trainer for an evaluation. I was able to give Karren Annalynn's cake and present - a green food dispensing ball and an antler - and I stayed for the evaluation. One of the fun parts of the evaluation was taking Annalynn and one of the staff dogs out to a field in a fenced area and letting Annalynn run on a long leash. Boy did she RUN!

On Thursday afternoon, Karren and Annalynn picked up Ardella and me and we drove up to the GDB Boring campus to see staff that took care of Annalynn while she was in the kennels and to deliver some delicious Butterhorns that Karren had made. Annalynn and Ardella saw one another for the first time in months when we got to campus and they were overjoyed. I was told recently that the puppies never forget the people who raise them and they never forget their littermates. Our girls obviously recognized one another. They remembered the people who took care of them on campus as the techs who cared for them came out to see them. I got a chance to look at the boards but didn't take a picture. It looks like everyone knows that their dog is either waiting for a string or is in training. There have been a lot of recalled dogs and there are plenty of dogs in the kennels at this time. Hopefully the waiters will be placed in a string soon.

After leaving campus, we drove home and got to my house as it was getting dark. We had just enough light to let the dogs run in the back yard and come in and eat cake (Karren saved a piece for Ardella). Ardella and Annalynn were pretty excited to be in the back yard and house together and it seemed Ardella wanted to show Annalynn all the fun things she had learned to do such as running up the stairs and dropping balls down and just running and playing chase. It was hard to tell the dogs apart - they really do look a lot alike. Ardella is larger than Annalynn and weighs 51.3 pounds, while Annalynn is 49 pounds or maybe less. Still, we had to look twice to see which dog we were addressing.

Today, Karren picked me up and dropped off Annalynn for Lyn to sit. Karren and I drove up to campus for a class at Guide Dogs. (It was a great class on relieving protocol, leashes, and Go to Bed). When we came back we were met at the door by two happy dogs who had had a good time chasing, walking on leash, playing tug, and dragging out every toy in the toy box.



(They didn't play with the shoes - my son just left them by the closet).

Ardella and Annalynn were pretty ready to call it a day. Ardella just lay down on the floor.



Annalynn relaxed with a stuffed toy.



I'm so glad the sisters get to see one another frequently. It's so fun to let them interact. We have plans to meet with our former CFR to do some home training and we'll be having regular play dates in the future.

blog of the week

Cat ladders. One of the few things in this world that truly fill me with a sense of hope and joy towards humankind. If my cat had any interest in the out-of-doors I would build her one.

Graduation

Luxor graduated today. He was one of my favorite dogs in the club and I wanted to see him graduate. As usual, the match seems wonderful.

I'm always happy to see club members' dogs graduate, but there often is something else that unexpectedly touches me and makes me happy to be part of the guide dog community, even though my role is pretty minimal these days. This time it was a woman who was receiving her second dog. Her first guide had died 7 months ago - a guide this woman had had for 11 years and that had worked up until 3 days before her death. She felt lost without her "walking eyes" but it was several months before she could face getting a replacement. She talked about receiving her new guide, that she now felt complete again, and made public promises to her dog about how she would work with her and take care of her. I admit I got a little teary eyed. It was one of the most touching receiving comments I had ever heard.

Another thing that happened was that I took Saul to the graduation. When we entered the building where graduation was held, a young woman asked me who my dog was. When I told her she looked so happy - she had helped raise Saul. She sat behind us so I asked her if she'd like to hold onto Saul during the graduation. They got some time together and I'm glad I ended up taking Saul.

We didn't make it to the kitchen, but I'm going back later this week and will get some pictures of the board then. Meanwhile, here's Saul posing in front of the wall with the Guide Dogs for the Blind sign.



One of the reasons Saul is special for me is that his brother Santino is going to be a wheelchair guide for a woman I met in Tallahassee last spring when I went back to visit. We met in a yarn store in Tallahassee (Nadine teaches knitting). I saw Nadine when I went in and saw that she had a guide dog. I introduced myself and told her I was a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind. She brightened up and said that she was expecting a wheelchair guide dog from the Boring campus and would be coming to Boring when a dog had been found and trained for her. She told me that her trainer had not located a dog for her yet and that it could be as long as 2 years. Santino was raised in Karren's club and when I heard that Santino had been chosen for a wheelchair guide, I had to wonder if he would be Nadine's. Sure enough, he is. Nadine and I have been in touch and I'm hoping we'll be able to see one another and get some time to cruise yarn stores or knit, although based on how busy it was when Chelle was here, I doubt that can be arranged.

Nadine has written a book about guide dogs called Guide Dog Connections. I hope to get a copy and have her autograph it while she's here. If not, I'll get her to do it when I see her in Tallahassee next year.

Agility!

Ardella had her first agility class last night. The real class starts next weekend, but I need to go to Boring to another handler class, so this was a one-on-one makeup class.

The class was wonderful! I knew Ardella would enjoy herself, but did not expect her to catch on so rapidly. She willingly jumped over 2 jumps, went through the training tunnel and then smaller tunnel, did well with multiple adjustments of weaving poles, and started to get the hang of going through the tire. It was so enjoyable for me to see the commands click with her so that all I had to say was tunnel or over and she would do it without a food lure. The next weeks will be a bit of a challenge because we'll be in class with 5 other dogs, but I expect she'll do fine, especially once we start working.

I'm sitting Saul this week and am going to be attending Luxor's graduation at GDB this afternoon with 1 dog or another. I'll try to update kennel locations for various dogs and will have some pictures and explain why it's pretty special for me to be sitting Saul.

Annalynn is now home and Karren and I are getting together next Thursday as I have some cake saved for AL and a forbidden toy to welcome her into the world of career change. She and Ardella will get some romp time in the back yard.

Walking with the pack

We finally made it out to Well Balanced Dogs this morning. Unfortunately this is a pictureless post because it was rainy and not a good day for picture taking. I hope to make it out to WBD frequently so I'm sure I'll be able to show some pictures soon.

Ardella went out for an evaluation and we will start walking with the pack on a regular basis when we go out in the future. Lisa wanted to see how Ardella reacted to dogs that were sensitive to new dogs. We walked around in a large field and had Ardella on a long lead. Lyn and I were walking Ardella and Lisa let out about 4 dogs that all approached Ardella and sniffed and greeted and then went on their merry way. Ardella was fine with those dogs and she does greet dogs appropriately. Ardella started showing a little more anxiety when more interactive dogs were let out in the field. She kept her distance and stayed on the periphery of the pack, but towards the end started doing a little bit of play. Mostly she was cautious, and she didn't have the stress reactions she had on the guide dog campus.

We talked about dog body language, stress signals, how Lyn and I should react in a stressful situation. I asked about walking Ardella in suburban neighborhoods since we have to have her on a leash, and was told that I needed to project calm and assurance and control so that if a dog approached barking I just keep on walking. If I tighten up on the leash (because my insecurity is read by Ardella through tightening up on the leash) then the dog reads that I'm not in control. Most dogs approach another with an intent to play or to tell another dog that they control the territory of their homes. If Ardella shows fear, the dog senses she is weak or something is wrong with her and might attack. Also, not making eye contact with the dog and looking in another direction tells the dog I think he's an idiot and the "aggressive" dog will back off. So much of this is about body language and I'm determined more than ever to learn as much as I can about this.

One of the more playful puppies (about 10 months old) wanted to play with Ardella. She came up to Ardella and Ardella tucked her tail under her and was leaning away from the dog. Lisa started walking again and told us that the puppy was sensing Ardella was nervous and that the situation could have escalated into more aggressive activity if she hadn't moved on. Keeping the dogs moving helped diffuse a tense situation.

We talked a little about guide dogs being attacked - that it happened sometimes - and Lisa said that is a whole different dynamic. A guide dog leads and dogs interpret that as a weird situation. Dogs are used to people leading dogs so that when a dog who is loose in public sees a guide dog team they sense the handler is weak and not in control. I'm really curious what guide dog schools teach handlers about aggressive dog situations and how they teach dogs to handle situations like this. Do they teach dogs to go to the handler's side?

Obviously, it is any dog owner's responsibility to not let their dog loose, but since it happens - dogs escape, people are idiots about dog interactions, or any number of reasons that a dog is out and about unleashed in public - I think that I could be a much better puppy trainer if I know dog body language and if something about other dog aggression is covered in training. I really hope that students are taught something about this in class, too!

So, my lesson now is to not tense up when I see other dogs coming and if Ardella starts to tense up to keep walking and not give her any reassurance by stopping and soothing her. I'm to project calm and leadership. We'll also continue to walk with Lisa's pack and to give Ardella as many positive experiences with other dogs that we can. Agility starts next week and I think we're well on our way to helping Ardella with dogs in public settings.

It's yucky outside, so I'm going to spend the rest of the day knitting and being with Titan who is leaving us tonight or in the morning. I'm going to miss him, but I think he's ready to go home. He kept looking expectantly at cars that looked like his owners' car as we were walking down the street this morning. Tomorrow evening we get Gizmo for a couple of days and then Saul is going to come stay with us for a few days starting Friday. It's like a revolving door of dogs around here!

Birthday party!

We had a party for Ardella last night. Aidan and Titan were in attendance. Annalynn would have been invited if she had come home, but she's still in Boring. We didn't have party hats, but everyone wore a birthday bandana.

We had presents:



Cake from Howl at the Moon (all natural ingredients, just for dogs):



The cake was kind of hard, so it was a little crumbly, but here it is portioned out for the dogs - there's a blueberry from our summer garden on top:



Everyone sat nicely and waited while we sang happy birthday to Ardella:



Then they ate the cake:



Ardella opened her presents and all the dogs were excited and wanted to play with the new toys. Aidan liked the Monster food dispenser toy:



Titan liked the jute toy:



All in all, this was a fun birthday party. Next year I hope we can celebrate with sister Annalynn. We saved her a piece of cake and she'll get it when she finally comes home.

Animal Instinct

Anyone who has visited my home knows what an animal lover I am. So I am so proud to be part of the "Animal Instinct" benefit show for the Humane Society this Saturday (11/07)  in the O.C. Furthermore, I am excited to see the ARTery, described as "a series of steel shipping containers transformed into a walk-through community art exhibition space." More information on the exhibit can be found on the Animal Instinct blog. 

{click picture for larger image}

The print will be on exhibition Nov. 7th-15th, and more Limited Edition hand-colored letterpress prints are available here.

Happy birthday, Ardella

Happy birthday, Ardella (Annalynn, Avani, Adrina, Annamarie, Annabella, Alberta, Amos and Admiral)!

You sure have grown!



Good luck to Annabella, Alberta, Adrina, Amos and Admiral in your upcoming evaluations. It won't be long now!

New Grandpuppy

I have to show off my new grandpuppy. I'm not sure who this is yet, he hasn't been named, and he isn't mine. Keri and Ryan are moving into an apartment that allows dogs and they have wanted a dog for some time. Keri and Ryan really likes Lhasapoos and they found one this weekend. I went with them to pick out the puppy this afternoon and he passed a lot tests like coming immediately when prompted to, being very calm when picked up (he licked our chins, but not in an overly excited way), and he really doesn't mind being turned over and having his belly touched. He was the calmest of the 3 puppies in the litter, so we were told, and so Keri and Ryan bought him. Lhasapoos are considered to be hypoallergenic, meaning they don't shed, and are mild mannered dogs. He'll be a good apartment dog.

When Keri and Ryan first got him Keri told me they had been thinking of Sebastian as a name, but as the night went on Ryan wanted to name him Gizmo. Obviously, I prefer Sebastian, but he's not my dog, just my grandpuppy. I get to keep him tomorrow during the day while Ryan is substituting at a nearby school.

The dogs seemed very interested in him. He whined once and Ardella was on her feet running over to show some concern (a good sign!). So did Aidan and Titan, but Titan is off somewhere else in this picture and you can't see Aidan very well.



It's nice having access to a new puppy and one that goes home with someone else and that I don't have to get up with during the night. This has all the advantages of grandparenthood!