I`m Saying Goodbye, But Not Farewell

Today was the day that Focus went to his forever home. I was very fortunate to have him almost an extra week! So today as a last outing with Focus, we were invited by some friends to go up to a private beach house to go sledding. It is a beautiful gated community right on the beach and Focus loved being off leash and running around on the beach and the open meadows where we all sledded.

Focus loved the snow and had a hard time sitting still for this photo.

Focus and Ryder. They are really going to miss each other as they did everything together for the past 3 weeks.

Now of course, I did not swim I was decked out in snow gear, but Focus thought it was great to go swimming in freezing Lake Tahoe, and as you can see he went quite a ways away.

My last current picture of me and my boys.

Around 3:00 I called Rob to see if he was home and he said he was. My mom and I got in the car and drove over there. I was in tears most of the way over to his house and most of the time we were talking with him, but was pretty much back to normal when we left. We stayed for about 30 minutes and then left. Focus seemed very happy in his new house and his owner was thrilled beyond belief! He is such a great man and said several times today that I can come over and see Focus whenever and take him whenever, and that I`ll definitely be his #1 puppy sitter for Focus! I will pry let things settle for Rob and Focus for at least a month or so, and then I will go over there and check on everything! I do not want to go over there a lot in the beginning as I don`t want Focus getting confused like "oh you are here to get me again," and think that Rob is just a puppy sitter. So as the title read, I am saying goodbye, but not farewell. As a puppy raiser it never get`s easier with saying goodbye when recalls come, or when you place a dog.

Katlynn & Ryder

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I am so lucky to have shared 3 Christmas' with 3 amazing dogs, and Focus was lucky enough to spend 2 with me! The boys scored big time, and ended up getting 5 new toys!

Katlynn, Focus, & Ryder

Update on the Boys

I am sure some of you are wondering why Mr. Focus is still around if I am not keeping him. Well originally he was going to go to his home tomorrow but there has been some delays. This weekend my family and I went up into the hills to go Christmas Tree cutting and we took all 3 dogs. Focus and Dietrich (my pet) were running off leash the entire time and had a blast in the snow. Ryder had fun as well but he of course was on leash, which he did not really mind.

We hiked probably 2 miles, and when we were in eye sight of the truck I noticed blood on the snow. I quickly looked at myself, looked at all the dogs, and could not realize where it was coming from until I looked more closely and Focus' right front paw and I saw blood gushing out. It turns out he sliced his pad (the one on his leg, not his actual paw) almost a clean cut. We got him to the truck but a band-aid and sock on it and drove to the vet. The vet cut the skin off (really no need to stitch it up it was hanging on by a thread) and wrapped it up all nicely, and gave him some antibiotics because we did not know what he cut it on and did not want to have him get an infection.

So in the end, it is really nothing major, I just need to change the wrap daily and give him his medicine. It does not hurt him at all really, he will still run around outside like a crazy puppy with Ryder and will go for walks. The only time he whines is when I change it.

Focus with his poor foot wrapped.

The actual cut, it is a nice cut, but something that will hopefully heel nicely in the next few weeks.

Focus and Ryder really do like each other and get along great. They are both pretty mellow in the house, will chew on their bones or go beg someone for attention. I like to refer to them as "partners in crime" because since Focus has to wear his wrap 24/7, he always tries to bite at it. So they will lay next to each other and Ryder will pull the gauze out from under the wrap and then they will both pull and tear the wrap off his leg. It took me a few times of them doing it to realize what they were doing.

Focus will now be going to his new home sometime after Christmas. He is staying with me because his owner has really nice white carpet, and since his pad will bleed from time to time that would not be good on white carpet. He also has to be watched all the time because he tries to eat it, and we do not want him to digest any of it and his owner planned to leave him home kenneled on Christmas, so in the end it worked out I got to keep him for Christmas, but every day I spend with him is going to make it harder and harder so say goodbye, as I really have fallen in love with him.

The Partners In Crime. Ryder tied up while I was baking to keep him away from Focus, but as you can see that really helped keeping Ryder away.

They will both go in the bathroom with me to take a shower and usually they lay across from each other but now a days they like together.

Ryder has been doing great, he is a really good puppy and knows almost all of his commands to a T. He is so good at high school, he goes daily and I am throughly impressed. We are on winter break now so we basically sleep in and go no where. He is a very soft dog and always wants to be near or touching you. I think this is a very good trait but sometimes it gets very annoying when I am trying to get dressed and he is right at my feet and won`t move.

Ryder got a bath today, it had been awhile, ever since he was a baby puppy, so since we were not going anywhere till this evening I gave him one. So now I have a clean puppy and Focus would have gotten one too, but I figured with his open wound it would be best to wait.

Ryder enjoying his new Nylabone from "Santa Paws." We had our Christmas meeting tonight and all the guide dog puppies got a new Nylabone. Ryder says thank you very much!

Happy Holidays!

Katlynn, Focus, & Ryder

Life as Pet

Even though Focus is not a guide dog puppy in training anymore, he can still go a lot of places. My family and I wanted to go Christmas shopping, but did not want to leave Focus kenneled or home alone for hours. I then remembered that we have a pet friendly mall not too far from us! It`s an outdoor mall, and maybe half the stores are pet friendly! Very convenient!

Focus thought it was great to actually "work" again. He was better behaved then Ryder was, but then again he has had a lot more training, but Ryder was very good for a 5 month old puppy. I have really fallen in love with him and I really wish I could keep him, but he is going to a great home and I will still see him every now and then.

On another note, it has been snowing like crazy here. We probably have a foot and a half and it`s still snowing! The boys love to go run around in the backyard, pictures to come hopefully!

Focus and Ryder in Orvis, with a new friend!

My working dogs.

Ryder knows now that the dog bed is now Focus` and there is no if`s ands or buts.

They joy of being a career changed dog, sleeping on the bed! Ryder does not think that is very fair that he has to sleep in a kennel and Focus gets the warm bed.

Have a good rest of your weekend everybody!

Katlynn, Focus, and Ryder

Home Sweet Home

Today was the day my family and I went over the hill to get Focus. I was very excited to see him! Ryder tagged along for the ride and was very well behaved. I even ditched school to go get my boy! We also took my leader with us because she knew we were going over the hill and she left her car on the side of the road, because is was not 4WD and she did not want to buy chains(her husband was with her in their other car so she did not camp out in the snow). So we took her to her car, dug it out (was not that bad at all) and we went on our way again towards Sacramento. My brother was ever so nice and agreed to pick up Focus from the campus, because he lives in the bay area and is quite close to GDB. He picked him up around 9 and started driving towards Sacramento. He ended up coming to El Dorado Hills (past Sacramento) because we were running late and he just kept driving.

When we met up, I was stoked to see Focus. When I got of the car I could hear his tail going crazy in my brother`s truck. I opened the door and out jumped this 90lb yellow lab! I was quite shocked with how big he was, but i am used to tiny Ryder, so he pry has not gotten too much bigger since August. I then got Ryder out and took them both to go potty. I walked them around and I swear Focus is not the same! He was not trying to play with Ryder at all (very unlike Focus), focused on walking and waiting for the next command. I double checked his tattoo to make sure it was him!

I then gave Ryder to my mom and took Focus out to work. I did forward, left, and right. I was impressed! Focus was truly amazing and stopped at all the curbs and looked for cars and when i told him forward he looked again and then proceeded if it was safe I did set him up and told him forward when a car was coming and he stepped out, looked, and then backed up. I was amazed. I really wish he had become a guide, he would have been awesome at it.

I will have Focus for a week or so and then he will go to the people who are adopting him. The family came over today to say hello to him and they brought their dog over for Focus to meet and Saturday afternoon he is going over there for the afternoon. All went well and they are very excited! He wants to get started on his training within the month so he can be ready and start competitions ASAP. Focus will still be a part of my life and I will see him over the years and be involved in his competitions and training. So I will blog about Focus when something exciting happens!

Ryder watching my parents and leader dig out her car.

Focus was very excited to see me!

On the way home, very good dogs!

Ryder looking at Focus who is on the seat.

Agreed to share the bed, though Focus has it now!

Katlynn, Focus, & Ryder

Update on Mr. Focus

As all of you know from my last post Focus has been career changed. At the time I posted that I had not yet made my decision on whether I would be bringing him back up to Carson and place him with a family that will be the best match for him or send him into search and rescue training.

My CFR said that search and rescue was not looking for any more dogs but he could go and be evaluated. I do not want Focus spending more time in kennel life if he does not have to, so I made the decision to bring him home and place him with this family in town.

So tomorrow we are making the trip to Sacramento to meet my brother who lives in the bay. He is going to pick Focus up form the campus and drive him to Sacramento, which is a huge help! The weather looks good no snow, but the roads I am sure will have snow and some ice on them but we have a good car and will do fine.

I plan on keeping Focus till the New Year, but if it is too much to have Ryder, Focus, and my pet dog Dietrich, he will go to his family earlier. The family he is going with I think is going to be perfect. He plans on training Focus to be a hunting show dog, and possibly dock diving (I am not sure if it`s called that, but where the dogs jumps off a dock for distance and retrieves something). It seems like a perfect home for him, he needs a job and lots of exercise, and that is just what he will get! He can also go to work as this man owns his own company! Focus is the kinda dog you can`t trust at home alone because he will eat and destroy everything! That is the main reason I am not adopting him, he would be kenneled 6 hours a day and that would not be fair to him. I could not be happier on this placement as I know Focus will be well loved and have an awesome life! I will also be able to be a part of his training and maybe get to show him, and I will see him periodically as he will live in town!

Tomorrow the good old halti will be placed on Focus and the leash will be in my hand....

Katlynn & Ryder

Bittersweet Ending

For most exciting times/days (like today), there is usually a downer. Well today my leader`s called and I thought for sure they were just calling to say the meeting was cancelled. Well my mom answered the phone and she sad she had some bad news. I was thinking oh no did DeSoto die, was Focus career changed, is Ryder ok? Well it turns out that Focus was career changed.

They did not really say why but mostly because he was so high powered and hyper. I can`t say I am surprised at all, cause that was Focus. When I read blogs and they say my "I have just been hit by a train" I never could emotionally understand that until now. As much work as Focus was he was my favorite, and all dogs are different. I love DeSoto and Ryder dearly but Focus just had something about him.

My family and I keeping him is 100% out of the question. We can not have a high powered dog that needs miles of walking daily. We could not leave him home alone, he would chew everything up, and kenneling him all day is not fair to him. I`d love to keep him and it breaks my heart that I can`t. I know of a family in town that is really interested in him, he just lost his 14 year old lab that was a hunting dog. Hunting would be great for Focus, and he could go to work with them, and I could see him a lot.

Since it is snowing like crazy, we are not able to make it over the hill for at least a few days. I`ve been talking with my brother who lives in the bay area about picking Focus up this week and keeping him till my mom and I are able to make it over, and he agreed to that. So Focus will get to live in a house again! He is also very interested in keeping Focus and he could go to work with his as well. So both options are great and I know Focus would be happy in either one of them.

SUMMARY: Focus is a large, strong, male yellow lab. He is very personable with an active curiosity level. He has a moderate energy level when he has an outlet for his energy. If cooped up and not exercised for a while, he can become busy and more energetic. He adjusted quickly to the kennel, gets along well with all other dogs and enjoyed having a roommate. He enjoys human interaction as well, quickly bonding to his primary handler. His progress in training was good. He learned quickly, really enjoying clicker training and food reward.
He does have a sensitive side when focused; he is willing and well-intentioned, but occasionally impulsive around dogs and food requiring above-average strength to manage the distractibility. His positive qualities are endless; however, with his size and strength, it would be very difficult to match him with a visually impaired client.
Focus is a dog that needs a job – a job to this dog would be to go jogging every day or to play fetch with the kids. (Possibly Search and rescue). He also would greatly benefit from consistency in the home, high expectations and fair handlers.

I just want to say that Focus, you did an amazing job, you made it all the way through training and you just decided it was not right for you. Good job my boy and I can`t wait to see you!

Katlynn & Ryder

Snow Day!

With our usual routine on school days, I get up at 6:00 feed Ryder, take him out to go potty, and then go back to bed till 7:00. When I took Ryder out, I was shocked at the amount of snow we had! Carson City usually gets a few inches but we have a foot and it`s still snowing! I immediately went in and turned the news on to see what was happening with the schools. It first said that they were still in session just late starts, but around 7:00 it was confirmed no school!! I am very excited as this is my second snow day ever!

Ryder last night when it started to snow.

This morning, pretty deep huh?

Snow face! Ryder loves the snow and played for hours with the neighbor dogs.

After hours of hard play, he is sleeping on his bed.

Katlynn & Ryder

5 Months

Believe it or not, Ryder is 5 months old and about 45lbs! We have been nothing fun, just going to school and regular shopping trips. Ryder is a pretty amazing dog, he never pulls, eats stuff off the ground and he always wants to please. He goes to high school daily and does awesome.

Today my family and I went up to Reno to go shopping for the day. We went to a lot of stores and Scheel`s (bigger then Cabela`s) which is a crowded store with lots of stuffed animal displays, holiday decorations, and a noisy environment. Ryder handled it like a champ. Ryder is such good dog I can`t explain it!

Since I have been lacking in the picture and posting department I took some photos of Ryder at Scheel`s.

Ryder in front of an animal at Scheel`s.

Ryder and my little sister in Scheel`s.

Katlynn & Ryder

P.S. Focus is still hanging in 10 looking for his forever match hopefully.

Training Report

I know I have been a slacker on posting lately. So today it was a must! I was driving around town checking my e-mail on my phone every second to see if the phase report had come yet. Finally around 2:30 it came, and this is what it said.

Focus 4S45 M 10

You are probably wondering why I posted a pic of a puppy vest (Rye`s actually) and a leash. Well I thought about it and what made Focus who is today was done with theses two simple items. Every day, by my side, I would put Focus` jacket on, hook up his leash and we would go many new places and more complex as he got older. He was a handful in the beginning but calmed down a lot by the time he went back. I miss him dearly and I know that he could sit in 10 for a few months before finding his perfect match, but I hope he finds it before the holidays!

As for Ryder, he is getting bigger by the day (about 40lbs now) and is such a good boy. He attends high school with me daily and is simply amazing. He is only four and half months old, but he acts like a mature 1 year old. He has had no fear reactions to anything that I have noticed/seen. He is the perfect puppy, just need love to make him happy. He is calm in general, does not need walks, happy to be lazy all day, and just loves being with you. I could not have asked for a better puppy! I will try to post pictures of him this weekend if I get around to it, but I certainly had to post the news of the day!

Katlynn & Ryder

Big Day!

Today was the day that all teen puppy raisers look forward to, bringing your puppy to school! Ryder got to accompany me to all 3 of my classes today and in each class when I was walking out I got comments like, "wow, I did not even know there was a dog." Those are the comments I love to hear especially since Ryder is only 4.5 months old!

I was a little nervous about him relieving while walking from class to outside, but he proved me wrong! He had no accidents and no big problems, sure he tried to eat pieces of paper, etc, but what puppy does not do that?! I am so proud of my little boy that he could handle a crowded high school with no problems and while being on a flat collar! I hope every day goes just as well!

Katlynn & Ryder

Flying

My boy Focus, is now in 8!

Ryder in my backyard looking mighty cute!

Have a good weekend everybody!

Katlynn & Ryder

Fall Colors

Our neighbor has this beautiful tree and around this time every year all the leaves turn this red/yellow color and it is a perfect picture spot! Ryder is now 4 months old, which means no more lunch feedings! He is almost there with being trusted in vest, potty wise, but besides that he is an awesome little guy!

2011 Calender Photo?

Focus is in phase 7! He`s only been in training for about a month and he`s 70% done! I am so proud of him and hope he keeps up the good work.

Off to puppy meeting in an hour, hopefully he will be a star!

Katlynn & Ryder

Advancing Boys

Ryder has been growing and maturing like a weed! As you can probably tell from the pictures he is in a medium vest. He got is 16 week old shots today and he weighed in at 35lbs! He has gained 11 pounds from his 12 week shots. The vet estimated him to be about 80lbs when he`s full grown.

He is getting more and more trust worthy in vest and can go in a store for about 15-20 minutes before we start to worry, we are down to about taking him out every hour or so to relieve rather then ever 20 minutes at home. He sleeps through the night great and has not had an accident in a while.

He is a very good little guy in stores, despite the garbage mouth, which we now use a halti to help out with that problem. I hope I will not have to use it very long, just use it to get him out of the "eat everything in sight" phase. I plan on taking him to school in the next couple of weeks, and I am excited to do that! I know he will do great behavior wise, but I am still a little concerned about the relieving issues, since he is not 100% trust worthy.

Our lives have been pretty boring, we got two new puppies in our group, Keno and Gordie. They are both very cute and Gordie seems to be quite the handful! Our club is back to all puppies again except Patrice (8-9 months old?) and Morgana who is going back in October, and Tahoe who lucked out on not getting recalled! Good girl Tahoe. :) I am excited to watch all these guys grow up and hopefully all become guides one day!

Ryder enjoying the fall colors and sporting off his medium jacket!

I think this picture really makes him look tall.

I got the phase report yesterday and Mr. Focus is in phase 5! I am so proud of him and hope he gets to become a working guide. If not, that`s okay too, maybe another job would suite him.

Have a good weekend everybody!

Katlynn & Ryder

Slowly but Surely

I was very surprised to see Focus in phase 2, because since he has already been through breeder evaluations he should be in 3, but I guess 2 is better then a career change call. I do not have any pictures, but I plan on doing a Ryder post this weekend!

Katlynn & Ryder

Focus Has Arrvied

In training that is! After being at the campus for about a month and being evaluated for breeding and living in the boarding kennels, he made his way into the training department. He was not chosen as a breeder because he had a small case of heart murmurers, but not bad enough to be CC`d.

I am so happy he was placed in the September string, as I was getting anxious to see his name on the phase reports and watch him fly through them!

Focus 4S45 LAB M 1

Good luck Focus! I can`t wait to see you in harness someday, if that is what you decide.

Katlynn & Ryder

Off To The Sitters

Well Ryder is off the the sitters today for the weekend because my family and I are going camping and since he has not had all his shots, we decided it was not best for him to go. So Kelsey with Tahoe so kindly agreed to take him for the weekend which I really appreciate! I know Ryder will be on his best behavior, as he is at my house. He really is an easy going mellow little guy, I just love him and his temperament.

We finally have gotten over him dieherra, we changed his food to Pro Plan and that did the trick, we have come to a conclusion that the science diet puppy food is just way to rich for their little bodies to digest. He has been sleeping through the nights for a couple weeks now, which is great! He is growing like a week, his legs are very tall, so we think he is going to a big gentle giant like Burgess was. I am looking forward to spending the next year with him and taking him to school, which I probably will sometime in October.

For now, I leave you with this adorable face.

Katlynn & Ryder

Hello To Ryder

Today was Ryder`s first puppy meeting, which means we say the hello poem! The hello poem is a tradition on our club that we do with all new puppies as well as we say a goodbye poem which of course is the least favorite. Even though Ryder was in a crate most of the time because my CFR did not want him on the grass because he had not had all his shots and it was a dog friendly area where we met. 

Ryder behaved himself pretty well, barked in the crate for a few minutes before laying down and going to sleep. After saying the hello poem I got my scholarship award for raising DeSoto. Our club gives scholarships to any teen raiser who has had a dog graduate as a guide or breeder, to be used toward college. Now I know it was more then six months ago that DeSoto graduated but I just got around to finishing his album, maybe I should start Focus`s album? 

On another note, my CFR almost gave me a hear attack when she asked if she could talk to me about Focus. I said sure what`s going on. For the 30 seconds it took for her to respond, my head was filled with ideas that he was Career Changed, chosen as a breeder, and many others. But as it turned out she just wanted to tell me that he was neutered. I am actually kinda happy he was not chosen as a breeder because I think with all the energy he has working would be a better job for him. She also said that since they already have a lot of dogs in for training he probably will not show up on the phase reports for a month or so. So now he is in the boarding kennels recovering from his sugary and having a great time!

Katlynn & Ryder

Ryder Update

Sorry guys for the lack of posting! Since I got Ryder I really have had no time to sit down and do a good update. So today I finally did and I have a lot of info over the week in a half I have had him. He is such a mellow puppy, does not mouth on people, not really a chewer, sometimes a good little walker, and has slept through the night 4 nights in a row!  He has had about 3 accidents in the house or kennel some of which being my fault, but most of the time he can go for an hour or so without going potty. 

Ryder`s first night home, exploring his surroundings and all the toys. As you will see later in this post he has grown a lot! 
His first weekend was spent at home and just running around outside. This picture makes me laugh because I have one of just like it only it was Focus and he was a little bit older. 

Sorry this picture was supposed to be at the end of my post, but it ended up being right here. This is a picture of Ryder`s name embossed on my leash, something I mentioned in my last post that I had done at Fun Day. I think it looks really good. I would have taken a picture of all 3 names, but you would have not been able to see the embossing. 

Last Friday, we went up to the Reno Aces Baseball game. We had it planned for about 2 months, so we knew we would have a puppy. We went there knowing we might have to leave if Ryder was freaked out by all the noise but he ended up sleeping through the entire game! We left in the 8th inning because we knew the fire works would be way to loud for him. Overall I was very happy with how he handled it and only being 2 months!

Ryder right when he got there, before he settled down and went to sleep.

This weekend my family and I went up to Lake Tahoe as a last outing before school kinda thing. I decided to take Ryder. We just shopped around at the Heavenly Stores and it was great. Ryder walker 50% percent of the time and was carried the reset. I was really happy with him, he had no accidents, no major issues in the stores, and just behaved himself. 

Ryder in the North Face Store. 

As you can see, he is such a bad dog while at dinner. 

On Sunday the day before school we went shopping up at the summit mall. We were maybe there 3 hours but since it`s an outdoor mall it`s easy to potty a dog. He was very good while I bought shoes, clothes, and my favorite purchase a Macbook, which I love! 

In this picture he looks a lot bigger then he does in the first picture! Why do all puppies have to grow up so fast?! 

Katlynn & Ryder

P.S. On a Focus note, he will not show up on the phase report for a while because he is in breeder evaluations. So when GDB decides to breed him I will know, or if they neuter him he will just show up on the phase report.

Walk With the Trainer, Fun Day, and Goodbye

On Thursday evening my mom and I made the 4 hour trip to the bay area. We left a day early because we decided to spend the night in San Jose with my aunt (about 1 hour from GDB) and visit with her and let her see Focus one more time. Focus was very good in the car, except when it was 2 hours past dinner (we did not want to feed him an hour early, but didn`t wanna feed him on the road) he let us know, and we gave in and fed him and after that he was a much better dog. This is how Focus rode in the car for part of the ride.

After spending the night with my Aunt, my mom and I had 5 hours to kill so we headed to some outlet malls. I scored some cute hats and my mom got some stuff for herself as well. Focus was very well behaved happy to be working after sleeping for so long! After about 5 hours of shopping we headed up to San Rafael, to do the walk with the trainer. We arrived at the campus around 1:00 p.m. and I dropped of Focus in the puppy raising department, where he would be kenneled for the 2 hours I was gone.

We then drove about 15 minutes to downtown San Rafael, where would would meet the trainers and follow them and learn all about what they do. There were 5 people in each group and there was a trainer that worked the dog and a trainer the talked to us, answered questions, told us what the trainer was doing and why, and told us more about the advanced training and new new program. I learned a lot and it really gave me more appreciation for the trainers and that they actually love our dogs and work them and give them every chance possible to learn before the make the decision to career change a dog.

Each group got to see three dogs work, a dog that just came into training, (which in our group was Fidelity, Focus` sister) a dog that is in phase 5-6, and a dog that is just about class ready. It really is amazing that they now can train dogs in 8 weeks and have them class ready. Overall the experience was great and I think every puppy raiser should do it.

After we were done, we headed back to the campus to get Focus. From what I heard he was not on his best behavior, he barked a lot in the kennel (which he did at my house but usually stopped after 5-10 minutes) I think he barked more then usual, because he could see all the dogs in the room and wanted to play.

Fantom, a dog raised in my club that is in phase 5 I think.

After we picked up Focus we headed to our hotel to check in and get ready to go out for the night. We originally were going to go to San Francisco but decided we were too tired and just went to the mall and came back and went in the pool for a while and then hung out on the pool deck with my friend Taylor and GDB puppy Patch. Focus was very well behaved shopping, eating dinner, and hanging out at the pool.

Focus in the hotel room resting.

I think we all went to bed around 1:00 a.m. or so and we had to get up at 7:30 to get ready for Fun Day and eat breakfast. I was still very tired and could have used another 3-4 hours of sleep but there was no way I was gonna miss Fun Day! Especially since I was getting a puppy!

We arrived a little late, as breakfast took a little longer then expected. We arrived right in time for the opening ceremonies. We then ventured out to all the booths that were selling items and opportunity tickets. My mom bought a lot of tickets and I was really hoping she would with this big basket of toys, grooming equipment, treats, and other little goodies. The basket and all the items was worth about $250. The day was not hot, but not enjoyable cool weather. After looking and all the booths we played water balloon toss which our balloon would never pop! It did eventually, not on me though!

Focus was not on his best behavior, he was distracted by all the dogs and wanted to sniff, play, and say "hi" to all of them. After a while though he got a lot better. By 12 or so I was getting a little hot and was ready to get on the road to go home, but that was not an option. I sat in the shade for a while and listened to a trainer speak about soft puppies and how to handle them, which was interesting. After that I got bored of sitting so I ventured back to booths and found the booth I had been looking for! It was the booth that embossed your dogs names on your leather leash. (I`ll post a picture later.) Last year I got another one of my leashed done (I have 4 leather leashes haha) and it did not really last long and it did not look good. I was very happy with how it turned out and I even got little Ryder on there too!

Pretty soon it was time to do puppy presentation and the raffle drawings for all the opportunity tickets people purchased. I went up on the stage as asked, and then I waited for about 10 minutes and they finally called my name and I received my little boy Ryder! The opportunity drawing was next and my mom actually won a handmade quilt and the basket full of toys, grooming equipment, and goodies! I was so happy she won as I wanted a lot of the toys and Focus chewed a lot of my bones.

We of course got to meet some of Focus` litter mates, and they were all going back in for training as well. L-R, Fritter, Foxfire, Focus, & Fairfield.
After getting Focus it was time to start making the walk towards the kennels, something that every puppy raiser hates.
Focus in the kennel reception office. I was checking him in and giving him all his details. How much he eats, what brand, etc. I was already getting pretty teary eyed at this point cause I knew it would not be long before I walked him to the kennel and said "goodbye."

Focus seemed to like the kennel, sniffed it all out, drank some water and thought life was great. I on the other hand was all teary eyed and Focus wanted to know why I was like that.

He seemed pretty settled in and I thought it was a good time to go. I was probably in there 5-10 minutes and then I left because weather I stayed an hour there or just dropped him in the the kennel reception it still would have been very hard.

Focus thought me leaving was not a big deal, but he wanted to play with his brother next to him so he started barking and I just kept walking. It was very hard to say goodbye to him as I miss him very much already. Though I must say having a puppy to come out to and hug was very good, I think it helped a lot. Good luck Focus! Whether you are a breeder or a guide, or whatever else you choose I will always love you! I miss you big guy!

Katlynn & Ryder