Graduation

Wow! Graduation was amazing. The day started off by leaving at 5 a.m. and arriving in San Rafael around 10 a.m. On Thursday Seth and I talked about getting together before the puppy raiser check-in. I called Seth when we were 5 minutes away from the campus and he said he would meet us in front of the dormitory. We arrived before he did. When Seth was walking out he stopped and DeSoto would looked out the window of the door and locked eyes on me. I was expecting him to recognize me from just seeing me, but he did. When Seth came out DeSoto was trying so hard to be good. This is the first picture I got of him, he is waiting for Seth to tell him okay so he can see me. When DeSoto leaped into my arms, I realized that saying goodbye was totally worth it. We hung out with Seth and DeSoto for about and hour. We walked around the campus and we went over to the paddocks where the blind people can let there dogs off leash to play in an enclosed area. DeSoto was bouncing all over the place, but when he was eating grass, picking up stick, etc. Seth would say DeSoto no and than come and he would do it, I was very surprised because when I was raising him he would run the other direction. While walking back from the paddocks Seth put his harness on. DeSoto`s work was amazing, to me it was really neat to see DeSoto walking along and just stop at a curb. It was really impressive! We walked back to the dormitory and DeSoto was always looking back at me, but still doing a great job of guiding. We then let Seth and DeSoto go back to their room and get ready for graduation and we went to the mall to get something to eat.
DeSoto stopped at a curb looking for cars. Very impressive!

DeSoto looking back at me, to make sure I am not leaving him again.

When we got back from lunch, we checked in and they took us back to Seth`s room. The dorms are very nice! I brought DeSoto a bone to take home and I made Seth a album of some of my favorite pictures while raising him. I also got to met Heather, she trained DeSoto. She was very nice and I could tell that she and DeSoto had really bonded. She also told me that DeSoto got the highest marks on his final test out of all the other dogs in his string. It really did show too! After a few minutes of visiting, they took us to get our official graduation pictures. Seth also gave me an official graduation picture of him and DeSoto that they did a week or so ago.

After the pictures we went out onto the stage where Seth`s mom came to greet him and us. She said she had been convincing Seth to get a dog for quite a while and thanked me for changing his life. Seth wanted to show his mom around the campus so we did! We went to the gift shop, the kennels, the paddocks, and all around.

It was now time for the graduation ceremony. They escorted Seth out onto the stage and handed me DeSoto. I went and sat down in the room and waited for our turn to go out. I got to spend about 20 minutes with DeSoto. When it was our turn DeSoto literally pulled me out there and I handed the leash to Seth. My speech was short and sweet as I was crying through the entire ceremony practically! We went and sat down in the chairs and waited for all the other dogs to graduate. There were 11 dogs that graduated Saturday.

After the ceremony we walked around some more and then it was time to say goodbye. Seth handed me the leash and I said goodbye. DeSoto was very sad to see me walk away I think but I know he`ll be an amazing guide for Seth. He invited me to come and see them when ever and they even said they would be willing to met us some where in the San Francisco area. After saying goodbye DeSoto was off the the San Francisco to spend the night and fly home today. Overall graduation was very special and I loved seeing DeSoto. The new team.

Katlynn & Focus (who got a good report from the puppy sitter)

A Fully Loaded Update

Focus is now 8 months old, which is very hard to believe! It seems like just yesterday I got him! So need less to say I probably only have about 5-6 months left with my boy. Focus is maturing every day and becoming a great dog that I love more and more. He is attending school with me every day and does great and is well liked. On Wednesdays Focus goes to work with an experienced raiser just to get different experiences and mainly because he does not like to relieve for anyone else but me. Instead of being dog less on Wednesday`s our leader`s dog, Finnian, comes to school with me. Finnian in 6 months old and is great at school. Focus always gets good reports, which is excellent!

Besides school nothing else is worth mentioning. We go to the grocery store weekly and other various places. On Monday our club had a meeting at the community college. Focus was great as usual and we just walked around at talked to an English class.

Needless to say graduation is on Saturday, and I am very excited! Focus will not be going he will be staying with a sitter starting tomorrow. I have been e-mailing Seth through out the month and he seems like a great guy and has thanked me a lot for raising DeSoto as he just loves him. I am so glad Seth is keeping in contact as it will be fun to hear about their adventures together. I pretty much have my graduation speech ready just got to add a few details. Today when I was home, my phone rang. I did not recognize the number but I answered it anyway. It was Seth! I was very excited to hear from him as I gave him my number a few weeks ago. I was probably on the phone with him for about 15-20 minutes. We had a good conversation and he told me all about DeSoto and his life. He told me he and DeSoto have been to downtown San Francisco and DeSoto did perfect! I found out that Heather was the girl that trained my boy and just some fun facts. He said tonight DeSoto and him were going to do some night work in San Rafael. It seems like DeSoto is loving life and could not be happier.

Focus at school.
Focus with his new green gentle leader.

Last Friday, my mom watched Finnian and she said he was great!

Finnian, Focus.

I just thought I would post a picture of the last time I saw him. So here it is!

I am so excited for graduation and am very proud of DeSoto. I am sure he has changed physically and mentally, and from all if it, changed into a great guide for Seth. Look for a graduation post on Sunday or Monday!

Katlynn & Focus

DeSoto News!!

Today I got an e-mail. I was about my boy! DeSoto has been matched with a person named Seth Wilson, 28 of Venice Beach, California. I am very happy he contacted me. He seems very nice. He thanked me for spending last year raising his 'angel.' He seemed very grateful for DeSoto and making his dream come true. He said he made the choice to trade his white cane in for a four legged bundle of fur. He described DeSoto as inquisitive, slightly mischievous personality paired with an amazingly strong work ethic and a huge heart. That`s DeSoto! I am so happy that he wants to stay in touch with me through out their journey together! I can`t wait till graduation to meet Seth and see my boy in harness. He also attached a picture of him and DeSoto. He looks bigger and mature from when I said goodbye in August.

Katlynn & Focus

1st One Is The Charm!!!

Today my mom and I got a call from our leaders. I was very nervous to answer the phone but the first thing they said was, "we have good news!" I was very excited!! DeSoto has been placed with a blind person and will graduate January 31. I am so proud of my boy I could not be happier! I don`t know the name of his person but I will post details later when I know them. I just thought I would let everyone know my exciting news of the day. :)

Good Job DeSoto!

Katlynn & Focus

P.S. I guess I better start thinking of a graduation speech.

2008 In A Nutshell

January: DeSoto turned 6 months old! He was enjoying the snow, the little that we had left. He was maturing into a nice dog which would hopefully be a guide. We celebrated my 13th Birthday. February: It was Valentine`s Day and DeSoto turned 7 months. Though he did not have a Valentine he was satisfied with a new bone. He was going to school with me full time and doing great.
March: Easter was here! DeSoto loved finding the eggs, well helping. He turned 8 months. We also went on our club outing to downtown Reno.

April: DeSoto went bowling for the 1st time and was great. Summer was around the corner and we were very excited.

May: DeSoto turned 10 months, double digits! We took a trip to San Jose, CA to visit my Aunt and go shopping. DeSoto stayed the night with my Aunt while my family and I went to a function at Great America, and got a great report.

June: School ended! We celebrated summer by going to a friends Birthday Party which happened to be shopping. DeSoto was great and I was started to wonder when recall would happen.

July: DeSoto celebrated his 1st Birthday at Lake Tahoe. While camping, he got plenty of beach time and sand eating (he loved eating sand for some strange reason). He was not real fond of swimming but grew to love it by the end of the month. I also got the letter from GDB that DeSoto would be recalled on August 18.

August: August was filled with smiles and tears. I knew recall was approaching very fast and I only had about 2 weeks left with my boy. I treasured every minute I had left. On the bright side I got an e-mail saying I would be receiving a MYL with the letter "F" on Fun Day. Fun Day was very fun. Lots of activities to do and DeSoto got to meet some of his brothers and sisters. At the end of Fun Day I was handed Focus.

Goodbye DeSoto.

September: I started getting phase reports and DeSoto was progressing well. This was Focus` and I first full month together. I was started to like Focus more and more .

Focus was now 4 months old and 'official.' Focus and I and our friends Taylor and Fantom went to the Candy Dance. Focus only being 4 months old, he was excellent.

October: It was Halloween! Focus was a skunk. He was growing up very fast and maturing well.

November: Focus was 6 months and weighed about 50 pounds! He was going to school with me full time and was great and was well loved.

December: Focus is maturing more and more and is a great little guy. DeSoto is in phase 10 and will probably graduate January 31! Focus and I went to the Guide Dog Lunch-In in San Francisco. Focus only being 7 months did awesome in the city. The Sea Lions did not phase him as well as all the noises and smells.

Wishing everyone a new year with many new exciting adventures!

Katlynn & Focus

Happy New Year!!

First off, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Christmas was very good I got a Coach purse and various things. Focus got a new bed a bone. Focus seems to like his presents. Christmas Day we went to see Marley and Me, very cute movie! Focus was well behaved and chewed on his bone the entire movie.

Christmas break has been great, but nothing too exciting has happened. I am not ready to start school on Monday but I will live! On New Year`s Eve I spent the night at a friends house and we had a lot of fun, Focus could not come so he stayed home with my mom, from what she told me he was very good. :) Focus enjoying his new bed.

And the phase report came on Wednesday!

DeSoto 49N7 LAB M 10 No

I am getting very excited as I know graduation is less than a month away! Though anything can still happen I know he will make it all the way.

Katlynn & Focus

MERRRY CHRISTMAS! Wishing everyone and their pups a wonderful Christmas!

Phase 10

DeSoto 49N7 LAB M 10 No

I was very excited this morning when I saw the phase report in my inbox. I was hoping DeSoto would be in 9, but instead he was in 10! I am happy he decided to get with the program and not hang in 8 forever. I am very anxious to get a call. I am hoping for the good one, but if it is the CC`d call he will be picked up by me and be my forever pet. I am very proud of DeSoto for making it through all the phases, and I will be very proud of him for whatever he decides to be.

Katlynn & Focus

6th Folder 6th Photo Game

I was tagged by Elizabeth and Alana to play the photo game!

Rules: go to your picture folder, and in the 6th folder, choose the 6th picture and tell the story behind that photo. And then tag six more people to play!

This is a photo of DeSoto at Cabela`s in front of a big polar bear. DeSoto was around 5 moths old when this picture was taken. DeSoto did great with all the statues at Cabela`s for only being 5 months old!

Since I don`t know who has played this game, I tag everyone who has not played!

Katlynn & Focus

Hmmmmm

DeSoto 49N7 LAB M 8 No

Diva 400N LAB F 8 No

DeSoto, how sad is this?! Your sister is in the same phase you are and you have been there a month longer?

I am starting to wonder if I will be recieving a Christams present soon because DeSoto is in 8 and most of the other dogs in his string are in 10. I know DeSoto is doing the best he can. Maybe phase 8 is so much fun he just can`t leave?! Or maybe he just loves spending time with his sister. I know either phone call I will be sad. DeSoto will always have a special place in my heart wheather it be a guide or my forever pet.

Get moving little boy!

Katlynn & Focus