Welcome, Parka, You Rowdy Girl!

Hi, Parka!

This is Claudia, your new mom back in Denver, Colorado.

Your new dad, Richard, is just crazy about you already and I can't wait to meet you - only two weeks to go!

Poor Richard - he will have a house full of rowdy girls: you, me, Grandma and Cuzzie, your new sister.

Train well - love up our Dad - you are going to love living with us!

Love, Mom, Cuzzie & Grandma

Parka Test Drive!

Good morning my new friends,

Hi! My name is Parka. I just went out on a test drive with my new partner. His name is Richard. He really likes to give me lots of love, he likes to play with lots of toys with me and even shared a partially chewed Nyla Bone. I can tell someone much stronger than me had gotten to this bone first!

We met with our coach, Cindy, and Richard did a little Juno training while I watched with great anticipation in the cage. Well, they were talking about giving my kibble to that furry dog named Juno. I did not care to share. Besides, they did not ask me first. Where's their manners?

As Cindy was sizing up my harness, Richard asked what I looked like to her. Cindy said that I was very pretty. You know, I really like Cindy a lot!

Cindy said that I had a medium long snout and some beautiful dark, brown eyes. My coat is very short and sleek. I guess you could say that I'm a HOT CHICK!

We practiced some of those obedience commands: sit, down, stay and heel. I like this stuff because there's always some kibble in it for me when I do what I'm told.

Cindy asked Richard to "slow down" his commands and talk a little softer. He has to remember that I'm a lady, not some big bruiser like I heard that Zane-boy was. But, of course, I like those big bruisers in other ways, if you know what I mean.

Richard began his guide work commands as we traversed around the dorm along a fairly wide path with a few obstacles. I circumvented everything quite well and I could tell that Richard was having a little trouble keeping up with me. I have to get this "old guy" some exercise and get him in shape. We got places to go and people to see!

Once around was all we got to do today. We just made one trip around the building and back inside by the dining room. That was it. Cindy said that was all for today. Once I finish this up, I'm going to lie down and take a little nap.

You know, I think I'm really going to like this guy. I can tell that deep down inside, he's a pussy cat, even though he comes across like a drill sergeant sometimes!

Richard really enjoyed his French toast and bacon this morning. So has an appointment with the HOT TUB at 11 AM to sweat some of those blueberries off.

We are on our way, our journey has begun, a trip to the top of Mt. Hood might be in our future. I know that I want to be his partner and take him to the mountain top of whatever life experience that will be.

I look forward to meeting all these friends who keep writing great notes to us. You must be great dogs for your partners.

Like I always say, whenever it's cold outside, be sure and take your Parka!

Lots of sparkling love,

Parka

New Locomotive - Miss Parka

Good morning friends & family,

On Saturday, November 29, I flew from Denver to Portland to return to guide dog school in Boring, OR to find a new locomotive. I arrived around 11AM, PST, and after we gathered up Asia and Sid, Hillary took us to the campus. We found out right away that we would be meeting our new guides that afternoon. How exciting!

At about 3 PM, I was introduced to my new locomotive for the famous Zane Train. Her name is Parka, a sleek, yet sturdy black lab who stands 20 1/2 inches tall, weighs in at 52.7 pounds, loves to lay her head on my thigh as I type and comes with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. She is about two years old and ready to rumble!

We got to know one another right away. I laid on the floor and she jumped all over me. She likes to sit up a little and put her paws on my head and shoulders, lick my ears and kinda be a little wrestler.

I brought some Zane toys to play with her. She enjoyed playing with the Big Kong and rubber ring for tug-of-war. I found her to be very aggressive making her a spunky, little chick. I like that!

Once I put her on tie-down, I got out the Nyla-bone for her to chew on. I found that she liked playing tug of war with that. She likes attention!

As we slept last night, she was the perfect partner, just sleeping away, chewing on her bone as she went to sleep and then just rested through the night. I never heard a peep out of her.

When I got up around 2 PM, she wanted a little reassurance and stroking which I provided from bed. She then just laid back down and went back to sleep.

I got up about 4:30 AM, made some coffee, went to the exercise room to do about 50 rowing strokes and Parka sat beside me. We watched some ESPN news to see what happened in the Oklahoma game. Then we came back to the room to update the Zane Train blog.

Right now, I'm calling it Zane Train II "Parka" - this will be the new iteration of the Zane Train.
Zane started out this blog, last December, as I wrote a daily journal of my journey into the world of having a guide dog. Zane's voice took over after we got back home to Colorado. He has quite a fan club!

I talked with Zane on the phone in Brea, CA yesterday where he is at his new home with the Johnpeers. Katie told me that Zane was looking all around the house as I called out to him and said "Where's my buddy?" He still remembers my voice. Isn't that amazing!? Well, of course, he is a very bright fellow.

My new locomotive is Parka. She is a lot shorter and lighter than I expected so today will be a great test to see how she will work out as a guide. She has a lot of spunk and I can tell will like to walk fast. That's good, and it will be interesting to see how she handles. I will try a standard harness to see how we work together. I went to the off-set harness because I kept stepping on Zane's paws. Ouch!

It's just about time to feed her. She will be getting 3 cups per day of Lamb & Rice. Cuzzie is at home finishing off the rest of Zane's lamb & rice. She enjoys getting some of the great fuel as an upgrade to her less expensive kibble mix. Watch out Cuzzie, there will be another GAL in the house soon!

Stay tuned for more updates as I get to know Parka better. She looks like a great dog and I look forward to getting to know her better.

Lots of love to all,
Richard

Zane's Thanksgiving Caper

From one of Zane's Dreams!

IT WAS THANKSGIVING 2007 IN WHICH DAD AND I MET

A BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN DAY TO CELEBRATE OUR ACQUAINTANCE,

GIVING THANKS FOR LOVED ONES AND THOSE THAT WOULD BE SET,

OUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER, FOREVER, A FOND REMEMBRANCE!

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING, BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP

I TRIED COUNTING SHEPHERDS, I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED - THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE

BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION WITH ALL MY MIGHT

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH MUCH ANTICIPATION

THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME TOTAL INFATUATION

SO, I SNUCK TO THE KITCHEN, SNEAKING INSIDE THE DOOR

AND GAZED AT THE LEFTOVERS, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.

I GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND LAPPED UP POTATOES,

PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND ROUND

'TILL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.

I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY

WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A PAW-FUL OF PIE.

BUT, I MANAGED TO BARK AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES...

LABRADORS UNITE FOR A FEAST, PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.

MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.

MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS, MAY YOUR PIES BE YOUR PRIZE,

MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER BE A WONDERFUL SURPRISE!

AS I FLOATED BACK DOWN TO MY PLACE BY THE BED

I SHUTTERED AND SHOOK UNTIL SOMEONE HAD SAID

ZANE WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ON THIS THANKSGIVING NIGHT?

HOW DID THAT WHIPPED CREAM APPEAR ON YOUR SNOUT, TONIGHT?

I WOKE UP IN A DAZE AND I SHOOK MY HEAD TO CLEAR MY DAZE

THANKSGIVING, A MEMORY, BUT FONDLY I RECALL THE HAPPY DAYS!

I SHARE MY LIFE NOW WITH THE JOHNPEERS, WHAT A FAMILY OF LOVE

I DREAM OF WHAT ONCE WAS, MY CAPERS AND DREAMS, GIVE THANKS FROM ABOVE!


LOVE TO ALL ON THANKSGIVING! ZANE

Capers - The Super Sleuth!

Sweet, Innocent Zane,

I can tell that you are still up to your old tricks! You are such a super sleuth, so crafty and creative. As I prepare to leave for Portland on Saturday, I am reminded of how sweet you always seemed to be. And now I read this story and learn so much more about how SNEAKY you are. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

I share this excerpt that you posted on Princess Coral's blog. You thought you might be able to hide this from me! But Dad does still love you anyway. Those brown eyes and sweet disposition. You are so adorable.

"Getting extra food is always a challenge. Where did our masters ever get the idea that we can survive on just a cup or two of dry dog food a day? Have you ever met a lab who could fill up on such a small amount of food? (NOT). So here are a few suggestions for pulling off what I call "capers".

First, establish a state of total trust between you and your master. That's the hard part with labs as we somehow have a reputation of getting into trouble. But if you cuddle them and let them pet you and let them rub you between the toes and behind the ears, then you can indeed get their trust, it's just a matter of time. It really helps to exhibit perfect behavior for a few days before the caper is planned. That's hard to do but possible. Believe me, they will soon begin trusting you...humans can't help it.

I've successfully pulled of the famous cantaloupe caper and tuna fish casserole capers....no problem. As for implementing the caper, well my recommendation is to wait till the room is empty, or until the master(s) are distracted or asleep, so they don't notice what you're doing. Don't forget the children in the house, they can snitch on you if they see what you're doing. Don't waste your effort on a small caper because if you're busted then you're in big trouble anyway. I always wait till a big opportunity presents itself, then I make my move. With Thanksgiving food being prepared tomorrow, I've already made my plans for tomorrows caper. You see, tonight they came home with two (yes TWO) pies tonight and I think they need "taste testing". Even if you're caught, they can only stay mad for a little while....once they see your big brown eyes and your tail between your legs, they usually forgive you and the shock and awe they exhibited at what you did will fade quickly.

Being a lab is sure great. I could never get away with these capers if I were a cat or bird. They're just not smart enough. I hope this helps you and my other canine followers who might read this. And please don't let any humans read this message.

Love, Sweet, innocent Zane"

Well, have a great Thanksgiving and Johnpeers don't turn away from those pies or turkey too long! You have some brown eyes plotting and planning.

Love, Dad

Photo Album from Zane - My Trip Home to LA

Long awaited arrival the the famed "Puppy Truck" in LA.
I'm in there with 150,000 barking puppies!
OK, there were probably about a dozen but it SOUNDED like a lot more.

Ahhhhh . . . I just love women! These are MY girls!!!

Here's Gary calling Richard & Claudia to let them know
I made it back home OK!
Lots of tears were shed at both ends of the line.

I am pooped - doing "frog dog" on the kitchen floor at the Johnpeer's - my LAST new home.

I love my original dad . . . I used to cuddle like this when I was a puppy.
It still feels good and I sure needed a hug.

This is my "brother" Sayer who is going to go
to guide dog school in a few months.
He likes to play tug of war with me with PCV pipe.
I always win!

Aren't we handsome fellows?!

Gary is trying to brush our teeth but we just wanna get
a hold of that tube of chicken flavored toothpaste!

I love my "mom", too - Vickie loves to cuddle me.

We had some REAL excitement and nearly
had to be evacuated from our house - YIKES!

This fire was only one block away -
that's WAY too close for me!

Gary took me back to work out to an oil well.
Feels like old times to be back in a truck!

Golly, I worked sooooo hard and just HAD
to take a nap . . . zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Don't ever forget - I am the one and only original Zane Train!

Keep writing - Gary will keep taking pictures and Richard & Claudia will post them here.

Love to all,

Zane

Hello from Zane!

Gosh, life here with the "first family" is sure easy! So far they haven't even made me work for my food...how about that! And I still get lots of "good boys" for doing simple things like sitting and going down. Why weren't you that easy on me?

They have another lab puppy in training (black like me) that wants to play tug-of-war all the time which is so fun. His name is Sayer. He gets recalled in a couple of months so then I'll have full control of this house.

Well, to be honest, I do have some concerns. You see, for some reason Sayer gets to go everywhere with Gary and during those short periods of time I have to stay home and "guard the house". I guess this must be a bad neighborhood or something so for now that seems to be my main job. They said it was an important job too.

Dad and I used to go to so many places and I miss that so much. I also miss laying by your desk at the office and listening to all the people talk about how handsome I am (and I still am). I miss the trips to the groomer (they must be poor here because they groom me themselves).

I miss Claudia and Grandma and of course little Cuzzie. Tell them I love them.

I miss the trips to the airport which took us to so many strange places.

But most of all Dad, I just miss Richard. And I can't wait till the day comes that he can visit me in sunny southern California.

Well I must sign off now, Dad, because Gary is over by the freezer and it's time for my morning ice cube!

Retirement can be rough at times.

Love,

Zane

Zane's Tuna Fish Caper

Hey Richard!

It's Zane!

Well we had an exciting day here yesterday with all the southern California wildfires. We almost had to evacuate. It's a good thing I was here because I had everything under control and we are all safe today. Only problem is when I go outside the white ash particles fall on my black fur and it reminds me of snow. And you know what I think of snow!

About 7:30 PM last night Vicki had supper all cooked (tuna casserole) when the police started announcing that the next neighborhood to the east of us had to evacuate. She put the casserole on the edge of the sink while the family went outside to listen to the police announcements (on the police loudspeakers). I felt it was my duty to do a sample taste of their casserole while the house was quiet inside. Unfortunately, Vicki caught me taste testing the casserole when she came in. There wasn't much left for them to eat after I got done. Gosh, I figured that since I got to eat cantelope in Denver that I could certainly eat tuna casserole in California. Anyway, it was certainly quite tasty and much more flavorful than the Science Diet stuff I usually get.

Anyway, as you can see, I'm doing my job and keeping everybody here safe. They didn't sleep well last night but I sure did.

I love and miss you,

Zane

Oregon Campus Update

Good morning,

One of my new instructors at the Oregon GDB Campus, Jaymin, called to interview me and learn more about who I am, my work, my home situation and just get to know me and the type of dog that I might need. I learned about the Boring Campus which I understand is in a farm community where the town of Gresham is the "big city" in the area.

I asked if there were cows and horses that we would have to walk around, not to mention their droppings! She indicated that she could make that happen.

This will be a small class of 8 students, all re-trains! Many will be there for a total of 3 weeks and 2 or 3 of us will be there for 2 weeks.

I have my flight itinerary and I will fly to Portland on Saturday, 11/29, and return to Denver on Sunday, 12/14. I wondered if I should bring my brush, booties, rain coat, etc. and Jaymin said that I will get a bunch of new stuff, but we agreed that the booties may not fit my new dog and the rain coat will definitely be needed in the winter around Portland.

What is most exciting is that Jaymin said that she walked a dog yesterday that she thought would be PERFECT for me. I asked what kind of dog it was and she would not say, but after she thought about it, this string is all Labrador Retrievers. So, at least I know that I will be getting a Lab again, not sure the sex or color yet.

Thus, my excitement is now starting to build as I prepare for my new locomotive. Zane, stay tuned to hear who is coming down the track!

Love, Dad