Woo Hoo! Graduation Day!

Good afternoon family & friends,

After almost nine months of college training and re-training and sabbatical to get over some kennel issues, I have graduated as a full fledged guide dog! My partner, Richard, is so happy too!

I was so PROUD to be his guide dog. There I was at his side on the stage as he thanked Becky, Ashley and Caitlin Limberg for all their great love, compassion, energy and enthusiasm. Dad even thanked Grandma June, or should I say, Nani. It was so great to see her again!

It all started earlier as Dad took me on heel to the Fireside Room to meet with someone. I was really not sure what was going on. There were people everywhere and all my buddies were meeting with people. Then, I turned the corner to go into the Fireside Room and there they were!

Woo Hoo! Becky, Ashley and Caitlin. Wow! They all came to see me? What a special day this was going to be and then I realized that they were here to watch us graduate. How great is this?! The people that I grew up with were here to turn me over to my very new special friend. Oh yeah, by the way, his name is Richard.

I gave everybody some of my patented "chipmunk love" which Dad found out was something that Becky kinda taught me. Dad really likes it, so he thanked Becky for doing a great job! Becky and the girls soaked up lots of love and licks and hugs and paws and belly rubs. Wow, did I feel like one special little girl.

Then I got to show off a little bit as led Dad around the halls doing some lefts and rights, finding the door, sits, downs, heels and stays. They all found out that I was "Demo Dog of the Month" at the last graduation ceremony in November. Now you know, I'm pretty HOT STUFF!

Dad bought me this really pretty bandanna and I was wearing it to meet the Limbergs and even had it on during the graduation ceremony. I really felt like I was a stand-out at the ceremony.

I also got to see Wayne, too! Wayne and Sarah, who I saw again last Wednesday, had me staying in their home for a month as my foster parents. I can't recall why, but I really enjoyed being with them. They are such great and caring folks.

Jaymin and Margie did a great job leading the ceremonies and it was great to see everyone making their speeches and then thanking all the great folks at GDB. They are true first-class operation!

Well, I just ate my dinner and I'm going to take a nap now. I understand that we have to leave at 4:00 AM in the morning to go back to the airport. Gosh, that's awful early to be doing training exercises. I'm not sure what we will be doing, but Dad sure is putting a lot of stuff into suit cases.

Oh well, until later! I'm graduated and got to see so many great folks whom I really LOVE.

Love to all. Lots of licks and belly rubs,

Miss Parka