Reflections: Parka: Who am I?

Good morning puppy raisers everywhere,



Now everyone, please take a moment and just look into my eyes. What do you see? Can you tell all about me?

This picture taken late in February as I was preparing to complete my final month with Becki and the Limberg gang. I was a little sad knowing that my time with them would be ending soon, but I knew that I had a higher calling and the Limbergs have been preparing me for that next adventure in my life.

This is what Becki shared about me: Parka is a confident pup and a willing worker. (As long as I get fed!) She did very well accompanying me on hectic days. (You guys should knnow that this woman is busy all the time! I think I know Seattle better than any guide dog.)

When left at home in her crate, Parka is so quiet and patient until I return. (I really felt like a caged lion, but I did not want her to know.) If Parka is loose in the house and asleep, Parka will woof if someone comes to the door and knocks or somebody new enters the home. (Woof? Heh, I'm letting everyone know that danger could be near! I think I was a guard dog in my previous life.)

Parka does not bark when on leash or if she is awake when a new sound is hear. (Just look into my eyes, don't I just look like a little angel?) Parka is good loose in the house with some supervision. (Heh, Becki could you give Dad a call and share this with him? He keeps me tied down like a thief?)

She plays roughly with the family dogs and will need lots of supervision. (Well, in my new home, this Cuzzie is queen and I'm not about to mess with her. When she bares those teeth, I keep my distance!) She gets excited when introduced to new places, but settles quickly and is very good around children. (Heck, I LOVE children! Do you have any idea how much food they drop? Kids are a bonanza!)

Parka socialized well with the family dogs and a cat. (That cat thought she owned the place. I kept my distance from her, she had very sharp claws.) She did very well on my many shopping trips, visiting restaurants, malls, riding buses, even trips to the beauty salon. (Let me tell you. This woman can shop. I think she defined the term "shop until you drop!" She had my tongue hanging out. I was pooped! And then the beauty salon....that was my favorite place. All these pretty ladies and I was one of them. I felt like a real princess. They always wanted to paint my toe nails. You know, I think pink would look best with black. What do you think?)

OK, I admit it, I'm HOT! A real good looking beauty. I can't help it. It came natural. Well, Becki said I was confident. You think?

Much love to all puppy raisers. Your time and trouble and effort is well worth it.

Hugs and Licks, Parka

Reflections: Graduation Day to Merry Christmas!

Hello friends & family,

This is such a special time of year! When I walk past all the houses at night, they are all lit up with lots of lights and ornaments and fancy displays outside the houses.

Inside our house, there is a really pretty white Christmas tree with lights and ornaments. I can just feel the warmth and love in the air.

It was just a few short days ago when I graduated from guide dog school. That was such a joyous occasion with all the Limberg family there to help celebrate my new partnership with Dad.

We are really starting to work together really well. He likes to slow me down a lot, but with all the snow and ice, I guess that's a good idea. He does tend to slip a little every now and then.

This picture shows all of us at graduation in the Fireplace Room at the Boring campus. Becki, my YOM, and her lovely daughters, Ashley and Caitlin. It was Ashley's 22nd birthday that day. I really felt honored that she would celebrate her birthday at my graduation. I did give her a little present, a small puppy that looks like me!

I just read a Merry Christmas wish from my new pen pal, Princess Coral. She seems like a pretty nice gal. I hope I get to meet her someday soon. I want to wish everyone the same Merry Christmas and the best of holiday celebrations with your family.

My new family, Claudia, Grandma, Cuzzie (ugh) and Dad really treat me so well. Dad even fed me early today since we came home early for Christmas Eve. Dad is listening to beautiful Christmas music right now while I write this story and sometimes he breaks out into song and it's hard to type when I'm using one paw to cover my ears!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to my fellow guide dogs, puppies and their partners and families,

Miss Parka - The Parka Express!

Christmas Time Past - Shop-Hopping!

Good morning from freezing Colorado,

As I lay here beside Dad's feet, I hear him talking to people and wishing them a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I just finished my breakfast, a heaping cup of kibble, my favorite - lamb and rice. Yuuummmmmm!

As Dad woke up this morning, I was giving him some "paw prints" on his hand and leg as I encouraged him to get his butt up out of bed. Didn't he know it was 6:00 AM and time for me to eat?

He finally got the picture and for the first time since I've been here, Dad just unhooked me. I can't figure out why? I was just doing some BIG, BODY WAGS and slapping my tail onto the wall and bed.

Hey, I was excited! Yep, he unhooked me and ZOOM down the stairs I went like a pointer dog, pointing right at my bucket of food.

Now that I lay here reflecting on my past, I recall some very fond memories of last Christmas as I turned one year old in Seattle at the Limberg home. This is what I call "shop-hopping!"

I recall last year's Christmas with Becki and the gang and how crazy busy Becki seemed to be. I don't know if this is normal for her, but "Geeeezzzz," we seemed to just go everywhere especially that time of the year.

Ms. Becki, Ashley and Caitlin would be shopping, sending Christmas cards, wrapping gifts (I know there was one with my name on it!) and planning meals for the family (including lamb & rice?) and cleaning the house. You know, I did not like that vacuum cleaner. It made so much noise, I just wanted to go hide.

But what was so inspiring to me was ALL of charities that Becki was participating in. I can tell now that I'm with Dad and the Foundation Fighting Blindness, how important this training was for me. I got to see what a difference Becki was making for so many people. Now I listen to Dad as he is helping others and planning strategies to create even more programs that will benefit so many people. I can tell that I'm a real "service dog!"

Even though Ms. Becki was very busy this time of year, she always had time to take care of her parents that needed help every day. It was so great to see Nani "grandma" again. I hope "grandpa" is doing good, too!

I heard that Nanni was doing "snow angels" in the most recent snow in Seattle. What in the world is that young lady of 87 doing that for? She is such a spry, young 87 with lots of life and love to give. I really miss her!

But now back to "sho-hopping." Ms. Becki drug me through the malls, grocery stores, post office, appointments at so many of her charity events, etc. etc. She kept me jumping in and out of the back of her car all day long. I know this is supposed to be a FUN time of year for humans, but I felt like a pogo-stick, bouncing in and out of the car, and hopping into the back of that SUV is not an easy thing!

Ms. Becki kept saying to me, "Just one more stop, Parka. I promise we are going home soon." Just one more stop. Yeah sure, that's what I was thinking. All I could think about was getting home so I could do my favorite thing in the world! If you are a LAB, you know what I mean. EAT!

Dad tells me that Becki now has another puppy in training and to be grateful that I'm not being dragged around like I'm sure that pup is. I wonder what her name is? Maybe I should give her a call and let her know to be patient.

Look at the great job that the Limbergs did with me and where I am today! I have a great home with Dad, Claudia and Grandma. There is light at the end of the tunnel of the shopping train!

Besides, I'm the Parka Express and I can see why I'm such an express train! Just keeping up with Becki taught me to move quickly.

But you know, despite all of the hustle and bustle of this time of year, I really enjoy the happiness and love that is in the air and I get to sit on my haunches and give lots of "chipmunk love" to all my friends and family. Getting a belly rub while I'm sitting up like that is SO gratifying. It's kind of "Parka-licious!"

Love to all with lots of licks and paw-paws,

Miss Parka

Puppy Raiser Becky in Boring!

Good morning Limbergs,

I am SO EXCITED! Dad just told me that Becky Limberg, her Mom and two daughters, will be attending our graduation on Saturday! This is SO COOL!

It was just last April that I saw them last when they dropped me off at the puppy truck. I was SO SAD to be in that cage and watching them wave as the truck pulled away. I kept telling myself, "This is not fair! We need to start a puppy union so we can VOTE on this!"

Anyway, it will be great to see everyone again at our graduation this Saturday, Dec. 13 at 1:30 PM. Dad said that we get to meet all of them before that. Plus, my foster parents, Sarah and uh, I forget. Also, VERY COOL!

Yesterday, I showed off my stuff during the clicker workshop. Dad blind folded himself, I guess so he could not see the great work I was doing. He showed me this pole and did a lot of clicking and what was important was, I got more kibble by just touching that pole or his hand. Such a deal!

That was easy stuff. In the afternoon, we went to the Zoo. I really did not want to see those BIG cats and we didn't. Whew!

We were there to take the fast elevator to the ground level in a tunnel for work on a light rail train platform that was four feet off the ground. I'm not scared of those big machines - I know to keep my distance!

Dad also practiced going through a cafeteria line at lunch. They picked up pizza while I was a good little girl on heel. Dad was a glutton and we had to go back again to get a second piece. I'm going to tell Cuzzie. No, better - I'm going to tell mom!

Cuzzie, that's my new sister that is at home in Denver waiting for my arrival. I wonder what she is like? She looks cute in the picture below, but I hope she knows that I will be the BOSS of the house!

I'm excited about this weekend. Graduation Saturday, then to my new home in Denver on Sunday. My name sure fits going home to snow! I hear there's a storm due the same day I am - YAHOO!

Love to all,

Parka