Jellystone Park & the Teetons!

Howdy everybody,

Can you believe it? Dad and Mom finally took a vacation and took me along. I have to admit that I did a LOT of laying on the back floorboard, but they were kind to me. They gave me two pillows. One for my body to lay on and another one over the hump, kind of folded up where I could lay my head on it and get lots of scritches from Mom & Dad along the way. I was actually pretty comfortable!

We left on July 1st for Casper, WY, to spend the night in a cute bed and breakfast which was actually in a converted apartment in the basement of this cottage. I had a BIG kitchen to eat my food in and Mom took me on walks while Dad was soaking in the HOT tub. There was another dog there, but I kind of intimidated him so he stayed away from me.

We went to dinner with some friends to the Casper Petroleum Club and it was really swanky. The food was delicious...don't tell anyone that I scooped up some crumbs that hit the floor.

The next morning, we drove up the Wind River Canyon to Cody and then over to Jellystone Park. I heard Dad say that this place has two million acres. Thankfully we did not walk them all. We saw lots of canyons, hot springs, geysers. This picture at Old Faithful from the Lodge 2nd floor observation deck. Cool!

We stayed in a condo in West Yellowwstone, which gave me plenty of room to play tug with Dad with my Kong and Ring. I love that Dad likes to play tug and keeps telling me "he's gonna get my Kong or my Ring." I love it when he chases me, too!

Mom and Dad had their 9th anniversary lunch at the Old Faithful Lodge while I took a nap. There was a big rain storm that night, but we were safe inside the condo with the windows rattling. Dad said they had four TV channels to start with, but after the storm blew out the Idaho Falls feed, we were down to one channel. That meant more play time with me, I loved it!

On July 4th, we drove south past the Teeton Mountains. I know I spelled it wrong, but I got to tee-tee at the base of them! They were pretty awesome to behold. We drove along the upper Wind River and Shoshone River to Lander in central WY. They were all booked up with no place to stay, so we headed for Rawlins and ended up in Rock Springs for the night.

I got to see all sorts of fireworks that night. People got out of their cars and were shooting off fireworks all around us. Then the big show started at the Rock Springs fairgrounds and it was beautiful. Mom took lots of pictures with her new camera.

We got back to Denver in the afternoon and I was pooped. I just found my rug and pillow and took a long nap. Then it was time to play again!

What a great trip! Dad and Mom really needed the rest! (Mom didn't really get much - she drove 1628 miles in five days!)

Happy summer to everyone. Hope ya'll have great vacations and rest.

Lots of licks and tummy rubs!

Miss Parka

Texas Trip yee hah!

Howdy yall,

Well, I kept hearing that a lot so I'm telling ya'll the same thing! That means hello to you non-Texans.

Dad has been so busy, he has not had time to open the Zane Train blog so I can bring everyone up to date on my latest travels. On Thursday, June 11, we flew to Dallas with an unplanned layover in Amarillo. There were lots of thunder storms in Dallas. After a couple of hours that seemed like a day in the small Amarillo airport, we made it safely to Love Field.

We met up with one of our key chapter leaders, James Jennings, and I stayed at his house, while Aaron, Dad and James played 9 holes of golf. Dad said that he played very well and in fact, really like the #4 hybrid that he borrowed from James. (We just bought him one yesterday for Father's Day!)

Dad had a Friday morning conference call with Walmart and then we had lunch with a guy named Tom. Then Aaron and Dad left me at the hotel while they played some golf again. That evening we got to go to Aaron's new home and I got to play with Maya for a while. She's a nice Rottweiler!

We had a DFW Chapter meeting and VisionWalk celebration for the over $131,000 they raised at their May 16 walk. Aaron passed out the Flying Horse awards that Dad dreamed up. See Biscuit went to the top team and Eye O'Silver to the 2nd place team.

We flew to San Antonio in the afternoon and then had dinner in our Holiday Inn hotel room and Dad crashed pretty early from being so tired. Little did he know that I was snoring long before he was. It was almost 100 degrees in the Alamo city!

On Sunday afternoon, we went to Stone Oak Hospital where Aaron and Dad held the San Antonio/Austin chapter meeting and VisionWalk celebration for their great Walk on March 14 where they raised over $120,000! Aaron passed out the Flying Cow awards to the top fund raising teams, El Seemore and Moo Pigmentosa and Seymour Clearlee.

We went to the River Walk that evening for dinner on the river. Aaron and Dad were scooping up lots of chips and salsa and whenever Dad dropped a chip, I scooped it up! I did a great job of keeping Dad out of the river and showed him all the funky steps back to the car.

Dad said that I did extremely well on this trip and gives me an overall grade of A-. He also feels that I am 90% working together as a team. My only issue to be resolved is my desire to "dive" for food while walking through a restaurant. But those scraps are so tempting!

But I'm so cute, you just have to love me, right?

Love, Parka

Happy Dad's Day!

To all Dad's from their pups!

Good morning and Happy Father's Day!

Cuzzie just had a bath and isn't she cute?

Dad just gave me a nice grooming, aren't I HOT?

And Dad, doesn't he looked relaxed?

Breakfast brunch on the veranda...ah the good life.

I'm so happy here in Denver with my Dad, Richard. He takes such good care of me. I count on him to feed me 4 times a day. Can you believe that?

Yes, you know, I like to EAT. So Dad feeds me when we get up. I kind of help that process along by trying to wake Dad up usually starting about 4:00 AM, and then reminding him about every 30 minutes. Dad keeps telling me to REST, but I'm REST-less. I'm hungry! Dad finally gets up at 5:30 AM or so and feeds me soon after he takes his shower and gets dressed.

Then Dad feeds me again around 7:00-7:30 AM the balance of my one cup of food. He then feeds me again around 1:00 - 2:00 PM and finally the balance of my second cup around 5:00 PM. I just love him. He is thinking about my needs, which is LOTS of food.

Dad grooms me every week and takes really good care of me. We went to the Vet the other day just so he could check on my "girlish figure." I weighed in at 53 pounds, so he's keeping me lean and mean. I wish that he would fatten me up a little, don't you?

It was quite a honor yesterday as Mom, Dad and I did some shopping for Dad's new golf club, I heard them say a 4 Hybrid club. Dad also asked the sales person if they had a GPS system that would find lost golf balls. I guess that means he hits a lot of them into the woods and areas off the course. I wish he would take me so I could locate the balls for him.

Dad took us on a mountain hike a couple weeks ago and we had a great time! There were 3 other guide dogs there too and of course, I was doing the best job. I know because they did not worry about how we were doing. Dad and I were just trekking along. We hiked about five miles and I know Dad and I were pooped after those hikes.

I want to wish Dad's everywhere a very happy day or rest and relaxation and be thankful to your partner for all that HE does to make your life a wonderful one. HE knows how much we mean to him.

I know that Zane made Dad very happy and I know that Zane loved Dad and Dad loved him. I've seen him cry several times when just recalling their good old days. Zane, in fact, has become a therapy dog and I'll have to tell you more about that later

Dad, I wish you a wonderful Father's Day and thanks again for taking such good care of me as I take good care of you.

Love, Miss Parka

Oh no, the Gentle Leader!

Good morning again,



Life in Colorado has been so much fun, until now. I have been able to sniff and smell along routes which usually results in a yank or two from Dad to hop up, but that's his job! But now, the gentle leader has been brought out and who came up with that name anyway?



Yes, Dad has had a few problems working me through restaurants. Well, I'm a growing teenager and I love to EAT! So, when I smaell or see scraps on the floor, I'm diving for them!



Our first major incident was a couple weeks ago when Mom, Grandma, Dad and I went to Outback Steakhouse. As we walked in from a snowy scene outside, all the people standing in the waiting line for wanting to pet me, love me, saying nice things about me, you know, the normal stuff that we guide dogs get! Dont' get me wrong, I don't mind it at all. In fact, I love it. But it does tend to distract me from my job.



Once we got our name called, Dad told me to follow the waitress to our table. I did for at least two seconds then promptly ran Dad's right leg into a wooden pillar of a booth whene some people were eating. I saw some scraps on the floor and knew it was my turn to snatch some food. Oooops, Dad was not too happy with me.



When we got to the table, I found a few scraps under the table. Well, I'm a Lab and I was hungry! Even though Dad had just fed me about 30 minutes earlier, I was still hunger. I'm still a teenager, so I'm not really worrying about my girlish figure, at least not yet!



Dad attended on Friday a breakfast meeting with clients and a lunch meeting with a nice guy named Charlie. But I was anything but well mannered as I sought out food and other people to sniff and get to knw to see if they wanted to share some of their food!



Dad was really exasperated with me. I could hear it in his voice. PARKA, lay down, REST!



Dad called Becki, my puppy raiser, to find out what she knew about my paper-eating habits and how unruly I was when going into restaurants. She confirmed that I LOVE to eat and when given the chance, would pick up and try and eat just about anything, especially paper.



Dad called Kae Ann in Boston, a real Rowdy Girl, to see what her experiences had been with Miss Melody. She mentioned that she had to use the gentle leader and high collar at times to keep her under control. Uh Oh.



Dad got the idea and pulled out the gentle leader and, of course, put it on wrong and had the leash attached to a ring in front of my eyes. I did not want to tell him that this was not correct, but then I did not like that strap across my snout anyway. I kept rubbing my nose on Dad's leg to try to rub it off. Kae told Dad how to properly loop it from the heck collar and finally it was on snug. Dog gone it!



Now Dad has control of my head and I am at his mercy. Well, maybe that's stretching it a little bit too far, at least, he has better control of my head. I guess that's what was needed, but I feel more like a slave. Where is that Abraham Lincoln guy when I need him? Wait a minute, I heard President Obama is trying to do a lot of things like Lincoln did, maybe he will "free the slave dogs?"



Oh, even better, the Obamas are looking for a dog for the White House! Maybe I could be the FIRST DOG? then maybe I would not have to wear this gentle leader? Hmmmmmm, gentle leader, why don't I just try to be a gentle leader of the pack?



Oh well, I love Dad and he takes such good care of me. I guess I will just have to straighten up my act. I promise to be GOOD, will that work? Please, no gentle leader!



Help my fellow caninces. Do you have to put up with this type of in-canine treatment?



Love, licks and hugs. A despondent Parka!

Parka honored by Deaver-Phoenix

Good morning fellow canines!

My Dad shared with me last week that we were honored at our graduation from GDB on December 14 by the Deave-Phoenix Foundation. Dad thought it was a Denver-Phoenix group, since he has worked in both areas with his previous Lab, Zane. But it was not.

GDB is a great group to be proud of since they worked so hard to train me, they placed me with the wonderful Limberg family, especially Becki, and they groomed me into a full fledged guide dog rady for prime time. This is an expensive training process as I went through college in about 8 months, which is longer than most. I had some issues to work out and finnaly became the "demo dog" at the graduation prior to mine.

Thank you folks att he Deaver-Phoenix Foundation in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I don't know where that it, but Dad said it is a beautiful sunny place. I'm in Colorado no and we have had some really sunny days too!

Thanks for supporting Guide Dogs for the Blind. They are a first-class organization!

Much love and licks, Parka

Happy New Year! 2009 will be fine!

Good morning fellow canines and moody felines,

Happy New Year from Colorado! Yes, it's 2009 and I'm just fine. I'm two years old and looking pretty HOT, if I don't say so myself. Don't I look pretty sleek in that picture?

I have a really good buddy from Oregon as we shared licks during college as we got to know our new partners. I want to introduce Danville to you. He's a good looking LAB, what a hunk! And he's older than me, so we might want to go out on a date, the next time we meet!

Here is a happy message from Danville,

"Dear classmates and their partners,
Laurie and I wish you a very happy New Years. I know that Fellini, Georgene and Parka will bring in the New year when the clock struck midnight or at least I hope they did."

I hope that you all have a great New Years and it bring joy and happened to you all. Laurie wants me to tell his friends that he hopes that they have a great New Years and hope that they are doing well to.

Things are going well for Laurie and me these days. Laurie has been trying to do some clicker training this week with the light poles that have the signals that make sound when I push them to cross the street. Doesn't she know that I try to avoid these poles? But I get lots of kibble! Woo Hoo!

We had one thing go wrong last week for us and I will tell you about it. We were out for daily walk and Laurie asked me to stop at Starbucks in Lafayette. After we left there, we were walking up the street to go and it was after noon and I needed to go to the bathroom real BAD!

Well, I was so interested in p-mail that Laurie tripped over something on the side walk and she fall down on the ground. She messed up her ankle, but at least gave me a break and did not blame it on me. Laurie is such a great partner, don't you think?

After I went potty, Laurie had me rework the problem and I strutted my stuff after that. That has been the only thing that has gone wrong since we have been home from school.

On last Sunday, we went on a four mile hike with a BIG group that we hang out with and I enjoyed it and was walking fast since there was no curbs to worry about on this walk.

Please give a big hug and kiss to your partners from me and Laurie!"

Wow, Danville sounds like he is really on the move as they close out 2008. Dad and I went back and forth to work yesterday! What a great walk. We even went to the Vet's office and I got myself weighed. I weigh 54.9 pounds and have gained some weight.

Ny new year's resolution is to ask Dad to get me some Nutraslim instead of Science Diet. I've got to watch my girlish figure you know!

Lots of love, licks and belly rubs, 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!

Reflections: Winter in Woodinville

Good morning and Merry Christmas to all,

As Dad and I prepare to head to work this morning, I was just thinking about the winter time last year while I was still living in Woodinville, WA. It was a brisk snowy March and pretty chilly outside, but nothing like it is here in Colorado. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

As you can tell in the picture, I have on my very cute Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) puppy-in-training jacket. Don't I look cute? I don't know, let me take a poll. I think I should have applied to the Miss American Dog contest. Don't you? Let me hear your votes!

I think I know how to strut my stuff across the stage, kind of like I did at graduation recently in Boring, OR. In fact, when I wag my tail, Dad says that I have a "body wag." I really know how to shake my thing! Heh Zane, check me out!

Anyway, it was March 8 and I had spent the night at Nonny's condo. She is such a great lady and just loves me so much. It was really great to see her at graduation.

After getting my coat on and taking this cheesecake shot, Nonny and I went for a walk. Of course, it had snowed over night so there was lots of fresh snow on the ground. So what does this lady do? She tells me to SIT and STAY while she flops on her back in the snow, making snow angels.

I thought maybe I should call 9-1-1, but I knew she liked to do this. So let her have her fun. I thought it was kind of funny, too, so I left my sit position and jumped in the snow with her. Woo Hoo!

Nonny and grandpa are fun to be with. I really smile a lot when I think back on those days.
Merry Christmas to all the Limbergs and the great work that you did with me.

Much love and body wags,

Parka

Queen of the Castle!

Miss Parka,

Good afternoon, new invader to my Queendom. I just wanted to set things straight, since it seems like you are going to stay a little while longer.

You may not recall another black dude, named Zane. Yes, he came here for a while and tried to push his way around, but he only lasted a few months. A lot longer than I really thought he would.

I let him know that it was OK for him to share part of my space, but I made sure that he knew that I was "Queen of this Castle!"

So honey, I know that you are a cute thang. . . I'm from southern Colorado! But cute may get you a few belly rubs and scritches on the head, but when it comes to taking over this castle, there ain't no way, honey. I'm the queen and you just got to know that. OK?

Dad is a really nice guy and I sleep in the bed with Mom and him every night. You've already learned that and fortunately know that your place is on the floor at the foot of the bed. A couple of times in the morning, you have gotten a little anxious to go downstairs and started being frisky with Dad and I had to growl and set you straight. I hope you are getting the message!

Mom took this picture over the weekend after Dad gave me a bath. I really don't like baths, but I do come out looking pretty good, if I do say so myself. He clipped me around my face. Can you believe that? A blind guy is cutting my hair?! What's up with this anyway? But I do look pretty cute despite his wayward clipping.

So, just keep in mind that Cuzzie is Queen of the Castle and you could be say, my princess, if you like. That way you could serve me at my every whim. You know, I take your bone away whenever I want to chew on it. I'm glad you got that p -mail.

I'll let you hang a little while longer. I do notice that Dad uses you for some form of transportation. I'm glad that he does not put one of those harnesses on me!

I know you were giving me some kisses over the weekend. I know that you want to "kiss up" to me, but it's not going to work. I'm an old dog and I'm set in my ways. So keep your nose clean and I'll tell Dad that it's OK for you to stay a little longer.

With a little growl and a little teeth,

Queen of the Catle,

Cuzzie

Working in the snows of Colorado

Fellow snow bunnies & buddies,

I really need to check who signed my up for all this snow in Colorado? Heck, it's snowing again today! I thought most of it was melting away and it was going to be summer time. Forget that stuff.

Hey, Becki, do you need a guide dog in Seattle? I remember lots of rain up there when I was growing up, but I don't remember signing up for all this snow?

What's that? Dad just told me that it's snowing like crazy in Seattle, too! What's the world coming to? Oh well, I guess I'm just going to have to buckle up and get used to it.

I love Dad so much. He's such a nice guy and really gives me a lot of kibble. I don't know where Zane got that he was stingy?

We finally walked to work today and Dad wore those Yak Trax things. I'm glad he didn't step on my tootsies. Those things look like they would really hurt! I had no idea where we were going this morning. We took off on a side-walkless route and I got right into the swing of things. I'm HOT stuff when it comes to that!

Then we crossed near a school and made it up to Dayton Street. I crossed those with no problems, showing Dad all the curbs. Then we went down a sidewalk area with lots of evergreen bushes sticking out. Of course, I'm HOT stuff with overhead obstacles, too, so I made it all around those, no sweat.

I earned lots of kibble for my good work. I did not make one mistake. Dad was very proud of me. When we go up the stairs, I kinda squeezed him against the wall. Well, I need to have room for me to get up the stairs. What did he expect?

It was great to see Annie in the office. She is always so cheerful and friendly. I really like her!

Today, at lunch, Dad played Kong with me in the parking lot. He made me heel after every catch and earned more kibble. Shucks, I love this game! We have always been playing Kong in the office, well, I can play it anywhere. I just love it!

It's always fun when we get home at night, because I get to see Mom and Grandma. I give them a kiss and then I'm ready to EAT. Where's my food! I get a good amount, but I have to watch my waistline, you know, I'm a lady in good fitness! I have to keep my trim and slim figure. Never know when a BIG hunk will be watching!

I heard we are supposed to get some more snow over the weekend. Oh well, that's why my coast is black - so Dad can find me in a snowstorm.

I really do love it here. Just a bit of an adjustment.

Until later, gater!

Lots of love and licks,

Parka

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

Graduation Day is Here!

Good evening all my new friends,

My name is Parka Porsche (at least that's what Dad calls me) and Richard and I have finally made it to graduation day in Boring, OR!

When I came here lat April, there were times that I thought I might not make it through. BUT, guess what? Here we are. This is so exciting!

On Thursday morning, we practiced at the Portland airport going through security. That was so easy. There were so many nice people that wanted to say hello to me and give me a rub down. So nice!

On Friday, we went to the Klackamas Mall where we had practiced escalators last week. We had to weave through lots of shoppers with lots of people saying, "Oh look at the pretty doggie with those cute little shoes on!" Yeah, I had to wear these silly booties in case we had to ride escalators.

We found the Van Dyne candy store, Portland's finest chocolates since 1927. We then found a Picture People store and had some great photos taken of Dad and I. So much fun!

In the afternoon, we practiced what graduation day would be like. We got to sit on stage with all the other graduates. It was really nice to watch the demo dog do her work around the room. I think I can do it better than she did, but they didn't ask me!

Well it's getting late and I better get to bed and get my beauty rest.

Love to all of you with lots of sloppy kisses and hugs,

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

Birthday Baby & Vet Visit

Good morning my fellow pups,

Can you believe it? Dad forgot my birthday! Well, he was a little late. He did not forget totally. Is that a male thing or what?

Yes, on Monday, December 8, I became two years old. I'm one of the second oldest here in this class. Danville is 27 months old. He has been re-issued after not working out for someone else.

Last night, on our night route, Erin gave Dad a special biscuit to give me for my birthday. Onyx and Erin, Dad and I, were sitting in Cafe Delirium having some coffee when both of them broke out in Happy Birthday to ME! Then Dad gave me this real special tasting treat. Thanks, Dad!

On my birthday, we took the bus to a neighborhood in Portland to work busy city streets with lots of great smells, which I avoided most of the time. Then Dad ended up at a Pete's Coffee and pulled out that computer again to do some work.

In the afternoon, we stayed in and did a clicker workshop. Dad learned how to use that wonderful clicker tool again. Then on Tuesday afternoon, we actually worked together to target a chair. Of course, I learned finding that chair real quick and got lots of kibble. When we moved back to do it from farther away, I just about dragged Dad to the chair, ready to get my reward. I like this clicker thing!

On Tuesday morning, we went to an elementary school area and a neighborhood with lots of side-walkless streets. I'm pretty HOT on finding the curb, but the coach said that I do it a little too quickly, so Dad had to teach me to stay straight. How? He gave me more kibble.

These humans really think they are teaching me new stuff, but if you notice, I just keep getting more kibble. Guess what, that's my GOAL! More food!

Besides, Zane has told me how stingy Dad is at giving kibble, so I really need to train him well.

We also visited the Vet and we got my current weight which was 53.6 pounds. Last week I was 52.7 pounds, so I gained a little weight. I wear it well though, don't you think?

The Vet told Dad all about my health history. The puppy raiser brought me back to Boring in April, 2008. As I was getting trained, I had a mouth sore and some warts, which I picked up from my buddies in the kennel.

I got rid of those, but developed a limp on my right front pinkie. Vet Patty did not say, but I think Coach Jaymin stepped on my foot and it got real sore. In July, they kept me in the kennels to allow my paw to heal.

Then I went out again and developed some more minor issues so they decided to put me in a "foster home" for about 2 months. Then, while I was there, I got sick. They had a cat and he was a PITA. They brought me back to the kennel to get well and eventually I got back to work with Jaymin in preparation for Dad.

Dad also learned that Ms. Becky Limberg and her 17 year-old daughter raised me in Woodenville, WA, which I think is suburb of Seattle. We took lots of boat rides to Seattle and rode the bus a lot. We lived in a big house with another Lab and a Golden Retriever. They did a great job of raising me and I hope I get to see them again at graduation.

Well, that's a lot of information. I gotta go! I think it's about time to eat!

Hugs and body wags and chipmunk love to all,

Miss Parka

Weekend on the Oregon Trail

Happy weekend to all,

On Saturday morning, we took a trip to Gresham to work more on rounded corners, traffic checks and barricades. We got back in time to work the Oregon Trail.

Some of you may know the original Oregon Trail that brought settlers to the Northwest back in the 1800s. Yes, Dad shared this with me. I do not remember getting that in history class!

The Boring campus has a nice trail that zig-zags through huge 100 foot trees on the campus. There are tons of tree and shrub nurseries all around this area. I believe they consider themselves the Christmas tree capital of the world!

Working through the Oregon Trail takes about 15-20 minutes for most dogs, but for Parka Porsche - we do it in about 10 minutes! The trail has two or three outlets back to the forest road near the kennels, but we made it through in good shape. I did not run Dad into any trees along the way.

Saturday afternoon, Dad watched Florida play Alabama and other football games. I just slept. Talk about "boring . . . "

On Sunday, we woke up to lots of rain storms and it rained all day. Dad had a late morning brunch and Chef Kathryn made custom-ordered omelets for everyone. Dad had everything, but the kitchen sink in his. He really seemed to enjoy that with his French toast!

At 1:00 PM, Dad tied me down and left with the others to go to the local Gresham Town Mall to do some shopping. He bought me a real nice bandanna to wear at graduation. It's real purty, a base of red and blue with dog bones all over it.

Dad watched some more pro football and worked real hard all day on his computer. I don't know what he does on that thing, but he sure keeps his hands on it a LOT.

Things are going well here in Boring!

Love to all, Parka

PS - Dad said to thank all of you WWII veterans in memory of Pearl Harbor Day!

Parka in Portland - Lloyd's

Good morning my new friends,

Dad and I went to Portland for the first time yesterday. We worked from the bus and did a very nice neighborhood area called Lloyds. Dad asked if it was related to Lloyds of London, but they said no, there was not enough "bobbys" around.

We walked from the bus along busy neighborhood walk ways and ended up at a Safeway. I had to negotiate around a lot of shopping carts which had Dad really wondering where I was going, but Coach Jaymin told him to "stay with her."

We entered the store and Dad practiced his "moving turn" commands. I'm not sure if he meant to go down some of the narrow aisles that he chose, but we made our way through. I think he was just trying to present some new challenges for me. Of course, I'm a slick chick and I just powered our way through without a mistake.

We ended up at the wine area. He kept showing me this red wine and kept asking me to remember it, like I was going to bring him back here again. I don't think so.

We made our way out and back to the bus. Dad asked Belva, the nurse, if she would get him a Five Bucks coffee. (That's what Steve calls Starbucks.) She got some coffee for several of the students. Dad got an Egg Nogg Latte and others got Pumpkin Spice Steamers.

In the afternoon, we did a bus-to-lounge walk, which was pretty easy for me since I've done it a few times. Some of the streets in Gresham require a zig-zig at Main Street. We did that well and just rocked on to the lounge. Dad kept wanting to detour to Jazzie's. We still have not made it.

Later in the day, Dad got a cane tour of the Oregon Trail and then came back and got me and I led him through the Trail. It's a very wooded area with lots of zigs and zags, but it was "duck soup" for me. You know, we have lots of Oregon Ducks here.

I'm looking forward to today. We're doing some mall work, escalators, buses and trains. Woo Hoo!

Lots of puppy love to all,

Parka

Parka Pooh in Gresham

Good morning everyone,

Richard, or should I say Dad, really got to know me on Monday. One was a group shot, which is not available to us yet. We receive that at graduation.

In the evening, we took our ID pictures that Dad will carry around with him to prove that we are a team. Ooooh, I like the sound of that.

The web cam movie was taken last night by Erin, who has been blind from birth with LCA. She is our resident dorm mom during the week. She is a college graduate with a degree in English. She has a guide dog named Fellita, a yellow lab, and we get along real great.

Dad asked Erin to take a picture of us and she said that she had a web cam program on her notebook computer. She uses Jaws on her computer and it talks to her while she manipulates the keyboard.

I could not understand a word it was saying, but she found the program and tried it out. It worked! He could see her picture on the computer screen.

Erin turned the computer toward Dad and I, and he lined it up to take the video you see below in our blog.

Ain't I cute? Everyone says that I have a really cute face and you should see me wag my tail. It's a full body wag with my whole back end shaking my bootie!

Dad really likes my "chipmunk love squat" which I will just have to show you some time. I love the way Dad rubs just under my ears on both sides and then strokes my chest area.

We rode the bus to Gresham yesterday and coach Jaymin worked with us in the morning. Jaymin was my training coach and did a great job of preparing me for my new partner. I'm ready for any challenge!

We worked on heeling first. Dad just could not get me to work beside him in the heel mode. With Jaymin's help, Dad had me walking in stride in about five minutes. I'm a quick learner!

Then we did some guide work. I'm a fast walker, pretty much out pacing Dad. Dad kept giving me the "steady" command to slow me down. Jaymin showed him a technique to give a slight tug at take-off and to say, "Steady," and that really showed me what he wanted. Now, we're in step with each other.

In the afternoon, the three two-weekers, Sid, Asia and Dad, went with Jaymin to the downtown lounge in Gresham to do individual routes. Jaymin coached Dad to use a soft voice, use more commands when distracted rather than using the leash and improve his stance with his left foot forward.

Jaymin commented how quickly Dad incorporated all that she asked in just that one route. She was amazed and pleased at how well we did. Of course!

We also changed from the XL handle to just a long handle and Dad liked it a lot better. He stepped on my right rear paw a couple of times, but he felt that he was a little off balance when he did that early in the route. Dad incorporated the steady command several times to get our pace in sync and we were really rocking along by the end of the route.

It started to rain as we left the lounge. This was the first rain we've seen since Dad has been here. Dad got a massage later and the masseuse said that it is now the rainy season for eight more months. Ugh! She is ready to head back to eastern Oregon where she grew up.

Dad had something interesting for dinner called Quinoa (pronounced keen-whaw) which is a high protein grain that had egg plant Parmesan gravy over the top of it. He liked it but he especially liked the peach pie he had for dessert!

We head to Portland today to work the Lloyd neighborhood. There will probably be lots of distractions, so it will provide some new challenges for our team. But Parka Pooh is up to the challenge.

By the way, that picture of Cuzzie is so cute. Three rowdy girls already at home. Hang on ladies, here's comes rowdy girl number four! It sounds like that we are going to have a great time together. Love to all of you!

Hey, Sis, how do I get Dad to give me a little bit more kibble? Be sure to clue me in. I hear you are REALLY good at it, especially with Grandma.

It's about time for Dad to feed me my breakfast. I eat three cups per day of lamb and rice Science Diet. Yuuuuuum!

The Zane Train is still alive and well, it just has a new "classy chassis."

Love to all form Sweet P!

Parka Pooh

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