Big Surprise

Hi Everyone,
I have some really big news! I studied really hard and did great on my final exam and I'm going to graduate with my partner on Sept. 8th!

I need everyone to be really quiet about it though because that is my birthday present to Dad.

I'll write more about my partner and graduation later since I'm just worn out and I need to sleep.

Training

Hi Everyone!

It has been three months since my last update and I have a lot to report. One of the instructors here at school helped me sneak out of the kennels so that I could go to the media room in the dorm to say hi.

In May, Mom, Dad and Mitch got me up really early and we drove to Ogden to meet the puppy truck. When we got there, Dad took me on a long walk and we stopped several times for pictures. Mom and Mitch took turns walking the other dogs that were also going back on the puppy truck while they waited for us. We were all pretty teary-eyed and it took dad a while before he was willing to take me to the truck. I kissed everyone goodbye and dad took me to the truck. I was sad to be leaving my family but I was also excited to begin my new adventure. Dad said a final goodbye and let Joe take me to one of the kennels in the truck. Joe and I became quick friends right around dinner time.

On the way, we stopped and stayed overnight in Eastern Oregon but the next day we arrived at the Guide Dog campus. I was really excited to be at my new school and to meet my new roommates. The campus is really beautiful and the people are really nice to us.

We all started going through medical evaluations but because I was on breeder watch, I had to go through a lot more. I was flying through the breeder evaluations until one day when the vet said that he didn’t think my heart was really into it. I would have liked to be a mommy but I knew that I would be a better guide. After it was decided that I wouldn’t be a breeder, they gave me the same operation that Julimae had while she lived with us in Utah. After my operation, I just got to take it easy for a couple of weeks while I healed.

After I was feeling better, I was put into classes with other dogs that were also training to be guide dogs.   On campus they call this a string, but I know from my other college experience that this is really called a study group.

My study group goes out a couple times a day and we have to learn a lot of stuff. There are eight training phases in all. Right now, I’m on phase 6 and it is getting tougher all the time. We learn about curbs, backing up, overhead obstacles, traffic, and how to ride the bus and train. We even get to walk on tread mills and get fitted for boots. The instructors are fun. In fact, they even teach us to disobey when we feel that it isn’t safe to obey.

A few of the dogs that I’ve made friends with here at school are starting to graduate and I know it won’t be long until it will be my turn. I had to already say bye to two friends from my puppy club. Tartan has decided that traffic is just too scary and he has dropped out. Rio has been accepted into home training and will get to finish his degree from home. Stan, Athens, Mozart and Roscoe are all here too which makes me feel good knowing that I’m not here alone.

Recall

Now that I’ve graduated from three schools out here, I will be going to Guide Dog College on May 7th to get my masters degree in Guideology. I’ll be going with two friends from the puppy club, Rio and Athens.

I hope to follow in the paw prints of my big sister Julimae and my big brother Meade. I wouldn’t mind being a mommy either. I think I would be a good mommy and I’ve already had a lot of practice taking care of my little sister Sharla. I know my family will have fun helping me pick out names for my pups.

Dad has already told me not to be afraid of being away from the house because there are only three things that can happen. I can become someone’s eyes, I can be a mommy or I can come back to a family that loves me.

House Arrest

Wow, I’ve been very bad about posting. I’m going to have to do a big update to make up for it but there isn’t much to tell. After being sick last month, I tried to catch up on everything that I had going on in life but I had to take another month off because I was under house arrest.

House arrest isn’t very fun. I could only go out in the back yard, couldn’t go to puppy meetings and I couldn’t go to school or shopping with Mom and Dad. I spent most of the day watching animal planet.

Plus, I had to spend the whole day in a diaper, or as mom and dad called it, my Daisy Dukes. On me… they worked, even though it was hard to wag. I guess that is what dad meant by having good jeans.

I also had to catch up on all of my class work and study real hard for finals. I think I did great on my finals but I don’t know about mom and dad. It must have been pretty tough on them without me being there to give them the answers.

Sick

Hi Everyone,
I haven't been feeling good and I didn't feel like writing. But now that I'm feeling better I figured I would catch up with what I've been doing.

I wasn't able to go out for the last three weeks. Mom took me to the doggy doctor and the doctor made me all better. Most of the time while I just slept because I wasn't feeling good and Dad let me sleep next to him in my brother Cruiser's bed. I really like doing that even though I had to wake dad a few times each night to go outside. We've been lucky with the weather and it wasn't too cold on me and dad at night.

The thing I hated the most about being sick was taking the pills. I found that peanut butter can help get anything to go down. I fell behind on my school work and my outings too. It took me a week to remember what I needed to do on outings because I got totally spoiled. Dad says that I'm back to being a perfect little girl.

The thing I missed most was playing with my little sister Sharla. The first thing I did once I got feeling better was to take her on a walk around the backyard. I love my little sister but she gets away with a lot of naughty things. The other day, she spoiled her dinner by filling up on homework... MOM'S homework! I thought mom was going to be mad but all she did was take pictures. I think mom is trying to convince the teacher to accept the assignment anyway.

Mmmm Homework

Training update! Keiko and Lacole are in class!!! I'm so happy for both of them.

My Little Sister

I have a new little sister, her name is Sharla and she is reallly little and reallly cute. We went to the airport and got her on Wednesday. It was a really fun adventure. I went with mom and together we checked Mitch out of school and went to the airport. When we got there, dad was waiting for us. I dragged Mitch over to dad because I was pretty excited. We waited at the same spot where I was delivered for a long time and there was no sign of any other dogs. Dad and I walked around the baggage claim area and there were people coming and going like mad around there. No one was expecting me to be in the airport and I almost got ran over a couple of times. Dad protected me when he thought that people were getting too close and I'm happy to say that I'm still in one piece. We went back and found mom and Mitch and waited some more. Mom got tired of waiting and started making phone calls to find out where my little sister went. She finally found out that she was at a different part of the airport. So, we all went out, got in the cars and went to find my sister. We finally found her and we made our introductions. Everyone was pretty excited but Mitch was the most excited of all of us.

Mitch and Sharla

I love my new little sister and I know that we will be good friends. We are already playing with each other and we already share clothes and do all of the things that sisters do.

Sharla in Silvana's clothes

Cruiser is taking his role as a big brother very seriously. Every time he hears a noise, he comes running and checks on his girls. I even think the cat likes her, even though he starts to hiss like he is losing air, whenever Sharla goes near him.

Big News!!

I'm getting a little sister on Wednesday. No one knows much about her yet. What we do know is that she is a yellow dog and her name starts with "S", just like me. I bet dad gets really confused at first and will call me by the puppy's name. We also know that she was born in San Rafael and that she will be flying and not coming on a puppy truck. Just like me. We have so much in common already, I know I'm just going to love her. Dad said that I have to be a good sister and teach her things just like Julimae taught me. I already know the first thing that I'm going to teach her. The toys are mine but she can play with them whenever she wants. I will also take her on walks around the backyard. 

Our puppy club has been playing the guessing game. That is where they try to guess the puppy's name. I'm not sure what they win but it sure is fun hearing of all of the names that have been guessed. Mitch's choice is Sarsaparilla. A lot of people want the new puppy to be named Sarsaparilla. That way, people can say 'here comes Silly and Sassy' whenever we go out in public.

We also had some really great news at the last puppy meeting. Snickers was placed in class and he graduated with Antigua on Jan. 14th. We hear that their partners are just wonderful and that they are already making great teams.


Training update. Lacole is in phase 3 and Keiko is in phase 5. I'm proud to say that Antigua and Snickers graduated on Jan 14th. It is so good to see my friends doing so well.

Christmas and New Years

A lot has happened over the last few weeks. First I got to learn about Christmas. Christmas is when families come together and share their love for one another. There might be more to it but that was what I learned from observing my family. It was really fun. On the night before Christmas; Dad told me about Santa. I had already met Santa in the mall but dad told me more about him. Like how Santa travels all across the world bringing toys to all of the good little dogs and cats in the world in his magical sleigh that is pulled by Labs. Dad said that there were even a few Golden Retrievers and Lab/Golden crosses that help too. And how at the very front, was a guide dog puppy, so Santa didn't lose his way as he traveled throughout the world.  I was wishing that I could have guided Santa's sleigh, but, I was happy at home hearing the stories that dad was telling. After a while, I started to get sleepy and I wanted to go to my kennel to sleep. Dad told me that I should stay upstairs with him and mom so that Santa could visit our house and leave his presents for me, Cruiser and even the cat. Dad was pretty sure that the cat would get coal again this year so the family got him something so he wouldn't feel left out.

As I slept that night I was awakened by something that sounded like dog tags jingling against each other. I thought it was just Cruiser so I went back to bed. The next morning when I woke up, I forgot all about it being Christmas and began to focus on the important things...FOOD. As dad took me outside, I saw that someone had been in the house and left things for all of us. I saw a funny sock with my name on it and it was bulging so much that I thought it was going to pop. There was one for Cruiser and Rocky Cat too.
After we all ate, we sat around and opened the presents. I got some pretty cool toys and I couldn't wait to play with them. I got in my bed and played the rest of the day and into night before falling asleep.

A week passed and dad was really happy to get another day off. He said it was for New Year's day. Mom made dad and me go to the store and everyone there told me happy New Year. My new year was three weeks earlier when I turned one. I was already three weeks into my second year and I was a little offended that everyone had forgotten my birthday already. I just wagged at them and went about my business of walking around the store with dad. Pretty soon we were back at home and I was enjoying my Christmas toys again.


Training update: Antigua is in class!!! She will graduate on the 14th. Snickers is in Phase 8...Way to go Snickers. Lacole is in Phase 3 and Keiko is in phase 4. I'm very proud of my puppy club friends.

My Birthday Surprise

I had to go to school with Dad. Everyone there made a big fuss over me because it was my birthday and it was also the last day of school.

Dad still hadn't given me my surprise and I didn't have any clue what we were going to do. We left the school and went to a store where dad bought me a red dress to wear. We then drove a long time to the mall where we had the Halloween costume party. Dad got me dressed in my new red dress and my puppy jacket and we went in. We bumped into Liz and Athens and we walked together to the middle of the mall. When we got there, we saw the rest of the puppy group. I was excited, but not as excited as when Brenda and her girls showed up.

Silly Claws



All of the puppies got into line and we finally got to a big table. The people working there were happy to see us. I still didn't know what was going on so I just waited. Pretty soon, I found out what all of the fuss was about. We were going to see Santa. I loved Santa, I tried my best to lick his beard off and he just laughed and said that it wasn't going to come off.

Then we all lined up for pictures with Santa. Onessa and Orleans got to sit on Santa's lap because they are just babies. Since I'm the only black dog in the group, I got to sit right in the middle between Santa's boots and all of the yellow dogs. It was funny trying to get all of us to be good at one time. Everyone was laughing and that made me happy.

After we got our picture taken, I decided that I was going to make Santa remember me. I got up and ran off when I wasn't suppose to. I didn't think it was too bad since I ran to Dad, but he wasn't to thrilled with me for doing that. Later on, when it was my turn to have a picture by myself, I think I made up for being bad and was even invited to sit on Santa's lap. Now, I'm on the nice list AND the naughty list, he is sure to remember me now.

Its My Birthday

Hey Everyone,
I'm a year old today. I didn't even remember until Dad told me happy birthday. He told me that he had something special planned for me today but so far it has only been a bath. I don't think baths are very special, but I sure do smell good.

Mom let me have complete run of the house, and since I'm not a puppy anymore, I was very good. Mom said that she was very impressed with how well I behaved. That is until Dad got home. I was so excited to see him that I picked up one of Cruiser's toys and took it to dad to play.

Dad seemed really happy that I got into the bathtub all by myself and he didn't have to lift me. He told me the whole time I was in the tub that I was a very good girl and I had to look pretty for tonight. I don't know what he has planned but I'm sure it will be fun.

Road Trip

I'm sad. I didn't get to go to Guide Dog College to see my sister Julimae. It seems that the airline that Mom, Dad and Mitch took doesn't like puppies in training. THEY don't think that I'm a real service dog. I'll show them, I'll graduate at the top of my class and I will go everywhere with my partner.

Mom knew that I was sad about missing the trip so she took me to the store and I got to pick out a special gift for my sister. Mom even let me chew it a little so that Julimae would know it was from me.

I did get to go to Brenda's house again and we had fun. I got to play with her girls and I had a couple of little girls climbed all over me. I had a lot of fun but I am happy that I'm back home now.

Really Big News

I'm going to Oregon to see my sister Julimae graduate as a guide dog!!

Who really needs phase 8 anyway?

I'm very proud of my big sister.

AND...Happy Birthday Mom.

Bath Time

It was bath night tonight and Dad washed me with Cruiser's pearl white coconut scented shampoo. I am now a gray lab that smells just wonderful.


Training Update: There are a lot now. Julimae and Antigua are in phase 7, Snickers is in phase 1. Keiko is in phase 0 and Lacole is in breeder evals.

Fire House

We had a pretty exciting puppy meeting this week. We went to Eagle Mountain's fire house. We got to meet some of the fire fighters, see the trucks and we all got our own fire helmets. One of the fire fighters put on his equipment and played with all of us. I thought he sounded really funny. He was wearing a mask and it made a funny wooshing sound. He tried to talk while we played and he sounded like the bad guy from Star Wars. He was wearing a helmet just like mine so he was OK with me.

After we were all worn out from playing, we went outside and heard the siren from the big truck. I thought the lights were pretty cool but I liked the horn a lot better.

We even tried to take a group picture. I'll let you decide how THAT turned out.

Silvana trying to hide her face during the group picture

Training update: Julimae and Antigua are in phase 6. Snickers is in phase 0, and Lacole and Keiko went back today.

Snow

Yesterday I couldn't sleep and I felt that since I couldn't sleep neither could Dad. I started to pace in my kennel and chew my toys really loud until Dad woke. He got out of bed and looked outside and told me that he had a surprise for me. I didn't know what it would be but I followed him downstairs and instead of going out the front door, he took me to the back door and let me out. It was SNOWING! I haven't seen snow in a long time but I knew what to do. I tore out across the back lawn at full speed and tried to catch every snowflake I could. I stayed out for a long time before I realized that snow wasn't sticking on the ground but that I was covered. That was when I decided that it was time to come in and share the snow with the cat by shaking it all off on him.

Training update: Juliemae is in phase 5 and Antigua skipped phase 4 and went right to 5.

Guide Cows for the Blind

WOW!!! What a fun morning. Today I learned about something called Halloween. Halloween is where you get dressed in a costume and people tell you how cute you are. Not to brag, but we usually get that everyday as we are out doing our jobs. Today we had everyone in the mall making comments about us and wanting to come over and meet us.

It all started a week ago when Dad and I went to the store and he picked out a costume for me. He wanted a lizard costume but they didn't have one. I didn't really know what to think about it when he put it on me. My costume was white with black spots and it had horns, floppy ears, a long tail and something that went under my belly. Dad said I was udderly adorable but I didn't know what he was talking about. I was uncomfortable in it and it fit kind of funny on me and it just made me look miserable. The days passed and I never saw it again. I thought I was finished with it until this morning when Dad asked if I was ready to go to the puppy meeting. I'm always ready for that. Dad got my jacket and my leash and then picked up my costume...oh noooo. What's going on Dad?

We got to the mall and got out of the car. Dad put my costume on and then put my jacket on over top and it seemed to fit a little better but I still felt a little embarrassed by it. Once we got into the mall we saw Rio and Athens and they were dressed too and my embarrassment went away. Kind of. As we were waiting for the other puppies to arrive we started to attract attention. I heard someone say "look at the cute little guide cow". I suddenly felt a lot better because they still recognize that I will someday be a guide.

We started our walk through the mall and traffic came to a standstill. EVERYONE came out into the hallway and watch the progression of cute guide dogs dressed for Halloween. There was Rio, the ruff biker; Mozart who is a little devil; the beautiful fairy Lacole; the hot dog Athens and me... the guide cow.

Rio

Mozart

Lacole

Athens

Silvana

 Training Update: Julimae is in Phase 4. Antigua is in Phase 3. Snickers is in Phase 0 and Jacinda has been career changed and placed in a nice home.
The big new is that Clyde is in class and will graduate next week.

Welcome New Puppies

We have two new puppies in our club! They are from California, the same place where I was born, and they are sisters. Their names are Orleans and Onessa and they are golden/lab crosses. I haven't met them yet but, just like ALL guide dog puppies, they sure are cute.

Onessa

Orleans

Training update: Julimae and Jacinda are in phase 2. Antigua is in phase 1 and Clyde is in phase 8. Way to go Clyde!



Internal Clock

I'm really good at telling time. I always know when it is breakfast time or dinner time.


Training update: Julimae, Jacinda, Antigua are in phase 0...still. I wish they could come home. Clyde Phase 6. Kyle will have a different career. Sorry Kyle.

Things I learned at School

I've been really busy with school and I have learned a lot already. I have learned that I can fit under a desk quite easily but that I can't see everyone. I've caught on very quickly that the halls are crowded and people don't watch where they are walking. I learned that not everyone with a beard in high school is a teacher. The first settlement was Jamestown and the formula to calculate the weight of air at any given altitude.

I was also in school when I found out that Mom has special needs. At least that is what the woman from the student government said about her. I tried to figure out what Mom's special need was and the best that I can figure is that Mom's special need is for a Math tutor. I try to help her by nudging her leg when she forgets that she needs to use the slope intercept form but I don't think she understands what I'm trying to tell her. Mom seems to be catching on to things now though.

I have to go now; I have a paper to write and some very important guide dog stuff to do.

Training update: Julimae and Jacinda are still in phase 0. Clyde is in phase 5 and Kyle is in phase 8. Antigua will be training as a guide now.

Vacation

I've been away on vacation for the last week. At least that is what Dad called it. It sure didn't feel like a vacation though because I did more work than ever. I spent a week with Lacole's family while she stayed at my house.  I got to go to work with Brenda, went on a lot of outings and even went to a football game. It was a really busy week for me. I got to play with Brenda's girls, the neighbor kids and her big dog Maybel too. Brenda said that I was a very good girl at her office. There was even a day when she left me alone with her lunch sitting on her desk. And as far as Brenda knows; I didn't eat any of her lunch. Of course I'm not going to tell if I did or not.

Around the house I wasn't so good though. I got pretty carried away when Maybel and I were playing. I really like Maybel and it was good to play with her. We played a game of follow the leader, at a very high speed, through the house. There was one time when Maybel caught up to me and I didn't know what to do so I just jumped. I jumped so high that I ended up in the kitchen sink. I didn't know how I was going to get down so I just waited for someone to save me. Everyone thought it was pretty funny but I knew I shouldn't have done that. I felt so bad about it that I put myself in timeout inside of the X-pen.

After the week was over, I went with Brenda to a puppy meeting and Dad and Mitch were there waiting for me. I got pretty excited and I wagged so hard that I may have given myself a concussion. The puppy meeting was fun too. We met in the park and Jill sang a couple of songs for us. She really did a great job. Kris even offered me a potato chip but I knew I shouldn't take it. I was right about that too because it ended up being a test to see if I would behave.

After we got home I just crashed and Dad had to carry me to my kennel. It was a pretty fun week.

Training update: Julimae phase 0, Jacinda phase 0, Kyle phase 8, Clyde is in phase 4 and Antigua is still being evaluated as a breeder.