Friday, November 25, 2016

Schmoozing with OCFA

It has been awhile since my last post.  Dylan is still progressing toward her goal of becoming a guide dog.  Also, while I have been absent from posting, Chris received an offer to work part-time for  the OCFA.  (that's Orange County Fire Authority).  Working occasionally from home but also attending classes, keeping the firefighters up on their immunizations and various other duties, it has offered her a chance to take Dylan along to the fire houses she visits.

While attending a class being taught by another nurse educator, Dylan sat in with Chris and was somewhat of a hit of the class.  I know, hard to believe, right?

Dylan hanging with the firefighters

And, although the class was stimulating for them, Dylan found a comfortable spot and decided to dream doggy dreams.

What class?


Waking just long enough to see if she could garnish anymore attention.

Am I going to be tested on this?

Leaving class, she could not help but get just a bit more firefighter love.

That's right, I'm cute...

As I mentioned, Dylan is doing very well in her training and time is running short for us to keep our girl.  But, that can wait for now.  Coming up is the Downey Christmas Parade which we will march in and the opening of a new building on the Sylmar campus.

And finally, there is still time to purchase your Guide Dogs of American 2017 Calendar in time for Christmas gift giving.  Only $10 with all proceeds going to GDA.  Just let me know and I'll get the calendars to you.  Free shipping is included and supplies are limited.

How could you resist...










Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Lifting the Cone and Watching Chess

Well it's been two weeks since Dylan got spayed.  You would never know it by her actions.  After the first few days of being groggy, we kept her "cone of shame" on for a few more days.  Then it was like nothing ever happened.  We weren't able to go to the graduation as it was just 5 days after her surgery, but I think we could have gone and she would have been fine.

Late last week, we took her to see her first movie.  Trying to pick a movie that's not too loud, not too long and doesn't have any animals or barking dogs in it was a challenge.  We discovered months ago that Dylan will bark at our TV screen whenever there is an animal shown or if she hears an animal, even if it's not a dog.  So we picked The Queen of Katwe.  It's a great movie and a true story about an Uganda girl who becomes a Chess Master.  No guns, no barking dogs or roaring Lions.  It was a bit long, 2 hours, but she laid down on the floor and just chilled the entire time. And, as it was the first showing of the day, no popcorn was on the floor when we got there.  That is until Chris dumped hers on the floor and then it was a free-for-all.  That dog can suck up more food quicker than you can say, NO!

Going in to see her first movie.

Our next experiment is to take her on a plane.  Maybe a short trip to S.F with an overnight stay.  I wonder if that's tax deductible?  Anyway, hopefully we'll be going some time this month.

The latest word is we will be turning Dylan in sometime in February.  Can't believe she has been with us since August of 2015.  We have learned so much and it's been fun sharing her adventure.