Day 4 - Week 1

I've gone through one large roll of paper towel in about 24 hours.  Is that a lot?  Patience, patience, patience...she is going to figure out this potty training thing.  The rare times she does go outside - WOW am I ever excited!
We had a great day of playing and napping.  Well Eve did most of the napping and I tried my very best to keep my eyes open at work.  My back and neck are sore from carrying her so much.  A 2-block walk to Staples took an hour!
Of course everyone loves her wherever we go and most people ask to pet her which is the right thing to do.  We are allowed to pet her but only if she is behaving.  So when you see a guide dog with their puppy jacket on you need to ask if it is ok to pet the puppy.  The jacket indicates that she is working or in training.  Eve went a little nutso with one lady today so I had to tell her that Eve was not behaving appropriately and off we went. 
I neglected to tell everyone that not only is my niece Lexus a big time animal lover but so is her big sister Levi!  I think Lexus actually followed in her sisters footsteps.  Levi loves animals so much that she became a vegetarian about 2 years ago and is even considering working with animals for a living.  And guess what?  She's only 13!  I'm proud of you Levi! 
Eve and I will visit Lexus' grade 5 class in a couple of weeks and they are going to start a penny jar in her class.  WOW that is fantastic.  Perhaps we can even visit the highschool with Levi and I'll see if her mom can set that up too.

Well not only are my nieces excited to meet Eve but so is the rest of the family.  My brother's girlfriend is Michelle whose brother is Michael.  I mentioned Michael in an earlier blog.  Michael is blind and is on his second guide dog.  So Michael's family is also super duper excited to meet Eve, especially James!  Not to mention my dad of course.  They actually may be more excited to see Eve next week then me!  I don't mind, this little pup is bringing joy and smiles to the faces of everyone she meets.  
By the way, the rug in this photo has now been removed until potty training has been mastered.

Till next time...
Andrea & Eve

Day 3 - Week 1

I hope that this blog can help us all learn what it takes to raise and train one of these amazing animals.  As I learn along the way, and attend obedience classes I will share what I've learned in this blog.  I do know that it costs about $40,000 to train these puppies until they are placed at the age of 2.  BC Guide dogs has a contest for us puppy raisers and it is to see how many pennies we can raise.  Of course the money goes to the cost of raising the pups.  SO...if you have any spare pennies around, let me know and perhaps I can be the big winner!  I do not pass a penny on the street without picking it up so it was quite ironic to hear of the Pennies for Puppies.
Last night at about 1am, Eve woke up and I said to her "Let's go get busy."  She ran to the door and rang her bell signaling me she needs to go outside.  We went out and within 5 minutes she did her business.  I was so proud and thought that perhaps she was trained.  Wishful thinking! She proved me wrong today!  We are going to get though this.  She was a little terror today.  Running around, chewing everything she could get her mouth on and running after the mop as I tried to clean up.  Of course you can guess what she is doing now...fast asleep.  She likes to nap at the front door with her head on my shoes.  It's pretty cute! 
I spoke to my 10-year old niece Lexus today and in 2 weeks time we are going to take Eve to her classroom and share Eve's story with her class.  It should be fun.  I'm pretty excited for Eve to meet Lexus as my niece is the biggest animal lover I have ever known!  She is going to be a big help when we visit next week.
Sweet dreams everyone.
Andrea

Day 2 in the life of puppy Eve & Andrea

Here we are watching Glee.  I think it's Eve's new favorite show.  She's so perfect!  I am exhausted!  We had a pretty good night actually.  I did wake up at about midnight and discovered she was not on her bed beside me.  I scoured the condo looking for her and couldn't find her!  Ok, she couldn't have gotten that far in a 650 square foot condo!  Where was she you ask?  Well she had slid off her bed, under my bed.  All that was sticking out was 4 little paws.  She is actually looking at me right now with a "You think that was funny?" look. 
She woke up at 2am and after about a 1/2 hour outside she finally had her very first pee outside.  I was so proud.  She went straight back to sleep and was up and at 'em at 5am.  I could here her little bell jingling around the condo and when I came out to find her I discovered a toy near the window?  Oh no what has she ruined????  I bent down, touched it and guess what, puppy Eve had taken a poop by the window!  Lovely!  We took Nikki out for a birthday lunch today to our first restaurant.  Oh now please don't relieve yourself in the restaurant.  NO she didn't.  Phew!  But as soon as we got home she found a lovely spot on the hard wood floor.  We need more paper towels!!!
We receive an overwhelming response to our blog today.  I was shocked to find about 40 emails waiting for me this afternoon.  I will respond to you in time, but for now please follow us on the blog.  You can even post comments here!  Of course our first email response was from Michael and guide dog Cody.  It is because of the inspiration I get every time I see Michael that I decided to become a puppy raiser.  We promise to visit you this weekend! 
I wish I could share more this evening but Eve is now tugging at the computer cords, which may be a sign that she has to go out and relieve herself?  Somehow I doubt it. 
Until next time.

Andrea & Eve

Day 1 with Andrea and puppy Eve.

When I arrived at the airport to pick up Eve it was love at first sight.  Eve and Maggie arrived safe and sound from San Fransisco and Eve came straight into my arms before I even knew if she was mine.  What an afternoon we had!  She played and chewed and peed and poohed!  All indoors!  Oh what fun!  Every time I would take her outside she was very afraid of the big bad city.  She wouldn't walk, she wouldn't move and she definitely was not going to the bathroom.  Not even after 45 minutes outside.  Back indoors and wow my sister was right when she said that the pup would chew everything.  I don't think there is anything she hasn't chewed.  Including the tusk from my wooden Elephant I purchased in Thailand!  She also discovered how to pick up her bowl full of water.  I've done a lot of mopping today...3 times to be exact!
We attempted another walk this evening and I carried her for about 6 blocks.  At the end of the walk she gingerly attempted a 1/2 block walk.  She is now fast asleep in her new bed and I am praying she sleeps through the night, but I think that is wishful thinking. 
Love,
Andrea