Day 238 - Week 35 GROWING UP

I have just returned from a 3 week vacation to the Philippines and Hong Kong.  This means that little Eve had to stay behind.  This time she stayed with Linnea and her failed puppy, 5-year old Dunbar. Linnea provided me with updates and pictures while I was away, and it was great to hear how she was doing.  Eve had a wonderful time having a play mate every day.  She went to concerts and rehearsals.  She even went to visit a seniors home.  Of course she was a hit everywhere she went.  Linnea really enjoyed her and let me know that any time I go on vacation to give her a call!  It's so great to hear such positive feedback on Eve.  Being my first puppy, I never can tell how she is really doing.

Eve was ecstatic to see me when I returned.  She gave me these little love bites on my arms.  It was very affectionate but it did cause a little bruising!

We are now back to our routine.  Yesterday we met with Puppy Maggie and they had a wonderful time on our 1 1/2 hour walk.  Eve was so exhausted when we returned home that she slept the entire day.  Sadly, Maggie has an issue with her elbow and had to be pulled from the Guide Dog program!  We are really going to miss her.

Eve is getting more gorgeous every day and behaving so well!  There was one girl at obedience class this week that was picking up her brand new puppy the following day.  Oh boy, am I ever glad we are past the puppy stage!  My baby is growing up so quickly!

Day 197 - Week 29 MY NEW PUPPY

Eve and I spent our first week apart as I flew off to Colorado for a business trip.  Thankfully she was left in great hands with Rupert and Bev.  If you are going to leave your puppy with anyone and you can score Rupert and Bev you are very lucky!  Well I got lucky.  Eve had a wonderful time and she has come back a new puppy.  Even Ellen asked what was wrong with Eve.  She does not jump on people any more, she is a lot more calm (or is that because she is sad that she missed her puppy buddy Purdy?), she is incredible to take on a walk and no longer drags me to the dog park, she barely barks and the best part of it all....SHE RIDES ESCALATORS!!!!  She really does.  I have taken her five times now and she doesn't even hesitate, just walks right on.  I'm so proud of her.  They told me they practiced a lot with two other pups. Purdy in front and another pup behind her who kept pushing her butt from behind to get her on the escalator.  I can't thank Rupert enough...he is just so great with these dogs. 
Today after work I took Eve to Coopers park to have a little play with the other dogs.  It was a nice evening and there were 21 (I counted them) dogs.  She had a blast!  Now she is passed out she is so tired.  I love her!  She's really going to enjoy hanging out at the bars for the next two months as we cheer on the Canucks on their way to the Stanley Cup!
This is a picture of Eve and Linda of BC Guide Dogs months ago when she was trying to get Eve on an escalator!

Day 186 - Week 27 BAD EVE

I can't believe I have had Eve for 1/2 year already!  Oh my goodness the time is flying!  She is still growing and loves to eat.  The other day we went to visit her buddy Kobe and the first thing she did was head for his food bowl and chowed down.  She inhales her food and does not chew as I discovered when she puked in a restaurant a few weeks ago.  At first I thought "How did that dog food get there?"  It literally looked like someone had poured her new kibbles.

At the last obedience class we had to get the pups to sit, stay and then we take a walk around the gym and head back to the dogs who are obediently waiting.  We do this at almost every class.  WELL what do you think Evey was up to this time?  She began running around the gym having a grand ole time while we all chased her down.  OH BOY!  So, this week I have taken her twice to the enclosed basketball courts at the park.  We started off pretty well until she decided it was play time!  Off she went. Running all around the court, while I was in hot pursuit!  There was one section with about 3 inches of water and she had a blast galloping through there.  She ate a popsicle stick (which is yet to pass through her), half a dozen worms and God only knows what else.  I was furious.  I wanted to strangle her!  I then decided to leave the court and see what she would do.  Oh no...I've locked the door and now I can't get back in!  Panic!  Of course there was Eve on the inside sitting all pretty now.  Eventually I figured out the trick to the door and after several attempts finally caught her.  Oh...Good Eve for finally coming.  It is very difficult to praise her when all I want to do is scream!  We went back the next evening and what do you know.  She started her shenanigans again.  Running around.  I need help or is this just a phase!?
Well we must be on our way.  Off to the escalators - our other challenge! 
I'm off to Beaver Creek, Colorado on Saturday for a business symposium.  Eve is staying with Rupert and Bev and hopefully they will straighten her out!  Wish them luck!

Frustrated Andrea & Adorable BAD Eve!

Day 168 - Week 25 CATCHING UP

It has been a month since our last post and so much has happened! 
Eve recovered nicely from her operation (she was spayed on Feb 10).  Two weeks of recovery was a long time as we couldn't play with other dogs or go into the dog park.  But thankfully we both survived.
Eve attended her first ever Canucks hockey game thanks to Penny and John Ryan.  She was a hit as she always is.  They brought out a carpet for her to lie on and they even put her on the big screen where she got a lot of AHHHHHHHHH's!  It was pretty cute.  Ver came with us and we all had a good time despite the loss.  I was worried that when the Canucks scored she would freak out from the noise of the crowd, but we never got to find out how she would react as we lost 3-0 to Nashville.  The picture below is the 3 of us at the game.
Obedience class is going all right.  She is having some issues with staying when I leave the room.  She gets up which is not allowed.  We will have to work on that.  She is also still petrified of Escalators and we need to somehow over come it. 
As we speak she keeps bringing me her toys one at a time to play with her.  It is very difficult to write this blog. 
We promise not to wait too long for our next entry.

Until next time...

Day 140 - Week 21 - SURGERY TIME

As mentioned weeks earlier, Eve has been pulled from the breeding program and so this past week she was spayed!  I dropped her off bright and early thursday morning and at 3:30 I picked her up at the same time that McGregor was being picked up.  We got our post-surgery instructions, medicine and cone and then out came Eve and McGregor.  They were both a little loopy and bother were whining.  Now if you know McGregor he has been a whiner since he was born, but to hear the two of them together was heart breaking.  My little baby was crying!  We got in the car and I made my way from Surrey to Downtown with my little one crying the whole way.  I got her home and made her comfortable and she wouldn't let me leave her side.  I had to cuddle with her and she was shivering.  I kept her warm with a blanket and my body heat.  It was a difficult night for poor Eve.  She cried til about 2am and then finally settled into a deep sleep.  By morning she was much better and now 3 days later she is back to normal.  Unfortunately she is not allowed to go to the doggie park until her stitches are removed on the 24th.  And no off leash rough play with other dogs.  This is going to be a tough couple of weeks.

We got a new bed at Costco today for Eve and it is awesome as we both fit on it.  We are enjoying it very much!  Ok...Eve just got a hold of the computer mouse so I guess that means it is time to go! Till next time...

Day 123 - Week 18 - LOVE OF PUPPIES (January 27, 2011)

I hope you all got to watch the segment on Global TV news this past week where they featured BC Guide Dogs.  It was very good and of course I started crying as I thought of my little one all grown up and helping guide someone blind through life.  How proud I will be of her! 
Bill of BC Guide Dogs, mentioned how the puppy raisers take care of the little ones and how they manage to destroy our homes and then when they are perfect we have to give them back.  Well...I already think she is perfect but let me share with you some of the things she has destroyed in my home. 

Chewing and ruining the legs of my dining room chairs, my sofa leg, my bed raisers, rumerous rolls of toilet paper, my Coach bag, my jackets, scratches on my beautful hard word floors, my blackberry, her leash, my slippers, baskets, plastic storeage containers.  The book and magazines she tore to shreds.  Oh and of course the time she electrocuted herself when she bit right through my computer power cord !  Cost me $70 to replace it!

But I would go through it all again.  I love her to death!
Although we are a long way off, I asked Linda how much notice we are given when they take the pups back.  She jokingly said, "The day we drop off a new 8-week puppy at your door step you will know!"

Day 119 - Week 18 SMILES (Jan 23, 2011)

One of my favourite things about Puppy Eve is the smiles she puts on everyone's faces!  As we walk down the streets of Vancouver every day, this little one makes people of all ages smile!  It really is a wonderful site and I never really took much notice of it in the beginning.  Probably because it was stressful just taking her out for a walk. Remember those days?  I couldn't even get her to walk a block and I felt trapped in my condo for weeks!  Times have changed.  Now I notice the big smiles of everyone who sees her.  It is amazing how this animal can bring such joy to people.  She is pretty gorgeous if I do say so myself!
She is pretty well mannered now especially in public.  It is easy to take her anywhere.  She loves friday night drinks at the bar and weekend hockey games at the pub.  And yes she gets a lot of attention everywhere she goes.  She is definitely loved by all...just take a look at the smiles on these faces!