Day 365 - Week 53 ONE YEAR

WOW  one full year with Eve and how far the two of us have come.  Remember those days of hell one year ago?  Now my little princess sleeps soundly at my side and what a princess she has become.  She never did grow out of those early mornings.  Sure enough just this morning she had her paws and head up on my bed and rested her head on any part of my body she could reach.  Yes it was only 5:40 am!!!!  Finally I lift my tired body from my comfy bed to feed the little one and outside we go to get busy!  Two bags full this morning!  Now guess who is sleeping soundly all curled up in a little ball?????

I guess I better update everyone on Eve's weight since our last blog!  She has GAINED a whopping 3 more pounds.  I was devastated!  She has to work out more...we now have 6 lbs to lose!  Oh boy this is hard stuff!

This past weekend we went to work at the Mall to drive awareness and hopefully raise some money for BC Guide Dogs.  Eve and all the dogs were wonderful.  The other gorgeous puppies were Kramer, Zulu and Dream.  Of course everyone loved Eve (and all the pups) and of course she loved the attention.  This is the rare time that we actually allow people to pet the dogs while they have their working vests on.  We raised $1,000 and received 2 puppy sponsorships.  There are so many ways to help BC Guide Dogs.  You can log on to the website at bcguidedog.com and make a donation or how about sponsor a puppy.  For just a small monthly donation you will help raise a puppy and the fun part is you will receive updates on one specific pup you are helping to raise through your contribution.  Of course there is always volunteering or becoming a puppy raiser yourself.

This whole experience has changed me and I'm happy to say for the better!  I am sad to think that Eve will be leaving me soon but I'm so excited to see her change someones life and I'm so proud that I was part of that!  I only wish she was going to Michael so that I could see her all the time but Michael has Cody now.  Of course we all love Cody and Eve considers him her big brother.  Hopefully Eve will stay in the local area and I can see her from time to time, but regardless she is going to enhance the life of someone who is in greater need than I am.

This is a photo of Eve helping me at work!  How funny is that!

Day 350 - Week 51 CHUNKY MONKEY

Did I mention that Chunky Monkey weighs in at 61.2 lbs!?  Well tomorrow she is weighing in again and we are hoping to lose 3 lbs.  She looks bigger if you ask me!  Oh, no I'm a bit worried.  We will keep you posted on her weight loss program.

I'm not sure why I wait so long to blog.  So much happens and then I forget when it's time to write.  Since we last posted an update we have been to Peachland TWICE.  Eve loves going to visit Grandpa.  She loves him a lot!  She especially loved the last two trips cause her big brother Cody came with us.  Take a look at the photo below.  She really looks up to him...let's hope she follows in his paw prints!

In mid-August I went to Fort St James for a visit and Eve stayed at Calypso's house.  She loved it.  She loves a lot of things.  She got to play all weekend and was completely worn out after the weekend!

We've also gone on a couple of business trips to Whistler which is always great fun in the office.  Recycling containers full of water bottles are one of her favourites!

We also went on a puppy walk on the beach with Eve's sister Maggie.  Maggie has been placed in a home and we went for a final walk.  Hopefully it wasn't final and that we will see her again.  We went out to the Spanish Banks doggie beach.  We'd never been there before.  Maggie and Eve played so hard.  I don't think I have ever seen Eve have such a blast.  The tide was out and so we walked forever and they played and played and played.  When we got home, Eve could not even open up her eyes a smidge for 5 hours!  She finally got up to get busy.  It was a great day!  We are sure gonna miss Mags!

Well we are off to the Vet tomorrow to drop off yet another stool sample.  Hopefully everything will be cleared up and we can finally get her off metamucil once and for all.  Keep your fingers crossed that Eve has lost those dreaded 3 lbs.  Those seem to be the hardest to lose!  But Eve really wants to get her slim figure and waist back!

Day 315 - Week 46 BROTHERS AND SISTERS

A lot has happened since the birthday girl turned one!  We attended Khatsalano Days as BC Guide Dogs had a booth there.  Of course Eve and Purdy were hits!  It was a gorgeous day and it did get a bit hot for the pups around noon time.  Eve was sort of "off duty".  They were allowed to be very social and have people pet them.  Of course Eve was in her glory.

Last weekend we attended the BC Guide Dogs annual Summer bbq.  It was a blast.  Eve loves spending time with all her Guide dog brothers and sisters.  They are not her real brothers and sisters but she still loves them just the same.  We played musical chairs and Eve and I almost went all the way!

We've been doing some visiting and went to Dorothy's in Surrey.  She didn't really seem to mind Eve eating her lawn, pooping in her lawn and leaving her gorgeous home full of Eve's blond fur!  Dorothy, you are too kind!  We went to Whistler and had a fun time playing with Chloe.  She loves her big sister and they always have a great time together.  We've gone on many walks with Dougal lately.  Last weekend we went on our longest hike ever - 3 hours!  Ok, we did get lost but it was great exercise and a beautiful hike.

Eve did give me a big scare today!  We went to Pacific Spirit Park on West 4th.  We've been many times.  Eve loves to chase after big brother Dougal.  Well they took a left turn that was supposed to be a right and the left turn took them right on to a busy road across from the beach.  I FREAKED!  I was sure Eve was hit by a car although we hadn't heard any screeching.  After just a few minutes, Dougal came a running from the beach all wet, but were was Eve?  Well just a few seconds later she showed up looking for her big brother and ran into Ver's arms!   How they crossed that busy street, I will never know!  Perhaps Eve put her Guide Dog skills to work and sat at the curb and waited until it was safe for the two of them to cross!  Thank GOD the two dogs are safe.

I love this picture.  This is Eve and Ellen hangin' at the beach!

Day 291 - Week 42 HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY EVE

Today was a very special day as the little one turned the big ONE!  I'm so proud of her.  She is so grown up.  We had an amazing birthday party and all of Eve's buddies and big brothers attended - Cody, Tucker and Doogle.  She also invited her favourite human friends  - Ellen, Ver, Nicole, Michael, Nikki, and Lesley.  We had Thai food and a humungous birthday cake!  Of course the doggies didn't get any of it.  We took them to the park for a little play and Eve had the time of her life with her friends!  She is tuckered out and fast asleep right now.  It was a memorable birthday.  Thanks to everyone for the awesome puppy gifts.  Eve's toy basket is overflowing!!!!!  We can't wait to wake up in the morning and play with them again!

Day 275 - Week 40 MEAN BULL DOG

There is so much to talk about since our last blog.  Eve cheered on the Canucks like the rest of us and joined in on all the fun at the Hub and Hurricane Grill.  Oh and we won't mention the time we lost Eve at Hurricane Grill!  How does an 11 month old puppy disappear out of the site of 8 people??  Sad that it ended in a loss in Game 7 of the finals and even worse that it ended with that ridiculous riot!  Embarrassing!  Well, life goes on and we signed Bieksa today so that's great news.

We met a cutie patutie at the dog park!  Well I did.  Eve sniffs his dog a bit but she's female so that's no fun.  Anyways Cutie even offered to pick up Eve's poop yesterday.  What a guy!  We wonder what his name is!  We just call him Cutie From The Park!

We met with Michael and guide dog Cody on Sunday at Coopers Park.  Eve was so ecstatic to see Cody I couldn't get her leash off quick enough.  I couldn't believe she remembered him.  It had been awhile.  We had a lot of fun and it was a gorgeous afternoon.

We met with Linda today to go for a walk and check out Eve's progress.  Linda said of all the puppies Eve has had the most change.  Especially recently.  She is matured, grown and the biggest sweetheart ever!  I made Linda promise she is going to go to a very special person!  I can't even think about her leaving in November so we won't talk about that!

I guess you are wondering when I am going to get to the subject of MEAN BULL DOG in the title of this blog!  Well, Eve got roughed up yesterday by a mean bully of a puppy!  He ran at Eve and jumped on her, and bit her...BUT wait till you see him!  Tank is the cutest puppy I have ever seen (outside of Eve of course).   He's 8 weeks old,  fits in both palms of your hands, he's brown with a white scrunched up face and one white paw.  He has a thick red collar and his legs are tiny little stumps.  And he LOVES Eve.  Eve was amazing.  She was so gentle with the pup and let him roll on her and bite her.  I can't wait to share all the pictures I took.  I can only attach one photo per blog so enjoy the one attached here!  We love Tank (or was his name Hank?)!  Here he is roughing up Eve!

Day 254 - Week 37 THE PARADE AND BAD DAYS

On May 29, Eve and I participated in the Ladner May Day Parade with BC Guide Dogs.  It was a lovely spring day and a great day for a parade.  This was our first ever parade.  I think there were about 12 puppies and Eve and I enjoyed waving to the people as they oooooed and ahhhhhed as we walked by.  After the parade we all went for lunch with the puppies and we let them off leash to have a little play.  It was so funny.  They had a ball running after each other and it was a little tricky trying to catch them!

This past weekend Eve and I were at the dog park and started heading home.  We saw a lab puppy who is the same age and same colour as Eve. They could be sisters.  We have seen them over the past months but it had been awhile.  I let Eve say hello even though I shouldn't when she is on leash.  I learned my lesson.  The other dog attacked Eve, pinned her down and the owner had to pry her off.  Eve was hysterical and yelping and ran into my arms.  The other dog had bitten her face and she was bleeding a bit.  We made it home and then headed to Nikki's for dinner.

While at Nikki's Eve stuck her head in Tucker's doggie toy box which was located under the end table.  All of sudden the table started dragging across the room with Eve stuck under it.  What was going on?  The table had a lamp and lit candles on it and thankfully we came to the rescue in time.  Eve's collar was stuck on the curly decoration rod on the table and she couldn't get out!  Oh my goodness....that is why you need to take a dog's collar off when they are home alone.  You just never know what trouble they can get in to.  Poor Evey...she was having a bad day!

This is a photo of Eve and I at the parade!

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!