I know that I may very well be the worst blogger ever, but please forgive me, for I have WONDERFUL news to share.

Westin has been matched!

That is correct, my dear friends. My pudgy wudgy bundle of joy is going to be a real guide dog. He will not be in the next graduating class but will have an in-home training...I get to see him Friday!

First day home

In For Training Day

The Great Gatsby has arrived.

I know I haven't posted much lately, but....Westin goes in for training on Saturday!

I will miss him so incredibly much, but he is ready to show the world what he's made of!

My family and I will be receiving a new male yellow lab named Gatsby on September 3rd. Bring on the puppy breath!

Westin is ONE!

Happy birthday to Westin,

happy birthday to Westin,

happy birthday dear WESTIN,

happy birthday to Westin :)

My Lack of Posting

has caused me to miss IWYPRSD!!!

I am so sad!

But for the record...

Westin is doing well! He turns a year on the 25 of this month. He loves kisses more than anything!

Contest!

As Westin and I say, you can never have too many toys! So be sure to check out an awesome contest at the Domestic Diva's blog!

This is the awesome giveaway:

• A small Kong toy
• A package of small ziggies for the Kong
• A $10 Petsmart gift certificate
• A package of natural puppy treats that I have to buy at a speciality store, but Max LOVES them
• A paw picture tree
• A cute little toy
• A package of rawhides

First Disneyland Trip!

Hey all, Westin here! Sammy and I had a fun morning trip to Disneyland with Denise. 

We had a blast!

I met new friends like Chip and Dale

I went on some rides, but I had to be swapped on rides like Space Mountain.

I made best friends with Aladdin and Jasmine.

This train looked like fun, but I can't go on any of the "mountains"

Isn't autumn great?

Until next time!

Where'd you go?

Seems like it's been forever....

Westin's stuff (and mine too) on his first day of school

The big man is ready for school!

Yes, it's been a while since my last post! I apologize-the life of a high school student is extremely hectic, as many of you know.  Westin is doing well.  He has come to school with me and does quite well when he goes.  Tennis season is coming to an end, and hopefully classwork will slow down at least slightly (okay, it's unlikely c:), so I will be able to bring him more frequently.  Westin is well liked by most of my teachers and classmates, and many of them ask about him when he is not there.  Wishing all of you a happy early Halloween!  What will you and your puppies be? 

High Schooler

YES! Westin went to school, and he was great! He has since returned several times. 

 I haven't had much time to write, but I promise to do so in the near-ish future :)

School

Tomorrow will be Westin's first day at school.  Any advice, wishes, or stories are greatly appreciated!  There is also a puppy meeting tomorrow night.  It will be a speaker's workshop, which I am really looking forward to!

This picture is for Mitch and Meade, who are currently fighting for their right to ride the school bus together!

Cone of shame

Nootered is not fun.

-Westin

{A note from Westin}

Hi everyone, it's me, Westin! I am writing in this blog for my mom because she has been VERY busy!  Her school started on Tuesday, and classes are very intense!  I should be going to school with my mom very soon, maybe even next week!  

Eenywho, the real reason why I came on here was to tell you that I got a very special call today! I'm getting nootered, doesn't that sound like fun? I don't know what nootered is, but It's happening this coming week! 

Down by the bay (and he's baaaaaack!)

Back at the end of July, my family and I headed over to the Monterey Bay, San Francisco Bay, and Santa Barbara areas, and we were lucky enough to bring Westin with us.  There's a blab about his eval at the end of the post, but I know you all just want pictures :)

Westin enjoyed walking along the water and rocks

Posing by the research center

Westin did an AWESOME job during his first hotel stay. Sadly, it was not at the Westin!  That is a must-do before he goes IFT :)

Westin sometimes gets nervous around floors with unusual textures.  At first, he was afraid of the wooden pier flooring.  We did lots of practicing on it, and he eventually forgot it was there!

Here's Westin at Stanford University!

I can't wait to travel with my boy again! He and I get to board a plane (but not actually fly) with our group this Fall.  That should be exciting!

Westin is back from his evaluation, and I am SO happy that my guy is home. To top it all off, he got a good report!  The report basically indicated that he is doing really well for his age!  The evaluator also seemed to get the impression that he is a very "excited" dog :)  While Westin LOVES to play, especially with other dogs, I often get comments about how calm he is in public and even from other puppy raisers.  I think that he is just right.  Westin's brother Winter also got an awesome report!

Happy happy!

Happy 6 month day to Westin and his litter! 

puppy pick up

I remember when the little guy first came, he was so small! Since then, he and I have shared many amazing months. I look forward to our next year together, buddy!

awweeeeeee

As puppy raisers, we are so fortunate.  People often thank us for the role we play in enriching the lives of others, but I recognize how lucky I am to be able to immerse myself in such an amazing group of people and dogs.  Not to mention the fact that we can see teeny puppies whenever the heck we want to! :)

The "W" boys went in for their first evaluation today, so I'm going to be puppiless for the next few days! I miss my boy so much already!

Getting Ready

Westin's first evaluation will begin on August 25, which is his 6 month day!  That seems really early to me, but I have the utmost confidence in him :)  Not to worry, he should be back for more love, training, and socialization after just a few short days.  

There are just a few weeks left of summer, so be sure to hit the beach, soak up the sun, or just enjoy your time with friends! 

What is your favorite summer memory of your pup?

Mine has to be "the boat"...I have a photo that should explain everything, but it's not on this computer. Take a guess at what "the boat" is. I'll give you a hint, it has nothing to do with a natural body of water or a rudder.

P.S. 

The big man is officially in his big boy jacket :) It's kind of big, but oh well! I think he looks great!  It doesn't look like this any more...

School Days

Okay, school-age puppy raisers - that time of year is coming! There is only one month left of summer and then we are going to be back at school.  What are the plans for you and your pup at school? 

Puppy class and San Francisco

We had puppy class at GDA today! Westin got to see his brother, Winter and two of his sisters, Wiki and Wailea. It was a blast! There were a ton of puppies that were 8-12 weeks, they were so cute!  There was even a black and tan lab pup, a litter of GLX pups, and a chocolate australian labradoodle! (Is that a mouthful?) Like always, there were plenty of yellow and black labs as well.  Westin was fitted with a training collar today (my arms are greatful).

Today is Westin's five month day! Woohoo!

Westin, my family and I are going up to the bay area tomorrow! 

Is anyone a puppy raiser in the Monterey or San Francisco area? If so, let me know!

I know y'all hate these posts that don't have new pictures so I promise to bring my camera up :)

Puppies and LIFE :)

Okay, that's the name of an existing blog, but I figured it would be an appropriate title for this post.

I'm back in California, woohoo! I really enjoyed spending time with my family in Colorado and was thrilled when I met a puppy in training!  I LOVE being home with Westin, but boy has he grown!  He's sleeping by my feet right now.  It is hot so we might just have to have another "swimming lesson" :)

Westin is a sponsored puppy which means every few months, I write up a little report and send pictures to his sponsor.  While I was going through photos, I found a few which just made my heart melt! I'll tease you guys with one of them.

I have a puppy meeting at a restaurant tonight! Westin should be fabulous like always.

And YES, I am still working on the video! You can send in pictures for the next couple days! I promise, it will come!  Send them to beachysweets@yahoo.com

Colorado

It's my last night in Colorado so I get to get Westin back tomorrow. I miss him SO MUCH! 

I ran into a puppy raiser today at the Apple store in a Denver mall.  She had a gorgeous 5-ish month old male yellow lab named Pearson! Does anyone know him? Let me know if you do!

I....miss....my....puppy!!!!

2 Weeks

I am going to be in Colorado for two weeks starting tomorrow (Sunday, July 5).  Hopefully I will be able to get on here to check my blog a few times, but I won't have much to say because Westin will be hanging out with my parents and sister back at home!  

You still have time to send in pictures of your puppy for the PIT photo montage! Please send them as soon as possible!

Photos can be sent to beachysweets@yahoo.com 

You can also post them on your blog but be sure to alert me by commenting on this post!

Career changed puppies and working guides are also welcome! Unique photos are the best and remember to include your puppy's name(s) and the school!

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful summer and a had a fabulous independence day!