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After a full night sleep (expect for one potty call), "Yellow Girl" spent the morning sniffing, chasing, and exploring the world in which she will work. She is presently recharging her batteries for more exploration later in the day. "Papa" promised to take her out in fields when he gets home from work.

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Shelley ♥ 

Born: January 8, 2012

Arrived: Febuary 27, 2012

female yellow labrador retriever

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Before you start getting excited, this is NOT my puppy.

My puppy arrives next week and I was able to find out she is a lab, most likely a yellow and her names begins with the letter "S".

Tonight I attended the bi-monthly puppy meeting and this precious little boy, who goes by the name of RJ made his debute.

Isn't he just the cutest?

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basking in the midday sun ~

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Yes, I do suffer from empty nest syndrome. I loved being a "stay @ home" mom. I enjoyed going to school functions, running kids from soccer games to CCD.  I was thrilled to plan and throw a good birthday party and sleep awake overs were always a blast.  I would do it again in a heart beat if given the chance. 

For now our home is filled with dogs and soon a new puppy.  Yup, we was recently assigned a new puppy for training.  She/he arrives next week. We are not certain of the breed, sex, color or name.  It does not matter cause soon our home will be filled the sounds of little puppy patters, the smell of puppy breath and the warmth of a fuzzy cuddle. 

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Murf looking out across the fields as Willy runs and jumps through the tall grasses. He seems to wonder why he can no longer be off leash, getting a good run and sniff. Sorry Murf, the day you injuried your leg last year was your last day to enjoy such freedom.

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Graduation Day ~

Time passes way to quickly. It seems like just yesterday that “my” little Shyla was going potty on the kitchen floor, chewing the sofa and everything else within reach. I can smell her puppy breath and feel the softness of little puppy paws. Those which hadn’t yet walked on pavement, toughing them up.

Today she graduated from her formal harness training and will soon be guiding a blind man or women. She will be helping them to gain independence and the freedom to travel about in ways many of us take for granted. Today she became a Seeing Eye Dog.

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Remember adorable little Farah? This is her beautiful sister Fran.

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last local meeting before heading off for his offical Seeing Eye harness training ~

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The best laid plans … Oh well, having the day off today and B finishing up early, I had plans to get out and take photos, (lots of photos). Unfortunately, I was woken to B informing me, due to the frigid cold last evening his car would not start. I gracelessly offer my car up to him. So, here I sit. Which in fact may have been the better plan as I am getting much of my put off chores done, looked at.  So Murf kindly offer to be my subject for the day.

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Since Murf’s accident last year, I hesitate to take him for walks. At his 12 years of age I can’t risk him re-injuring his badly damaged knee. I fear it would not heal leaving him incapacitated. But with inactivity, signs of boredom and depression are setting in.

This winter has been unusually warm, with the exception of a few frigid days this past week. The cold days left us wanting to stay in by the fire and resulted in Murphy and I are both suffering from cabin fever. Today I decided we needed a walk in the fields. He is unaccustomed to the restraints of a leash, while being in the 600 acre woods, and begged to run, gallop and jump. His requests went unanswered.

Knowing his days are fewer with each passing day, I brought my camera along to capture the delight the open air bring to his face.

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Part of our job while raising Seeing Eye puppies is to exposure them to the world in which they will be working. Each year, between Christmas and New Years, our local group of raisers take our puppies on a train ride. B and I, still puppyless, borrowed this lovely lady, Zoe. She is 9 months old and behaved like a pro.

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B and I, although puppyless (insert sad face here) still enjoy attending the monthly Puppy Raiser meetings. Last evening, we celebrated the Christmas holiday with the Ocean County Puppy club. The festivities began with humans being blindfolded and asked to perform varies tasks such as counting out 42 cents from a pile of coins, tying a pair of shoes, putting lids on different size jars and harness, collar and leash a dog. I can assure you, these seemingly-simple tasks are considerably more difficult without the benefit of sight.

The puppies started the party when their gifts were lined up and one by one, starting with the youngest, they were paraded past the line. They sniffed and pawed at the gifts until each one had chosen the perfect gift for his or her holiday enjoyment from the softest of squeezy toys to the wackiest of wubbas. This adorable little girl was the star of show! After curiously inspecting each perfectly wrapped mystery package, she made her decision by swiftly grabbing her choice and dragging it across the floor until the paper wrapping yielded to the thrashing it was receiving.

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Willy patiently waiting to go on our photo walk.



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It’s been a little over three weeks since Shyla ♥ returned to The Seeing Eye and I am puppyless at the moment. 

I do still attend the bi-monthly meeting of puppy raisers, if for nothing to get my fix of puppy kisses.

This evening was Zari’s last meeting before it’s her turn to join Shyla ♥ and prepare to be a guide.

 Marlene was happy to get a few last photos with “her” little girl.

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While raising a Seeing Eye puppy it is the Raisers obligation to attend bi-monthly meetings. At these gatherings we review training and socialize the puppies to both other dogs and people. A representative from The Seeing Eye, also attends allowing her to check on progress the puppies are making and discuss any concerns we may be having. We talk over any outings and events we plan on taking. Any social exposure helps in preparing “our” puppies to be a guide for a blind individual. Last evening was our first February meeting. I always arrive with my camera in hand. After spending some time training, several pups decided it was naptime. 

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  I can get her to bring them to me, now if I could just get her to give them to me.

ISO 800, f/3.2, 1/40 

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If, at anytime this last month, you have stopped by my little cyber place, you have most likely read my rantings about the cold freezing cold, snowy weather we have been having here. In fact, we have had 7 major snow storms in the last 28 days and we are expecting another storm tonight, lasting into tomorrow. For all my whining and complaining, there is an upside.
All this snow has made my place of work, very slow. As a result, we are often asked to cut hours. I am generally the first to jump up and down while yelling pick me, pick me! When I am the chosen one, I can be seen skipping out from my work area and out the front door. I am a blur of joy!
Such was the scene yesterday. It turned out to be a fabulous day. I was able to get home in time to help my husband dig out friends of ours, we went to lunch and headed out to the fields to give the puppies a much needed run. We all had a blast. Then came the text from my phriend (her new name as she is my great photo friend). Her evening class had been cancelled! We quickly packed our camera gear and drove to a winery, which, by the way, is having a monthly photo contest. How wonderful!
Does it get better than this? An unexpected day off, time spent with my husband and puppies, and an evening filled with photo fun with a phriend.
I Learned ~ to stop complaining about all this darn snow and embraces the benefits it brings.

Murphy waiting for us.

The crazy girls.

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Pumpkin Critter ~

Trick or Treat!

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Getting Ready to Work ~

At a recent gathering of Seeing Eye Puppy Raisers, the opportunity to visit with littermates was given. This good looking boy is Tanner, brother of a friend's Tootsie "Roll".