A Journey on Four Legs, One Step at a Time

Graduation Day - Julie and Fenix

2011-10-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

Thats Me!

Well, I did it! I am a real working guide dog! I have been working hard for the past three weeks, training with my new partner Julie. Everyone says that we make a great team. I am looking forward to sharing lots of exciting times together. It's been fun getting to know each other these past few weeks.

Today was graduation day. Lots of people came to watch the ceremony. I even got to meet my puppy raisers today! We all chatted for a while in Julie's room before the ceremony started. I told them how challenging guide dog college was, and thanked them for preparing me to meet the challenge.

That's about it for a while! I am off to start my new life. I have enjoyed sharing my experiences with all of you that check in from time to time!

SHE DID IT!

2011-10-13T23:29:00.000-07:00

We got the phone call this morning! Fenix has been matched, and will graduate on 10/23! Words cant express how happy we all are for her and her new partner!

Will I or Won't I....

2011-10-13T06:09:00.000-07:00

We should find out today if fenix has been matched with a student at GDA, and if she will be graduating next sunday!

It's been a long summer camp

2011-09-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

We keep getting postcards from Miss Fenix. She continues her education, honing her guide dog skills with her trainers. The all comment that she is in good spirits, and is a fun girl. We hope that she gets matched and graduates this October.

I'm Still Here!

2011-05-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

At the last GDA graduation, I had the opportunity to talk with one of the trainers. She advised that Fenix has completed training, but is waiting for "just the right match". She is still in good spirits, and seems to enjoy her new life. We are keeping our fingers crossed that she will meet her partner in the next class.

No News is Good News...or so they say

2011-04-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

We keep getting post cards from Fenix (who would have guessed that writing post cards was part of a Guide in Training's curriculum), and she is learning lots of new skills. By now, she should be done with her twenty weeks of training! The next group of students/users arrives at GDA this Sunday. It will be interesting to see if she gets matched with someone out of this class! How exciting!

I'm Still in School!

2011-03-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

Although very busy at Guide Dog College, Fenix still finds time to keep in touch with us. She has sent us four post cards, which keep us updated with her progress. She has learned alot of new skills, but still has free time to play with all of her friends. Keep up the good work little girl!

I'm Still Here!

2010-12-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

There hasn't been any official word from Fenix about her progress, but the fact that she is still in training and entering her sixth week is good enough for me! We saw her string's trainers at puppy pick up day (Ulani is now in the house!), and they advised that she has adjusted well to her new routine. We are keeping our fingers crossed as Fenix begins the more challenging part of her training.

Officially "In for Training"

2010-10-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

By now, I am sound asleep. This will be my first night in the kennel as a GDA dog in for training. Over the next couple of weeks, I will head over to the Vet's office. They will make sure that I am fit to continue with my training. If I am medically qualified, I will start my training and harness work. I will keep in touch with you all by postcards. They told me that training is really demanding, but that I will have some fun playtime when I am not working. Hopefully, I will make it all the way to become someone's Guide! Won't that be cool!

Me and my roomie, Etch

I'm All Growed Up! Now What?

2010-10-26T17:23:00.000-07:00

This is a week of "lasts". Last visit with all the neat friends that I've made up here in Big Bear Lake, last walk by the lake, last car ride on the mountain...you get the idea. Why all the "lasts"? Well, it seems that I have made it to the next stage of my life as a Puppy In Training. Saturday is "the day" that we all look forward to with mixed emotions. You see, I am going back to the Guide Dog School. I will be officially "In For Training" this Saturday. I still get to talk to you all, through postcards that will keep you informed as to my progress. But hopefully, in a little over six months, I will be graduating into my new career as a Guide Dog!

Thanks to all that have taken the time to stop in, we enjoyed sharing with all of you!

Bye till next time, FENIX

My Brother Came to Visit!

2010-10-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I have seen any of my brothers or sisters. It seems that we all have gone our own ways of late. But today I had a surprise visit from my brother Fletcher. We had a wonderful time catching up on gossip.

One Last Trip to the Magic Kingdom

2010-10-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

I don't know what I was thinking. I picked the hottest day of the month to go for one last trip to Disneyland. I managed to find a lot of shady spots, and kept cool anyway. I found some of my favorite friends before it got too hot!

I'm Stuck in a Sea of Orange!

2010-10-09T17:37:00.000-07:00

It's October! That can mean only one thing. I have to go to the place with all the pumpkins. It's a fun place, lots of kids! And lots to do.

Road Trip to NorCal

2010-08-10T17:41:00.000-07:00

My folks took me on a two week long road trip up the coast of California. Lots of pretty things to see and fun things to do. I even went to the Humbolt County Fair! There were lots of neat things to sniff!

A visit to the Long Beach Aquarium

2010-07-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

What a fun day today was, visiting with the fishes at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

I think he actually barked at me!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

2010-06-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

Today they say I turned one! I don't really know what that means, but I sure did like my biscuit cake!

No More Snow, Please

2010-05-23T18:03:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong, I love playing in the stuff. But it's May already! Can't we get rid of this stuff? Well? Can we?

Sammy and Her Clan Visit SNOW

2010-04-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

Well, it's April, and for some reason we still get snow every once in a while. I like snow! It's fun to run in, hide toys in, and then rediscover them (sometimes weeks later). But when I spoke with my friend "Sammy" at a GDA puppy meeting, she told me that she didn't know what snow was. Now, it hasn't snowed in weeks. It looked as if spring had finally come to my backyard. Then, magically, it snowed this week. I asked my folks, and they said it would be a great idea to invite Sammy up for a play date! She was thrilled, and even convinced her mom to bring her sisters along for the day. It made for a wonderful day! Well...just take a look see for yourself!

Tori couldn't help giggling

"Hurry Up! It's cold on my tush!" Fenix - Sammy

Did someone say "treat"?

We all played real good together, and had a great visit.

We were sad to see Tori, Peri, and Sammy leave, but we all agreed that it was time for a nap!

I'm On Top of the World!

2010-03-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

OK, maybe it was not the top of the world, but it was still pretty high up.

Today, I went to the Griffith Park Observatory with my sister, Fern. We met in North Hollywood, and took the subway to Hollywood. Then we got on bus and went up the mountain to the observatory. There was a lot to see and do. It was a lot of fun, as you can see.

Here we are exploring the North Hollywood station of the Red Line.

Are we there yet?

Einstein didn't say much. I think he had something stuck on his thumb!

Time for a group photo!

I took a well deserved nap on the ride home

Sniffing Flowers in the Street!

2010-01-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from California. And what better way to celebrate the new year? Trek off to Pasadena to see the Rose Parade floats! I found my sister Fern, and we spent the day getting our little legs walked off! Lots of distractions. We even met a working CHP K-9 "Danny". We were so very tired, and took a well deserved nap while our puppy raisers had lunch.

Be serious, Fern! He's taking MY picture.

In front of the "California Girls" float, of course

Move over, I need a nap!

A Day at the Magic Kingdom

2009-12-09T20:28:00.000-08:00

Today was a magical day! I found my sister, Fern, at Disneyland.

There were alot of people, and so much to see.

I even found a horse to sniff. Well, just see for yourself...

I had breakfast with my sister at Pluto's Kitchen, he is a good cook!

Ready to start a long day in the Magic Kingdom!

I had a long talk with the horse...

Minnie stopped to say hi to us

A Winter Wonderland

2009-11-28T17:03:00.000-08:00

Today I found out what snow was all about. We went to bed last night, and woke up this morning to a blanket of snow covering everything. I even got to go on a sleigh ride! It's still snowing now, but I am going to bed after I write this...I'm really tired

A Halloween Party

2009-11-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

My folks got me all dressed up, and took me to a Halloween party at GDA. Lots of dogs and distractions. I won third prize.

Cue the Graduation Music, Please!

2009-10-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Hey! No Laughing! Can't you see I'm being serious? I'm an Obedience School Graduate!

Maybe I can find a smaller one?

2009-10-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

I found out today that we celebrate Halloween in Big Bear, too. I got dressed up in my jacket and took a ride into town to the pumpkin patch. Mom said if I could carry it, I could take it home!

It's a little big, but how do you like it?

2009-10-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

I took a trip with mom today to the Post Office. There was a package addressed to ME! Can you guess what was inside? It's my BIG GIRL jacket, with special embroidery on it to tell the world what a special dog I am. Special? Ok, all us working dogs are special, I guess. But I fell special because I am a sponsored puppy! I can't wait to grow up a little more so I can wear it!

The Attack of the Killer Puppies!

2009-10-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

I went back to visit the litter of little yellow labs. Its been a few weeks, so they have gotten a little bigger and they move alot faster. Its a good thing that they are all behind bars! Bob said that their teeth are SHARP!

Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-10T16:10:00.000-07:00

I went to visit my Aunt Barbara. She suggested that we all go to Lombardi Ranch. It was filled with lots of kids looking for the perfect pumpkin. There was lots to see and do. We also met some other Guide Dog puppies. My sister Fern was there, too.

See How BIG I Am?

2009-09-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

I went to visit some new puppies today. They are all yellow like me! I couldnt play with them, because they are all still very young. But I got to sit in their bed, they seemed to like me.

I am three months old!

2009-09-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

I spent my three month old birthday snoozing on the deck with my best buds Jamie and Tasha.

I Am A Sponsored Puppy!

2009-08-27T15:59:00.001-07:00

Today I found out that I was a sponsored puppy! And here I thought I was a Labrador Retriever.

I would like to take a moment to thank all my new Brothers and Sisters in Burr Ridge, Illinois for being my sponsor!

The wonderful folks of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have been proud supporters of Guide Dogs of America since founding it in 1948! Tail wags to all of you!!!

Dogs Everywhere You Look!

2009-08-22T15:43:00.001-07:00

Mom putting me thru my paces

Me and my sisters Fern and Finley

A well deserved nap!

It was the most amazing thing! Today was my first trip back to Camp GDA in two weeks. It was my first formal dog obedience class. I saw my brother and three of my sisters! We are all getting quite big. But that wasn't the best thing...there were dogs everywhere! All sizes, colors and ages! My tail is so tired it wagged so much. There were newbies too (H-litter went out yesterday). I cant believe I was ever that small. They cried a lot, I guess it was scary for them. We weren't expected to do much, just behave. That was especially hard for some of the other pups. Afterwards, we socialized (can you say pile of puppies?) and I saw the Vet. She gave me a clean bill of health, so no more yucky medicine! After class, we went out to lunch (don't these guys ever eat IN?). I met Kricket and her folks, and slept for, like, forever. I'm asleep again. I earned it! What a special day it was.

Here we go, again!

2009-08-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

I like my personal A/C vent! It's right at nose level!

Back in the car for another long ride to Sylmar. Off to my first puppy class at Camp GDA! I will be spending the night with my Aunt Darcy.

I think I've got this all figured out

2009-08-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

Working the crowd at "Art on the Lake" exhibit in Big Bear Lake

A long overdue nap, under the table of course.

Hanging out with my big "Sister" Jamie

OK, this is about the size of it. Get up. Eat. Beat up on my sisters. Sleep. Get up. Eat. Play hard some more. Get in the car and go someplace special. I know its special because I am always the only dog there, and the center of attention. Sleep really hard under a table. Get back in the car and go home. Play for a little while longer. Eat. Sleep. Etc. Whew, that is just one day!

It's been a week and I'm still here!

2009-08-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

I've been getting used to my new home. I must live in the middle of nowhere, cause it took forever to get here. It was good for a nice, long nap. Ive been spending all week with my new big sister, Jamie. We have been getting along really good. She has taught me lots. And hardly has to correct me for bad behavior. I started going out today, and have mastered my first lesson. I call it "sleeping under the table".

2009-08-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

Hello world, I'm Fenix!

FENIX FRIDAY!

2009-08-07T09:10:00.001-07:00

We all know the feeling. The anticipation of picking up the newest puppy in training. Its like Christmas morning. Up before dawn, checking the clock. Two hours left. Then your whole lifestyle is changed! Sleepless nights, puppy antics, constant training, mishaps... Aw, heck. We all know that a wiff of puppy breath makes it all worthwhile! Happy "NEW PUPPY DAY" to all our new "F" litter friends!!!

Puppy Spycam

2009-08-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

Well, the yellow litter has been growing leeps and bounds.

Can you guess which one is Fenix?

Come on, its easy....she is the cute yellow one!

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe...

2009-07-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

Well, somewhere in there is Fenix!

Let the Games Begin

2009-06-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

It's been a week since we got the word...on August 7th we will be picking up the latest trainee. Her eyes havent even opened yet, but the work around the house has started. "Puppy-proofing" is our current mission!

You're Gonna Do WHAT?

2009-06-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

As you can see, Tasha is quite excited upon hearing she has to train another puppy.