It's Official

Well it's official, Gabrina leaves July 12. It sounds like she will be going back at the same time as Gardner. Hopefully we can get them kennels right next to each other. I know that they will have lots of fun on their next big adventure.

I knew that Gabrina would be going back on the July truck, but now that the day is confirmed it feels too close! I only have about 6 more weeks with my baby. It seems like just yesterday that I was driving down to Denver to pick her up.

Now maybe it's just me, but I find it a little bit ironic that she is going back July 12, 2009. I picked her up on July 12, 2008. I am one of the few raisers that can say I had my puppy for exactly a year. And, there is a graduation on December 12, so maybe she is just a 12 baby.

I guess I don't really know what to write here. There is so much I want to get done before she leaves. I feel so rushed. I'm going to miss my baby. Does anyone have advice on how to say goodbye?

VISITOR!

Hello everybody, it's me, Gabrina! My mommy is letting me write in the blog..yay!

You'll never guess what happened today! My favorite brother came over!! I'm sorry Gilligan and Garth, but Gardner is my favorite. This morning Shawna called and asked if we could please puppysit Gardner from 11-5. Of course we could! When my mommy told me I was so excited that my tail hit the lamp and knocked it over! Ooops. Mom says we'll have to glue everything to the ground if I can't keep my tail under control. Anyways, back to my day.Gardner(L) Gabrina(R)

At 11 Garder came over! I got so excited that I almost ran outside to meet him. But then I remembered my guide dog manners and waited to be told "ok".

First Gardener and I went outside to run in the yard. Boy was that fun. I love playing with Gardener. He lets me be dominate and play with any toy I want. We practiced our "come" command. I run a lot faster than Garder does. I just get so excited to get over there and get my food!Gabrina (L) Gardner (R)

After running around we went and took baths. I don't like them that much, but mom let me take one with Gardner. Yippee! When I take a bath I always stay in the bath tub and never shake. But Gardner thought it would be fun to jump out and shake off everytime mom turned around so I did the same thing. I couldn't let him have all the fun. We got bubbles EVERYWHERE! Gardner(L) Gabrina(R)

When we were all clean we got to back outside! I found a spot with dirt and rolled around. Mom was a little upset, but I know she thought I was just oh so cute.

When I was outside mom went to go pick up some old fence pickets from the sideyard so we wouldn't get hurt. Isn't she such a nice mom? But when she was over there something bite her! She went running inside and red stuff was everywhere. Luckily my mom's brother came outside to see what happened and he stayed out there so Garder or I wouldn't get hurt. That would be just terrible. After a few mintures I snuck inside to see what was wrong with my mom. There was a hole in her foot. She said that a nail poked all the way into her foot. Luckily it came right out and she'll be just fine. But I laid my head on her lap and cuddled with her just incase. Gardner wanted to help too, but he decided to chew on a bone instead.Don't I look like a baby in this picture!

Mom said I look way to much like my brother! In some of the pictures we look almost identicale! Isn't that crazy. Mom kept calling me Gardner and I just didn't understand. I just looked at her until she called me the right name. Then I listened like the perfect doggy I am.
At 5 Gardner had to go home. I was a little bit sad but I was to tired to care too much. Shawna said that I could go over and play with her and Garder anytime. Yippee! And mom told Shawna that Garder was welcome over anytime. We are going to have so much fun together this summer.

Gardner

Well it's time for me to head to bed. I have my evaluation tomorrow!

Love,
Miss Gabrina Anne Louise

Evaluations...

On Sunday afternoon our club is having a social outing to a Sculpture park. Our CFR is coming to do evaluations on Gardner, Gabrina, and Leola. They are the oldest puppies in our club. She is hoping to be able to tell us whether or not they are going back in July. But of course, Gabrina went into heat and can't go to the park. So now Barb, our CFR, is coming to my house so evaluate her.
I'm pretty nervous. Gabrina has been acting really weird lately. I'm assuming it's just her hormones going crazy. I don't want Barb to tell me that she is going back. I am so attached to her. But I also don't want to hear that she isn't ready to go back. I will feel like I didn't do a good job getting her ready, especially if her brother goes back without her. Shawna, Gardner's raiser, and I are hoping that they will go back on same truck. I know if she doesn't go back yet it's probably not my fault and I know I should be happy that I get to spend more time with her, but I know that I will still have a slight sense of failure.
Does anyone have any advice about preparing myself for the news if she is going back or not?
And more importantly, does anyone have any advice on how I can prepare Gabrina for her one-on-one evaluation?


Thanks so much,
Maddie and Gabrina

7/12/2008-Present!

Gabrina was born on April 25, 2008 to Damon and Janelle. She was the first puppy born and the biggest puppy in the litter.

We think she is the big white one in the middle.

On July 12, 2008 I brought home my HUGE baby. She was the one of the oldest and the biggest puppy on the truck. She weighed 25lbs when we got her and she wasn't even 11 months yet!
I sat Gabrina down after getting her off the truck (she was to heavy to hold for long periods of time) and she pulled right out of her collar! I was terrified that I was going to lose my brand new puppy, but luckily she ran over to a "big" dog and they scooped her right up.

Gabrina quickly learned that those big puppy eyes could get her just about anything she wanted!

Unfortunately on July 15 I had to send her off to her first puppysitter. I was headed to Alabama and was very reluctant to leave my new baby at home.But of course my baby girl had tons of fun and got excellent reviews. Honestly, it was kind of nice to have her spend a few days with an experienced raiser so I would know right away if she had any potential problems. The only thing that I was told was that she drank way more water than a little girl should. I limited her water amounts and she quickly learned that she shouldn't drink all the water in the dish because she wouldn't get any more for what seemed like forever!

Gabrina has never been a puppy that chews up things she shouldn't. She sticks to all the cool toys that I'm constantly buying her.
Gabrina loves her crate. She hardly barks or whins while in there and will even go in and take naps on her own.




Gabrina grew up so quickly and before we knew it she was ready to go on outings!
Gabrina has only had one accident on an outing ever. This was soon after she turned 4 months and I took her to back-to-school night. All she did was potty a little bit on the floor. Luckily the principle was there and had the encouraging comment "If that's the worse that happens on this floor we will has a pretty good year." Now Gabrina goes to school almost every day (pictures to come). Everyone loves her and she loves everyone!

Before we knew it Chirstmas was here. Someone in our club bought all the puppies holiday gear. Gabrina got a cute little Santa hat.

After Christmas came our regional meeting. I forgot to mention..Gabrina's brother Gardner is being raised in our club, by people who live very close to us. They are best friends.
We also got to meet Gabrina's other siblings.

(L-R) Gilligian, Gabrina, Gardner, Gilly.
Garth was there too, but he was late and didn't make it in time for the family photo!

On April 28, 2009 Gabrina turned one! She celebrated with a homemade hat and a nice new rope.


On May 23, 2009 Gabrina went into heat for the very first time. Now she is on "house arrest" and is very upset about it.

There is a short little summary about Gabrina. Of course she has accomplished many more things in her life with me, but I don't want to bore you with all the details!

Blogging

I am hoping to use this blog to keep track of my last few months with Gabrina as well as my life with future puppies. When I get some spare time, I'll do a little biography on Gabrina!