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Sunday, April 25, 2010
Happy Birthday
Today is Gabrina's birthday! I can't believe she is 2 today! I know she is having a great time in California with her partner :)
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Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Graduation...
Graduation was amazing! I am going to start at the very beginning of the trip. And well, I haven't unpacked yet and my camera cord is in my bag so no pictures just yet.
On Thursday I finished packing and finally fell asleep at 12am. I was just a little excited(:
Friday I got up at 2am to head to the airport. We got there at 3, checked in, went through security, and boarded the plane at 5:30. I slept the entire flight! We flew into Arizona where we had a layover that consisted of getting off the plane walking to the other terminal and getting on a plane. Then I slept on the flight to San Francisco. We were off the plane and out of airport by 10. The very first thing we did was head to GDB campus. We got lost a few times, but we got there! I was amazed at how many people there are everywhere! We stopped at an In and Out Burger on the way to campus and I swear there were like 100 people in there! It was crazy and no one seemed to notice that there were tons of people. In Colorado at the busiest time of day there are like 20 people, tops! Anyways, we got to campus and it was raining! We went on a tour anyways and I loved it! There were only two other people on the tour so I got to ask all the questions I wanted! :) After the tour we drove around San Francisco and San Rafael. We went over lots of bridges and I saw some sea lions! The last time I was at the ocean I was 4 so it was really exciting for me! Then we went out for dinner and headed to the hotel for bed!
On Saturday I got up nice and early and got ready to go. We got to campus at 10, went to the gift shop, took some pictures, and finally headed in to check in. At 11:45 they brought Gabrina and her partner, L, out. Gabrina pulled L all the way down the hallway and climbed into my lap even though I was sitting in a chair. I guess you could say she remembered me :). She was so excited and wigglely, just like I remembered!
We never found out how old her partner is, but we guessed around 70. She has children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She has RP and started losing her sight around 50 years ago. L lives in San Diego in an apartment alone. Despite her age she is very active and happy to have Gabrina as her 3rd guide dog. They seemed perfect for each other! Finally it was time for graduation to start. I was the 3rd to last one to present. When L walked away to go on stage, Gabrina looked really concerned. She didn't understand why L was leaving her! That's when I knew they were the perfect match. Gabrina was excited to see me, but she knew that she belonged with L. When I went to hand over Gabrina and give my speech I realized that I still had no idea what I was going to say. I had been so busy I didn't really think about it. So when L handed over the microphone I said what came to mind. I was going to talk longer than I did, but I was on the verge of crying and when I cry I can't talk anymore, so I wrapped it up real fast before I lost it. I know there were many blogger friends there. I didn't get the chance to meet anyone and I know most of you were there for other reasons, but thank for coming anyways!
After graduation L had to catch a flight right away so we said goodbye and headed to the beach. It was amazing and I played in the sand and in the cold water for 4 hours! I really liked it :)We went out for dinner and then went on a night hike and looked at San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge at night! It was beautiful.
On Sunday we went to the beach again and hung out. We went to a lighthouse and I saw a whale! More animal excitement! Then we drove through the mountains and redwood forest. It was beautiful! Then we went to dinner and headed to the airport. Our flight left at 6:30 and we were on our way to Arizona. We had a two hour layover this time so we walked around and at ice cream and had fun! I love traveling and airports so I love flights with layovers! Then we flew to Denver and got home around 2 am.
It was a very busy but fun weekend! And the best part was that I didn't cry the whole time! I got close to it while giving my speech, but I didn't! Saying goodbye to Gabrina and L was really easy because Gabrina was so happy. Her tail wagged the entire day and I knew she was where she belonged.
That's the end of my puppyraising adventure with Gabrina. L promised to keep in touch, but my work with her is done. It couldn't have been a more perfect ending :)
On Thursday I finished packing and finally fell asleep at 12am. I was just a little excited(:
Friday I got up at 2am to head to the airport. We got there at 3, checked in, went through security, and boarded the plane at 5:30. I slept the entire flight! We flew into Arizona where we had a layover that consisted of getting off the plane walking to the other terminal and getting on a plane. Then I slept on the flight to San Francisco. We were off the plane and out of airport by 10. The very first thing we did was head to GDB campus. We got lost a few times, but we got there! I was amazed at how many people there are everywhere! We stopped at an In and Out Burger on the way to campus and I swear there were like 100 people in there! It was crazy and no one seemed to notice that there were tons of people. In Colorado at the busiest time of day there are like 20 people, tops! Anyways, we got to campus and it was raining! We went on a tour anyways and I loved it! There were only two other people on the tour so I got to ask all the questions I wanted! :) After the tour we drove around San Francisco and San Rafael. We went over lots of bridges and I saw some sea lions! The last time I was at the ocean I was 4 so it was really exciting for me! Then we went out for dinner and headed to the hotel for bed!
On Saturday I got up nice and early and got ready to go. We got to campus at 10, went to the gift shop, took some pictures, and finally headed in to check in. At 11:45 they brought Gabrina and her partner, L, out. Gabrina pulled L all the way down the hallway and climbed into my lap even though I was sitting in a chair. I guess you could say she remembered me :). She was so excited and wigglely, just like I remembered!
We never found out how old her partner is, but we guessed around 70. She has children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She has RP and started losing her sight around 50 years ago. L lives in San Diego in an apartment alone. Despite her age she is very active and happy to have Gabrina as her 3rd guide dog. They seemed perfect for each other! Finally it was time for graduation to start. I was the 3rd to last one to present. When L walked away to go on stage, Gabrina looked really concerned. She didn't understand why L was leaving her! That's when I knew they were the perfect match. Gabrina was excited to see me, but she knew that she belonged with L. When I went to hand over Gabrina and give my speech I realized that I still had no idea what I was going to say. I had been so busy I didn't really think about it. So when L handed over the microphone I said what came to mind. I was going to talk longer than I did, but I was on the verge of crying and when I cry I can't talk anymore, so I wrapped it up real fast before I lost it. I know there were many blogger friends there. I didn't get the chance to meet anyone and I know most of you were there for other reasons, but thank for coming anyways!
After graduation L had to catch a flight right away so we said goodbye and headed to the beach. It was amazing and I played in the sand and in the cold water for 4 hours! I really liked it :)We went out for dinner and then went on a night hike and looked at San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge at night! It was beautiful.
On Sunday we went to the beach again and hung out. We went to a lighthouse and I saw a whale! More animal excitement! Then we drove through the mountains and redwood forest. It was beautiful! Then we went to dinner and headed to the airport. Our flight left at 6:30 and we were on our way to Arizona. We had a two hour layover this time so we walked around and at ice cream and had fun! I love traveling and airports so I love flights with layovers! Then we flew to Denver and got home around 2 am.
It was a very busy but fun weekend! And the best part was that I didn't cry the whole time! I got close to it while giving my speech, but I didn't! Saying goodbye to Gabrina and L was really easy because Gabrina was so happy. Her tail wagged the entire day and I knew she was where she belonged.
That's the end of my puppyraising adventure with Gabrina. L promised to keep in touch, but my work with her is done. It couldn't have been a more perfect ending :)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Bye, Bye Colorado
Hello GDB!
It took some last minute scheduling changes, but on February 12th, my parents and I fly out to California! I am really excited! But I am also nervous for the speech...if anyone has any suggestions on what I should say please let me know!
Thanks for all your support! I am hoping to catch up on blogs soon!
Maddie and Betsy
It took some last minute scheduling changes, but on February 12th, my parents and I fly out to California! I am really excited! But I am also nervous for the speech...if anyone has any suggestions on what I should say please let me know!
Thanks for all your support! I am hoping to catch up on blogs soon!
Maddie and Betsy
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
I just got the best news EVER!
Gabrina is graduating on February 13th!
Sorry Ro, guess she isn't your dog! Bummer!
I am really excited for her, the only problem is that I have so many things going on that weekend. I'm not sure if we are going to be able to fly out or not. I am really hoping to make things work!
:D
Thursday, January 21, 2010
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!?!
Gabrina is in phase 10! That's right! 7 weeks of phase 8 paid off and she made it to the big ONE OH! Now I can stop worrying that something is wrong with her. Whether the news be good or bad, I will be getting a phone call (hopefully soon)! And shortly after that phone call I will get to see my baby!
YAY :D!
Maddie and Betsy
YAY :D!
Maddie and Betsy
Thursday, December 24, 2009
A letter home
Dear Mom,
It's me Gabrina! I'm sorry I haven't written home yet, but I have just been sooo busy studying at college. There are so many new things to learn and so many things to do. I have a kennel mate! Kennels aren't so bad when you are with friends! And they hung toys at from the top of my kennel so I will learn to look up. I love love love playing with the toys up there. I also get to have kongs with food in them! You remember how much I love food dontcha ma? Not everything at college is fun; I also have to work sometimes. But don't you worry, I love working! My trainers here use these things that click. And every single time I hear that click noise I get food! That's right, click = food! It's like when you say "nice" only at college they make that click a lot! I also get to go for walks on this moving sidewalk! It's like the sidewalks at home only it is black and moves! And instead of my trainer walking with me he/she just gets to stand there and I get to walk walk walk. Let me tell ya, it's lots of fun! I am learning all kinds of things about being a guide dog. Right now I'm in phase 8 of my training. I'm not sure what exactly that means, but phase 8 is tons of fun! That's why I have been here for 4 whole weeks. Don't worry mom, nothing is wrong with me, 8 is just my favorite! I am learning how to ride on an escalator! Do you know what an escalator is? It's stairs that move! Normal stairs are fun, but this is taking stairs to a whole new extreme level! I just stand there and go up up up! And then I walk off. It's fun! There are some crazy people here at college mom. Sometimes my trainer ties something around her face so she can't see! And then she makes me walk! It makes me nervous, but I work super hard to make sure she doesn't get hurt. Maybe next week I'll give phase 9 a shot. I hear there are some fun things coming up! But for now I'm going to relax and enjoy my Christmas! I sure hope you have a fun Christmas even though I'm not with you. At night, when I don't have a human to cuddle with, I really miss you mommy! I wish you were here with me, but I know you have to be at school with our friends. Make sure they know that I said hi! Oh and one more thing, I just wanted you to know that I have been a very good girl and I think that Santapaws is going to bring me something good!
I love you!
Gabrina
It's me Gabrina! I'm sorry I haven't written home yet, but I have just been sooo busy studying at college. There are so many new things to learn and so many things to do. I have a kennel mate! Kennels aren't so bad when you are with friends! And they hung toys at from the top of my kennel so I will learn to look up. I love love love playing with the toys up there. I also get to have kongs with food in them! You remember how much I love food dontcha ma? Not everything at college is fun; I also have to work sometimes. But don't you worry, I love working! My trainers here use these things that click. And every single time I hear that click noise I get food! That's right, click = food! It's like when you say "nice" only at college they make that click a lot! I also get to go for walks on this moving sidewalk! It's like the sidewalks at home only it is black and moves! And instead of my trainer walking with me he/she just gets to stand there and I get to walk walk walk. Let me tell ya, it's lots of fun! I am learning all kinds of things about being a guide dog. Right now I'm in phase 8 of my training. I'm not sure what exactly that means, but phase 8 is tons of fun! That's why I have been here for 4 whole weeks. Don't worry mom, nothing is wrong with me, 8 is just my favorite! I am learning how to ride on an escalator! Do you know what an escalator is? It's stairs that move! Normal stairs are fun, but this is taking stairs to a whole new extreme level! I just stand there and go up up up! And then I walk off. It's fun! There are some crazy people here at college mom. Sometimes my trainer ties something around her face so she can't see! And then she makes me walk! It makes me nervous, but I work super hard to make sure she doesn't get hurt. Maybe next week I'll give phase 9 a shot. I hear there are some fun things coming up! But for now I'm going to relax and enjoy my Christmas! I sure hope you have a fun Christmas even though I'm not with you. At night, when I don't have a human to cuddle with, I really miss you mommy! I wish you were here with me, but I know you have to be at school with our friends. Make sure they know that I said hi! Oh and one more thing, I just wanted you to know that I have been a very good girl and I think that Santapaws is going to bring me something good!
I love you!
Gabrina
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Phase 8 again!
Gabrina is in phase 8 again! Being the worrier that I am I can't help but think, "what if something bad happened to her!" I mean she could be sick or hurt! My baby! But I also know that Gardner graduated after being in phase 8 for 3ish weeks. So who knows.
That was kinda a pointless post, but oh well
Maddie and Betsy
That was kinda a pointless post, but oh well
Maddie and Betsy
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