BFFs

Lively and Risa are BFFs. Lively has adored her big sister Risa since the first time they saw each other when I brought Lively home on July 8th, 2009. Lively is the 5th CCI puppy I raised and will be turned in at the SW Training Center November 13th 2010. (Left to right - Risa IV and Lively II)

Risa was the 4th CCI puppy I raised and I turned her in at the SW Training Center in August of 2009. However, she decided that a job at CCI wasn't what she wanted to do, so she came back to me in October. Much to my and Lively's delight Risa came home and they continued their adventures.

(Left to right - Risa IV and Lively II - Always cuddling together)

(Left to right - Lively II and Risa IV - waiting for permission to eat their Frosty Paws at friend Celtie's 10th Birthday Party)

Unfortunately the combination of Risa and Lively together brings out the devil in each and they can get into trouble faster than I can blink. The day before I was to leave to take Risa back to CA. last year, I was soaking an area of my lawn. Before I knew it Risa and Lively were playing with the hose and making the biggest mud puddle, having the time of their lives. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. Well, after I regained my composure, I gave both Risa and Lively a bath and promptly turned off the hose.

Living in Phoenix, AZ. summer showers are not common but Monsoons are and this last weekend I was blessed with some wet weather. Well I was enjoying it until the Yellow Twin Terrors decided that mud is the funnest thing in the world and once again I found myself laughing, crying and being really irritated at the sight of Risa and Lively in the muddy water of my half finished pond (that was filled by the rain). This time Lively was definitely the instigator, watching her stick her nose in and pawing at the water, Risa stood very near looking at me as if to say "see it's not always me".

(Left to right - Lively II, who is normally very white and Risa IV)

We survived the weekend with several baths and rinses and temporarily filling in the pond. Just another fun weekend with these silly, sweet pups.

How I got started

Here's a little more about myself and how I got started raising puppies for CCI.

In the early 1990's I lived in Southern California, near Del Mar.

At the time I was in involved in riding, showing my horse in

Dressage. Through my horse friends I was introduced to a amazing facility called the Helen Woodward Animal Center located near Fairbanks Ranch. At the Facility there was a small Non-Profit call Canine Companions for Independence temporarily being housed until their new campus was ready in Oceanside.

Around the same time I was working with a dog trainer who knew about CCI and told me more about it. The one main thing I remember was that they were looking for volunteers to help raise their puppies! Puppies? I LOVE Puppies! Well that got the gears turning in my head and I made it a goal to become a Puppy Raiser someday. As you can see it took me over 10 years to meet that goal, but it was well worth the wait!

The Yellow Dog Crew in the back of my car.

Left to right - Risa (my COC dog), Lively II (My current CCI PIP), Wendell (Risa's 1/2 brother) and Danner (Risa & Wendell's Uncle). They all got to come to work with me. I love my office!!!!!!

Busy Month of Puppy Sitting

I've been very busy the past 4 weeks watching a variety of wonderful dogs. Three CCI pups and one was a friend's forever dog.

We started on June 15th with Wendell, a CCI Puppy In Program. I am head over heels in love with this pup!!! He's got everything going for him, good looking, wonderful temperament, smart and he's the sister of my COC dog Risa IV and the nephew of one of my favorite dog's that I raised, Danner. The family resemblance is uncanny. When I look at Danner I can see what Wendell will look like as he gets older.

As luck had it I also had Danner for a few days that same week so I had 4 yellow labs, plus my sweet 15 year old mix, Rocky.

Next came Celtie, a corgi mix who is one of my favorite dogs. She's 10 years old and has helped raise 5 CCI puppies with my friend Bonnie. Besides being a great friend and co-raiser, Celtie has a job at Phoenix Children's Hospital as a Therapy Dog. She's in demand and has several tricks she's known for. Celtie is always welcome at my house :-)

Bodega came to stay a few days later. She is a 17 month old Golden Retriever & CCI Puppy In Program. She's due back to the Southwest Training Center in August and I think she'll do just fine there.

Now I have Gianna, a 12 week old black lab CCI Puppy In Program. She'll only be here a few days, but she is a pistol. Now I know why Cheryl, her Puppy Raiser, called me brave! This little girl is BOLD! She is having no problem keeping up with Risa (2 years) and Lively (14 Months) playing and going into the play pool. Cheryl is going to have her hands full with this one. Even though it's a little chaotic this week, it's good to have a young one at the house to help me prepare for my next puppy who is coming in August.

Well, by the end of the week it will be back to the home team of Rocky, Risa and Lively (for now).