2012 in Review

Wow, where has this year gone?

It seems like yesterday when I thought I would start blogging about the Adventures of Raising Zaire. Fast forward 18 months, and I've barely kept up. Working full time, raising a puppy, starting a craft business, and planing the annual fundraising event will keep a person busy.

Here we are in December... only 65 days till Zaire goes off to Advance Training.

We have a few commands that we still need to perfect, like Out, Visit, and Under. And as of last week, we need to review Up and Jump again because in puppy class, she would only jump on an Up. Silly Zaire!

At the start of this year, Zaire was only 6 months old. She's now almost 18 months old and boy has she matured into a beautiful young lady. She still has puppy spunk, but she is a true cuddle-bug and loves to snuggle.

She has learned new commands, taken trips, socialized with friends, and has favorite humans she likes to visit, like Dr. Megan at Mordecai Chiropractic. What am I talkin' about, she is a people person and LOVES everyone!

With February approaching, it's time to start preparing for what is next. There are a few things that could happen; Zaire could get selected as a Breeder; get released; or graduate.

Since Zaire was born in Canada through the PADS organization, that makes her a desirable puppy for the breeding program. My fingers are crossed that she is selected. I would jump at the opportunity to become a Breeder Caretaker and help welcome future assistance dogs into this world.

When Zaire gets turned in in February, she will undergo health, temperament, and train-ability testing to determine if she has what is required to be selected as a breeder. I've been told that this process can take between 6-8 weeks. My patience will be tested during that time!

In the event that Zaire is not selected as a breeder, she will continue her advance training with the hopes of her graduating. 

In the meantime, I've already decided that I am going to raise another puppy. I mailed in my application this week and hope to bring home a second puppy in February.

Being a puppy raiser for CCI has brought some many blessings into my life. I am so thankful I made the decision to become a puppy raiser. Now, I'm hoping to add Breeder Caretaker to my list next year.

In 2013, my goal is to become a better blogger as I will have my second puppy in training, and I'll have to keep you updated on Miss Zaire in Advance Training.

Peace and Love!

Merry Christmas

Zaire and Santa

Every year, Western Farm Center offers Santa Paws, a fundraising event that supports Canine Companions for Independence.

This is our second year, and I must say, Zaire handles Santa and wearing antlers very well.

Miss Z loves posing for the camera!

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Peace and Love,
Cyn and Zaire

Super Dog - Bone Appétit 2012

Super Dog Zaire with her Super Hero Parents

This years theme to Canine Companions for Independence signature fundraising event was Dynamic Duo's!

Held on September 9, 2012 at the Jean & Charles Schulz Campus in Santa Rosa, CA. We enjoyed food and wine pairings, training demonstrations, silent & live auctions, and heard from people with disabilities about the benefits of having a Canine Companions assistance dog. 

This year I had the honor of Co-Chairing this event. I'm happy to announce that we netted nearly $160,000 for Canine Companions! 

The monies raised at this event continue our mission of placing highly trained assistance dogs with adults, children, and veterans with disabilities, including ongoing support for the lifetime of the placement - free of charge.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event such a success! 


Planning for 2013 begins in January... I can't wait.

Happy Halloween!

Go Giants!

This year Zaire's Halloween costume doubled as her game day attire to watch the Giants win the World Series!

Photo Session with Genevieve Elaine Photography

Happy 1st Birthday

Birthday Girl

My dearest Zaire,

I look back over the last 10 months that I've had you, and I feel truly blessed that I was picked to be your puppy raiser. You are one special puppy!

You have so much puppy love to offer and I love every minute of it. You constantly amaze me and make me so proud. There are times when you are silly, and it makes me laugh out loud. And there are times when you are as stubborn as I am, and that makes me laugh too.

I think about your future and I know you are going to do amazing things in your life and I look forward to seeing you grow.

In the coming months, we are taking an amazing road trip, where you'll get to visit Oregon, Washington, and Canada. I can't wait to take you on this adventure and show you new and exciting places, people, and things. We are going to have the best time! The biggest surprise of all... I'm hoping to get the chance to take you to meet your mama and see where you were born in Canada.

Zaire, you are the sweetest girl and I have more love for you than words can describe. You have blessed my life and I couldn't imagine my life without you in it.

Only 7 more months till you go off to College...

Love you sweet girl,
Mama

Zaire Speak

Speak = bark

For the past several months, we've been working on the Speak command.When I say Speak, the goal is for Zaire to let out a bark. As a puppy, Zaire wasn't much of a barker, so I never had the opportunity to teach the Speak command. The only thing that would make Zaire bark was the use of the blow dryer after her monthly bath.

I contemplated using the blow dryer to engaged Zaire in speaking. However she needs to be comfortable with being dried by a blow dryer that I didn't want to encourage the barking.

Some people teach their puppies to Speak by putting the food bowl in the pups crate and shutting the door. When a pup is food motivated, they bark, you treat them, and say good Speak. This technique has worked for another puppy raiser in our class.

I attempted to do this because Zaire is very food motivated... Zaire walked up to the crate, looked at the food, looked back at me, looked at the food, looked back at me, and then came and sat next to me on the floor. I waited a couple of minutes and when she didn't bark, I opened the crate, put her food bowl back in it's normal place and released her to eat. Attempt #1 = Fail

The next day, I tried it again. Attempt #2 = Fail.

Zaire loves her food, but she wasn't willing to bark for it.

Another puppy raiser in class suggested using the vacuum. He got his pup to bark at the vacuum when he was vacuuming the house.

I took the vacuum out and started vacuuming the house. Zaire still wouldn't bark. She thought the vacuum was a monster and would run up to it, quickly run away like it was going to chase her, and then run back to it. The vacuum gave her the zoomies, but no bark. Attempt # 3 = Fail

In class one night, Patrick, our trainer suggested getting the pup really excited and tease them by using a high valued treat. It worked! Attempt #4 = Successful (but not by me, Patrick gets the credit.) Patrick and Pete (another puppy raiser) were able to get Zaire to bark 3 times. I was amazed!

Seeing her bark in class, gave me hope that she would eventually learn the Speak command. We went home and tried practicing what I learned in class. I had zero success! Papa Jake on the other hand, was able to get Zaire excited enough to let out a bark. Whenever I tried, Zaire wouldn't bark. That's when I decided to pull out the blow dryer. I had been hesitant in previous weeks, but I was determined to get a speak out of her.

I took the blow dryer out of the bathroom and immediately Zaire started to bark. I brought it in the kitchen and gave her a treat every time she barked. After I gave her a treat I said "good speak". After a minute or two, I put the blow dryer away, as I didn't want to continue using the blow dryer, as we are still trying to be comfortable with the blow dryer.

A few weeks later I went on vacation for a week and left Zaire with a wonderful family in Windsor. I received an email during my vacation saying how well Zaire was doing. The only problem was that she was jumping while she was speaking. First, I was surprised that she was speaking, because she had never barked when given the Speak command. And secondly, we had not been practicing in the weeks leading up to my vacation.

When I came home from vacation, sure enough she would let out a bark with a slight jump on the Speak command. It made me wonder where she learned to jump and speak at the same time. It then dawned on me that whenever my boyfriend would get her to speak, he was getting her excited and she would be jumping up and down. So she learned the Speak meant a bark and a jump.

I quickly corrected her jump and only treated her Speak when all four legs stayed on the ground. She is one smart puppy. In one week, she's already perfected the correct way to Speak. I'm impressed!

Since she's new to the Speak command, the first bark that comes out of her mouth is usually a silent one, or a quiet woof. It's the cutest thing. One day last week we were at the chiropractors office and I told Zaire to Speak. She let out a quiet woof and the girls complemented her on using her library voice.

I'm very proud to say that Zaire knows Speak!

Zai-bear is 11 months old

May 31st - 11 Months Old

Zaire is growing into such a wonderful dog. I know that she is destined to do amazing things one day, whether it's graduate as an assistance dog or become a breeder and make cute little puppies that will turn into future assistance dogs. 

She is now 11 months old and weighing in at 52 pounds.

Time is flying by so quickly. It's amazing how fast a 15 lb pound puppy can quickly turn into a 52 lb puppy in 9 months.

This journey has been amazing and I'm loving every minute of our time together.

I love that she comes to work with me every day... and so do my co-workers!

She loves posing for the camera!

Every morning when I release her from her crate, she walks out doing a whole body wiggle and is so excited to see me. It warms my heart, puts a smile on my face, and makes me so thankful for having her in my life and gets my day started.

Now that I've had Zaire for 9 months, I can't imagine my life without a puppy in it. I will forever be a Puppy Raiser.

Are you interested in raising a puppy for Canine Companions for Independence?

Go to www.cci.org to learn more information about CCI and how to get involved with raising a puppy, caring for a Breeder, or applying for a Service Dog.

Help is a Four-Legged Word^TM
Canine Companions for Independence® provides highly-trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, free of charge. The most advanced technology capable of transforming the lives of people with disabilities has a cold nose and a warm heart!

Zaire's 2nd Beach Trip

Zaire holding one of the bigger sticks she found!

It was a beautiful day in Sonoma County, Jake and I had planned on taking Zaire on a hike at Crane Creek, but decided last minute to drive out to the coast. 

We took Zaire out to Goat Rock for her second trip to the beach. 

I was hoping she'd try jumping in the water, but the minute the water touched her paws, it sent her running in the opposite direction pulling me a long. 

Zaire discovered digging!

She was having so much fun digging and finding all sorts of sticks of many shapes and sizes. In the process of digging, she kept burying the sticks she was finding. It was a funny sight to watch. She was a happy dog!

 Jake was not so happy when the digging direction changed and Zai flung sand down his shorts. I could only laugh until she flung sand all over me.

When Zai wasn't digging, we were socializing with the other dogs that would pass by. She was great!

It was a beautiful day and great adventure at the beach! 

First Slumber Party - Zaire & Razzle

Our house guest for the weekend was a black lab named Razzle. 

She is a very sweet one year old girl who is being raised by Mollie, a fellow Puppy Raiser.

I'm Razzle and I love to stick my tongue out!

This was Zaire's first sleep over at our house. And boy, Zaire didn't like having to share her toys and her mama's attention. Every time Razzle would pick up a toy, Zaire would immediately feel the need to steal it away from Razz. So Razz would get another toy, and Zai would steal that one. This went on and on all weekend long. Sweet Razzle was being the nice bigger sister and giving spoiled Zaire whatever toy she wanted, until the bone came out. I brought out two bones! Of course, the both wanted the same one. Filmed some video of this taking place. I'll try to post it. It's quite hilarious. Here's a picture for now.

"It's my bone!" "No, it's mine!"

Theses girls cracked me up. They played and played and played. They would not stop playing unless we were in the car (the magical place to take a peaceful nap for these two), on a time out, or while we were out hiking.

How cute!

By the end of each day, Z and Razz had had enough. They pooped each other out.

Razzle and Zaire taking a nap together!

After a full nights of sleep, they were ready for more the next morning.

We are ready to play!

I knew these two would be full of energy, so Friday afternoon we met my friend Heidi and her dog Henley for a hike at Foothills in Windsor. Even after a 3 mile hike, they were still romping around and fighting over toys.

Me, Zaire, and Razzle during our hike at Helen Putnum Park

First San Francisco Adventure

Me at Pier 39

Mom took me to San Francisco with my friends Jiva, Geroge and their humans Iris and Cyndy. We parked by the Marina and we walked by lots of big things floating in the water. I've never been so close to so much water. I was a little scared, but the view was pretty.

We had to walk up a steep set of stairs, but I made it with mom guiding me. She's so helpful!

I saw lots of interesting things and many new people of all shapes and sizes. I even saw these big wet creatures that were making a lot of noise. I think my mom called them Sea Lions. They sure were loud and weird looking. I'm a big girl now, so they didn't scare me away.

I had a great time in the city with my favorite friends. I heard mom talking and she said that I was so well behaved, that we get come back for another visit. I can't wait!

Best Friends Forever!

I'm the 3rd wheel in this pic with Jiva and George!

 

 

7 Months Old - Bench Photo Shoot

7 Months - from Zaire

It's my turn to finally write a post... after all, it's all about me.

I'd like to share some of my loves, likes, and dislikes.

Loves:
I love my mom. I think she's the best and she always shows me that she loves me too.
I love love love TREATS!
I love to snuggle next to mom after dinner and get belly rubs.
I love when mom buys me a new pretty collar. I always want to look my best for my boyfriend George.


Likes:
I like going to the park to see my best friends. It's fun to play with Fergie, George, Jiva, and Yosie.
I like that mom takes me to work with her everyday.
I like playing with squeaky toys.
I like going out in public, because every one gives me attention and tells me how cute I am. I meet a lot of people. And they fall in love with me instantly. It's hard being so darn cute!


Dislikes:
I love that mom gives me yummy meatballs, but she puts them in the Kong and I have to work to get it out. I wish she would just feed it directly in my mouth.
Going out in the rain.
Walking in puddles.
The big dogs at the park who chase me. 

This is me taking my mama on a walk!

Stay tuned... I'll be posting more often.

Rain Rain Go Away

"it's raining Mom, I don't want to go"

Being a Labrador, you'd think she would love water. Not the case with Miss Z! 

Miss Princess Zaire does not like to be outside in the rain. Or even walk in puddles for that matter. Who can really blame her. Why take a walk in the rain when you can be snuggled with mama and toys lying on the bed watching mom's favorite tv shows.

It was late morning when it was time for our walk. I opened the crate, gave the Release command and this picture is the response I received from Miss Z.

I showed her a treat... not even a flinch. I put the treat on the ground... still nothing. She had no interest in getting her paws wet.

The Princess has requested that I buy her this pretty raspberry colored rain coat along with a pair of booties to keep her feet dry. I'm not sure that I can find matching booties. But the rain coat, I can buy.