New Life

Hi All-
Looks like I have many new adventures ahead of me! In the beginning of June I met this cool guy named Mike. It was really nice because I didn't have to live in the kennels anymore, I got to be with Mike in his room here at GEB. Over the next few weeks, Mike and I did all the things me and my trainer have been doing since I started training. Things were a bit different because with Mike, I had to be super careful to make sure I didn't crash him into anything or walk into traffic. Come to think of it, he acts a lot like when my trainer was under blindfold, except he acts like it all the time...Anyway, after Mike and I had been together for like 3 weeks guess who came to visit? Sarah!!! I was so excited, I jumped all over her, but my new dad told me I had to behave, so I did. It was really nice to see her again, but at the same time it made me realize just how much I love Mike. Now, I am going to go home with him and attend college. I can't wait!!! I'll try to keep you posted on my new life as a guide dog!
~Lab Wiggles and Kisses~
Diego

New Pictures

Hi all-
I just got some pictures of Diego working. From what I hear, he is doing very well, so keep fingers and paws crossed for him :)
Sarah

Report #1

Hello to all my Diego pals!
I just got an email with Diego's first report. He has gone through
all the medical stuff (X-rays, physical, neuter, eye exams, etc.) and was
deemed healthy and started training. He was given a 'G' or Good rating for
his manners playing with other dogs, body handling, and kennel behavior. He
also got a 'G' for his obedience, Intro to the harness, forward command,
hup-up command, and wait command. He got 'F/G' or Fair to
Good for the straight line concept, which I am guessing he is just starting
because that is more of a Phase 2 lesson. Here is what his trainer, Jolene,
had to say about him:

"Diego is sweet, soft boy. At times Diego can get solicitous with his
handler. Diego's obedience is very good and he is very responsive to me at
this time. Diego has learned to move out at a consistent pace and pull in
response to the forward command. He has also learned the basics of making
left and right turns. Diego has tested off of Colonial Street and will
begin working in the small town of Peekskill on Monday.

Diego has an average level of distraction which we are working on using
counter-conditioning. Diego will be beginning to learn about curbs, street
crossings, and clearances.

Diego is currently living with Gisa, an all black GSF. The two get along
very well and enjoy each others company."

For those who are wondering, Colonial Street is a street right next to GEB where the dogs learn the very basics of guide work. They are tested at the end of each phase and those that understand the phase's concepts move on to the next phase.

I will continue to post as soon as I get any info!

Sarah

Postcard from Diego

Hi all-
Sarah here. Diego decided to go for snail mail this time and sent us a postcard. Here's what he had to say:

Hello!
GEB is so much fun-just like Indiana said it would be! Everyone is so nice and the food is great. I love playing in community run with all my friends. Hope all is well and I can't wait to make you proud! Give Indiana a lick for me!
Wags-n-Licks
Diego

I am sure my boy is the life of the party! Just in case you are wondering, Indiana is our pet, a GEB released dog.

Until next time!
Sarah

Hi all!

Sorry I have been neglecting my dogster page, or should I say sorry Sarah has been neglecting to listen and type for me. Humans, ugh... Anyway, today I took my big test to see if I have what it takes to enter training at Guiding Eyes. I PASSED!!!!! I was so awesome. A dog got in my face during it and I just ignored it. Boy, I was so great! I greeted Sarah and her mom after the test, gave them a big kiss and told them not to worry about me. I am having a blast here at GEB. There are so many dogs to play with and my roomate is so cool! Since I have to wait until night to pull out my Lab-Top Computer and I'll be busy working a lot, I won't be posting too much. I'll make sure I get around to it every once in a while though. Thanks for reading!
~Lab Wiggles and Kisses~
Diego

New Picture

Hi all-
Just wanted to let you know Sarah added a new pic for me! It is me in all my handsomeness at West Point. Ain't I gorgeous?!?!
~Lab Wiggles and Kisses~
Diego

I'm Back!

Hi all-
I'm back from my swap. I had a good time with VanDyke's family, although, they don't have any other pets so it was kind of lonely. Before my swap though, some big things happened. One night, Sarah and I went out to check out the new Target in town. When we got home there was a message to call our GEB leader. We called and found out that my buddy Indiana decided he didn't want to be a guide dog. Sarah decided to take him back, but that means, after me, she will take an extended vacation from raising. Indiana and her will do events to promote GEB, so he will take over my ambassador job when I leave, although I took it over from him so...I think I just confused my self. Anyways...we are having a great time together. We go for walks together and he comes along to my outings and sleeps in the car while I go inside. We are such great pals and it feels like he never left. Check out his page if you have the chance! We also had another ambassador event with my uncle, Farrell. He was a major stud for GEB-175 puppies in 1 year!!! But, some of his pups had some joint issues, so he had to be retired. We were really good at the event and afterwards, we slept a lot because this event didn't have a shift change. Otherwise, nothing new here!
~Lab Wiggles and Kisses~
Diego

It's been awhile...

Hi all-
It's been a long time since I've written. This pup's life has been very busy! In January, I went into prison where I spent a whole month. The inmates loved me and didn't want me to go home to Sarah. I learned how to walk nicely without my Gentle Leader, so now Sarah doesn't make me wear it unless I get very distracted, like at puppy class!!! After my time was up in prison, I came home to Sarah. She says that I grew a lot while I was there. I think she's right. I now weigh in at 72 lbs. I'm almost as big as my dad, who was 75 at his biggest! I'm still on the short side, though. I get that from my mom's side. I also went to a local mall to do my first ambassador event. I was great!!! I greeted anyone that wanted to be greeted and I even did it properly! Sarah was so proud! I have another event scheduled for next week, I'll let you know how I do! I've also been out with some friends lately. The other night, we celebrated Tommy going in for training at the Olive Garden. Me, Vander, and Tommy came. We had to squeeze into this tiny booth and Tommy and I got really silly. Sarah corrected me, though, so we stopped. Then, we walked the mall and said goodbye to Tommy. He passed his test and is well on his way to being a guide! That's pretty much all that is up with me. At the end of this month, I'm going on another home switch. Sarah's getting Van Dyke. His mom was Indiana's girlfriend, Hattie. I'll write how it went when I get back!
~Lab Wiggles and Kisses~
Diego

New Year

Hi all-
Happy New Year! I can already sense 2006 is going to be a good year for me! Next weekend, I will begin my job as a GEB ambassador. I will go to a mall and greet people and hopefully show them how well I behave. Then, I will spend a month in prison as part of the Puppies Behind Bars program. That is where prisoners raise potential guides. It is really beneficial for me because they spend all of their time with the dogs. In turn, Sarah will be getting Jennie. I hope she'll want me back after she gets to know Jennie. Then, in April, I turn 1 years old. Shortly after that, I will enter into formal guide dog training or become a stud dog. Either way, I will be happy! Then, by the end of the year, if all goes as planned, I will be a full-fledged guide! Boy, I can't wait to get started!
~Lab Wiggles and Kisses~
Diego

Christmas and other updates

Hi all-
I hope you all had a great Christmas/Holidays. I know I did. First, my friend Schatzi came over. He is a big German Shepherd Dog and he was a blast to play with. We played in the back yard at least twice a day. On Christmas, we both got a lot of presents. I got new bones, a new bed (which I LOVE!), and some treats. Schatzi and I shared all of our things and we had so much fun. But, our fun ended yesterday when Schatzi's mom came and picked him up. Then, today, Sarah and I took a ride to GEB in Patterson, where we picked up another friend for me-Eugene. He is a yellow lab and loves to play! We are having fun together. I hope this Christmas thing happens a lot more often, I get all of these playmates!
On the 23rd, my dad graduated from the Connecticut State Police Academy as a narcotics detection dog in the 119th. Sarah told me that I will probably not get to meet my dad because his trooper did not seem interested in getting to know Sarah or the rest of my family any more than he had. Sarah did tell me that Dad looked happy in his new home, so that's all that matters to her and me. Sarah showed me Dad's graduation photo and I can definitly tell where I got my good looks from!
Anyway, I must get back to my friend, so happy holidays!
~Lab Wiggles and Kisses~
Diego