Pellet Fan
All Things Considered => General Discussion--Non food Related => Topic started by: Kristin Meredith on March 27, 2020, 08:54:31 AM
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Meet Knight, our third GEB pup on program. I am getting Knight sooner than I thought I would get a puppy and he is younger and smaller than they normally place -- 10 lbs and only 7 weeks -- because they are trying to empty the kennels and development center in NY both because of restrictions and incase staff become ill and could not care for the pups.
I will only keep Knight about 3 months because I am going to be a puppy starter for a while. He will then move on to another raiser who will take him the rest of the journey. We are friends, so I will always get to follow Knight and probably end up sitting him a few times as he grows up.
He is so tiny and adorable. I have never had one this small. They are lots of work at this age, but so much fun also. Due to social distancing, we will be home a lot and exploring our yard and field. However, that will probably not save you all from way too many photos!!!
In a very strange twist, and completely by chance, I learned just yesterday that the folks who are fostering Sigmund in Ohio raised Knight's Mom!
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Awesome,and oh so cute! You will do great work with him.
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I see Knight has found a buddy already
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I see Knight has found a buddy already
Oh yeah, they are a great pair!
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Any snoring in the second picture? Thanks for the happy posts and please keep them coming.
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“I'm not alone," said the boy. "I've got a puppy.â€
Jane Thayer
The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy
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Your pictures make me want to get a second dog. :'(
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In the first picture, he looks about the size of one of those stuffed animals you win at a fair.
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Your pictures make me want to get a second dog. :'(
You can become a puppy raiser -- or puppy starter!
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In the first picture, he looks about the size of one of those stuffed animals you win at a fair.
That is just about right!
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A little romp in the Fields...
A Knight romp. (https://youtu.be/zskM2_d85xQ)
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lots of new smells for him to take in
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Knight got his 8 week old shots yesterday and I put his tags on him this morning. His tags are almost bigger than he is!!!
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So, I think Knight must be getting bored with the "stay at home" route that we take for exercise every day. He always has been up for a walk and loves exploring. Last night, we head out on the dirt/gravel access road between two fields. We have been walking maybe 7-8 minutes when he darts to the side, crosses the ditch and plops down in the middle of the dying wheat field. Absolutely can't rouse him. Lifts his head as if to say "No really Mom, just keeping on walking and I'll pick you up on the return trip." :pig:
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Well what were you thinking? He wanted a nap. Great looking dog, puppies surpass anything else on the “cuteness scaleâ€.
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I don't know, you ever seen a pygmy baby hippo?
Pygmy Hippo baby makes a splash (https://youtu.be/a-vbFA-s1vs)
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I don't know, you ever seen a pygmy baby hippo?
Pygmy Hippo baby makes a splash (https://youtu.be/a-vbFA-s1vs)
For Mercy’s sake. You might have a very valid point. That is cute as heck!
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A pretty spring photo of Knight.
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He is a really good looking guy.
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Today is International Guide Dog Day, so want to pay tribute to all guide dogs everywhere and those who have raised, trained and now handle them. These are amazing animals and I am particularly in awe of how the professional trainers work with them and train them to guide. I am including pictures of the 3 boys I have been priviledged to raise -- (1) Dozer, at his graduation with handler Katie, the first time I got to see him in harnass; (2) Sigmund, my big 87 lb boy, who passed his IFT in March and is now sheltering in Ohio waiting for the GEB campus to re-open so that he can start his harnass training; and (3) the new munchkin Knight, just 3 months old yesterday and about 20 lbs of energy and smarts who can be a goof. Raise a puppy, Change a life.
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Starting May with some happy poppies and a pup!!!
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All 3 of those dogs are very good looking.
It makes it even better that they are going to be making such a wonderful difference in someones life.
Super neat.
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Finally, a warm day and looks like the real start of spring. So pulled out the old kiddie pool for Knight. He seems to like it!
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Yes it does. Handsome pup.
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I know this is not about Knight, but posting here anyway!
This is Thomas. We got to spend a few hours yesterday with Thomas. He is a recently retired guide dog and needed to get from his home in North Carlolina back to the facilities at GEB in New York. So 2 young ladies brought him from North Carolina up to Charlottesville, Va; we drove to Charlottesville and then took him up to Arlington, Va., he stayed overnight in Arlington with GEB puppy raisers who put him on the van this morning, and he is on his way to NY right now. From there he will go to his forever retirement home. Thomas was a real sweetie and it was a tiny bit of a priviledge to help transport a retired guide who has served faithfully. Best wishes in retirement Thomas!!!
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Yes, best wishes on retirement. I see his ramp for getting in and out of the vehicles.
Long live Thomas!
BTW, how do you feel about unconfined dogs in a vehicle? Although I've loved having my Weimaraners keeping me company in the vehicle, they don't lie down and braking or turning causes them to lose their balance. Now, they ride in a crate. I just open the door to it and say, "Kennel up!" and they get in and curl up.
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Great job Thomas, now go enjoy your retirement, you earned it.
Question for you, what determines retirement for these dogs, is it age or overall physical health?
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Paul -- I brought the ramp because of Thomas's age. I also use for little pups who can't jump up to the back of a Tahoe. Poor boy had the desire and even tried to jump in before I could lead him up the ramp, but just not doable. I normally have a kennel in the back, and if the pup is big enough say "load up" and they jump into the kennel. But it is stored away right now because Knight has gone on to his finishing home. I think a crate is great for a puppy and young dog because they can be excitable. I figured that would not be the case with Thomas because : (1) he had been a working guide for years and knew how to ride in a car; and (2) he is a bit on the older side and calm, and I really wanted him to be comfortable and have the room he wanted. GEB's wish is that all dogs and pups on program are crated or restrained or in the well of the passenger seat for the safety of the dog (first because of a potential accident which could throw the dg around) and safety of driver. Thomas just laid down on the blanket the whole way and was as good as gold and never moved.
Yorkdude -- the dog pretty much determines when he or she retires. Some retire very early. One recently raised in our region only worked for about 6 months and then developed a fear of traffic and sidewalks and so could not continued and was retired That sometimes happens at different times in a working dogs life. And obviously, if something happens to the dog's health and a vet says it should be retired, it is retired. But, for most, sometime between 8 and 10 years old, their handlers will begin to notice that the dog seems to be struggling or faltering at things which use to be basic -- they miss stopping at curbs, they miss targeting steps, they seem to not be able to respond to commands as quickly. They usually then discuss and consult with GEB to see if it could just be the need for a little refresher course (if dog is younger). If dog is 9 years old, they pretty much know they are signalling that they need to retire.
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I realized I did not post about Knight's leaving and his farewll party. His big buddy Banner came in from Gainesville for the morning and his finishing raiser, Lynne, drove up from Bristol, Tenn to meet up and take him back. Lynne is a retired Supervisor from Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Her husband was Director of Training at GEB for many years, so they can run rings around me obviously!!! Her husband is a bit older and a little less steady on his feet, so needed a pup who was a little older and house trained (so no accidents to potentially slip in). So Knight left the first of June at about 4 mos old and is enjoying a fabulous life in Tenn. He is coming up for a week long stay in mid-July. A couple of photos -- Lynne supervising Banner and Knight in the pool and Lynne and Knight.
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Knight is here with us for about a week. Top photo -- first week with us in his new bed. Bottom photo -- today in his bed. Growing fast! (he is about 5 1/2 months).
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Man he is good looking. Did he recognize the 2 of you? I am thinking probably so as he looks awfully relaxed.
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I think so, especially when Bentley was doing "floor loving" with him (laying on the floor and letting Knight jump on him and lick him and he hugs him back).
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I think so, especially when Bentley was doing "floor loving" with him (laying on the floor and letting Knight jump on him and lick him and he hugs him back).
That’s sweet.....until I pictured it. Just kidding of course, we do the same thing here. Very nice.
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Knight came back for a visit last Sunday and we were having a grand ole time until Thursday afternoon when his right eye began to swell and get red and he started pawing at it. Very lucky that the vet could see him early Friday morning. Poor boy had an ulcer on his eye. So meds and a head collar for 7 days and another week with us. Good news -- as shown in photo, less than 24 hrs after meds, the eye is at least open again and the redness is going down some. Don't think the collar is an attractive look, but he wears it well!! ;D
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Glad to see he is on the mend, any idea what caused it?
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The vet said he most likely either hit something with his eye or it hit him. Because the corn is so high all around the house and acts like a fence, I let him run around in the yard. He is a bit rambunctious at times and may have hit his eye against a plant or bush.
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I was leaning that way (injury) but you never know. Glad you got him fixed up quickly.
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GEB is very good about the dog's care. They have a full time vet and staff and, every night after 6 pm, there is a special line you can call if you pup is sick or injured to get advice and input from a vet tech and vet if needed. I talked with them and sent them photos and they authorized a visit to the local vet within a few minutes. Was on the phone with local vet when they opened at 7:30 next morning and they had him in by 8:30. These dogs get great vet care!
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Oh noooo, the cone of shame!
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Oh noooo, the cone of shame!
But he can hear what you're thinking.
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Oh noooo, the cone of shame!
I prefer to think that he is just imitating Sir Walter Raleigh! :pig:
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Happy 1st Birthday to my sweet boy Knight! The first photo was taken the first week he was with us -- only 7 weeks old and 10 lbs. He was like a tiny stuffed toy and I was convinced I would break him (he came to us a little early because GEB was having to close everything down with Covid). He is now all grown up, living the life with Mom Lynne Robertson Post and Dad Russ and brother Otto in Tenn. The second photo was a recent pic from Tenn, all grown up!!! Happy Birthday little man!!!
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