Hi,
My name is Darby.... (April 2003)
I am just a little more than four months old, but I'm extremely smart and (dare I
say it) the cutest yellow Labrador on the planet. I was a bit of a
"puppy handful" for my first foster family, so now I am living at Almosta Ranch
with my new foster parents and five other big dogs. I like it here, except for one
thing...... they really should call it Puppy Boot Camp. My new parents are
pretty cool, but they sure do have a lot of rules. Sit, stay, down, leave
it, don't bite, kennel up, drop it. Sheesh! Well, OK, so I guess all
the rules aren't so bad. As you can see in the photo at left, I am learning
STAY pretty well.
And, how about those pretty California poppies in the
horse's pasture? They sure do make me look good. If I behave myself,
maybe the GDA staff will consider me for next year's fundraising calendar......
:-)
(HEY, what's up with this crate thing? I promised not to
chew on the rug again!)
Darby Settles In
It took no time at all for Darby to make herself at home.
In fact, she immediately made a new best friend.... our black Lab named
Brando. Does that name sound familiar? It should, as Brando was our
first guide dog puppy in training. It turns out our very mellow (i.e. lazy)
fellow was not cut out for the rigors of guide work and, after nearly 3 months
in official training, was dropped from the program. We were quite upset
that he didn't make it, but (admittedly) relieved to have our boy home again.
So,
he is now a pet with a new career as a registered Therapy
Dog, and the official ambassador to all the new guide dog puppies who come
to live with us.
Thanks, Brando, for teaching Darby the ropes. (Just don't teach her how to
be lazy!)
Another New Experience (May 2003)
The timing of Darby coming to live with us wasn't the best......
we received the call from Guide Dogs only a week before our scheduled two week
vacation. Fortunately, the head of the puppy raising department was able
to find an experienced puppy foster family to take Darby for two
weeks. Although Darby was just starting to figure out her new home and
pack, she was shipped off to spend two weeks with a nice couple and their two
dogs. Turns out Darby was not phased at all by this upheaval. She
got along well with everyone and handled it beautifully. As of mid May,
Darby is now back at Almosta Ranch, and learning quickly. Good thing,
too, as the annual Guide Dogs of America Open House & Obedience Puppy Trials
are right around the corner on June 7th. If you're in the Sylmar, CA area
that day, you are welcome to drop by the Open House from 11am to 4pm.
Please come and cheer for Darby to win her puppy class! If you can't make
it this year, keep an eye on Darby's page to see
how she did.
