Life with Boone

Boone's 2nd BIRTHDAY!

2010-12-19T17:50:00.000-08:00

Well, Boone is offically 2. I was very excited to be at work and have the kidos enjoy his birthday as well. He had a blast eating his cake and opening his presents....though he is still going for his ones under the tree at work. Enjoy the photos!

Boone's Birthday Cake (ask for the recipie and I can send it your way...all dog friendly!)

His big present...

His cake plus the 2 others for people!

Boone reeeaallllyyy wanting his cake....

FINALLY!

mmmm....sooo good...

He is a very danty eatter....licks the topping first then the cake!

Still working on the frosting

A little help from Mom to get some of that cake down.

Opening one of his presents

Still trying to work on it

Got IT.....but the paper is following me....

His new dragon (he loves these toys!)

The last of the cake that got thrown out...happy dog.

He is becoming a wonderful dog and does so well with all the kids at work. I love him very much and he makes my days so much better. Happy Birthday big guy :)

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T23:32:00.000-07:00

So Halloween for me was spent at work! This was a great evening and I had such a blast! I hope you enjoy the photos and had a wonderful Halloween of your own!

Here are the gift bags we put together for all of the residents...filled with candy, toys, pencils and other odds and ends. We played games like musical chairs, bobbing for apples, and a skeleton relay. The clients had a wonderful night and Boone and I had a great night as well.

Here is Boone and I. I dressed as a Cave Women and Boone was my Dinosaur.

Here below are some of the pumpkins the residents carved...I think they did a wonderful job :)

Here is another photo of Boone and I.

More shots of Boone in his costume.

....Boone's true feelings about his costume.....

One of our residents carved a spider into their pumpkin and they got the whole spider out in one piece...I was very impressed!

I had a wonderful evening and such a great time with all of the residents. Boone though not liking his costume so much but he had a good time as well. Well...let the Holiday Season Begin!

Boone's Fall Photos :)

2010-10-24T00:42:00.000-07:00

Ok...I know its been ages...I apologize :)

2010-10-24T00:16:00.000-07:00

So, As it has been ages a lot has been happening. I have moved into a new apartment. It is a very cute small one bedroom one bathroom located in Sugarhouse region of Salt Lake City. Boone is loving his new home as it has a nice sized backyard and is also very conveniently located by the dog park! So please enjoy the photos below of my new place :)

Here is the front of the house. I am that front door and left side of the house. If you take a look to the right there is another entry and that is where my landlord lives!

Here is the backyard and on the other side of my fence is my landlords yard that I can run Boone in when I am home...so he gets a lot of room to run...which we both love :)

This is the side yard which come spring I want to turn into dog land and keep the backyard to humans. We shall see what happens.

This is the living room...more photos to come after painting and I get all the furniture moved in. Here you can see I am still unpacking!

Here is my bedroom...Bedside.

Here is the other half of my bedroom...still in the works but I love the windows in this place :)

Here is the bathroom...nothing to interesting here.

Here is the kitchen...yes that is a doggie door folks!

And the other half of the kitchen.

So that is that. My small and cozy apartment. More photos to come as I slowly piece my place together.

New Place

2010-10-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

Here is the kitchen...with a doggie door leading out to the fenced yard!

Here is the side yard.

Here is the backyard...right out the door.

Here is the front of the house...that is my front porch!

This is a great little place! Boone loves the yard and we are a 5min walk from the Dog Park and OMG it is his new favorite place. In the past 2 days we have gone 4 times! This morning it was raining and so this early afternoon we will go and then maybe again tonight. It helps Boone get his energy out and gives him the confidence around other dogs! I will take some pictures today..well try as he spends most of the time running around like a mad man...and post them in the days to come!

Day Off!

2010-08-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

So, today I got very lucky. Someone offered to cover my shift today so I could catch up on some Rest and Relaxation after working 62 hours last week. After relaxing this morning Boone and I took a walk up the street to explore Liberty Park. We had gone once before on a quick walk by but today I though it would be fun to take some pictures and explore a little.

Boone was terrified of this water fountain and after letting him explore, smell, and realize it was not going to eat him alive this was the shot we got.

There is this awesome cement/rock water feature in the middle of the park so most of our pictures were taken there.

Boone being so good next to the water...after this shot he drank and drank and pawed and played...people laughed at us.

More rocks and water. I was proud of him for looking at me so much...I swear once the camera comes out no eye contact is made!

I love the green pine tree behind him!

"Mom do you know that it is very bright in this sun...it is hurting my eyes!"

"Mom there is water down there and I would like to play in it please..."

There is this very cool green house and all these flower patches in front.

With flowers are bees and he kept trying to eat them.

He is watching all the kids across the way play in the water and he caught his tongue in his teeth if you look closely!

Cool tall grass!

Getting hot...the long tongue is coming out :)

BIRDS!!!! I love these pictures with the tall grass and a tree in the background actually turning into fall colors!

"Ok Mom I think I am done...."

One last good picture before we walked by the Duck/Goose pond and all bets are off! I had such a great time in the park and he loves all the attention he love he gets. He also really loves all the birds at this park and try so hard to behave but sometimes they just get the best of him :)

To Long!

2010-08-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

So life has been kind of on the crazy side with work and all BUT now that school is starting things should simmer down a bit. I am doing well and still loving the work I do. Boone is loving work as well as he gets to come along and play (sadly I am not allowed to take pictures of him with the kids but the kids love him and he loves the kids). So here are some recent photos of my goofy boy.

Boone and a pepper....my uncle was weeding the garden and out came a pepper. Boone thought it was a personal gift from the heavens :)

Boone starting to munch down the pepper.

Boone still nibbling but if I got to close he would pick it up and run away.

Here are some shots of Boone and his new collar that came in today. He was not a fan of getting his picture taken as it was taking away from his time looking out the window of the front porch.

Boone getting bored with me and just letting me know how he feels.

A little better...

PERFECT!

I love my boy and how mature he is getting (this by NO MEANS means he is losing his goofy side) but he is more trust worthily, mature, and responsible. He keeps to himself and keeps himself entertained. He still loves to cuddle at night time and that is ok with me. His favorite thing as of late is playing tug with anyone who is willing to hold on. He loves having a male around as he is always playing and trying to cuddle with my uncle (though he still has no luck cuddling but I don't think he will ever give up). I will try to be more consistent putting up post! But for now I am out and off to work :)

Life Update

2010-06-19T20:58:00.001-07:00

Well, I am getting slowly settled into my new job as Support Staff at the Odyssey House. I will be doing my first graveyard shift which is a little over whelming because I have NO idea how I am going to stay up from 9pm - 9am but I figure a whole pitcher of Ice Coffee might help my case :) As for the job itself I had my first Staff Meeting/Training and got to meet a lot of the staff that I will be working with. Everyone seems really nice and I can not wait to start getting to know everyone better. As for myself, I am still trying to learn all the terms and structure of the Odyssey House. I swear they have their very own language! I have started making posters with the terms to hang all over my room so maybe it will sink in.
Megan and I took a walk to the new house (I don't have pictures I just thought about it...some will come I promise) and it takes me just as long to get to the new house as it does to get to the one downtown. I walk more but it will whip me into shape...though come this winter I might be investing in a Bus Pass.

Boone is doing well. He is growing up real nice...can be left in my room for extended periods of time and has not touch a thing. Which for many of you might not know is a HUGE advance in his maturity! A little background story for you...When I first moved to Utah at the end of last August I left Boone for about a little over an hour. I had one couch and on that couch was the phone book....the only thing around. I come home to only the white pages ripped out and he had made a little nest out of them. As mad at him as I was at least it was not the yellow pages :) But these days I can leave him in my room which has papers, books, wires, blankets...and all sorts of things that he could get into and he does not touch any of them! I love my boy very much and he is loving his new friend Decaf.

Decaf is one of the 2 new kittens my house hold has inquired. I love the both Decaf and Latte very much. Decaf has taken more of a liking to me...officially making him my kitten. He has put Boone in his place by bouncing all over him, rubbing, and licking him. Boone is doing very well. He will even cuddle with the guy when he thinks I am not paying attention.

Life is on a well need up swing and I am so thankful of the things my life has received and the people who have supported me through this hard time. Good Night for now...have a great Sunday everyone :)

NEW JOB!

2010-06-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

HI EVERYONE!

I officially was offered a position working at the Odyssey House. The Odyssey House is a drug rehab facility for both adults and adolecents. I will be working in an adolcent house (kids under 18 years old). I will be working 1 graveyard shift a week and 2 day shifts a week.

I am so thankful for this opportunity. I love working with this age group and this will be a great opportunity to get my foot in the door.

Please check out the Odyssey Blog Page!

I will post some pictures in the near future of where I work and give you a more detailed description of what I do.

Silly Things :)

2010-06-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

Just some silly photos of the pooch. We are doing good! He loves having Paris homes and is just thrilled to see her every single time she comes out of Megan's room! I will be posting photos of the two of them soon. Their first meeting went well. He growled once thinking it was someone else. Then he realized that it was her and wouldn't leave her side...he would just follow her around and sniff her. He loves her so much! He is a silly boy...now that Paris is home he seems to tolerate all of the other pooches in the house. Well Enjoy!

Boone and I chilling on the couch. Nothing makes him more happy then Mom willing to hold his bone while he chews on it : )

Boone on my bed...which these days he thinks its his bed. We have been getting loads of Rain and winds which he is NOT a fan of and will come lie down next to me and shake.

Boone chilling on the couch! I swear my dog loves being in the weirdest positions possible....he did this all by himself!

Megan and Boone being silly like always :)

Boone looking like I am torturing just so I can get a photo of Christina and Himself.

A little update on my wonderful dog!

2010-06-05T18:27:00.001-07:00

Well, Boone and I have been pretty busy these past couple of weeks. He has handled the change of all the GDB puppy sitting gigs I have had! So here is a nice collection of photos I have of the past couple of weeks!

Boone and I got a chance to get hands on help for Tracking/Scenting for a wonderful lady who has done Search and Rescue for three years in counting. With borrowed gear we set of and did a couple runs...here are a couple of pictures of him in harness...this harness is really meant to fit a much bigger dog then Boone but we worked it out.

Here is Boone on a walk...I just love the angle of the photo!

Boone catching kibble...if you look closely at this photo you can see the kibble flying into his mouth!

Boone playing with his beloved Pheasant.

Boone was helping me cook...if you again look closely you can see the chuck of cream cheese under his chin...what help when he is eating my ingredients.

Boone on another walk....he looks like such a puppy in this picture!

Boone getting a little tired after playing hard with his squeaky triangle.

I came out of the shower to find that he has comfortable wrapped himself up in my blankets looking at me with eyes that are saying "what is this not my bed?"

A New....

2010-05-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

BLOG

Yes, It is true. I have officially started a new blog for everything related to Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Please follow the below link:

NEW BLOG

My current blog will still remain active. It will be more centered around my personal pet dog BOONE and the adventures we share.

Anything and Everything

2010-05-28T14:10:00.001-07:00

Well, I must say it has been a little while since my last post so here is kind of an everything that has happened in the past few weeks. Megan and I are settled in nicely at our new apartment, Boone is doing just fine with the transition, and I have started puppy sitting for GDB (Guide Dogs for the Blind).

After our hike on the Jordan/Provo River Walkway...he grabbed his pheasant so he could curl up with it.

Boone in the Grass

This is one of my favorites! He just looks so goofy and cute :)

He was memorized by the river!

In really tall grass :)

In fun tall white flowers...they did not look as tall until I placed him in them!

There are these really cool tree and fields across the street from us.

Ok...so there is a lot of tall grass along this walk way and I just couldn't resist setting him up for all these fun pictures!

So, The next few pictures are of Breeze. A 10 Week puppy that I puppy sat for GDB. She is the cutest thing and I had so much fun watching her!

Here are pictures from my first puppy sitting gig...MEADE! I was such a great experience and I am going to miss him so much when he goes back to formal training!

I love this photo...Meade and Boone where playing and I caught this very moment when Boone has all of Meade's Nose in his mouth!

Food Allergies!

2010-05-10T13:10:00.001-07:00

So, my friend Megan's sister has a cute little baby that has very serious food allergies. She is doing a give away on her blog and for the week I need to post information about food allergies to get entries in! So here is some basic information and as the week progresses I hope to be able to post more and more information that I learn about food allergies!

Here is a great webste that you can learn about the 8 most common food allergies!

www.foodallergy.org

My Good-Bye To Paris!

2010-05-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

Well, Paris will be leaving Sunday so here are a handful of my favorite photo's. This dog has been a good part of my life and I feel like it was such an honor to meet a dog like this. I am sad to see her go and I can never imagine what Megan is about to go through giving her up to go to college. This dog is one of a kind, perfect, fun, silly, energetic, hard working, and very loving. I have very high hopes that this girl will make it as a guide because she loves to work so much...I swear it is programed into her!
She has tested my skills being the stubborn dog that she is and I am very glad to say that I possible have her respect these days :) Her devotion to her mother is so amazing...I am only starting to get that same devotion with my own (pet) dog!
She has been WONDERS for my dog. Boone is going to miss her soooo much. He is going to be so confused without her. My dog is very particular in who he lets close to him and he has liked her from day one. Paris has broken and eatten my dogs shy shell. He is getting tougher in his playing to keep up with the lab skills (though he still knows that bed is safety and every now and again will get up there to get a break from her :) )
I know I will cry when I say good-bye on sunday and experience a small part of what it will be like to give a dog away! I wish her the best of luck and I will wait with such hope and anticipation to hear from Megan how she is doing! Good Luck Paris, you are loved by many and we are all rooting for you! Hugs and Kisses, your friend Gabby and Boone :)

Close up of the silly girl!

Paris and Boone both in the front seat after we filled Megan's car with free kitchen items!

Megan, Paris, and Boone all cuddling in the hangy chair.

Boone and Paris's first winter, I think they might like it:) They would carry sticks around each holding onto it and just run in circles!

Paris and Boone playing rough and tough!

Paris and I cuddling.

Bridal Vail Falls Hike

2010-05-07T18:28:00.000-07:00

Megan and I went to Bridal Vail Falls for Paris's last hike with us. Boone loves hiking and being in the outdoors just like Mom. I hope you all enjoy the photos :)

Boone was trying to tell Megan to drive faster by whinning the whole way there. Where Paris currled up next to him and fell asleep!

Boone refused to sit and so this was produced which is my favorite photo of the whole hike!

Boone and the falls :)

It was still very icey at the top and the plants and rocks were still covered in ice.

The Falls!

Paris and The Falls :)

Boone would lie down but not sit :) Silly Dog!

Boone got very scaried when I put him on this rock. I think it made him realize how high he actually was...poor guy :)

This was on the hike in and out and on the way out I decided I wanted a picture but he was down actually looking at the camera.

Finally, got a picture where he was actually looking at us....it only took like 10 trys :)

Had so much fun and so did the dogs. They slept like babies and my poor guy got up the next morning and whined when he streched. I felt so bad but he is in much better shape now....he just needs to get back into summer hiking mode!

Search and Recure Runs with Sara and Hugo

2010-05-06T17:39:00.000-07:00

Sara invited Megan and I out to do some search and rescue runs in Rock Canyon. These are some fun pictures we took of a very great work dog and happy dog!

Ok, Finally its here: Oregon Road Trip Photos!

2010-05-06T10:44:00.001-07:00

Well, here it is! I hope you enjoy all the photos. It starts off with the trip up. Then meeting Fuller and his Partner, then graduation, then we hung out with Fuller and his partner and took a bunch of fun photos. Then it ends with the trip back. The whole trip was amazing and so much fun! I love oregon and its wonderful greens!

These sign/maps were all over and some of them got very confusing....they cracked us up!

It's offical...I could be blind because they have the Rolling Stones in Braille!

Graduation....Sorry there are not more but it was inside and the photos came out kind of funky.

Fun Photo's Taken after the Graduation!

Fuller's Partner and her trainer.

Boots for escalators and cold weather.

Cool map of the campus.

Saying Goodbye : (

We had to walk under the train tracks! It was the closest I have ever been to a train...it was so fun but kinda scary!

Megan and Paris

Paris in front of the falls :)

Fun sign attached to the rail road.

GDB Puppy Raising Manual!

2010-04-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

Well, It is offical! I have finally recieved the puppy raising manual. I was so excited that I have already read about 1/2 of it and I only got it last night. It makes me even more excited to get my puppy. There is so much great information about what and how to do things that it just gives me so much mroe confidence in accepting a puppy into my home. There is so much information from how to prepare, what to do your first night, introducing your own pet to the pup, training methods, how the dog learns, how to teach each task, and how to say good bye in the end! Well, that is all for now. I will have pictures of a GDB Oregon Graduation soon and of our next puppy meeting :)

SCENT TRAINGING :)

2010-04-21T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today was Boone's first introduction to scent training! I am very excited. I took him out and he followed the hot dog scent to each peice of hot dog! I spent this afternoon looking up other scent games to start his training. I will take some videos in the near future so you can see how he does!

Boone's First Time in UTAH LAKE :)

2010-04-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

Well, here are some pictures of Boone's first real swim! He was so excited and really wanted to be off leash but there were a lot of people and all. I can't wait for it to keep getting warmer so I can start taking him out more and more :) So Please enjoy these very goofy photos.

Fun Dog Pictures

2010-04-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

Here is Boone's Sleepy Face....I love it!

Paris and I cuddling...I am trying to get fun photos of her and I before she has to go back :(

Paris's Fat Head!

Boone and Megan cuddling in the amazing hanging chair! How he loves his Megers!

Boone and his pheasant!

More from another GDB Meeting...and Boone with Friends :)

2010-04-11T21:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I think its offical. I am in love with guide dogs :) I finally am taking more pictures at meetings and this one was at the mall where we had to do a scavenger hunt basied on dog distractions. I was a lot of fun and I got some good shots of some more dogs from out club!

Here is the Shy Spike...he refused to look at the camera.

Here is Christina she is 7 months old and just the cutiest little thing!

This is Meade...he is my second fav. after paris of course :)

Here was our compition group getting stopped by one of the severity guards. No worries we were not in trouble just the normal your dogs are cute and can I pet them kind of thing.

Here is Mosely. Megan is puppy sitting him this whole week and I love it becasue when we go out it gives me some more hands on work! He is such a silly little guy I love him.

So, here are some more pictures of my puppy! He is getting along great in his new home...he loves Megan and his whole family so much. Him and Megan's Dad are secertly very best buds...they have very cute moments together. It makes me happy he is in a house with people who love him almost as much as I do :)

Well, he is not happy with me here because I am training him to sleep on a bed next to my bed. He is use to being in my bed sbuggled right up next to me...so he thinks he is being banned from everything in this world...poor guy :) He is doing so much better. I tell him go to bed and he does...and well me, I just love having the bed back to myself.

Oh, I love this one. Poor guy was so pittiful. We had a midnight (aka. 10 pm) run to McDonalds and we had to many people in the car so the dogs had to stay and we put Boone and Paris together and he about died. He loves paris but HATES kennels. Poor thing I think flying in a kennel from LA to UT has made him terrified of being put into kennels. He is getting better he just hates being left in them...he whines, it breaks my heart.

Megan and I were watching Criminal Minds and he fell asleep on his hedgie toy. So CUTE!

He was sucked into the chair...I just think this is a funny one. He had no idea what to do with himself.

Oh Paris! I am going to miss this girl! This was a Sunday moring watching Conference! She is so uber cute in this picture :)

Well, keep your eyes posted because I will soo have fun pictures of some kitchen goodies my parents are sending me for my new apartment that I am getting with Megan! I am very excited and can't wait to move in :)

GDB :)

2010-04-08T20:22:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures from the last Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) meeting last week and should have some more after this sat. :) :)

Here is Mara and Spike cuddling during the GDB meeting.

SPIKE :)

Spike and Mara doing kissy faces.

Sugar...she is a Golden who is more white then gold.

Mara:)

Adventures of Another Spring Day :)

2010-04-03T20:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I always forget that these load backwards. So the top one is in the car ride home after the hike. Then during the hike....then a few during the hike and well the last one is where we were hiking! We got about half way up to the falls until the snow was unpassable....soon though soon.