Thanks to Laurenforcement Puls for this image! Taken at the back of Chase Park Warehouses (& Canopy Studio) on a windy, blue-skied day in January, 2011. Pretty sweet. And, he has the scarf on that GDF puppy walker, Lauren made just for him!

Gillie in my office at Canopy Studio, Athens, GA. August 2010.

Gillie at Lake Norman, NC visiting Chris, Elizabeth, Dan, Harry & Michele. December 2010.

Gillie left Athens, GA headed to Smithtown, NY on a bright blue skied, cool Saturday morning. We solemnly drove him to Happy Trails Kennel in Winterville where the vans were gearing up to take him & about 10 other pups on a two day trek. Big snow storms had just hit the New York area but were cleared in time for their arrival late afternoon that Sunday. Before loading Gillie, we let him run with a smaller black poodle who would be his crate mate. They got along fancily, barking, running & wrestling. The boy sure likes to play! I was able to give him a nice hug before coaxing him up into the large crate facing the back of the moving van. Deana locked it & he became frightened. He whimpered, cried & gave me a look I’ll never forget. He trusted me & HE was looking to ME for guidance. I looked into his eyes to assure him all would be fine. He was going on an adventure & will help others. I told him I loved him, that I was so very proud of him, whispered “good-bye” & walked away.

Whew, it was a difficult morning to say the least but I’m so thankful & will never regret any of the experiences I had with him & working with the Guide Dog Foundation. A very patient Brett took me to brunch where we worked puzzles & laughed through my tears. It was a gorgeous day so we meandered through UGA campus. I showed him where we held GDF meetings & he showed me which dorm he’d lived in & so forth. We floor shopped at Home Depot then returned home to be a bit productive at the house. We watched movies & fell asleep early. I was puffy eyed & exhausted. Glad it was over. The next day was much better!

The weeks leading up to Gillie’s departure were very adventurous!! I’m so happy GDF gave me a month deadline for his leaving. I crammed as much into that month with Gillie as I could. He got a beautiful haircut after letting his fur grow through the winter (I really liked it long & bouncy like an English Sheepdog). We had GDF meetings, played in seven inches of snow, visited friends as well as the studio as often as possible. He basically went even more every where with me. He went to the doctor with Mema & me, on several dates with me & a fellow (& his dog), walked at least an hour each day, watched Athens Burning (it’s a movie about the Georgia Theatre in Athens), got to tell Janice good-bye (she visited from Seattle, WA), danced, played with Kim’s pups at Memorial Park dog park at night, was a very good boy at the Upper Oconee Watershed Network annual meeting & lecture & finally met Denise, Buster & her new pups!

We finally toured the Dialog in the Dark at Atlantic Station in Atlanta where they kenneled him while I went through the dark maze led by Erik. Erik is sight impaired & was curious to meet Gillie. He’d like to use a guide dog one day soon. He’s now my friend on Facebook so I hope he gets to hear this blog! Then Brett & I took him up the Peachtree Plaza outside glass elevator (that’s 73 stories y’all) to the Sundial bar that rotates atop the cylinder building. Gillie LOVED watching the sky go by through all the passing windows as well as standing over the outer rotation portion of the building. His back legs would go one way & his front legs another. I swear he was laughing. We sure were! We then met Jenny Hall who led us to VIP seats at the Philips Arena for the Hawks game. (thanks again, Jen) I thought surely they would put Gillie on the Kiss Cam. Hawks lost but Gillie was a winner with these fans. Such a GOOD boy & took it all in like a sponge would water.

Our last evening was a Friday. Brett came over & we raced to Academy Sports for him to meet some Braves players. Unfortunately for Brett, hundreds of others had the same idea before us so we stood amongst the crowd with Gillie taking a few camera shots of these player folks. We then walked around all over downtown (our final walk) & I pointed out ALL the many places Gillie & I had visited as well as the things we had done & the people we had met since last March. There was hardly a store, stone or stool untouched by Gillie & me. This made me smile.

We had a cocktail at The National. Hooray that Melissa, Julie, Gina, Dana & a few others were all there for a last pat on the head to G. Chef Peter came out of the kitchen to bid farewell which was incredibly sweet & I felt honored. I thanked them for being so accommodating to Gillie & we left for Mike Van Hassel’s birthday dinner extravaganza!

There were 3 other pups & 14 other humans all in Mike’s kitchen! Food & wine were in every corner. The pups ran the house wild! Then, poof, they ran outside. I watched Gillie play with German Shepherd, Dutch & Lab, Finn. He was so happy to have big boys to run around with. They ran around the house, he pooped far in the backyard then he followed (sprinting) Dutch back inside for supper & water time. He was pooped but no way was he resting. The humans dined & danced for hours. We exploded actual gun powder for pretty effects in the sky (& loud BOOM!). I put Gillie to bed in the car then Brett got us home where I stayed snuggled on the floor with him as long into the night as I could. When I woke from bed the next morning & spotted him on my floor, his head popped up with his eyes wide open. He has been knowing something was different. Something new was about to happen. He was ready.

We did our morning stretches, collected his things (jacket, lead & food in separate baggies for 3 feedings - I may send special beds & toys up later) & were out the door. The rest is history…I just got his first trainer update: “We are just getting to know each other with walks, grooming and light exposures. He is pulling as hard as he can in excitement. Very sweet and enthusiastic!” I’m told to expect photos in March!

So, I’ll update this blog when I’m updated by the Guide Dog Foundation. Gillie has gone IN FOR TRAINING. I miss him every day but know he is having a blast & changing the lives of so many others!!

October 2010. Gillie visited his first big waterfall & looked over its cliff. Glen View Falls, NC.

Gillie & I had a pretty laid back weekend because of the rain. Lots of walking the neighborhood & play though. I can tell he is starting to mature by the whiskers he is growing, the humping he is doing & his personality has calmed. No accidents inside & he did great getting busy on hard surfaces - even on command! He played with my neighbors 2 yr old pup, Sophie for about 45 minutes Sunday. Taught him whistle feeding - sit, stay, 2 whistles, go eat. He took right to it. Gave him a new kong with peanut butter inside - YUM!! I need to work on him trying to dominate the cats. I know the cats can take care of themselves but can’t risk them scratching his eyes as they will one day be someone else’s eyes. Gillie got in the shower with me as I was washing off the pollen with the curtain open. He just looked in, tried to catch the water with his mouth & brought his body on inside. His paws were muddy so it’s a good thing he washed off :)

After the puppy walker meeting at Tate II Saturday he had lunch under the stairwell outside while it stormed. He was not scared or distracted in any way by the hard rain or thunder. We had fun running in the rain back to the car. He is so much fun & I’m getting more accustomed to his schedule.

I watched a documentary about a Service Dog Organization in Atlanta - Through a Dog’s Eyes. You can watch the full episode here: http://www.pbs.org/dogs-eyes/film#

They have somewhat of a different approach than GDF but both organizations emphasize to have fun with the pups & show them they can trust us. The ATL organization allows them to get busy on grassy areas, gives them bones or rawhide & stuffed animals and uses treats to train. We can’t do any of that which makes busy, play & training time more difficult for me. Good thing Gillie is so smart!!

Last night Gillie played with Lewis’s older pup, Kaylee. She let him know she didn’t want any of his dominating behavior & he relaxed. They roamed the huge, beautiful back yard at Denise’s. Jessica Greene’s small dog (he looks like a fox!) came out a few times with a full on bark. Gillie was very curious but didn’t go too close. Much yapping that I think annoyed him.

I won’t have him for a full week now due to the performances at Canopy Studio this weekend. Sarah (his other Mother) will keep him then I’ll have him full time for a year! We have so many adventures ahead of us!

Here is Gillie & Moxie playing queen/king of the sand hill. Gillie is not a sprinter nor a long distance runner like Moxie but he tries hard!

Saturday, April 24, 2010 - I’m going to play catch up today since Gillie is napping & it’s raining out so I’m not in the garden. I’ve kept a diary of our days so to follow is a summary of the past month with Gillie. He turns 4 months old Monday, 4-26.

Friday 4/2 – picked G up from UGA vet school open house, home & studio (Canopy) then Max Canada patio. Won over bartender (they don’t usually allow any dogs there even though they have a fabulous patio) & off to bed. Hung with Cricket, met Stewart, caught up with Tommy Mulkey & a quick convo with Kim Silvis. Gillie had his first grooming with Deana on Wednesday & looked like a different dog. A guy asked if he was a dog or a lamb. He does look & feel like a lamb.And, he knows how to work those big brown eyes.

Saturday 4/3 – played in yard most of day then BBQ for friend’s bday. Fire pit, grills, rocks & another very young, small puppy, Yoda.  Was dark so hard to see so kind of stressful with those dangerous elements. He played HARD with Yoda who really kept up & wore Gillie out. He is definitely not a sprinter or long distance dog. He pooped out after a while under my chair. It’s like having a baby who won’t wear diapers. Saw Bruno & Chico again & they graciously helped me carry things from my car. 

Sunday 4/4 – Easter. Up early for walk at park. Walked first bridge over water, played some in water & sand & walked trails. Was a beautiful warm day but he pooped out during walk by laying down in the cool clover. We sat & stretched & played some. Nap time then busy then play then BATH!! He sat & was ok with it. Scrubbed his ears good because the tips get dirty hanging down in his bowl of food or water.  We were late to Mom’s for another dock walk (Lake Hartwell) without the hand rails & to meet Ali, Jim & Aidan (he’s 8). He did great by staying on outside screened porch while we ate & he didn’t get busy out there. Mom’s dog, Bear, barked & growled which scared him. He rides well in the car - this was an hour & a half drive. We stopped at the SC visitor’s center & he checked out the semi’s but wouldn’t get busy. He slept a lot & was in bed by 8.30 but wanted to come out when kitty boy Samuel came in so I let them say hello. He is getting along well with the kitties. Very interested in what they do & where they go. He peed on my carpet yesterday & today even though I take him out regularly. He can’t go to the dog parks until he has his last set of shots in a few weeks. He’s very friendly & [so far] easy to control. It’s been hard getting him to get busy on anything but grassy areas. That just seems to come naturally to him & to me.

4/9 – I met Sarah before her social in the parking lot at the Ga Center then met Denise & Nick on the patio for a martini.  He was very rambunctious! Would not get busy on concrete so I was very nervous to take him inside.  I feel half my day is spent outside saying “get busy”.  We have to leave early for anything & I’m constantly watching him for busy (potty). Took him to student graduation of dance school performance (friend Denise Posnak choreographed some pieces & is a dance teacher at UGA) & reception where he chilled on the stairs during the performance. When the lights went out, he sat up. Then saw the dancers under spot lights which drew his curiosity. He watched the entire first performance & when every one clapped after, he looked all around like it was for him. Then he sprawled back down on the stairs the rest of the performance pieces. Gillie met new friends – Josh McKay, Darrell, Frederick & others. A massage therapist at Healing Arts Center told me about a seeing eye miniature pony he massages. My friend Mike Giles sat next to Sarah at her banquet where they discussed Gillie & that he knows me. Small world! Came home to a wired Gillie! In just 5 days he has grown, learned to climb in my car (although he usually won’t), is more interested on what’s on the ground & is trying to dominate me & the kitties. Time for more discipline, training & scheduling! Tomorrow morning we sit at a table for Canopy Studio at the Junior League Family Health Day at Clarke Central. I’ve never been there – should be fun & I’ll get to hoop with Alli-o & Allyson!

4/11 – Gillie did great at the Junior League family health day. He was a little too excited around some of the smaller kids but once he played hard, he chilled & allowed them to pet him. He enjoyed watching the hoopers inside & the music doesn’t bother him. I was not able to hoop so I could hold him. Next time!

I took him to Cine’ for a dance performance by Denise Posnak & Amanda Martin. The floor had popcorn pieces all over – must be aware of food when taking him places. The banquet table at the UGA dance performance reception was also a huge distraction – he ate honeydew melon from the floor. He was so enthralled with the popcorn that he wouldn’t stay still & spilled my full pint of cold Terrapin Rye Ale. From all the distractions I forgot to silence my phone which of course rang but just BEFORE the performance started. Julie Phillips was a sweet heart & tried to help. I felt terrible for the distractions to the audience during this very quiet, beautiful dance piece. It wasn’t terribly distracting but too much shuffling around.

The sweet manager mopped up the beer afterward (I’d run to get napkins). Thank goodness. He asked me about Gillie & told me about losing his sweet pup of 14 years recently. I was exhausted after so Gillie & I hung out (he finally slept on the floor under my chair) a few minutes at Casa Mia while getting organized & to replenish that lost beer from earlier. MUCH goings on downtown including International Street Festival, GDay, Junkyard Dog Jog, & AUX creative arts. He was fine with the loud music & people & enjoyed watching them all. We were both in bed by 10 pm Saturday night.

4/12 – up early for a walk then played & worked in yard all day. I’m going to stay home with him more to train & to bond. I’ll take him to vet tomorrow to have his eyes looked at – think is allergy – lotsa green gooey, very red eyes, esp the left one & he is sneezing. He responded well to sit/stay/go eat tonight! He is also learning to come a little better. I read over the manual more tonight to refresh on commands. Gave him a greenie bone which he adored & a kale stem – he ate 3 of them. Interesting that he loves vegies so much.

I watch him about every second but while on leash to get busy on drive, he sucked up a sweet gum tree ball today which lodged in his throat.  I had to stick my fingers down his throat to get it out. SCARED me to death. I don’t think he could breath & was using his paws on his mouth to try to get it out. Sad. I’ve now raked & swept my entire drive way & have gone thru by hand to pick up as many balls as I can. I’ve been wanting to take that tree down so perhaps now I will. He’s teething & wants everything in his mouth. I need to buy a Kong at Pet Supplies Plus as soon as possible. He bit into the stuffing of Monkey Boy tonight so he can’t have that until I sew it back up. Great job getting busy on concrete today!!

4/13 – Gillie is very tired today. Only made it ¼ way around the block & that was after a nap. It is a little warmer this morning than it has been. He found a caterpillar, watched squirrel, neighbor mow, constructors construct (and make hammering noises), birds hop along & a bee that he just watched. He won’t even get busy. Instead he lies down. It’s almost 6 pm & he hasn’t pooped since before lunch but I think his cycles are changing. He did pee on the carpet today right in the middle of play. Something doesn’t seem right with him. He sleeps & stays in shade. Vet this afternoon for eye drops to stop the green goo & we got his next vaccinations & rabies. He didn’t know if it is an allergy or infection but drops should treat either. Vet said you can’t culture an eye for infection. Gillie was very calm & fine with the doctor. I’m so proud of him! 28.6 pounds today. Back to Sarah tonight for the week…

Woo wee what a grand weekend Gillie & I had at the lake. Sunday evening once every one but Mema & her pup, Maggie left, Gillie was worn out from the 4 other dogs & 3 kids. He did ok with the young kids’ toys. He also showed he knows the boundaries on the dock over the lake since there are no guard rails on this dock. He played HARD with one of the other pups here - I think she is his girlfriend now. Her name is Moxie & she’s about 4 years old, I think. I’m going to try to upload the video of them playing. She showed Gillie around & they chased one another til they just plopped out. I kept him on a leash after eating to get busy on hard surfaces then let him play if he got busy. I’ve washed & dried him & we sat on the dock to watch the sun set & listen to the owl hoot. Very nice time & every one was respectful & welcomed him. I think he was in bed by 8 pm.

More exposure:

To add to our adventure, Gillie & I had a flat tire on the drive over to Lake Sinclair to visit family. I don’t think Gillie suffered or worried one bit over it though. :)
He was also around us all on a trampoline, jets running in the hot tub, cousins playing ping pong, projector television screen & stereo, baby eating in high chair, walking round inside the boathouse, sniffing around the gates of the garden, inside mine & lake house tool sheds with loud garage door opening, watched iron gates to drive way open & close without running (I had him on the leash when cars left), witnessed fishermen on BOATS next to docks!! geese squawking, cake mixer (we cousins made Mema’s famous caramel cake that was eaten within 24 hours!), oven & dishwasher, kids on see saw (he got under one side of it so they had to momentarily stop), a 1 year old being pulled in red wagon, toy train choo chooing over brick walls, sharing with other pups & a house with 4 entrances, handicap ramp & stairs.

That was all in about 24 hours. A lot of newness but the most fear he showed was when we first arrived - there is a small statue of a retriever with two puppies inside the gate. He stared & backed away until I went over to it so he slowly came up to smell realizing duh, it only a statue! In his defense, it does look pretty real.

I’ve gotten very behind on blogging & I apologize. A lot has happened. I met standard poodle, Dylan, February 19th to start training for the Guide Dog Foundation for the next year. He was less than 2 months old. We were together a few weeks but it was determined he had a bladder issue. It isn’t anything life threatening but difficult for a volunteer to foster because he pees every 1/2 hour or so & was not getting house broken. He has since returned to NYC for further medical attention.

It was extremely difficult saying good bye to Dylan but I wish him well. We had a great time playing ball in my yard. I took some video & pictures that are posted on my Facebook page.

Dylan’s brother, Gillie, will come down from NYC when they take Dylan back up. Gillie is supposedly very smart & puts himself to bed at 9 every night. I’ll get to meet him very soon…stay tuned!