Navigating West

So happy to introduce the newest member of the Apodaca family- Mr. West! As you can imagine our reunion was filled with non-stop kisses, tail wiggles (his signature " happy dance"), hugs, emotional tears and overwhelming pure puppy joy 💙 ( I've never been so happy to pick up a kid after they dropped out of school 🤗) After a long drive north, his first act as a normal, healthy and happy family dog was jumping on the hotel bed!! He also enjoyed his first night ever sleeping cuddled next to his hooman 🐕❤

Update from Guide Dogs of America: "Becoming a guide dog takes a very special combination of health, skill and behavioral soundness. Guide Dog of America standards are extremely high, and not all dogs end up meeting those standards for a variety of reasons. But even those dogs who don't become guides are incredibly talented and well-trained; we lovingly call them "career change" dogs."
We received word today that West, our puppy in formal guide training has been career changed for a minor medical reason. As West's puppy raiser family we have been given the opportunity to formally adopt him and provide a permanent home in Seattle. We are sad that West wasn't able to be a working guide for a sight impaired partner. He is an amazing dog and we have no doubt he would've been fantastic! As you can imagine, we are absolutely thrilled to have him join our family!

Evaluation time has finally arrived and I'm on my way home to Guide Dogs of America! I'm excited to spend the weekend with the trainers and fellow guide dog pups at Camp GDA! The airplane fit at 10 months is just a smidgen tighter than the last time I rode at 8 weeks...

Mr. West exploring the wilderness.....horses and squirrels and roosters- OH MY!! I had a great time hiking and experiencing a lot of new "first's". Jumping over fallen trees, trudging through elbow deep mud and wading in a running creek- what fun! I especially enjoyed sniffing a bunch of new critter smells. I behaved very well on the trails and practiced "leave it" lots and lots! After 6 miles, I was one tired pup. When we got home I had a warm sudsy bath, dinner and was snoring in minutes! Watch out Bear Grylls.... West is in adventure training!

I'm excited that today's Guide Dogs of America puppy training class includes a ferry ride and exploring a new city! This training will help me navigate new adventures with my future sight impaired partner!

My very first Guide Dogs of America puppy in training friend and teacher- Bridget, has been called back to California for formal training. Thank you Bridget for showing me the way! Your terrific example has taught me how to listen and follow through with commands. Also how to hold my head high and be proud to wear my yellow coat. But still...my favorite part of our puppy classes has been our rambunctious puppy playtime! Good luck Bridget, I know you'll make a wonderful partner for a sight impaired person very, very soon!

The beautiful lights, shimmering ornaments and fancy wrapped presents are just too much temptation for Mr. West this holiday season........DO NOT be fooled by this innocent face!

December's Guide Dogs of America puppy training class sure was a fun adventure!! I was really excited to ride the light-rail train and visit Seatac International Airport. I did a great job following commands and enjoyed a lot of new sights and sounds! I was VERY intrigued with all of the travelers using rolling suitcases. The spinning luggage carousal was pretty cool too! It was a fun but exhausting day- I snored all the way home! At 8 months old and 56 pounds- I am really enjoying being a big boy! My puppy raiser's think I'm pretty terrific too!

Enjoying my very first Thanksgiving! I am VERY thankful for lots of toys, a warm fire, amazing smells coming from the kitchen and most of all lots of love from my puppy raiser family!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We woke up to another rainy and blustery day in the Pacific Northwest. So my puppy raiser and I decided to join the “Mall Walkers” with my Papa early this morning. It was fun practicing leash walking. Also my sit, stay, come and heel commands. Even though the stores were closed, there were lots of people and distractions. The most challenging was walking through the food court with all of the delicious aroma’s tantalizing my “sniffer”. Unfortunately my puppy raiser doesn't think that Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Cinnabon and Taco Time are good for pups!

Happy Halloween from West the Silly Wicked Witch!

Big thank you to Yvette from Guide Dogs of America for a great photo and successful puppy evaluation! At 6 months of age my puppy raisers were glad to learn I'm right on track with my training and development! They have been helping me learn basic obedience skills and providing lots of opportunities for socialization. While most importantly receiving lots and lots of love!