Clarabelle

It happened! On March 11, 2006, Rich and Jackie presented Clarabelle to her new human life companion Diana Mullens. We wish them the best of luck. They looked great together. Clarabelle was glad to see Rich and Jackie. Likewise we were so glad to see our baby puppy who was now a big, mature, working guide dog. Diana is a wonderful person and we are so happy for them both. Diana lives near Victoria B.C. in the northwest corner of contiguous 48 states in Port Angeles, WA. Our first two guide dog puppies, Ruffles and Clarabelle, both made it all the way! Interestingly, they both ended up in Washington state even though guide dogs are placed all over the US and Canada. Both Ruffles and Clarabelle spent time while I was training them in Seattle WA.

NEW BREAKING NEWS: She has been paired with a human partner and is scheduled to graduate March 11, 2006 in Oregon class!!! I am moving out of Oregon leaving Feb 25, 2006 but I will fly back to see my baby graduate. Clarabelle was our second guide dog, and second to graduate. Cyndi is smiling at Clarabelle from heaven. The graduations are open to the public and specific time and links to Guide Dogs For The Blind web site will be posted HERE.

Note that CLARABELLE had been scheduled to graduate on NOV 19, 2005 at the Boring, Oregon campus.  However, her human partner dropped out of the program. Clarabelle remains at top level at the Guide Dog campus and is awaiting a perfect match with a human partner. She has been spotted as the dog they use to demonstrate guide dog traits at graduation ceremonies. GO Clarabelle. We know you are a winner.

Clarabelle was born in November, 2003. She is a black lab bred by Guide Dogs for the Blind breeding program in San Rafael, CA. She arrived at our house during last winter's snow/ice storm. We were lucky to have a week with both Clarabelle and Ruffles at the same time. Due to the ice, Guide Dogs changed Ruffles' recall date. But despite the storm, the puppy truck made it up from San Rafael full of cute bundles of joy.

Clarabelle goes back to the Guide Dog training facility in March 2005. So we are enjoying our last few months with her now.

Clarabelle and Ruffles have some similarities, but what is more interesting is how different they are. Both are absolutely beautiful dogs. Both are sweet and loyal. Both have those lab puppy eyes that are solicitous, sad, wise, and enticing at the same time. Ruffles always knew her destiny and always wanted it. Clarabelle seems less sure. At times she shows her breeding and you can spot the guide dog in her. She is highly intelligent. But she often wants to be a regular puppy. As she gets older she is starting to show signs of wanting to be a guide dog, but at first she just wanted to be a puppy.

Clarabelle has done well and learned her commands. She has a bit of a tendency to play rough at night. She loves tug. But give her the "that's enough" command and she will immediately drop her toy and sit pretty awaiting the next command or the magic command "OK". I write this paragraph of Clarabelle's last full day with us. My eyes are filled with tears. Amiga has joined the family as of a couple of days ago. Tomorrow, March 26, 2005, Clarabelle returns to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Oregon campus to begin the next phase of her training. This involves 10 levels of advanced training with the professionals at the facility.

Clarabelle has all the skills and disposition to make it as a guide dog. The first phase of her advanced training involves extensive health checkups. Many dogs are "career changed" at this step. We all believe in Clarabelle. She will always be a WINNER in our eyes, even if her fate is not to lead a visually impaired person. We love Clarabelle very much and will think about her every day for the rest of our lives.

Clarabelle went back to the Oregon Guide Dog campus on Saturday, March 26, 2005. It is very hard on me to bring the puppy back when they are recalled, despite the fact that I know from the day I get them that approximately one year from that day the puppy will be recalled. Clarabelle took it with pride and maturity. She was at peace and ready to take on the next challenge. GO CLARABELLE.

Please join me when I say GOOD LUCK CLARABELLE.

April 12, 2005

It has been weeks since Clarabelle went back to the guide dog campus. We miss her so much. I wake up in the middle of the night sometime and look for her. Sometimes I just break into tears. It is like that. But she has what it takes. She is doing her best out there, I know it. I get a status report each Thursday. I have to go cry with joy for her now. I will rub Amiga's belly in honor of Clarabelle.

April 16, 2005

Clarabelle has advanced to level 2 of her 10 step training. This means she has passed the medical and fitness criteria and will begin training with expert guide dog trainers. GO CLARABELLE. We love you very much. Amgia says "go sis". Ruffles says "follow me into the world of WINNERS."

Check back occasionally for more information on Clarabelle's progress through training.

April 21, 2005

Clarabelle has advanced to LEVEL 3. GO WINNER!!!

April 28, 2005

Each Thursday, a report comes from our group leader. The report is called the Phase Report and it shows the level of each dog that is in advanced training back at the campus. Clarabelle is still in level 3 along with 2 other puppies recalled around the same time as her. I think about my "belle" every day. Of course, not a day goes by without pride and love for Ruffles too. Thanks to Clarabelle and Ruffles, I have more knowledge and understanding to give Amiga. We tell Amiga about her big sister Ruffles the guide dog, and of course Amiga met Clarabelle when they overlapped for a few days. I miss them very much but I am so proud. Someone needs those puppies more then I do. Now it's Amiga's turn to learn!

We love you Clarabelle. You can do it. You are going to be a big winner like your sister Ruffles. Amiga says hello sissy. Amiga also says thanks for the toys.

June 2, 2005

Clarabelle has advanced to level 5. She is halfway through the training program. What a good puppy. Amiga continues to grow and follow in Ruffles and Clarabelles pawsteps.

June 24, 2005

Clarabelle has advanced to level 7. Cyndi was so proud of her. Clarabelle's continued success in advanced training is a tribute to Cyndi's life.

July 1, 2005

Clarabelle is now in level 8!!! What a wonderful tribute to Cyndi. She is almost at the top (10). She is a WINNER.