Sampson & Zyla Playing

Sampson & Zyla playing Winter 08

Zyla shares with Sampson

After a day of play, Zyla shares her big pillow with her best buddy Sampson.

Graduation Party

I went to a graduation picnic today with Gary and Paula. First we went to church where I sat in the car waiting for them to come back. It was an overcast day in Michigan, so it wasn't too hot for me. When church was over I saw my "Paws With A Cause" buddy puppy, Sampson. I think I'll post a photo of him and me later. He's my favorite play mate.
After church we had a lot of fun at a farm picnic. I had a big, long cold drink of ice water; I loved chewing the ice cubes. There was eating (but only the humans got to eat), playing volleyball, a big bouncy thing people jumped up and down on and much visiting. I met a new dog at the party, Katie. It didn't seem fair that Katie got to run around off leash while I was on best behavior. My favorite thing was watching the little kids blow bubbles. I really like the little ones. And of course I got lots of scratches and petting from many folks at the picnic. Whew, I was tired from all that fun. I slept on the way home and then took a nap with Gary. I wonder what I will do tomorrow???

I'm Young

AS you can see, I'm a young mama dog and had a lot to learn (and still do). I will be writting more about my exploits as a "Leader Dog Mom" in the days to come and updating you on all my comings and goings. Sincerely, Zyla AKA Baby Doll

Preferred Nursing

It's unconventional, but I prefer to nurse this way.

We're growing fast

Soon there were 7

Wow! Soon there were 7. And finally, the seventh one a girl.

Soon there were 4

Soon there were 4. They just kept coming. So far all boys.

Number 2 Puppy

About the time one got dried off, another one came.

Number 2

First Things

I wasn't sure what was going on. I was a young girl myself after all. Paula & Gary stayed up all night with me and by noon the next day we had 8 puppies. Seven boys and only one girl.

Zyla's surprise

I'm not sure what it is.

I'm Serious

I was getting BIG

I was having a great time. Playing and laying in the sun; going for car rides and long walks; generally being admired by everyone I met. Gary & Paula started saying "Everyone Loves Zyla". Only one problem, I was getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger. I didn't know what was happening to me. Then one day.... stay tuned for the rest of the story.

One of the first things that happened to me at my new home was meeting a cat named Gandalf the Grey. You may notice a stroller in the background. Yep, you guessed it. The cat gets to ride and I do the walking around the neighborhood.

Zyla takes a dip

It was a hot day in Michigan. I like to cool off in a "kiddie pool".

Zyla gets a new home

Hi, My name is Zyla and I was raised from a puppy to become a Leader Dog for the Blind. I had a wonderful first home for 12 months and was taught many wonderful things by my "puppy raiser". When I went back to Leader Dogs for the Blind kennel in Rochester, MI; they gave me a complete evaluation. They decided I would make a perfect Leader Dog for a blind or deaf/blind person and that they would like to have 100 more just like me. Sooooo, they decided they would make me part of their breeding program.
But first I needed a new home. At the end of August in 2008 I went to my new home in Sterling Heights, MI where I now live with Gary & Paula. They are my "foster parents". I was only there a few days when Gary & Paula took me to Sleeper Park in Michigan to camp for a few days. There I met some of their friends and started making new friends myself.
Only a few more days went by when Gary & Paula took me back to the Leader Dog Kennel. Boy, was I worried. I thought they didn't like me. Then I found out they had picked out a boy dog for me to play with. He was a Yellow Labrador Retreiver. I am a Black Labrador Retreiver. I wasn't sure what they wanted us to do, but after a couple of weeks Gary & Paula came back to get me and about 63 days after that....well, I had puppies!

Zyla the Leader Dog