My first year as a LD Mom

My first year as a "Leader Dog Mom" is drawing to a close. Shortly after it was decided my job was to be a Leader Dog breeding female, Gary & Paula became my foster family. Hmmmm......in just one short year here are just a few of the things we have done and experienced together:

• Became a mamma of 7 puppies; 6 boys and 1 girl (they are ALL in the LD first year program)
• Went camping at Sleeper State Campground in Michigan, Tall Timbers in Dayton, Ohio and Allegan State Fairgrounds in Allegan, Michigan
• Attended a Ladies Bible Study (with Paula, of course)
• Had fun at two High School Graduation parties
• Went to two picnics at Frolic Farms (a little farm owned by one of my favorite humans)
• Celebrated my second birthday in May
• Froliced in the "kiddie pool" at home, discovered love of water
• Walked 6 miles for the March of Dimes in Troy, MI
• Attended Leader Dog Breeding Stock and Puppy day, met up with many old and new friends there, including my first born puppy now named Obie
• Made fast friends with other dogs. First a Paws With A Cause puppy named Sampson and recently I met a neighborhood Malemute named Willow
• Visited Paula's parents and their kitty cat in Cincinnati twice
• Watched small aircraft take off at Romeo and Allegan airports
• Visited Linda & Bob at their home in St Helen, MI for the weekend
• Walked over to the youth "house" at church and got to know some of the young people
• Car rides too many to mention
• Let many children around the neighborhood love on me, I love them
• Visited a lot humans in their homes. Including Lori and Jim
• Regularly attended small group meetings at Jeff & Linda's home
• Shopped for my own food at the pet food store
• Journeyed in and out of stores at pet friendly Partridge Creek Mall
• Went to work with Gary and Paula

BOW WOW, just listing what I've done has made me tired. I'm off to do one of my favorite activities, taking a nap. Tail wags and kisses from Zyla.

My favorite time of day, "Food O'Clock" comes around once in the morning and once in the evening. Here you see me waiting (the food is in the bowl) for Gary or Paula to say the magic word-----"Okay"! Then I'm off.

Forty Seconds

I love to eat. My food is gone in 40 seconds, or less.

Head Shot

Head shot of Zyla, she is quite a serious girl.

Michigan Fiber Arts Festival 8 09

I and my humans are just back from a great time at the Michigan Fiber Festival. I knew something special was going on when they started packing up the camper. Was I going? I love to go almost everywhere they go. Paula got special permission to take me along and I am so happy she did. We arrived Wednesday afternoon and the fun began right away. There were so many new and exciting smells to sniff! Then some of my favorite friends started arriving. First there were Linda O and Bob: I last saw them when I visited their cabin in St. Helen this spring. The next day one of my very favorite people came, Annette along with Linda H. Better yet, Linda H and Annette slept in the camper with us. What fun. You know the bigger the pack the merrier. Annette got me so tickled I laughed when she played with me. When I got frisky my foster dad, Gary put me on a long lead and I got to run very fast in a large field. There were only working dogs at the festival. Some herded sheep and another was a service dog for one of the gals who had a booth there. There were also other types of animals; sheep, llamas, bunny rabbits.... so interesting to smell. My nose was working overtime. It was very hot for the first time this summer, we were all thankful to have AC in the camper--now that's "ruffing" it. Well, thanks for reading and I really must sign off for now because it's "food o'clock". Tail wags to all, Zyla.

Obie and Simba 7 09

These are 2 of my "boys". Obie my firstborn of my first litter at 8 months old and Simba, his sire.

Leader Dog and Puppy Day 7 25 09

On a rainy Saturday morning we got up early and went to the Leader Dog Campus. Woof! I was in for a real treat. I saw many of my Leader Dog friends, both human and canine. Among them were my puppy raiser Diane and her dog Donna. Of course the human helpers from Puppyland were there, too. I was even pleased to see the vets--since I was not there for an appointment. And though it rained we had a grand time. The icing on the cake was seeing my firstborn puppy. His raisers named him Obie and he is now 8 months old. I dare say he is a very handsome puppy as he looks much like his mother in stature and has the coloring (yellow) of his sire. I was happily reunited with Simba (the father of my 7 beautiful offspring), it was love again at first sight. Well, the entire day was filled with fun, fun, and more fun. I don't know who had the best time the dogs or the humans. Signing off for now with a big tail wag. Zyla