Update

Hi all! Sorry I haven't been using this blog lately. I got Columbo back on Christmas day and Todd is doing well in his new puppy raising home. Columbo is going through his "teenage" stage and challenging me in every little thing I ask him to do. I hope he gets over this soon!
I hope they don't call him back at twelve or thirteen months like they have been recently but, we'll see...he just turned ten months on the 22nd of January.

I don't think I will be raising for awhile after Columbo goes back. I am having a major surgery and then going off to college. I'll be graduating high school a year early, this December. If I do another puppy, it will probably be a transfer dog. Of course, when I graduate college and get settled I will raise again, but for now, it wouldn't be fair to the puppy.

Always,
Kaitlyn & Columbo

Meet Todd...

Hey All,

Meet Todd! He is a male black labrador, I'll be raising him as a starter puppy for a friend in Chico. She took Columbo for a couple months. We plan to switch back about Christmas time. Todd is a Righetti X Carmen puppy. He is very stocky and has big brown eyes. So far, he's pretty calm...but I'm not going to push my luck. :) I was told there are 5 males, and I know that Tudor, and Tom are two of his brothers. Let me know if you know of any of the others!

Health...And A Puppy.

We went to Stanford on October 10th. Not much is new…they finally sent the insurance letter and we should know in about a week whether the insurance will approve it, or if we’ll be fighting them for awhile. Which would stink because then it would take longer! Oh, and insurances are really starting to bug me!

I was on HealthNet, but they denied me even going to Stanford in the first place, so now I’m on Healthy Families…cross your fingers that they accept it! I had to try the liquid diet and puree diet for one day each, and that wasn’t so bad. I think if I make myself think it’s going to be worse than it actually is…it makes it easier! heh…

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I go back to Stanford on November 21st. Surgery isn’t scheduled yet, should be in December or January. I am fourth on the waiting list!

I'm getting a new guide dog puppy on the 25th! It's just a starter puppy for my friend Kay, who's a leader in Chico. She's going to take Columbo for a couple months while I start her puppy, then we'll switch back. I'm excited to have a new baby! Even if it is only for a little while...

Friday September 26th 2008

Columbo is now 6 months old! I cannot believe how fast time has gone by. He's showing some signs of fear from certain random things, so he's currently on food protocol when on outings. Our next outing with the club is to Chuckee Cheese, so that should be interesting!

I didn't get a surgery date, as we're still fighting with the insurance so Stanford can even send the letter for approval. Then after they send the letter, they might not even approve it.

Independent Study is okay. I miss being around other people but it gives me more time for exercise and for Columbo. I already finished a class. US History. Took me four weeks. Now I'm working on Comparative Religions, ADV. English, and PE. For my Religions class, I just read Anne Frank's essay "GIVE!" If you haven't read it I strongly recommend you do!

I took Columbo to Chico with me for about a week. He had fun playing with my brother and sister-in-law's black lab, Kobe. Kobe wasn't always so enthusiastic, but it was good for Columbo to "live" with another dog that actually doesn't want to play all the time.

That's all for now...I think?!
~Kaitlyn & Columbo

So...my next appointment at Stanford is the 22nd of this month. I hope they give me a surgery date but I don't know for sure yet.

Columbo's at GDB being evaluated for his health issues. I started volunteering at Homeward Bound today, a golden retriever rescue. It was pretty fun! I got to take out five different dogs and love on them and walk them.

We're going to Chico this Monday-Wednesday, which is OK I guess, I just hate going there because I have to LEAVE.

I'm signed up for Independent Study, so I'll get to work at my own pace, which (hopefully) will be a little faster than traditional school.
That's pretty much it.
More later.

So, I ended up staying in Chico for three weeks! Well, I wasn't IN Chico the whole time because I went to church camp (which was amazing). In between I stayed with Kathleen and Brandon. It was really nice to be away from "home."
Columbo's been kind of sick so I've been feeding him three times a day trying to get weight back on him.
I was approved for Gastric Bypass, so I'll be having surgery this year! I'm nervous and excited at the same time...
Raelyn was adopted by a lady in Roseville, so we might go see her this weekend! I'm so glad the adopters are keeping in touch!

Summer

Well, so far summer's ok...Columbo's very smart and learning fast (when he's not sleeping). Other than that, it's been quite boring...

This weekend we're headed to Chico, so I'll get to see some friends! When mom and Doug go to Oregon for the Fourth of July I'm going to stay with Kathleen and then maybe Brandon. So I'll be in Chico for about 10 days or so...

I've gotta go get ready for the guide dog meeting,
more later,
Me