Hestia's "V" Litter

First off, let me just say that I'm so excited that my momma is coming home in just 4 days! I can't wait to see her. These 4 days are going to go by SO slowly.

But onto the real reason for my post; my sister's "V" litter. Now that all of the puppies have been sent out to their raiser homes I can finally post the names of all of my new nieces and nephews. There are the three little, black boys; VLADIMIR, VIKRAM, and VOLT. Then the two little, black girls; VELDA and VERBENA. And finally the three little, yellow girls; VESTA, VIMKA, and VONDRA.

Hestia with her "V" litter at the GDB whelping kennels. Can you see the family resemblance?

If you'd like to see more pictures of them, check out GDB's flickr album of them here. Momma and I suggested the names Vladimir, Vikram, Volt, and Vesta. *wags* These little boys and girls are super cute! And they'll make their Auntie Hilly so proud! 

My first batch of nieces and nephews should be going in for training sometime in the next month or two or three. I hope they do well.

Love and Lab Kisses,

Hilly

They're All Named

Well, my nieces and nephews are out of the whelping kennel and into the puppy kennels. They are about 7 weeks old and all have names. Now, I know the names but I'm not going to post them up here until I know that they are all out to their raisers in the next couple of weeks. Let's just say...they are all...interesting. But, three of the names that I suggested were used (though I'm pretty sure at least one of those was suggested by more than just me) so I am happy.

Momma comes home in just six and a half weeks! She still hasn't told me about the surprise that she has planned for me this summer. I really wonder what it is. She says that maybe in the next two weeks she'll tell me, but it's so hard for a girl to wait.

A Much Needed Update

Wow, has it really been so long since I last posted?! I guess it has. But I've been so busy being a dog that time just slips away from me a little sometimes. So, I guess it's time for a much needed update.

I became an Auntie again! That's right. My sister, Hestia, gave birth to her second litter for Guide Dogs for the Blind on March 5, 2013. This time she had 3 black boy, 3 yellow girls, and 2 black girls. I don't have any pictures yet, but as soon as I do I'll show you my eight new, beautiful nieces and nephews. They haven't been named yet as they are still only a couple weeks old, but the litter letter is "V". I made some name contributions and wonder if any of them will be used since "V" is a hard letter for names. Maybe one of them will be named "Villy". *wags* Her first litter is now a year old. I know that Fienna, who came to my puppy group, is doing great!

I've had some really bad ear infections lately. This past one took a while to clear up but I'm finally feeling a little better. Momma says that she's sorry she couldn't be with me when I was all sick, but I know that she was thinking about me. Dr. Ramona says that it's probably food allergies that is making my ears hurt all the time. I guess it's not surprising since I have a weak tummy too. So, I'm on special food now. Momma said that she's thinking of putting me on the RAW diet when she gets home...whatever that means.

Speaking of Momma, she's going to be home is just over two months! I'm very excited to see her again and really excited to go to puppy meetings again. She'll be home for the whole summer so I'll be able to go to a lot of them this time! She also says she might have a surprise for me. Oh goody! I hope it's a new toy or some tasty treats.

Besides all of that, it's been pretty dull here. I still go to work every now and again and my "granddad" is off sabbatical (where you get paid not to go to work; how cool is that?) and isn't home during the day anymore. The grandparents might even be going away for a couple of days soon which means a sitter for the three of us. I like it when the sitter comes. We convince them that we're allowed to stay up late and watch scary movies.

That's all for now!

Love and Lab Kisses,
Hilly

My Nieces and Nephews

Hestia snuggling with one of her babies.

 I know it's been a while since I've posted. I've just been so...well, ok I haven't been all that busy. But I have been going to the church with my Grandma Marion whenever I can. My Granddaddy Don says that I'm so good. He came into the office the other day and I didn't move a muscle because I knew I was working. I did get a little excited to see him when we were standing in the actual church, but everyone thought I was cute, so that's ok.

One of Hestia's babies. A little black lab with a white stripe on its chest.

I thought I would give you all an update on my nieces and nephews as well as some pictures (none of which are mine but were all taken by Hestia's momma). They've all gone from the GDB kennels and off to their raising families. I'm still hoping to meet at least one of them, but Momma doesn't think I'll be able to go with her to Fun Day. We'll see though.

One of Hestia's babies at about 4 weeks old. One of her little, yellow labs.

Since they are all out to their raising families I can tell you all their names. Their names Franko, Farley, Fillmore, Finney, Fienna, Freesia, and Fuji. And there is one more, but I just can't remember the name. Some great names thought, from the ones I do remember. I suggested Fillmore and Fuji. Though, there was still a puppy in training named Filly so none of them could be named after me. Haha! I do wish them all the best of luck and I sure hope to all of them graduate one day. As for now my little ones, Auntie Hilly is always proud of you.

Anyway, I leave you with a picture of me laying on my Granddaddy's lap.

Me laying on a lap.

What I Want for My Birthday

Hey everyone! I've been giving it a lot of thought and I've finally decided what I want for my birthday. My momma has the new toys covered so I don't need those. This birthday present is something that all of you, my blogger friends, can help with.

I would absolutely love it if donations were given to Guide Dogs for the Blind in my name. It's really simple to do and it's completely tax deductible!

Here's what you do:

1. Go to the GDB donation page on their website (linked HERE)
2. Choose the "tribute gift" option
3. Once you're redirected to the next page tick the "this is a honor/memorial gift" box
4. You'll be asked to name the honoree; for that put either "CC Hilly's 2nd Birthday" or "Dylan/Aqua "H" Puppies' 2nd Birthday
4. Then fill in the rest of the information

Any amount helps GDB make the perfect match between blind/visually impaired person and dog. Let's flood GDB with honoree donations made out for my second birthday!

At Last!

I'm a proud Auntie of 8 nieces and nephews!!!!!

My sister Hestia with 6 of her newborn pups!

 

Halette, Hestia, and Me!

Wow! It's been a month since I last posted. Unfortunately, it's been he same old story here at home. I got to work with my Grandma three times a week and supervise her work and the other two days are my days off. I sit around the house and sleep. I like those days off, but I also really like going to work with my Grandma.

I have some more news on Hestia and Halette. Remember how Halette was suppose to graduate back in February? Well, something happened and she was taken out of class. I don't really know why, but she's still showing up on the phase reports which means that her perfect person is out there somewhere. I hope he or she gets to Guide Dogs soon. It looks like Halette is going to spend our birthday in the GDB kennels. At least she'll get to get out there an train.

And Hestia? Hestia is at Guide Dogs for her long stay. She's due to give birth to those puppies any day now! Look at how big she was on the day her Momma dropped her off at Guide Dogs. I hope those puppies get here soon. I really can't wait to meet them...if I get to meet them. 

Hestia looking all run down and HUGE! She's ready to pop those babies out!

 Oh! Also, this is a picture of Hestia on her new ramp. She got so big that she couldn't jump into the car anymore. Haha! If she's anything like me, not being able to hop would kill her. I'm sure she is ready to have her babies.

Hestia using her ramp to get into her car. She was 80lbs! That's huge for us tiny dogs.

That's all for now. I'm trying to think of a big birthday celebration post. I've been trying to think of what I want and I think I've almost decided. But I'll let you know closer to my birthday!

Love and Lab Kisses,
Hilly

News of Halette and Hestia

I'm feeling really proud of my sisters right now! Wanna know why?

First off, my sister Halette is graduating as a Guide on February 18, 2012 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus in San Rafael, CA. Go Halette!!!! I knew her perfect person would find her soon. I'm so happy she'll be home for her birthday (which is also my birthday since we're sisters). I really, really wish I could go up to San Rafael and see her graduate, but I'm sure I'll get to see pictures. It's not as good, but it's also not too bad. I'll be cheering her on in spirit.

Halette is the last of our litter to graduate. That means that Halette and Hermes are Guides, Hestia is a Breeder, and Hana (medical), Hanalei (medical), Havasu (temperament), and myself (behavior issues) are all Career Changes. Not a bad litter if I do say so myself.

Now on to Hestia. Hestia had her ultrasound the other day. You know what it said? It said she's gonna have 5-6 puppies! I'm gonna be an aunt to 5 or 6 cutie pie puppies (well, they are related to me so they have to be cuties). I'm so excited! Maybe I'll even be able to name one of them. I think it would be cool if they were also "H" puppies and one of them was named "Hilly" after their coolest aunt!

A picture of Hestia's Ultrasound. It shows one of her puppies!

That's all the updates for now. Momma is trying to get my Grandma Amy to take me with her to a cabin for a weekend. She thinks I would have so much fun and I have to say, I don't disagree at all!

Love and Lab Kisses,

Hilly 

I'm Gonna be an Auntie!

You guys remember my sister HESTIA right? Of course you do! Remember, I told you that she became and official Breeder for GDB.

Hestia in her Breeder scarf. Her Momma and my Momma say that we're almost twins!

 Well, Hestia had her first "date" the other week! Her "date" was with a lab named JOPLIN. My momma says that Joplin is a yellow lab so maybe I'll have some yellow nieces and/or nephews!

The Pregnany Brood Care sheet Hestia's Momma got back from GDB. It says the name of the daddy, when the puppies are due (12 March 2012), when Hestia needs to be back at GDB, and when she should get her ultrasound.

Momma and myself are really hoping that at least one of her puppies (and my nieces and/or nephews) makes their way to us. Or at least, near us. It would be great if someone in my puppy group got one of my nieces or nephews! I'm so excited!!!! The pups are due just eleven days before our second birthday. March is going to be such a great month!

I'll let you know how many pups we can expect as soon as possible. I hope March comes quickly!

My Fantastic Family

I wanted to share some news about my wonderful family.

A family picture. From left to right: Halette, Hestia, Me!, Hanalei, and Hana. We're all with our raisers.

At Fun Day this year I got to see most of my siblings. I didn't get to see my two sisters Hibachi and Havasu (because she was Career Changed before Fun Day) and my brother Hermes had been turned in for his formal Guide training right before our litter meeting (bummer!). But I did get to see Hestia, Hanalei, Hana, and Halette. 

Hestia (a black lab)

Hanalei (a black lab)

Hana (a black lab)

Halette (a black lab)

We are all very little girls and we found out we have some similar personality traits. It was a lot of fun. As you know after Fun Day I was Career Changed for...being too friendly with other dogs (I just can't help it! They all look so much fun and I really, really want to play with them). But I thought I would give you an update on the rest of the Fam.

My Daddy Dylan was retired from Breeding at GDB. I heard they were all sad because Dylan was a good daddy and had great puppies. I would have to say that I agree with that statement. My Momma Aqua had her second litter of puppies. Halette and Hermes were the first to go back in for training. Halette was dropped from breeding and put back into formal Guide training. She's about halfway through her training! Hermes is in the last part of training which means he's class ready and could graduate anytime! Then Hanalei went into training. Unfortunately, Hanalei was dropped from breeding and guide work because of a cataract in her right eye. (She went home to her raisers just like me!) I haven't heard anything about Hana, but Momma is trying to find out what happened to her. I found out recently that Hestia was accepted as a GDB Breeder! Hooray! That's a pretty successful litter if you ask me. *Grin* I have an amazing family.

I hope that Momma gets to raise one of Hestia's babies when she comes back. I can't wait to her when my first litter of nieces and nephews are born!

Love and Lab Kisses,

Hilly