Cameron's IFT Picture

Here is my sweet boy!!

Cameron's Training Report 1/13/11

I got Cameron's first training report yesterday and I also got his IFT picture! I was super excited when I found his picture in the mail, unfortunately, I will have to wait until tomorrow or another day to post it. It will be soon. His training report goes a little something like this:

TRAINING REPORT
DOG: Cameron	Tattoo: 3N09	Date: Jan. 13, 2011
Training Phase: Phase 1

++ - exceeding expectations + - meeting expectations W=working on

Accepts harness	+
Forward	+
Straight line concept	+
Left	+
Right	+
Down curbs	+
Up curbs
Clearances
Traffic
Indoor mall
Off curb Travel
Left, Left
Right, Right
Stairs
Escalators
Underfootings	+
Food scavenging
Obedience	+
Distractions:
Scent
People
Small animal
Dog
Children
Kennel behavior	+

COMMENTS: Cameron is eating well in the kennel. He loves to play with his brothers. He is progressing well in his guide dog training.

I am very proud of my boy!!! Keep praying for him to keep moving on in his training in whatever career he chooses.

Cameron's Mom

Cameron is dashing on Twitpic

Cameron is dashing on Twitpic

New News

I got some really great news today about Cameron....he passed his hip X-Rays!!!! I am so excited and proud. I have been so worried that he wouldn't knowing that it is out of my control either way, but as a puppy raiser, you can't help but feeling that way. He and two others have passed (one of whom is his sister), one dog is still pending on his hips, and there is a list of 8 dogs who will be Career Changed (another of his sisters is on this list).

The ones who are Career Changed will be evaluated for the Paws for Patriots program, which means that they can go to a veteran who are either visually impaired or need assistance otherwise based on that student's needs. It will still be nice for these dogs to have a job in life. I wish all of these dogs well in their adventures doing whatever it was meant for them to do in life.

Will blog again soon when I get more information,
Cameron's mom

Merry Christmas/ Pray for Cameron

I got news from my Area Coordinator saying that the hip X-Rays are pending on both Cameron and Spunky. What this means is that Cameron and Spunky with both have to have a second opinion to see if their hips are good enough to pass them on to the next phase of training. If not, then they will be Career Changed due to hip displasia. Cameron is not the only one in his litter having this problem, all but one of his littermates are needing a second opinion. I know of one that has already been Career Changed. I got a response from a fellow puppy raiser telling me that two of the dogs have passed, I hope Cameron is one of them. She has raised his sister, Cheyanne, and is planning to adopt her if she is Career Changed. I really do want him to pass but, on the other hand, I know he will be right where he is supposed to be if he does not. It is really saddening to think about my dog being Career Changed, but I know he will make someone very happy. Oh well, I guess they can't all become guide dogs. :( I have to remember to put his best interest first.

On a brighter note, it is Christmas after all and I should be happy that I am spending time with my family and that Cameron is happy at the school. Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year!

This month has a couple of very special days in it (in my view anyway): December 23rd- Benjamin's (my first guide dog puppy that I raised) birthday (he is now 4), December 24th- Christmas Eve which means there is gift exchanging with my family, December 25th- Christmas Day and Jesse's (Hugh's blind owner) birthday. It has been good for me so far.

Merry Christmas to All!!!!
Cameron's mom

p.s.I will let you know more on Cameron as I find out. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Blue Coat Journal Photos

Cameron's mom here,

A trainer at Southeastern Guide Dogs has posted some pictures of the new IFT dogs on the Blue Coat Journal site (guide dog blog). Cameron is on there with some of his littermates and a picture of Spunky! If you would like to check it out, here is the site to go to: http://guidedogsblog.blogspot.com/

Cameron's picture is the 5th picture down and Spunky's picture is directly below his. Our boys are looking great and it appears they are having a wonderful time at the school playing in the yard with each other.

So nice for an update, I know. It made me so happy to see my boy on the Blue coat Journal! I am excited and so proud of him! It looks like he is in the main kennel now (Phase 2 of his training). He should be working his routes now. :) Hope he does well.

Take care,
Cameron's Mom

Pictures

Here are some pictures of Cameron that another raiser sent me:


Me and Cameron together before he went on puppy camp.


Cameron in the back of her car.

I sure do miss my boy. No news yet, but I guess that's a good thing. I have to keep telling myself that. I am sure he is adjusting well at the school. They haven't said he has been career changed yet, so that's good. As soon as I get his progress report, I will be sure to post it on here.

Take care,
Cameron's mom