Our Girl is Off to College

Well, the day we have been training the last 19 months for has come and gone. I still find myself wiping a myriad of tears (happy, sad, hopeful, anxious, the list goes on). Mariko is probably the most amazing dog I have ever met. She blessed our lives every day that she was in it. There was never a day I doubted that we were the ones that were destined to raise her, nor do I doubt she will do great things in whatever it is she chooses to do. As Dr. Seuss would say, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Well, there are tears but I would not trade them for never having her bless our lives. We are richer because she was with us for such a short time. Mariko, we will ALWAYS love you, and we will NEVER forget you.

Good luck goof girl. We will miss you every single day, but know you are destined to do great things. Thank you for loving us and for letting us love you!

Reflection

Today, as I complete the pile of paperwork we just received from Canine Companions of Independence for Mariko's matriculation to Advanced training, I find my emotions so close to the surface that they spill over the top anytime I think or talk about this amazing puppy we have.

I have been able to complete only single pages from the pile before I need to put it away for a little while, hug this mass of fur and kisses, and reflect on this incredible journey she has taken us through.

I'm afraid the next 6 weeks will be a roller coaster for us, filled with tears, hugs, laughs, and incredible memories. I find myself looking back to the beginning of this blog and remembering the instantaneous joy we felt the first time she was in our arms, or simply just by our side.

All of our dogs have brought such love and joy to our lives, but oh what a ride Mariko has taken us on.

Such a wonderful soul this incredible puppy is!!!!!

Having a Fun Summer

We can't believe that summer is finally here. It is bitter sweet, since we turn Mariko in in just a little over one month. I find myself trying to savor every moment with this silly puppy, and the little things don't seem to matter so much any more . . . she seems almost perfect to me now.

We had the opportunity to attend a conference at a mountain resort with about 1200 attendees this last week. Mariko was, of course, an amazing dog during the entire conference. I even had a couple of presentation where she curled up in a corner behind the podium and no one even knew she was there. Such an amazing dog.

Settling into the hotel room upon arrival

Conference mascot

Special guest . . . MC Hammer. Mariko had so much fun

Beautiful view from the resort

Happy to be back to work

Not going to lie . . . I am going to miss this amazing puppy!

Random Pictures

Well, time is flying by so fast. Mariko is turning into such a well-behaved dog. People are constantly commenting about how calm she is. Yes, she can still be a wild, crazy puppy when she is playing with the other dogs or happens to get a severe case of the zoomies; but for the most part, she is just plain AWESOME.

Just chilling at work.

Such a good girl.

My BFF. Sat down for a minute and there she was.

Getting some extra loving!

Her favorite way to pass the day.

 

This is how we sleep.

Chilling at her first agility trial.

More loving.

Wait, don't stop rubbing my ears!

We call this "the zone."

Okay, I'm cute, more ear rubbing, please.

Yes!!! Heaven.

Being Good at Work

It occurred to me today that I haven't posted any pictures of Mariko and our morning routine. Each morning we walk down to the cafeteria and get ice and water, sometimes breakfast. This morning she was being good and practicing "under" while we waited for breakfast.

She is such an awesome girl!

Finally an Update

Wow, have we had a busy Spring and I have been really bad about updating information for this silly puppy.

She is really maturing and can be such an unbelievably awesome dog. I have had a few doctor visits in the past month and she has been exceptional. She will stay where I ask her to until she is released. She doesn't necessarily love working, but she doesn't seem to mind it either.

Being good because mom forgot the gentle leader.

First day back to work after travel is always interesting because I'm usually not prepared and rushing out the door. This last trip was no exception and I left this beautiful girl's gentle leader on the counter. She was superb this day and let me handle her on a flat collar. There was no pulling and she stayed by my side while we were out and about. She's so AWESOME!

Practicing stay during a presentation mom was giving.

We were able to practice more stay with distraction while giving a presentation. I'm glad we have been able to do this in an environment in which she is familiar, as I have a couple or presentation next month at a conference where I will need a dependable stay from her. We've talked and she has assured me she is more than capable and will make me look great :-)

Mariko's first agility trial. 

Bailey had a three day agility trial here in Logan this last weekend, so we brought Mariko along for a bit of socialization and distractions in a variety of shapes and sizes. She was pretty excited at first, but we had her kennel under the canopy and she settled right in as if she had been doing this forever.

Mariko's favorite pass-the-time activity

What can I say. Mariko continue to love being loved (and we continue to love loving her). She will come over and flop down when issued a "cradle" command for lots and lots of loving.

Mariko just being Mariko

Oh my, how we love this goofy puppy!

Still a Silly Girl

It has been a crazy month. Mariko is doing very well, she seems to understand the separation of work (with her vest on) and home (which always means play). She's really starting to check in as well when I am talking with someone or if someone asks to pet her. I can leave her confidently and walk away, she consistently stays when left (well, I actually haven't child tested her stays yet, I'm afraid that is still a little much to ask, ha ha). She's such a great dog.

Seems to enjoy the world more when she's upside down.

How can this be comfortable?

Such an Awesome Dog!

Another fun few weeks with this silly puppy. We had Spring break the week of April 1st, so Mariko didn't have to work much. She was able to stay home and play with the new puppy, a lot.

New puppy seems to always be pulling on Mariko's face. She just lays there.

She continues to be such a source of laughter at our house. I was on the east coast for a couple of days this week and when I returned home and had a couple of minutes to "kick back" Mariko decided she wanted to "hang out" at my feet. I couldn't stop laughing at how she decided to get comfortable.

Front leg under the couch.

Let's see if we can get the back leg under there as well.

Yesterday afternoon I had a doctor appointment, and of course, Mariko was with me. Doctor wanted to take some X-rays of my neck while I was there, so the nurse took me down to the X-ray lab. I asked the technician if it would be okay for Mariko to stay out in the room where the techs go while x-rays are being taken and she told me it would be fine. I put Mariko in a down/stay outside of the door where I was and she quietly waited for me until we were finished (even with the tech running back and forth between rooms). I was so proud of her, she didn't attempt to get up or come out of her stay, even though I was out of her sight (she could hear me, though).

What an awesome puppy she is :-)

Is She More Special Than Children

So, we have a rule at our house and that is: the pillows that came with the couch are NOT head pillows. If you are going to recline on the couch, the pillows need to be on the floor and NOT under your head :-)

Last night, I sent a couple of pictures of Mariko to our daughter in graduate school. She doesn't get to see her Mariko as much as she would like. Her question to me was: "How come she gets to use the pillows and we don't?" Hmmm, not sure how to answer that other than, "How do you say NO to that face?" Besides, she doesn't get to be on the couch :-)

Just love this puppy!

Got Sick This Week

Not sure what was going on with this girl this week, but Friday she wasn't feeling very well. We had a vet appointment anyway for shots, so he took a good look at her and decided that she had a "tummy" bug, gastritis or pancreatitis  :-( He put her on some anti-nausea meds for a couple of days and some antibiotics. She was doing much better on Saturday and by Sunday was almost back to normal. I hate it when they don't feel good :-(

Grocery Shopping, such a beautiful girl!

Getting some lovin after nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing.

Such a tough life! I love snuggling with this puppy!

Another Great Week

We had another fun week with this puppy, especially Karlee, who has spoiled her beyond belief. Those two have really been hanging out way too much :-)

Gangster Mariko

I was getting ready to leave for work yesterday morning and this is where I found Mariko (instead of waiting by the back door).

Karlee's room is on the other side of the gate

Last Thursday we attended a conference at Utah Valley University. Mariko was on her best behavior and slept under my chair the entire time (even though it was the first 70 degree, sunshiney day, that we have had in a VERY long time).

Boring!

Haven't figured out yet why she loves being on her back so much, but she truly does.

Maybe someone will notice and play ball.

Saturday night we had the opportunity to attend a Jazz basketball game in Salt Lake and decided it would be a great experience for Mariko. She did great (she was much better with the crowds than I was).

Snoozing under the stadium seats

She did sneak out from under the seat once to "peek" over the seat in front of us to see what was going on. She just needed a quick look and then she was good again. She is so funny!

I wonder what's going on out there.