Buffy’s Diary

The last post and testament from Buffy

Hello

My name is Buffy.  I am a little over 16 months old.

From the time I was 8 weeks old I lived with my first mom and dad — the Davises.  They loved me and cared for me and fed me.  With them I learned to sit, down, stand, stay, come, heel, over, back, paw, get dressed (sort of) and get busy.  I also learned how to walk on a loose leash. The gave me baths, played with me, fed me, gave me warm places to sleep, knew how to scratch me just right, how to throw the ball just right and gave me yummy treats to eat.

I was a constant companion to my dad.  Together we read the morning news on the computer, defeated the bad guys in video games, got the mail, walked all over Virginia Beach, worked in the garden, took out the trash, raked leaves and gathered sticks, ran errands, enjoyed the sun, frolicked in puddles and ran on the beach.  In the evening I loved to cuddle in his lap and watch whatever was on TV.

I was a cuddle bum to my mom.  I didn’t get to see her as much, but I went to work with her at the church when I could.  I always greeted her with lots of licks and a wagging tail.  I even learned how to be patient and stay sitting and wait for her to come to me.  She and my favourite neighbour Izzie and her human and I went for walks in the neighbourhood.  It took me awhile, but I always calmed down and was able to walk loose leash beside Izzie. In the evenings I would cuddle with mom too and watch TV.  But I was also the best foot warmer with a heartbeat that mom’s ever had.  She told me so!!  In fact, if her feet were really cold, she would find me and stick them under me to warm up.  She said dad didn’t like that when she did it to him.  I think dad liked it when I warmed her feet too.

Mom and Dad helped me learn how to be confident in all places.  They took me to a bunch of different stores once I had my vest.  We went to Target, Lowes, Home Depot, the Bank, the Post Office, Trader Joe’s, Harris Teeter, 7-Eleven, London Bridge Garden Center, Michael’s Beach Hardware, Arby’s, Chick-fil-A, Subway, Murphy’s, Walmart, Perked-Up, Lynnhaven Mall and a bunch of stores in there, Borders, Barnes and Noble and many more places.

With their patient guidance I was mostly able to conquer my only fear — going down stairs.  I really didn’t like working on that one, but now I’m glad they helped me through it, because I can walk up and down stairs easily!

When I was younger, I had a big attitude problem.  I had no trouble telling them what I wanted, when I wanted it and how I wanted it.  Sadly, all barks sound the same to humans, so they didn’t always understand what I wanted.  But they helped me to become a more patient, willing and obedient dog.  In fact I became quite sweet and loveable.  Though, how could you not love me?  Just look at how sweet my face is.

I have stolen countless socks, underwear, shoes, boots, pieces of mail and tv controllers… and phones…. and sunglasses.  Ok I’m a thief.  But I got better at giving what I stole back.  And I don’t steal any more.  Well not as much.  I only stole one thing this morning!

Now it is my time to move on to the next stage of my journey.  This morning I left for Patterson, New York where Guiding Eyes has its Canine Development Center.  I am traveling with Adler, who started lessons in Virginia Beach at the same time I did.  On April 6th I will go through my IFT — a series of tests to see how far I have come in my learning.  The good people at GEB will use these tests to see what kind of job will be best suited for me.  Dad thinks that because I am so beautiful that they will use me to be a brood (or mother) dog.  He also thinks that I will be a “Cover Model” for GEB.  I am not sure what that means exactly, but hey, I am cute.  Mom thinks that because I like to sniff everything that I will work with humans who hunt for stuff and will need my nose to help them.  But after watching the videos of previous dog’s IFTs they think I might just have to what it takes to be a GEB Guide Dog.  Whatever it is, I know that the good people at GEB will have the wisdom to set me on the proper path for the next stage of my journey.

I know mom and dad will be very sad without me at home.  Both of them will be, but mom thinks it will be especially hard for dad.  I spent so much time with him every day, doing everything!  So if you have any furry creatures they can snuggle with, send them their way!  I am glad that the lady that is driving me to New York gave them a little tiny puppy, only 3 months old, to watch for today.  She can’t replace me, but she will be a warm furry body to cuddle with tonight when I’m not there.

I have given mom the password and such for this blog, so as she finds out about my testing and what I’m up to, she will be able to post the information for all of you to read.

Thank you for sharing this part of my journey with me.

With wags and kisses

Buffy (Davis)

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