The application is in and pre-requisites fulfilled - training sessions, home visit, and puppy-sitting - now it's a matter of waiting for a pup. In order to track the process (ok, and because I'm getting too excited to just wait patiently!), I went to the website for the Canine Development Center in Patterson, NY.

This is where it all begins in the GEB breeding program. I knew that most of the pups were born at the center and puppy-tested before being matched with their raiser. What I didn't know is that it's not one short test. It is a weeklong process with 2-4 testing cycles and many people involved. Between tests, the pups go out to "socialization homes" where they work on improving any weak points shown. Once testing is complete, the pups' test results go out to the regional evaluators. Our evaluator, Robin, has my application and will use my info and the puppy test results to make a match between the perfect puppy and me!

I am in awe of the detail that is used to make these matches. Will this 7-week-old puppy make a better guide dog, family pet or other working dog? Will that pup fit better into my office lifestyle, a schoolteacher's, or that of a large stay at home family? Once grown and trained, which guide and person will make the best working team? It is continuous evaluation during the dogs' first two years, combined with the dedicated reviewers (along with much follow up for validation), that make these matches successful.

Puppies (and dogs) may be released from the program for many reasons. It takes a very special set of characteristics to make a guide dog. Many health or other problems that are minor and wouldn't faze most of us in our companion dog can trigger release from a guide dog career. These guides are truly remarkable dogs!

While I wait, I keep attending training classes and puppy sitting. Yoga came to stay once more with me. She's now 7 months old. Again it was difficult to catch a shot of her playing with Washington, so I used the video capture feature of my Kodak P880 once they settled in one spot to "rest".

Before this it was dog chasing cat, cat chasing dog, dog chasing tail with cat batting dog head as it revolved by the couch-

Of course, I also have to re-decorate my office to be puppy-safe. Wires on the floor need to be moved out of the way of a puppy's teeth. Paper can no longer be piled in the corner until my next trip to the recycle bin (unless I want them pre-shredded, of course!). I welcome other ideas on my doggie-décor office makeover.

And just as I finish this entry, I receive a phone call that "Paxton" is my match. He is a 9-week-old black Labrador Retriever. Life is just about to get a whole lot more exciting!

Paxton was exhausted after his 6-hour ride from Patterson with his littermate Pekoe.

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