Vinson by the Numbers

Day 1 at home

• 10,000 Vinson business cards handed out
• 3,000 “sit” commands
• 1,100 poops picked up
• 388 days of puppy love
• 350 blog posts
• 270 trips to The Seeing Eye
• 200 pounds of dog food
• 30 close human friends at The Seeing Eye
• 24 car interior cleanings
• 18 puppy club meetings
• 15 Nylabones well-used
• 10 trips to the vet
• 6 leg splints
• 4 different crates
• 3 pairs of footwear “altered”
• 3 cats annoyed
• 2 dog beds shredded
• 2 leashes destroyed
• 2 clothing items eaten
• 1 Christmas tree knocked over 
• 1 hurricane lived through
• 1 Seeing Eye holiday card feature
• 1 incredibly special goal

Would we do it all again? You bet!

The Big Day!

Today is the big day we've been working toward since that special day - April 18, 2011 - when tiny, 7-pound Vinson entered our lives.

At noon today, Vinson's area coordinator, Jill, will meet Sarah and I in my office at The Seeing Eye to officially bring Vinson to the kennel. There, his processing will begin - health screening, neutering and evaluation, after which he'll be ready to be matched with a trainer.

We'll be posting any information we receive about Vinson's progress along the way. We're keeping our fingers crossed that he'll be able to focus on his job and be a great success, but no matter how everything turns out we're super proud of him!

Here's a photo of Vinson playing with two Great Danes in the big field this morning!

Vinson and the Danes

Ball with Garcia

Vinson had a chance to play ball with Garcia one more time today at lunch. As always, the two of them had a blast together!

Field of Dreams

Throughout Vinson's time as a puppy he's had the great opportunity to run and play in a very large, safe field at The Seeing Eye. As his call-back date comes very close (this Thursday, May 10!) I've been giving the little guy some extra play time (okay, I've been giving myself a little extra play time with Vinson!).

This morning we had a great time playing ball and Vinson plopped down to rest among a sea of flowering dandelions, making for a nice photo...

Vinson, smiling as usual!

Final Puppy Club Meeting

Vinson attended his final puppy club meeting last night and had a blast as usual. He did great at most of the routines, while some younger pups reminded Sarah and I just how far he's come. The club members wished him well in the next part of his adventure.

Super excited to greet the pups

Proudly demonstrating the puppy circle

Chance Meeting

Vinson and I just ran into Vinson's dad while outside on lunch! The two met briefly and then went their separate ways.

One Incredible Year: Vinson's Anniversary with Us

Remember this tiny pup?!

One year ago today tiny Vinson came to our home. We knew he would change lots about our daily lives but we never could've predicted how many experiences we'd have and how much we and he would learn in the year to come: Potty training, broken leg, ingesting underwear... it might sound like a tough bit of work but it's been nothing but a pleasure overall.

We're sure proud of how far Vinson has come. Now we'll see where he goes from here.

Vinson's Pal, Garcia, Featured in Seeing Eye Video

Garcia in a Race Car from the video

Vinson didn't make it into the latest Seeing Eye video, but his great friend Garcia did, and he has a "speaking" role!

Check out the short video on The Seeing Eye's YouTube channel.

May 10. The Date.

Just spoke with our Area Coordinator, Jill. Vinson's recall date is officially Thursday, May 10. Exciting. Sad. Momentus. Here we go...

Easter "Cousin"

Vinson came along to Easter dinner and spent the afternoon playing with his "cousin", a Shih Tzu named Stewart. Like Vinson and Watson, the two made an odd but happy couple!

Vinson and Stewart

Dog Day Afternoon

Vinson, Watson and I made a visit to Pat and Garcia's house over the weekend. Pat was pet-sitting for two dogs - a chocolate Lab and a cockapoo - and had his own dogs - Garcia, Tye, Minnow, so between us we had a house of seven dogs for the afternoon. What a riot!

Vinson and Watson loved the company and took advantage of the fenced yard to run and play with their new and old pals.

A kitchen full of dogs while Pat cooks

Great New Friends

This morning Vinson had a special opportunity to say hello to the current SESY (Seeing Eye Seminar for Youth) class at The Seeing Eye. A few times a year, The Seeing Eye hosts high school students who are blind or visually impaired for a seminar that includes a chance to experience traveling with a Seeing Eye dog.

Vinson and I entered the meeting room while the students were on break. They immediately noticed the sound of a dog on leash entering the room, and Vinson quickly assumed his spot as the center of attention - petting and lots of kisses ensued.

Another touching Seeing Eye moment...

New Vinson Spring Banner on SeeingEye.org

Vinson's latest banner features a spring theme and is now in rotation on the SeeingEye.org homepage. I used a photo of Vinson and combined it with a shot of two blooming daisies, one of which has a bright red lady bug on it.

and then the Phone Rang

Just got off the phone with Jill, our Puppy Development Area Coordinator. It was the call we knew would be coming soon; Vinson is being summoned back to The Seeing Eye for processing into the training program!

This is a monumental moment in the puppy raising process - the goal we've been shooting for but the bittersweet moment when Vinson's time with us must come to an end.

The Seeing Eye provides raisers with an adequate return window of time to accomodate family planning and allow for flexibility. Vinson must be handed over to Jill between April 23 and May 10.

It should be said that being called back for training does not guarantee Vinson will complete the program. He will go through thorough medical and behavioral evaluations, and then move on to harness training. At any point during this time a problematic issue could eliminate him from guide consideration. But for now, aside from his wild puppy energy, we have no reason to think our little friend won't go on to do big things. And if he doesn't, he's got a permanent home with Sarah, Watson and myself on standby.

Once Vinson goes in, I will no longer be able to interact with him as that can cause distraction and interfere with the need for him to bond with his trainer. This will be difficult for me since I will inevitably see him around campus.

My hope is to have some kennel and training staff share information which I can post on this blog so we can all learn about our pup's experience once they leave us. 

It's just a few weeks now... Stay tuned. The part that people always ask us about is coming.

Airport Video

Here's some video from Vinson's adventures in the airport.

Vinson Goes to the Airport

Newark Airport, a set on Flickr.

If you prefer, you can view all the photos as a slideshow.

In this morning's sunshine many Seeing Eye puppy raising clubs assembled at Newark Liberty Airport for a special outing and new sights and sounds. We had a fantastic turnout with enough raisers and pups to fill four airport buses - I'd guess 90 people and 50+ pups!

This is a very special opportunity to bring these puppies through many experiences in a short time: We circled giant fire and rescue trucks on the tarmac, rode on buses, walked through line queues, experienced slick floor tiles, waited in lines, walked through a tunnel and actually boarded an airliner!

Vinson did very well overall, but in true "Vinny" form, he had a plan to steal the show. While not the only pup to do so, Vinson was the first in the crew to "take care of business" on airport grounds. Despite careful preparation and timing in our morning routine, Vinson pooped on the big sidewalk right out front of the terminal. Not to be outdone, others followed, but Vinson made sure he was the first. A quick cleanup and we were on our way inside.

The above photos show many of the moments from today - I have video clips that I'll post shortly. Special thanks to the club leaders, the raisers, the pups and the good folks at the Port Authority, United Airlines and Newark Airport for a great experience.

Morning Moment

Vinson starts every day like it's going to be the best day yet - smiling, tail wagging and ready to meet and greet the world. Early this morning as we made our way down the long corridor at The Seeing Eye we met up with a large group of students in the new class. The students could hear Vinson's jingling collar and his expressive breathing as he got closer; they asked if they could meet him.

Since the class began yesterday, the students don't have their dogs yet, so interference was not the concern it normally would be for me when working Vinson around class activities. Vinson proudly went directly into the center of the group and made himself comfortable for petting and kisses.

Big smiles were on all faces - including mine and Vinson's - as the students headed out for a morning of training and we headed up to get to work. Another wonderful Vinson moment.

Changing Seasons. Barking Reasons.

With the wildly warm March weather I opened up the windows at home the last few nights and this brought on a new barking behavior. Along with the fresh breeze, the sounds of neighborhood dogs barking also drift in the windows.

Vinson does not bark at other dogs when meeting them or seeing them from a distance, but apparently hearing them without seeing them is a trigger for his bark response. Just goes to show that there are still things to work on regardless of puppy age.

Beyond that, Vinson is visibly maturing and settling down somewhat. Experienced raisers always tell me to expect Vinson to begin to behave really well, just about the time he returns for training. Looks like that may just be the case...

Sharing the Spotlight: Watson Turns Two

Watson loves to squeeze into cozy spots where he shouldn't fit!

Not to be outdone by Vinson's recent birthday, Watson is two years old today and he'll be celebrating with some extra play in the big field on lunch break. Happy birthday, big fella!

On the Ball...

Vinson continues to grow and mature and is starting to look a lot more like his big buddy, Garcia, than the little wild pup he was just a few months ago. Still, hillarity happens.

Vinson had extra energy today since I wasn't able to properly exercise him yesterday, so we headed to The Seeing Eye field this morning. Vinson loved retrieving the ball in the balmy spring air, but at one point he dropped the ball and didn't immediately return to me - a sure sign that he's looking for a place to "park". After he parked I moved in with the bag, but when I got close to the ball I could see why Vinson was staring at it, puzzled. He had somehow managed to poo right on top of the ball.

They sure keep you smiling - somehow even when it's a gross "prank"!