We’ve been settling in both at home and at work.  New routines all around.

In addition the the warm welcome home, we received a very warm welcome at the office.  See the super-cute welcome card below.  Everyone there has been great — giving Linen the space he needs to adjust to this new environment and level of activity.

Linen has his own little cubby below my computer workstation and keeps an eye on things from there.

It started snowing on our second working walk to the office (see video link below).  Still snowing out there now!  I’ve got his boots and coat ready for the trek home.  This sure isn’t California?!?   cheers, Laurie & Linen

Juli made this very, very cute welcome card. It has a little yellow construction-paper dog with big eyes and a GDB harness. The text of the card says, “Welcome back Laurie! Welcome to work Linden!”

Linen is relaxing under Lauries desk. Corner desk with lots of space for a comfy dog bed.

Here’s an action-packed video of Linen working a residential street crossing on the way to the office.

click here –>  morning walk to work    Linen and Laurie navigating a street crossing in a residential area  on the way to campus.  Linen navigates the down-curb and up-curb with purpose and grace!

Team L&L posing for a shot in the snow outside of Memorial Hall on Whitman campus.

Linen and Laurie standing as it snows. Laurie in a pink jacket with Linen standing to her left with his slicker and harness.

Great day in the sun!  Relaxing, resting, and reviewing the day.  Here’s a couple pics before bed.  Good night…  xxoo, Laurie

Linen on his big, blue bean bag. Resting after a long day.

Linen with his head on his big, blue bean bag. Snoozing.

Good morning sunshine!

Linen and I and I are sitting at my classmate’s house just outside of Berkeley.  We’re five minutes away from the BART station so will be walking from here to BART and practicing our light rail transit.

We are going do some more escalator training today, and then Linden and I will be practicing the college campus routes which are more like pathways. Sometimes dogs don’t interpret them as a sidewalk and treat them as if they’re a road.

It’s 50° out where we are sitting in this beautiful yard – kind of Japanese-style garden… jus perfect.  

Linen looking at the camera — solid stance with his harness and curious eyes showing his willingness to help.

Linen is doing an amazing job.  Yesterday when we were doing our downtown route – we were learning to deal with cars cutting in front of us, cars backing in front of us, and cars crossing sidewalks and crosswalks.  He was stellar.  He’s such a good dog.

Laurie lap is at the bottom of the picture and Linen is standing in front of her looking out of the frame – watching classmates learn new skills. Anxiously awaiting his turn to show off.

Yesterday’s night route was really really fun.  It was a busy little downtown.  Lots of smells from the restaurants, music people outside, dining and talking, and gas fire places.  Again, he just rolled his way through it and marched me forward when I said forward and helped me avoid running into any obstacles that were in the way.  

Then later yesterday, we met with the veterinarian.   They gave me all of Linen’s history, including info about his delay last November (when we were originally supposed to be matched up).   I feel really grateful for how much testing and everything they worked through with him.  He has a great baseline.  He is now totally healthy.  He weighed in at 74.3 pounds — so we managed to wear off point-one in a week!   He’s 26 inches tall.  I was assured that he’s in great health and in great shape.  This means my job when we get home keeping him active.  I know what to keep an eye on so we can get stronger and stay healthy.  That’s all for now.   Have a great day.    cheers, Laurie

Out for night training and we made quick stop outside of a flower shop.  And someone asked about guiding in snow?  Check out the cool boots!  The boots are good to protect Linen’s feet and pads from ice chunks and getting irritated by sidewalk snow-melt chemicals — they can be use whenever the terrain could harm his feet.

Laurie in her reflective night/rain jacket giving Linen a hug in front of a wall of valentines flowers.

Laurie is wearing a pink rain jacket standing to the right of Linen. Linen is rocking his cool new protective boots.

Just a quick post this morning to let every one know my guide’s name and get a few pictures out.  

Linen is a very good-lookin’ dog.  A male, yellow lab retriever. Just a bit over 74 lbs.  

More to follow, as time allows.   cheers!  Laurie

Laurie is wearing a Life is Good t-shirt with paw prints replacing the letter O’s. She is sitting on a park bench with Linen sitting to her left.

Laurie wearing a dark blue Life is Good shirt with paw prints replacing the O’s. She’s sitting on the floor in front of a couch with Linen relaxing next to her right side.