Bringing Corky Home

Yesterday we picked up puppy Corky.  He is named in honor of Corky Taylor, Vice President at BB&T Insurance Services by the BB&T Insurances Services Walkathon team in appreciation for his long standing support for Southeastern Guide Dogs.  Already Corky, the puppy, has shown himself to be a self confident, friendly, and sweet natured puppy.  I'm sure Corky, the human, shares many of those same qualities!

Tara at Southeastern was very kind to let us do our pickup on Friday afternoon, which we so appreciated!  We wanted to have the long weekend to get over some of the sleepless nights associated with a new puppy, but thankfully, that puppy program is amazing and Corky slept through the night (almost).  He slept from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.!

Cheryl and Corky say hello with a kiss.

Tara said his report card said Corky was a confident pup and sweet natured.  We are finding that to be true.  He also seems to possess much more common sense than our career changed dog Jam does!  Already today I think Corky has rolled his eyes at Jam more than once as if to say, "Really?"

Corky settles into Fred's arms in contentment.

Corky and Fred got along great from the get go.  Could that be because Corky's dog dad is named Fred as well?  Who's to say?!

Corky gives Fred a big smooch.

Fred is in love! (Fred smiling at Corky)

Cheryl leans in to kiss Corky who is in Fred's arms.

Corky was very calm through all the meet and greet.  We even had a couple of dear friends with us to photograph the moment: Michele, my teacher friend, and her son Kelland.  They have been there for all of our puppy pickups either in coordinating them, sponsoring them or being there when we got them.  So, even though they moved to another school this year, it was only fitting that they met us to get a glimpse of Corky!

Corky and Kelland.

Michele and Kelland and Corky

Michele and Kelland and Corky

Corky did get a little frisky with the camera and I got a nose shot.  It was kinda cute.

As I mentioned, the puppy program is fabulous.  Corky already knows sit, is working on stand and has a basic understanding of down.  He sat for the car.

Corky walks up to the car.

Fred asking Corky to sit.

Corky sits.

Corky only tried to jump up twice.  Then he settled right down and played with the toys we brought for him.  He loves the set of keys. He must be a car guy! We'll have to ask his sponsor about that! haha!

He got along great with Duke.

We stopped off at Melisa's to pick up Jam and he met Duke and got Duke and Melisa approval.

Corky's first portrait.  He has a lovely smile.

He's a go getter. He's tail never stops wagging.  He's curious and friendly.  We just love him and can't wait to tell you more about him!

Jam's first Corky photo bomb.

Sounds of Breakfast

By Fred
After a pretty good first night--Corky slept through to about 4:30am--we had our first breakfast. What could be going through that little puppy mind, with so many new things, new people, new routines? And in particular, breakfast time offers up plenty of new smells and sounds, starting with our Vitamix blender, which has as much horsepower and attitude as our lawnmower, chewing through frozen fruit with a determination to wake the neighbors. But Corky was amused. So far, he is a very brave little guy. Then the espresso machine started hissing and coffee beans started grinding. Ears perked up and still the waggy tail. I love this dog.

Corky sat and waited like a big boy for his breakfast (with more patience than his new brother, Jam). And after breakfast we went outside and he pooped right away. (He did the same for Cheryl last night.) The puppy people at Southeastern are doing a fabulous job training these guys. It really makes a difference for us.

Unfortunately, our happy day yesterday was mixed with some sad news about our friend, Dave. We wish him the best and fastest possible recovery.

Chapter 6 of the McLean Puppy Chronicles Start on Friday

Friday, Fred and I will go down to Southeastern Guide Dogs to pick up our sixth guide dog puppy to raise.  His name will be Corky.  We will get the sponsorship papers and find out why he is named Corky, because for the first time in a long time, he won't be sponsored by my school.

Corky's mom is named Sugar and his dad is Fred.  So naturally we think this is a match mad in heaven. 8-)

The protocols for raising a puppy have changed substantially, so we are busy rereading the manual to make sure that we understand what it is that we need to do to raise up a confident, happy puppy.

I went yesterday to buy two new baby gates as ours had finally fallen apart.  Coach and Dewey and Jam had taken their toll on them and the last one had finally given up the ghost.

Fred and I talked about what puppy toys I needed to buy before Friday came.  Just to have on hand for baby Corky. It has been a long break for us. We usually get a puppy right away.

We are very anxious to see our new little guy. Here's to a great, fun year!

Dewey's Report Card

By Fred
We got some news about Dewey yesterday that made us smile and breathe a sigh of relief--his first report card. Dewey is our quirky, shy child, just the opposite of our charismatic Jam in some ways but with the same desire to please and be loved. We weren't sure how he would do at the kennels, whether he would be stressed and overwhelmed. So far, he seems to be on the right track, and his trainer seems to understand him:

Dewey is such a sweet and easygoing boy! He is always so excited to go work. He is getting along very well with his roommate and behaves very nicely in the field and during feeding time. He's quickly learning the skills he's taught on route, and his forward response has improved with each route (initially he just wanted to hang out beside me, sweet boy). I look forward to working with him more in the coming months!

I can never say enough good things about the trainers. They are amazing, and we appreciate everything they've done, not just with Dewey.

So, back to more breath-holding and waiting for the next report card. We love you, little man. You can do it.