"M" Names

We have names!! These are not official until the puppies turn in, but they will most likely be their names:

MALIKA- (MA-LEE-ka)
MCKENZIE IV
MAVERICK-named after the character in Top Gun
MICHAEL II- donor name (and the only name I didn't submit)
MONARCH II- SO excited about this name!! She is named after the Sacramento Monarchs and the litter was born on Opening Day! www.sacramentomonarchs.com
MARI - (Mar-E)
MEEKA - puppy #7 just like Omeeka from Chandra's "O" litter, Meeka was one of Omeeka's nicknames.

OMSI's name

You might be wondering why OMSI's name is alway capitalized, there is a reason :) OMSI's name stands for the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry. OMSI is actually OMSI III and when about 15 years ago now the museum sponsored a puppy and that puppy was a golden retriever who CCI named OMSI. OMSI was chosen as a breeder and was CCI's top Golden Retriever breeder and was retired after his litter with Guide Dog Natalie, this was Chandra's litter so Chandra was OMSI's very last CCI puppy!! When Chandra had the "O" litter on July 15, 2006 I knew we had to submit the name OMSI after the first OMSI and Chandra's dad. CCI named OMSI III and we were so happy :) OMSI's puppy raiser took OMSI to the museum and took this very cool picture of OMSI with his namesake building.

Gold Rush Champions Annual Golf Tournament- September 22, 2008

The GRC Annual Golf Tournament will be September 22, 2008 at the Granite Bay Golf Course. Over the 8 years of the tournament the GRC tournament has brought in $370,000 for CCI!!! It's always a great event! Hope to see you there :)

www.golf4cci.com

OMSI & Sanaa's Play Day

OMSI & Sanaa had a play day today and they both had a lot of fun!! As you can see from the videos and pictures, OMSI tried to get Sanaa to calm down, but she's definitely still a puppy!!

Chandra's slideshow

Here's a little slide show I made for Chandra and her puppies (O, R & A)

Who is this??

Meet Sanaa a PUGGLE!! :) She's SO cute!! We'll be helping out with Sanaa so there will be a lot of pictures of her I'm sure! She was born on March 17, 2008 in Arkansas and came home with our friend on May 21st. We're hoping that Sanaa will stay around 17 lbs so she can fly with her mom in the plane! Right now she's only about 4 lbs. She's a calm puppy when you hold her and she'll fall asleep in your arms, but put her down and you can definitely tell she's a puppy ;)

OMSI

This was OMSI's agilityfor the day :)

Update

Chandra and her puppies have moved over to Peggy's house for the remainder of their time in Sacramento (the puppies turn in to CCI on July 9th). This is a huge help for me since my summers are really busy! I'll still be updating the blog and pictures. Last week I submitted names to CCI, so when I get them back I'll post them (the names won't be official until they turn into CCI, but things rarely change after the names are assigned).

OMSI has been enjoying his time with me :) We went on a 3 mile run yesterday, he's still learning how to run with me on my rollerblades, but he's getting it and he really seems to like it! Today we watched my sister play tennis in the backyard and he had a great time playing fetch with me and making his own agility course with our stairs/planter box, I wish I had it on video, but I'm sure he'll do it again. My dad told me a funny story about OMSI last night. While I was at a friends house OMSI was home with my dad and in our media room he said OMSI found 3 toys that had been buried in the couch, 1 was even over the backside of the couch, but OMSI was on a mission to find all of them!! He's been a great boy, soon as the weather in Sacramento gets a little better I'm going to take him swimming :) Maybe even tomorrow!

Individual Pictures

I've posted individual pictures of the M litter at www.chandracci.shutterfly.com The babies are getting bigger everyday!!

"M" Pups udate

The M's are doing well! This is such a nice, quiet group of puppies. They've been very easy and Chandra is a fantastic mom, she takes such great care of her puppies and it really makes my job easy!! Individual personalities can already be seen in the puppies, I can't wait until the open their eyes and start moving around a little more :)

The litter letter is...

Chandra and Randy's litter is the "M" litter!!

7 Healthy CCI Puppies have arrived!!

Chandra had 7 healthy puppies today!! She started at 12:01 pm and ended at 3:12 pm! GOOD GIRL!! She has 5 girls and 2 boys (just as a predicted on the 8th ;) It's also the same as her 1st litter! I'll be attaching pictures of the puppies soon!

The proud daddy of this litter is Randy IV..

It's starting..

Chandra was a little restless last night...she didn't eat her breakfast and she's been panting, so puppies should be here soon!! My guess is within 10 hours!

Still waiting..

Nothing new to report yet..Chandra ate her dinner and has not started panting yet, even though it was over 100* today in Sacramento! Good thing for her and us that we all stayed inside with the AC on! Chandra's sleeping now..I'm guessing puppies tomorrow night.

Chandra & her kids...

Well, no puppies yet, but Chandra does have 2 of her puppies at the house today. OMSI is here of course and we have a visitor for the day, Akeelah from Chandra's litter born 10-6-07 with Kittrdege. She's such a cute girl and she reminds me so much of Chandra at her age! She looks just like her too!

The watch is on..1 day to go!

Chandra could have her puppies any time now, her due date is tomorrow, but I will be home with her today just in case. She ate her breakfast and hasn't been doing any of her normal panting or digging in her crate, so it looks like we have at least 12 hours before she has her puppies. She's sleeping in her crate now..I'll update soon.

X-Ray photos

Here are some of the pictures from Chandra's x-ray yesterday. The last picture shows the actual x-ray, if you see the black Sharpe marks on the x-ray those are on the puppies skulls, all 7 are visible :) Chandra was relaxed on the x-ray table and then she went to sleep right in the middle of the doctors office. 2 days..or maybe less until the puppies are here!!! I can't wait to find out the litter letter :)

X-ray results!!!

Looks like I was right!! The x-ray showed 7 puppies :) That's a nice number! It's also the same as her first litter with Blaze. I'm attaching a picture of Chandra and the whelping box, it's in my room for this litter. For the 1st and 2nd litter the puppies were whelped in our office, but with the new floor in my room I can have them in there and it will only be a week this time since Peggy is taking the litter next Saturday. Everything is set and ready for her to have her puppies!! Think good thoughts for her!!

OMSI's Breeder Pictures

Here's OMSI's picture with his Breeder Bandanna!!

OMSI is home & Chandra update

OMSI came home today from CCI, he was down at Santa Rosa having his dates with Brynna! Looks like they're puppies will be adorable and smart of course! OMSI was so excited to see me when I picked him up, he was in a kennel and as soon as he saw me his ears perked up and he did his happy sing :) I gave him my keys to carry around, he loved that!! He was really happy to see his orange bumper too, his puppy raiser did a great job giving him a toy he most likely wouldn't see if he worked as a service dog, now he can have it whenever he wants. He's been perfect again around Chandra, which is very nice!! Tomorrow we're going to go for a long run since he's been at CCI for a week, I'm sure he could use the exercise and play time.
I'm attaching some pictures of OMSI and Chandra to show you how big she's getting, her x-ray is tomorrow night at 6:15 pm, so we'll know how many puppies she is having then!! I can't believe the puppies will be here on Saturday!

GRC Obedience Trials

Today was the 1st annual GRC (Gold Rush Chapter of CCI-Sacramento) Obedience Trials, I was a judge and Chandra got to watch, she would have liked to participate, but she is getting too big! Chandra's puppy, OMSI's sister and new CCI breeder Omeeka was also at the trials. I'm attaching a picture of Chandra and Omeeka. The dogs were all really good and it was a fun day for everyone!

CCI & Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear Workshop will donate $1 to Canine Companions for Independence® for every plush dog sold, including their new black Labrador. Plus, now available is a new assistance dog pack to make your stuffed dog an assistance dog.Visit any of their nationwide stores or online at www.buildabear.com and help Canine Companions. This is a limited-time offer, only until May 31st, so don’t delay!

Chandra Update! 9 days to go...

9 days from now Chandra should have her 4th litter!!! I felt the puppies move today, it's always amazing! Pretty soon we'll be able to see them moving inside her. On the 14th Chandra will have her x-ray to see how many puppies she is expecting. We can all get our guesses in now ;) I'm guessing 7 puppies (5F/2M) so we'll have to wait and see...her first litter with Blaze III had 7, second with Terrell had 8 and her third with Kittredge also had 8. Chandra is doing very well, eating all her food and still exercising.

OMSI's 1st date!

OMSI is down in Santa Rosa now for his date later on this week with CCI Golden girl Brynna! This will be Brynna's 5th and last litter for CCI. So in about 2 months from now this litter should be born and then out to puppy raisers around the 1st week in September!

Bath Time!

Today OMSI and Chandra went with me to puppy class from 9:30-12:30! Puppy class was held at my dad's office, Amador Stage Lines a bus company in Sacramento. We had the puppies ride with their puppy raisers on the wheel chair lift, they walked around the bus shop, the office out in the yard...this is why they needed a bath! So when we got home the dogs both got baths and then played on the tennis court for awhile to dry off, they thought it was great! Chandra is still getting bigger everyday! She's due 2 weeks from today, we should find out sometime around the 10th exactly how many puppies she is having :)

Yesterday was Greek Week at Sac State and Lisa and Sigma Kappa won! Here's a picture of OMSI hanging out on the field.

It's Official!!

It's official! I'm OMSI's Breeder Caretaker!! :) We had a "trial" period with him just to see how he would fit in with our family and with Shawn. He did very well and is now a member of our family! He's been such a good boy, and he's such a fun and happy dog. He thinks it's great to talk to me with a toy in his mouth :) He's also learning to sleep on the bed, sorry Rachel, but I think he likes it ;) I've been taking him on a lot of walks, but today we couldn't go as far because I took Chandra with us and she slowed us down, poor girl is getting big! Only a few more weeks until puppies, I can't believe it!

1st weekend

On Saturday OMSI had a very busy day! We went to CCI's puppy class that was held downtown at McKinley park. OMSI was great :) There were ducks, kids and a lot of other dogs, OMSI did all his commands very well. After we went to watch my friends play basketball, again OMSI was awesome! His puppy raiser did a great job with him!!

On Sunday OMSI went with me to watch Lisa's Sigma Kappa soccer game, everyone loved OMSI and he was a very good boy! He also played with his new friend Magic, both of them love tennis balls! So it's a challenge for them to race each other to it in the yard.









Videos can be seen at www.youtube.com/hiltie03

A Day For New Things!

Today I bought OMSI a new black leather collar, it looks so good on him! I'll try and get a picture, but with his handsome coat it's hard to see it.

OMSI also went on his 2nd run with me while I was on my rollerblades, he loved it!! He's also getting used to me on my rollerblades and he knows right where to run.

After running OMSI must have been hot. I went outside and was going back into the pool room only after 1 minute, but that was enough time for OMSI to jump into the pool! He had a great time swimming around, but wasn't sure how to get out, so it was into the pool for me..clothes and all! ;)

Chandra is getting bigger! Puppies are due on May 17th and we should know the size of the litter about the week before when we get her x-ray done. My guess is that she will have about 8 puppies in this litter, but we'll all have to wait and see!

You can never have too many pictures!!

Here's some today of Chandra and OMSI after I brushed them and clipped their nails.

OMSI day 2..

OMSI has been a very good boy! When I got home from school I took OMSI and Chandra on a walk around the park and they were bost on their best behavior, they look so much a like, it's amazing!! Now both dogs are tired and laying on my bed, oh the life of a CCI breeder!!

1st Night

OMSI slept great last night, well at least until 5:40 am when he decided that it was time to get up!! He picked up a toy and did his happy dance singing to me, this is cute, but not at 5:40 in the morning! I told him to go back to bed, which he did..but only until 7 am, I think this is the time to dogs get up in Advanced Training, hopefully he'll get used to sleeping in again!!

We played fetch for awhile on the tennis court before I had to go to school, OMSI thought that was great :)

OMSI is home

OMSI got a ride home today from CCI's National Center at Santa Rosa! He was excited to see me, I hope it was me ;) But I think he just really likes people. His puppy raiser did an AWESOME job and I'm so thankful that I can share this experience with her and that CCI has given me this opportunity. I took OMSI on a run today and he loved it, he's just like his mom, I told him "release", but he still didn't want to run in front of me, instead he kept in his "heel" position on our run, such a good boy! After our run we went to play with Magic, that was fun and both boys were very good!

OMSI is sleeping on my feet now, keeping them warm :)

I've been thinking of starting a blog for my Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) Breeder, Chandra for a long time. With exciting news yesterday I have decided to start writing a blog for my CCI Breeders! It will keep you up to date on their adventures and puppies!

Canine Companions for Independence breeds and trains service dogs for people with disabilities free of charge. http://www.cci.org
From CCI's website about their 4 types of Service Dogs:
Types of Assistance Teams
Service Teams — Adults with physical disabilities who work with a Canine Companion to extend their abilities and utilize the dog to perform physical tasks such as pulling a wheelchair and retrieving dropped items.
Skilled Companion Teams — A three-part team including a child or adult with physical, developmental or emotional disabilities, a primary caretaker, and a Canine Companion who helps with physical tasks and creates a bond of companionship, affection and love.
Facility Teams — Adults who work as rehabilitation professionals, caregivers or educators and utilize a Canine Companion to improve the mental, physical or emotional health of those in their care.
Hearing Teams — Adults who are hard of hearing or Deaf who use a Canine Companion to alert them to everyday sounds such as doorbells, alarm clocks and smoke alarms.

I have been raising puppies for CCI since my junior year in high school, the dogs I have raised are:

Kedra (Neffa x Washaki) COC 4/03
Hiltie (OMSI x Taiko) SC 2/05
Chandra (OMSI x GDB Natalie) Breeder 10/05
McKenna II (Terrell x Happy II) COC-Medical 7/07
Omeeka (Blaze III x Chandra) Breeder 4/08

COC= Change of Career
SC= Skilled Companion

I have been fortunate for CCI to give me my CCI breeder Chandra (aka Shawn), she is a WONDERFUL dog and we love her! To see pictures of Chandra's puppies go to http://www.chandracci.shutterfly.com and videos at http://www.youtube.com/hiltie03

Chandra has had 3 litters for CCI so far:

"O" Litter- BLAZE III 7-15-06 - Golden Retrievers

OMARI II
ONTARO
OMSI III-Breeder 4/08
OJALA-COC
OMYA-COC
OASIS II
OMEEKA-Breeder 4/08

"R" Litter- TERRELL 3-2-07 - 3/4 Golden Retriever
RHIANNA
RIDER
RICHIE II
ROOKIE II
REGGIE II
RAINIE
ROXA II
REGAL III

"A" - KITTREDGE- 10-6-07 Golden Retriever
ASJHA
AMYA
AKEELAH
ASHANTI
AYRTON
AMARI II
AYLA II
ALANIS

"M" - RANDY IV 5-17-08 Golden Retriever
MALIKA
MCKENZIE IV
MAVERICK
MICHAEL II
MONARCH II
MARI
MEEKA



Yesterday Omeeka (the 5th puppy I raised with the help of our local CCI chapter, the GRC or Gold Rush Champions) was chosen as a breeder! I am not able to take back a female CCI breeder, even though puppies are fun, they are a lot of work and I have been fortunate again to have a great support group that has helped me with Chandra and her litters! I couldn't do it without them.

I will be taking Chandra's 3rd born puppy OMSI III back as a breeder!!! OMSI is named after his grandfather OMSI (Chandra's dad) who is named after the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, so his name is all capitalized. OMSI is getting a ride home from CCI on MondayApril 21!! YAY! I can't wait to get him home :)