Recertification Test

B and I woke up to six inches of fresh snow, and blizzard-like conditions. As I have to cross several summits, including Donner Summit, I was a little bit nervous about going, but figured I'd try and if it got bad, I'd just turn around and we'd go to Santa Rosa for our Recertification Test later on.

When we got to Truckee, the sun was shining through a small spot in the clouds, and there was a gorgeous rainbow, so I figured it'd be okay. 

The Donner Summit crossing went okay, just extremely slow, and it was really snowing hard, and I couldn't even see the edge of my hood at times. We went through three separate chain controls (where each vehicle is stopped and inspected by Cal Trans inspectors). Boreal ski area was on a wind hold, and it was pretty bad up there. You know it's really bad when the entire ski area goes on a wind hold (the chairlifts are dangerous in high winds). Incredible start to the first day of spring!

Then at the top of Donner Summit, I passed a bus with Japanese characters painted on the side of the bus that was stopped and 180° to the highway (facing opposite direction to traffic), so I guess they skidded even though they were fully chained up. Or maybe they threw some chains on the other side that I couldn't see, and skidded. There were quite a few wrecks up there.

I had to stop at the Gold Run rest stop to use the restroom, and brought B inside with me, as I was trying to hurry because it was getting really late. I thought it'd be faster for B to "hurry" in the designated dog area, then go inside with me to the bathroom, rather then to make two trips back and forth to the car. 

I thought I was alone as there were only two other cars at the rest stop, then all of a sudden I hear all these voices chattering away. B was sitting with her back to the door, so her tail was sticking out a little bit from under the stall. So I figured they were talking about her tail and a dog being in the bathroom. It only sounded like two or three women talking.

Then when I opened the door, to my shock, there was a long line of about 40 older women from Japan, and all these camera flashes going off in my face. They must have been from that bus up on top of the summit. I guess they will go back to Japan, and B and I will be featured in some of their vacation slide shows, where they might chuckle and comment something like, "those Americans sure love their dogs".
 
Gosh time flies! I can't believe it's been six months since I last saw K and my classmates and their partners. Everyone looked great, including the dogs. 

One part of the test was the food temptation test. I got very nervous because B loves food. B did very well on the food test. I was so nervous, I was like a deer in headlights. K had to remind me it was okay to praise B for not going for the food temptation. Shame on me, as I normally give her a lot of praise and love.

After we finished everything, K told us we passed the recertification. My two classmates and I had some questions. K answered our questions and concerns. 

The drive was a lot easier and quicker going back home even though it was raining the whole way and very foggy at the top of Donner Summit. We got home in two hours (instead of nearly the four hours it took us to get there).

Valentine's Day Walk

B: "Hurry up, let's go!"

B: "We're going back, already?!"

First Snowshoe

This is the first chance we've had to go snowshoeing. B really enjoyed it. The snow was so fresh and soft, it was like walking on clouds. It's so nice to just be able to go into the backyard and then hit the trails from there.

Sorry for the blurry shots, I only had the phone with me, and it was getting dark.

B: "Hurry up and get those things on so we can go!"

Is that a bear coming? So we turned around
and headed for home.

Taken on the trail

Closer view of lake, taken from
same spot as above photo.

Taken from my deck once we got home.

Visiting Dad at the Hospital

B: "Get well soon!"

"Therapy Dogs" Spreading Christmas Cheer at Hospital

These "Therapy Dogs" were spreading Christmas Cheer to the patients in Med/Surg.

It was very kind of these dogs and their people to take time out from Christmas Day to visit and cheer up patients.

Their people said these dogs are "American Labrador Retrievers". Both dogs weigh 125+ pounds and are apparently normal size for their breed.

They visited my father, along with other patients, and both dogs were very gentle and sweet. 

Sorry for blurry photos, taken with phone. 

 

Guess Who . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .  B went to visit today?

B had a wonderful time, and passed out this evening from exhaustion in front of the fire in the fireplace because she was so excited to see Santa Claus and other dogs. 

B gave Santa her Christmas List, which I'm sure had tennis balls and treats on it. ;-)

Enjoy the photos of B with Santa.

B in her CCI vest

B in the Christmas spirit

Saturday at Work

A quiet day at work. B does very well, and is content to hang out under the desk.