tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2969095016843794782012-02-16T06:54:17.339-05:00A daily photo journey through a year in the life of Future Dog Guide RomeroHobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.comBlogger1421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-75834255078451272982011-06-08T20:35:00.019-04:002011-09-13T20:38:41.409-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">... could be your treasure! Romero has been helping us with the final preparations for our garage sale this Saturday - stop by if you're in the area. All funds raised will go to Dog Guides Canada in support of Romero.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GhTPjpopb2k/Tm_qXeyHqfI/AAAAAAAAGK4/Ej6lmqZ72BM/s1600/IMG_0997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Black lab Romero is decked out in his green Future Dog Guide jacket and thick red leash, sitting near the front of our open garage. He looks unusually young in this picture, with his head slightly tilted and his wide brown eye staring curiously towards the camera. Behind Romero is a large pile of STUFF stacked on and around a big plastic table. These items have all been sorted and priced for our upcoming garage sale. The pile contains, among other things, a red metal desk chair, a blender and other kitchen supplies, two bags of kids' golf clubs, shoes and boots, a Barbie suitcase, a humidifier, a push lawnmower, boardgames, a small blue bookshelf, and many miscellaneous decorations and office supplies." height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GhTPjpopb2k/Tm_qXeyHqfI/AAAAAAAAGK4/Ej6lmqZ72BM/s400/IMG_0997.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7583425507845127298?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-62928642123817498412011-06-07T07:49:00.016-04:002011-09-12T22:18:55.951-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWATo8IiE7o/Tm63olKe7tI/AAAAAAAAGKo/ZgPULU3wiK0/s1600/IMG_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="Black lab Romero is lying on the beige tile floor of my office near the corner of the L shaped wooden desk. In the nook behind him are several translucent green plastic containers filled with puppy jackets. Romero's thick red leash is looped over the back of my empty pinkish-red office chair. There is a brown dog bed at the foot of the chair, but Romero prefers to keep cool on the tile, and to make things difficult for me by lying directly behind the wheels of my chair." height="300" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWATo8IiE7o/Tm63olKe7tI/AAAAAAAAGKo/ZgPULU3wiK0/s400/IMG_0993.JPG" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-6292864212381749841?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-48401451576212451542011-06-06T23:04:00.000-04:002011-09-13T19:34:47.378-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-edrXutEfpiY/Tm6sRcxGARI/AAAAAAAAGKY/MJUxPLfDPCw/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Black lab Romero is lying in his open wire crate on a comfy bed of a brown mat covered with a bunched up red blanket. The crate is on the white carpet of my bedroom, and is surrounded by a cloud of black dog hair! Romero is happily working away at a medium-sized black Kong that is stuffed with wet dog food and frozen. Romero's tongue is out, licking the opening of the Kong. His ears are pulled back and his eyes are closed in bliss." height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-edrXutEfpiY/Tm6sRcxGARI/AAAAAAAAGKY/MJUxPLfDPCw/s400/IMG_0987.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Yum!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4840145157621245154?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-29394049243535428182011-06-05T19:28:00.019-04:002011-08-03T23:01:00.924-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-An5MYaFpdgY/TjoFKekZBxI/AAAAAAAAGKI/ZgUF6CVXlSY/s1600/IMG_0981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="On a sunny day, Black lab Romero is lying near the bottom of a grassy hill with a baseball diamond behind him. The baseball game is in progress, and a group of pitchers in blue jerseys can been seen chatting just beyond the short metal fence that surrounds the field. A few spectators are leaning up against the fence watching the game. Romero himself is a very happy baseball fan. He's facing towards the camera, looking slightly down and to the right, with a huge smile on his face and his long front legs stretched out in the grass in front of him. He's wearing his green Future Dog Guide jacket, a blue and grey patterned collar, and a black leather leash." border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-An5MYaFpdgY/TjoFKekZBxI/AAAAAAAAGKI/ZgUF6CVXlSY/s400/IMG_0981.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The Blue Jays were out of town today, so Romero and I headed to a different &nbsp;ball park in Toronto to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Intercounty Baseball League play a double header.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-2939404924353542818?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-71032829058764913102011-06-04T22:33:00.017-04:002011-08-03T22:26:51.748-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Romero has just reached the perfect height - I can pet him without bending down!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-NlWJSIcQ8/Tjn3NAVCRaI/AAAAAAAAGKE/7sCNB7GbHAs/s1600/IMG_0971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Black lab Romero and I are at the top of a mint-green carpeted staircase. I am standing and Romero is sitting on my left side in the heel position. The photo is taken from my chest level looking down at Romero. His blue and gray patterned collar is clipped to a thick red leash that is slung over my shoulder. My left hand is resting on Romero's head - he's just at that perfect height where I don't have to bend down to reach him. Romero is looking up towards my face. He looks rather comical with his big brown eyes rimmed in white and his helicopter ears sticking out from his head. With the angle of the photo, his front paws look tiny and delicate at the end of his long legs, and they are slightly turned out like a ballerina." height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-NlWJSIcQ8/Tjn3NAVCRaI/AAAAAAAAGKE/7sCNB7GbHAs/s400/IMG_0971.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7103282905876491310?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-13327559339219920052011-06-03T21:13:00.020-04:002011-08-03T21:21:18.824-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JexGiLxkdB4/Tjnyme1Hy_I/AAAAAAAAGJ8/UhmujHpnP7s/s1600/IMG_0967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Seven month old black lab puppy Romero is sitting on the metal platform of a vet clinic scale, raised about an inch or two from the floor. He is looking forward but with his body facing slightly to the left. He has a gentle face, his dark brown eyes looking pleadingly into the camera. His head is slightly tilted and his right ear rests against his head while his left ear is slightly folded back and sticks out to the side. He is wearing a collar patterned with blue and gray squares. To the right of the picture is a wood-paneled counter, and Romero is now about 3/4 of the height of it. The scale's display is mounted on the wall well above the counter, and it reads 54.6." height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JexGiLxkdB4/Tjnyme1Hy_I/AAAAAAAAGJ8/UhmujHpnP7s/s400/IMG_0967.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-1332755933921992005?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-57543191003210603662011-06-02T23:39:00.024-04:002011-08-03T21:16:21.130-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zGoqS4dp_Z8/TjiZ5iYlPpI/AAAAAAAAGJ0/wjgQYzunwic/s1600/IMG_0962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab Romero is lying on the floor of our bedroom in front of a very big cardboard box filled with items for our upcoming garage sale. Only Romero's head and shoulders are visible. He is looking slightly off to the side with his silly left ear folded back against his head. The objects in the box are pretty random, but visible is a chair for a doll, a stack of clothes on top of a blue pillow, and a big white stuffed bunny sitting in a small wastebin decorated with pictures of poodle puppies. Behind Romero and the box are two bookshelves filled with books." border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zGoqS4dp_Z8/TjiZ5iYlPpI/AAAAAAAAGJ0/wjgQYzunwic/s400/IMG_0962.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>We'll be continuing our fundraising for Romero's "scholarship" with a garage sale this month. Romero and I are looking forward to getting this big box of STUFF out of our room.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5754319100321060366?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-39087273561912860882011-06-01T19:58:00.016-04:002011-08-02T20:35:58.068-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vAkyXIUCA8k/TjiWNHou1XI/AAAAAAAAGJw/dfABk1aNWdI/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab Romero is lying on the white tile floor at the top of a small staircase leading to the front door. He is staring seriously into the camera and has his front paws hanging over the top step. Behind him on the left side of the picture, collie Tanner is relaxing in the corner right by the door, also staring inquisitively into the camera. A pair of running shoes is sitting by the door, all ready for an evening walk." border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vAkyXIUCA8k/TjiWNHou1XI/AAAAAAAAGJw/dfABk1aNWdI/s400/IMG_0961.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-3908727356191286088?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-53543902533436970392011-05-31T21:33:00.016-04:002011-07-10T22:47:09.122-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQU6uhoOP7A/ThpfvrFvzCI/AAAAAAAAGJY/xTV1iwADATo/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="This picture is taken while I am sitting on my bed. Black lab puppy Romero is tucked partly under the bed, with his tail and backend curling out onto the white carpet, and his nose poking up towards the blue blankets that are hanging off the bed. Black lab Dallas is lying nearby, with her right arm and shoulder visible in the bottom left corner of the photo. At the top of the picture is a set of clear plastic drawers containing my dog supplies. You can see various dog toys including a stuffed tiger in the bottom drawer. Romero's red leash and green jacket are resting just beside the drawer." height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQU6uhoOP7A/ThpfvrFvzCI/AAAAAAAAGJY/xTV1iwADATo/s400/IMG_0954.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5354390253343697039?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-20006442813887746742011-05-30T23:30:00.037-04:002011-07-10T22:26:42.490-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhM_52YkvC8/ThpQKc3rlMI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/vIpLUzqAgbo/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="This picture is taken inside the Blue Jays shop at the Rogers Centre. The main focus of the picture is a large, probably 6 foot tall, statue of Ace, the Blue Jays Mascot. Ace is a Blue Jay who wears a white Jays jersey and blue and white running shoes. Black lab puppy Romero is lying down on Ace's right, and his friend Rafiki is sitting on Ace's left. Rafiki is a slightly younger black lab puppy with brindle markings. Both dogs are wearing their green future dog guide jackets. Behind the dogs and Ace are several tables and shelves covered in Blue Jays merchandise, and various racks of Jays shirts and jerseys." height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhM_52YkvC8/ThpQKc3rlMI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/vIpLUzqAgbo/s320/IMG_0941.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">Romero poses with friends "Ace" and Rafiki before the gam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">e</span></span></b></i></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Our Seat:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Section 524A, Row 4, Seat 106</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Our Record:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">5-3</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Memorable Moments:</span></span></b></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Taking Romero's friend Rafiki to his first baseball game</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Red and white hats for Memorial Day (even though it isn't Memorial Day in Canada)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Only one Blue Jay home run (Jayson Nix), but lots and lots of Blue Jay hits</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- 11 batters batted in the bottom of the 4th inning (scoring 7 runs - most in one inning this season)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I knew going in that we'd see history - either Jojo Reyes would get his first win as a Blue Jay, or else he'd break the record for most consecutive starts without a win. Thankfully, it was the former! And a complete game for him at that! I have been a fan of Jojo since he joined the team, so it was great to be part of the crowd cheering for him and also to see his teammates congratulating him after the game.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-2000644281388774674?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-7118823100768507362011-05-29T14:23:00.007-04:002011-07-04T21:15:07.015-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcYzXpQRY64/Tg3MPKhRG-I/AAAAAAAAGI8/pekxBjWxWQQ/s1600/IMG_0935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab Romero is sitting on the stone pathway out front of the Dog Guides training facility. He is wearing his green future dog guide jacket and a red and black training leash. He is looking very proper, sitting up straight and facing the camera, with his eyes like little black marbles. Above him, hanging from the overhang of the red brick building is a large white banner advertising the Purina Walk for Dog Guides." border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcYzXpQRY64/Tg3MPKhRG-I/AAAAAAAAGI8/pekxBjWxWQQ/s400/IMG_0935.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Romero didn't get to participate in the Walk for Dog Guides this year (still recovering from his neuter) but he did get to pose with the sign once all the excitement died down.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-711882310076850736?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-4388035622573460282011-05-28T20:28:00.035-04:002011-07-01T09:21:22.939-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8itJzT4VkPE/Tgkhhb57cFI/AAAAAAAAGI0/IBpyWkzuL4U/s1600/IMG_7952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is lying on the floor of my bedroom at the end of my bed. He is on the left side of the picture, wearing his Blue Jays collar, and looking slightly up and off to the side. His left ear is sticking out of the side, while his right one hangs down beside his head. Next to Romero are 4 jars full of coins. The first is a big white bucket with DONATIONS written across the front. The lid is resting against the bucket. It has a whole cut in the centre, and PENNIES FOR PUPPIES written around it. Next is a big blue Maxwell coffee can. Finally, a big peanut butter jar filled with pennies, and a smaller jam jar filled with silver coins." border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8itJzT4VkPE/Tgkhhb57cFI/AAAAAAAAGI0/IBpyWkzuL4U/s400/IMG_7952.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>A successful penny and bottle drive left us with several jars full of coins. Off to the bank tomorrow!<br /><br />Thanks to everyone who donated, and thanks also to yellow lab Expo who joined me for the event since Romero is still resting up from his surgery (I figured if I couldn't take a dog named after a baseball player I'd take one named after a former baseball team).</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-438803562257346028?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-80743816278814142712011-05-27T23:39:00.020-04:002011-06-27T20:26:32.978-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mdz3rEBhtI0/TgkHA5wdd7I/AAAAAAAAGIs/daG5okMn5vQ/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Black lab Romero is lying on the floor of the bedroom next to a big white bucket with a lid and a handle. The lid has a round hole cut in the centre, and around that is written Pennies for Puppies. A large label on the front of the bucket says DONATIONS Thanks for your support! Below that is a panoramic picture of eight black and chocolate labrador puppies wearing brightly coloured bandanas. The bucket is also decorated with red heart stickers (the same ones that come with Heartguard medication). Romero is facing the camera and leaning slightly away from the bucket with his front legs stretched out in front of him. He is wearing his blue and gray Blue Jays collar. His sleepy brown eyes are partially hidden in shadows. His floppy velvet ears are hanging down on either side of his head." height="307" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mdz3rEBhtI0/TgkHA5wdd7I/AAAAAAAAGIs/daG5okMn5vQ/s320/IMG_0931.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We're nearly ready for our penny and bottle drive tomorrow ... here, Romero poses with our newly-decorated penny bucket.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-8074381627881414271?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-32975371120151349902011-05-26T22:09:00.015-04:002011-06-26T10:30:35.017-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgOAg-P3zeY/Tgc_HEUc7aI/AAAAAAAAGIo/mxmH6ApKx70/s1600/IMG_0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a close-up of black lab Romero's head resting on my leg as we cuddle on the floor together. We are sitting on a cream-coloured carpet and he is lying on his side with his head resting on my left knee. I am wearing beige corduroy pants and a red sweatshirt. My left hand is reaching down and rubbing Romero's head. Romero's brown eyes are slightly open, he looks quite relaxed." border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgOAg-P3zeY/Tgc_HEUc7aI/AAAAAAAAGIo/mxmH6ApKx70/s320/IMG_0914.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I'm making sure Romero gets lots of rest and TLC as he recovers from his neuter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-3297537112015134990?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-88183742677600793532011-05-25T22:18:00.027-04:002011-06-25T23:46:16.815-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will be conducting a bottle and penny drive in my neighbourhood this weekend for Romero's sponsorship (and am continuing to collect bottles and change throughout the year ... let me know if you have any to donate!).&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRBXC28pL2Y/TgaXN-nk0II/AAAAAAAAGIk/stUmDiu5a48/s1600/IMG_0911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is posing in front of a pile of empty bottles which are waiting to be returned to the Beer Store. This picture is taken in the garage, where the cement floor is covered with streaks of paint. Romero is in the foreground, attached to a red leash and looking up into the camera. His silly left ear is sticking straight out to the side as usual. Behind him are two boxes containing 24 beer bottles, several smaller boxes of beer bottles, and about twelve loose wine bottles." border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRBXC28pL2Y/TgaXN-nk0II/AAAAAAAAGIk/stUmDiu5a48/s400/IMG_0911.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here, Romero is posing with the bottles that we have collected so far ... this is what about $11 in returns looks like!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-8818374267760079353?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-6118034546751712192011-05-24T16:49:00.000-04:002011-06-25T21:45:09.217-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ3TGTbrEEk/TgaCVmYXAtI/AAAAAAAAGIc/amy5EaJWjPg/s1600/IMG_0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="6 month old black lab puppy Romero is lying on a big, light pink fleece blanket in one of the large recovery kennels at Dog Guides, just after having his neuter operation. Romero is still a little out of it - his ears are pinned back against his head and he looks like he's feeling pretty sorry for himself. His blanket is all bunched up around him on top of the white tile floor of the kennel. The walls of the kennel are covered in larger beige tiles, and there is a glass door at the front of the kennel. In this picture, the door is unlatched and opened in towards Romero, so that you can see his reflection in the glass." border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ3TGTbrEEk/TgaCVmYXAtI/AAAAAAAAGIc/amy5EaJWjPg/s400/IMG_0908.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-611803454675171219?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-55952530339391095932011-05-23T23:18:00.017-04:002011-06-25T20:46:31.284-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUSkOAQfKTs/TgZ9LUsdo8I/AAAAAAAAGIU/8mENQLHgvfI/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is sleeping upside down in his wire kennel. The kennel is up against the blue painted wall in the corner of my bedroom, next to a cylindrical brown laundry hamper and a wooden bookshelf. Romero has gotten himself into what appears to be the most uncomfortable position possible. He has pushed both his blankets up against the walls of the crate, and is lying flat on his back on the metal floor of the crate. His head is resting near a small metal bowl and a bone. His tail is sticking out the corner of the crate closest to the camera, and his back legs are resting against the bars of the crate. His front legs are tucked against his body like a kangaroo. Somehow, he finds this comfortable and is currently fast asleep." border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUSkOAQfKTs/TgZ9LUsdo8I/AAAAAAAAGIU/8mENQLHgvfI/s320/IMG_0902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5595253033939109593?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-47887312710565555672011-05-22T19:32:00.049-04:002011-06-25T20:17:45.759-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Id6-caXF1-Y/TgZ0kDX38TI/AAAAAAAAGIQ/UNkh0bLWC4g/s1600/IMG_7948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is lying on his side on the ground amid the blue plastic seats in the 500 level at the Rogers Centre. His head is lifted off of the floor, looking up into the camera. He is wearing his Blue Jays collar, red leash, and slightly dirty green Future Dog Guide jacket. His jacket and shiny black fur are sprinkled with small white paper circles, which have been punched out of All Star game voting ballots." border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Id6-caXF1-Y/TgZ0kDX38TI/AAAAAAAAGIQ/UNkh0bLWC4g/s400/IMG_7948.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Our Seat:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Section 519, Row 8, Seat 102</span></span></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Our Record:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">4-3</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Memorable Moments:</span></span></b></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Second game in a row, and third in four days!<br />- A family affair ... all 6 of us (including Romero) attended the game today<br />- Punching our All-Star Game ballots ... those are the white dots all over Romero in the photo<br />- Two Blue Jay home runs<br />- An exciting bases-loaded bottom of the ninth, though unfortunately nothing to show for it</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4788731271056555567?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-66884272173399549872011-05-21T21:29:00.047-04:002011-06-25T19:26:37.957-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Km3ZzYWI_ZY/TgZgd8H_mUI/AAAAAAAAGII/ZCeGpe4cnHA/s1600/IMG_7947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is intently watching a bagpiper playing outside the Rogers Centre. Romero is in the bottom left corner of the picture, wearing his Blue Jays collar, black leash, and green Future Dog Guide jacket. He is facing away from the camera, looking across a wide dirt path to the male piper, who is dressed in full scottish attire including a green jacket and kilt. On the right side of the photo there is a shadow of a photographer who is capturing a shot of Romero. Directly behind the bagpiper is a small white canopy tent set up as a first aid station, with a couple people sitting on chairs inside. Behind that, a big white bus is parked on the road that goes around the stadium. A few people are walking along the sidewalk in front of the road. Across the street is a larger white tent that is set up as a temporary theatre, and behind that four tall apartment buildings can be seen against the clear blue sky." border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Km3ZzYWI_ZY/TgZgd8H_mUI/AAAAAAAAGII/ZCeGpe4cnHA/s400/IMG_7947.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Our Seat:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Section 525, Row 14, Seat 101</span></span></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Our Record:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">4-2</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Memorable Moments:</span></span></b></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- No guests today, just my pup and I enjoying an afternoon game<br />- Our first interleague game (it would be more exciting if the pitchers hit)<br />- A slow start for the Jays, but a come-from-behind win in the end</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- 2 more homeruns from the major league HR leader Jose Bautista!</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- And for good measure, another from Junel Escobar too<br />- Some post-game entertainment outside the park, including the bagpiper above</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-6688427217339954987?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-76238266595853357382011-05-20T23:30:00.011-04:002011-06-12T21:50:00.244-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RYioxxqbQE/TfPnveq1eiI/AAAAAAAAGIA/9X356gIkpwY/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" alt="A very sleep black lab puppy Romero is curled up on his dog bed at the end of a long day. The thick rectangular dog bed is light mint green on the side, and beige with a leafy pattern on the top. Romero is lying right in the centre with his head resting on his front paws. His eyes are half closed with just a sliver of brown showing, and his soft black ears flop on either side of his face. A textured yellow nylabone ring toy is resting against Romero's front paws, just near his head. He's too tired to chew on it anymore!" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RYioxxqbQE/TfPnveq1eiI/AAAAAAAAGIA/9X356gIkpwY/s400/IMG_0896.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7623826659585335738?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-5596012636311723442011-05-19T23:41:00.005-04:002011-06-25T18:13:37.335-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3uegbO0mG-k/TfLWMHacfZI/AAAAAAAAGH4/q5U2B50g1cs/s1600/IMG_7939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero, wearing his Blue Jays collar and green Future Dog Guide jacket, is sitting in the second row of the upper deck at a Blue Jays game. Romero is looking back towards the camera, and behind him is a view of the Rogers centre with the roof open (also directly behind Romero is a fan with blue hair watching the game very intently). Our seats are on the first base side of home plate, so the picture looks over to the third baseline side of the stadium, including the Blue Jays dugout down below. The game is in progress, so you can see the umpire and the catcher's leg's near home plate (the catcher is partially blocked by the blue railing in front of our seats). The blue stadium seats appear less than half-full, with more fans in the lower levels than the 500 level. A few tall buildings can be seen beyond the open dome, though not the CN tower, which is on the opposite side from this photo." border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3uegbO0mG-k/TfLWMHacfZI/AAAAAAAAGH4/q5U2B50g1cs/s320/IMG_7939.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Our Seat:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Section 518, Row 2, Seat 3</span></span></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Our Record: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">3-2</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Memorable Moments:</span></span></b></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Romero's first "outdoor" baseball game, and my first this year</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- The third game in a row that we've attended with Tampa Bay as the opponent</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Watching Aaron 'Pingu' Hill converse with the umpires before and during the game ... I think Aaron wants to be an umpire when he grows up</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Juan Rivera's "I got it" hand motions to the pitcher whenever he was taking a ball to first base<br />- Wade Davis' rather hilarious move to check on baserunners - maybe they couldn't steal because they were laughing too hard?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- A win ... putting both Romero (the dog at least) and the Jays back over .500<br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- The great games from Ricky Romero and JP Arencibia made all the more special after reading <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/article/995093--this-is-the-kid-we-played-for-tonight">THIS</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-559601263631172344?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-22010545752001196382011-05-18T22:15:00.014-04:002011-06-10T22:39:50.205-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Romero is sporting a new hairdo after yet another day of rain ...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwmUKUkMMz4/TfLQgC6r9CI/AAAAAAAAGH0/Tojy6LRCCD4/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A soggy black lab puppy Romero is sitting just inside the door of my bedroom after coming in from a pee break out in the rain. The picture is taken looking down on him, with his leathery black nose in the centre of the photo. The pupils of his big brown eyes look purplish as they reflect the camera flash. His fir, especially on the top of his head, is rumpled and sticking out in all directions. His ears are slightly pulled back, and in fact he looks rather adorably pathetic, and as though he's not too happy with this ongoing rain either." border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwmUKUkMMz4/TfLQgC6r9CI/AAAAAAAAGH0/Tojy6LRCCD4/s400/IMG_0889.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-2201054575200119638?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-55660359917318715502011-05-17T17:49:00.016-04:002011-06-10T22:12:58.330-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUUH8-HN5EQ/TfKSnCI80AI/AAAAAAAAGHs/yW7KkvzqQ00/s1600/IMG_0886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is lying in the passenger seat footwell of my car, ready to head out on an adventure. He blends in well as the interior of the car is all black. Romero is curled up in a ball with his chin resting on the passenger seat. His red leash, a red keychain on the console between the two seats, and a red backpack on the passenger seat stand out amidst all the black. Romero's beautiful deep brown eyes also really stand out in this picture. It's daytime, and the sunlight is shining in through the windows, giving a glow to everything." width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUUH8-HN5EQ/TfKSnCI80AI/AAAAAAAAGHs/yW7KkvzqQ00/s400/IMG_0886.JPG" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5566035991731871550?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-3213530352535173992011-05-16T23:39:00.015-04:002011-06-08T18:23:20.090-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNCXz8piMUs/Te_u6C68IVI/AAAAAAAAGHY/-aYRGd9CYIQ/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" alt="A sleepy black lab puppy Romero is lying on his side on the floor of my bedroom. He is lying up against a large cardboard box in front of a wooden bookshelf. He is lying on his right side, with his right front leg stretched forwards. The focus of the picture is the pad of his paw which looks huge, especially from this camera angle with his paw in front of his face. Romero looks incredibly peaceful, completely relaxed on the white carpeted floor, with his eyes open, but just barely." src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNCXz8piMUs/Te_u6C68IVI/AAAAAAAAGHY/-aYRGd9CYIQ/s400/IMG_0883.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-321353035253517399?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-45160520038636816702011-05-15T23:49:00.008-04:002011-06-08T17:38:39.455-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4TmhUEwDHU/Te_qo8SMPYI/AAAAAAAAGHU/BY08oagswYI/s1600/IMG_0877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This photo is a closeup of one of black lab Romero's front paws resting in the palm of my hand. My left hand reaches up from the bottom of the photo, with the palm up. Romero's leg stretches from the top left corner and the pads of his paw are resting in my palm. I admit I have rather small hands, but they look even tinier than usual compared to Romero's huge paw, which covers about two thirds of my palm. " border="0" height="398" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4TmhUEwDHU/Te_qo8SMPYI/AAAAAAAAGHU/BY08oagswYI/s400/IMG_0877.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4516052003863681670?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-67289066408627970852011-05-14T21:45:00.017-04:002011-06-07T23:45:07.921-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODZ3teUpV2M/Te7sitPnaxI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/a0GL1pCXvRA/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Six month old black lab Romero is lying on the landing at the top of a staircase covered in mint-green carpet. Romero's front left leg and chin are hanging over the edge of the top step. His front right paw is resting right beside his head, and his back feet are both out to the right of his body. For once, both of Romero's big soft ears are held forward, framing his face as he stares into the camera." border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODZ3teUpV2M/Te7sitPnaxI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/a0GL1pCXvRA/s400/IMG_0871.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-6728906640862797085?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-20332106639455637002011-05-13T21:54:00.009-04:002011-06-07T17:44:34.953-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--WWwtpWqt8s/Te4LiutrAdI/AAAAAAAAGHI/4YvklXA6Asc/s1600/IMG_0867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is sitting in the garden in front of our house after being out for the last relief break before bed. He is sitting in an area of reddish wood chips next to a stone pathway. There is a large flat rock and some green leafy plants sprouting behind him. It's a rainy evening, with lots of little raindrops reflecting the flash from the camera. Romero's blue collar is attached to a red leash that loops forward towards the camera. Romero is not too pleased about the rain - his eyes are squinting shut, and his big floppy ears are pinned back against his head." height="300" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--WWwtpWqt8s/Te4LiutrAdI/AAAAAAAAGHI/4YvklXA6Asc/s400/IMG_0867.JPG" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-2033210663945563700?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-38899606256633597582011-05-12T22:53:00.034-04:002011-06-06T22:18:02.292-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E518Oho-l6c/Te2GTdpzJnI/AAAAAAAAGHA/As9bS9dc9Z4/s1600/IMG_0863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is sitting in our upstairs hallway, with an open white door behind him and the wooden bannister of our stairs on the right of the picture. The photo centres on Romero's head. He is wearing a halti - a head halter made of thin black fabric that circles around Romero's muzzle and clips together behind his head. A safety strap attaches to the halti under Romero's chip loops down and clips to Romero's blue and gray Blue Jays collar. Romero is looking directly into the camera with his big brown eyes. His mouth is slightly open in a half smile. This photo highlights the long black whiskers on his muzzle and chin. There is a small bead of water dripping from Romero's wet nose." border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E518Oho-l6c/Te2GTdpzJnI/AAAAAAAAGHA/As9bS9dc9Z4/s400/IMG_0863.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No, it's not a muzzle! The halti is a head collar, like a horse's halter. It's important for future dog guides like Romero to be comfortable with the halti on, as he may wear it when he is a working dog.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-3889960625663359758?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-67842205721206923652011-05-11T20:31:00.030-04:002011-05-29T19:52:01.976-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYx5IqaF7zk/TeBoWgtCBvI/AAAAAAAAGGg/O3O4yQeq4Y4/s1600/IMG_0856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="black lab puppy Romero is sitting on the greenish tile floor in the entrance to a McDonalds restaurant. He is wearing his green Future Dog Guide jacket, a green leash, and a bright blue bandana with yellow suns and a McDonalds M on it. Romero is in full working mode - sitting nicely and staring seriously into the camera. Behind Romero is a large window covering most of the wall, an through it you can see people sitting at tables enjoying their dinner. In the top pane of the window is a small white poster with a picture of a cute yellow lab in a green jacket, advertising for McHappy day." border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYx5IqaF7zk/TeBoWgtCBvI/AAAAAAAAGGg/O3O4yQeq4Y4/s400/IMG_0856.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Today was McHappy Day at McDonalds restaurants, with $1 from the purchase of certain items going to charity. In Oakville, these donations went to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dogguides.com/">Dog Guides</a>. Romero spent dinner time at our nearest restaurant greeting the diners and gladly accepting donations in exchange for some puppy love.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-6784220572120692365?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-50802269411619767902011-05-10T23:54:00.018-04:002011-05-27T22:44:39.348-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecghq378wF8/TeA6TCRLGZI/AAAAAAAAGGY/OTCvYWbKKgo/s1600/IMG_0854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="This is a picture of black lab puppy Romero's head and shoulders as he lies on his side, half-on-half-off his round blue and grey dog bed. His body is in the upper third of the photo, and his long front legs stretch almost to the bottom. Romero is wearing his Blue Jays collar, and his head is off of the dog bed, resting on the tiled kitchen floor with his eyes almost closed. His ear is flipped back on his head, showing a bit of the light pink skin inside. Romero's long front legs look like those of a dancer. His right foot is resting just in front of his left, with the paw slightly upturned, showing his huge foot!" height="400" width="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecghq378wF8/TeA6TCRLGZI/AAAAAAAAGGY/OTCvYWbKKgo/s400/IMG_0854.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5080226941161976790?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-61500506339769049402011-05-09T19:24:00.024-04:002011-05-27T19:52:18.600-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxluTK_lNWM/TeAzM1aOX8I/AAAAAAAAGGQ/U0SK0uMM5zs/s1600/IMG_0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is sitting in our family room beside his wooden toy basket. There is a small bone sitting in front of the basket; a nylabone, rope toy, and two brown stuffed toys on the other side. Hanging out of the basket is a neon green stuffed monkey with long arms and legs. Romero is wearing his Blue Jays collar, and has a dreamy expression on his face. He's facing the camera but staring slightly off into space. His mouth is open slightly, showing his pink tongue. His long ears hang down on either side of his head. Behind Romero and the toy box is a brownish-green couch. There is a fuzzy green knitted blanket hanging over the back of the couch." height="300" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxluTK_lNWM/TeAzM1aOX8I/AAAAAAAAGGQ/U0SK0uMM5zs/s400/IMG_0848.JPG" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-6150050633976904940?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-78698798994825544372011-05-08T19:40:00.000-04:002011-05-27T19:20:31.406-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lIc0ucrqSRs/TeAwO9gsgXI/AAAAAAAAGGI/J8hxVxOlbWc/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="Six month old black lab puppy Romero is lying in his large wire crate with the door open. The floor of the kennel is covered by a thin brown cushion. You can see that it's shedding season ... there's a cloud of black fur on the cream carpet around the crate. Romero is lying on the right side of the crate, with his long front legs stretching diagonally to the left front corner. You can see the fluffy end of his tail peeking out from behind his left shoulder. Romero is looking sweetly towards the camera, his head just slightly tilted and his left ear held out from his head. His thin whiskers curl around his muzzle. He is wearing his blue and grey Blue Jays collar. There is a large red Kong ball resting beside Romero's right elbow." height="300" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lIc0ucrqSRs/TeAwO9gsgXI/AAAAAAAAGGI/J8hxVxOlbWc/s400/IMG_0843.JPG" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7869879899482554437?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-555107498684813792011-05-07T23:46:00.032-04:002011-05-23T13:59:13.497-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zwQSAI1NtSM/TdqRVQ2NnPI/AAAAAAAAGFw/j8jgHzZWt70/s1600/IMG_0842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Four dogs are lined up in my messy bedroom. From left to right - Dallas, a black lab wearing a red collar is lying with her back half out of the photo, facing slightly away from the camera. She looks rather un-enthusiastic, not thrilled about posing for a picture. Next is 6 month old black lab puppy Romero, catching up to Dallas in size. He is wearing a blue collar, lying in the centre of the photo, facing towards the camera but sort of staring off into space. His big, expressive ears are held forward, framing his face. Third is visiting collie Tanner. His long soft fur is mostly tan and white, with a few black highlights around his eyes and ears. He is lying right against Romero, staring into the camera, and has his mouth open in a smile. Next to Tanner's paw is a black and red rubber ring toy. Last but not least is big yellow lab Baloo, who is standing slightly behind Tanner. Baloo too is looking directly into the camera, but with a curious look on his face. Behind the dogs are Romero's open wire crate and a big carboard box full of stuff for an upcoming garage sale." border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zwQSAI1NtSM/TdqRVQ2NnPI/AAAAAAAAGFw/j8jgHzZWt70/s400/IMG_0842.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>With most of our human family away for the weekend, the canine kids are all hanging out together. Missing is camera-shy silky terrier Noel.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-55510749868481379?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-37153821685500609512011-05-06T22:47:00.000-04:002011-05-23T11:49:07.437-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1A0L55qUHE/TdqAIox3DuI/AAAAAAAAGFo/8qdLxT1ddj0/s1600/IMG_0837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is sitting on a wood floor looking upwards at the camera. His blue buckled collar is sitting low on his neck. Romero has a soft, rounded face with a long muzzle, dark brown eyes, and big ears that are slightly folded back in this picture. He is doing the classic silly puppy sit - back on his bum with his two back legs sticking out to his right side." height="400" width="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1A0L55qUHE/TdqAIox3DuI/AAAAAAAAGFo/8qdLxT1ddj0/s400/IMG_0837.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-3715382168550060951?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-71809162946450652242011-05-05T08:00:00.012-04:002011-05-23T10:47:08.411-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oYEWIimO5mE/Tdpvfg4fWnI/AAAAAAAAGFg/hVWI2EBjK3k/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" alt="6 month old black lab puppy Romero is lying on his right side on the cream-coloured carpet in my bedroom. The picture is taken from in front of his head, looking back at the rest of his body. His back legs are slightly tucked up by his hips, and his long front legs are stretched out towards the camera. He looks a little sleepy, with his eyes are slightly closed as though he's just waking up. He is wearing his Blue Jays buckle collar. The bright morning sunlight is streaming in from a window behind Romero. His legs are in the patch of sunlight, while most of his body remains in the shadow." src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oYEWIimO5mE/Tdpvfg4fWnI/AAAAAAAAGFg/hVWI2EBjK3k/s400/IMG_0832.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7180916294645065224?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-64101223501608850762011-05-04T17:46:00.011-04:002011-05-23T10:26:56.280-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5OpZytAp78/TdhrMx50ftI/AAAAAAAAGFY/GDUBQnZsbSM/s1600/IMG_0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="Six month old black lab puppy is sitting on the metal platform of a vet clinic scale, raised about an inch or two from the floor. He is looking into the camera, but with his body facing to the right of the photo. His face is serious - he has to look good for his 6 month portrait - but his big goofy ears are held out to the side like wings. He is wearing his blue and gray Blue Jays collar. To the right of the picture is a wood-paneled counter, and Romero is now about 3/4 of the height of it. The scale's display is mounted on the wall well above the counter, and it reads 49.4." height="400" width="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5OpZytAp78/TdhrMx50ftI/AAAAAAAAGFY/GDUBQnZsbSM/s400/IMG_0829.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-6410122350160885076?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-43898024064816398072011-05-03T20:50:00.012-04:002011-05-21T09:01:57.754-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAMTWoCmlGA/Tde2p2pBmxI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/B2oMt2_JGwU/s1600/IMG_0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="Black lab Romero is lying in his crate with the door open enjoying a brand new bone - one of the large hollow natural bones. He is lying on a brown mat that is scrunched up towards the back of his crate and there is a red toy in the back corner of the crate. The new bone is in the front corner of the crate and Romero has his left paw over it, keeping hold of it. His right paw is resting over the front of the crate tray. His head is tilted to the left with his nose getting right into the end of the bone. His eyes are closed in bliss as he enjoys this special treat." height="300" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TAMTWoCmlGA/Tde2p2pBmxI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/B2oMt2_JGwU/s400/IMG_0824.JPG" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4389802406481639807?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-53378966575684170502011-05-02T22:37:00.008-04:002011-05-16T22:55:02.069-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">And if you're Canadian, we hope you did too!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilvCiCOQYsw/TdHf79wz1QI/AAAAAAAAGFI/PYuuuWDKuy4/s1600/IMG_0820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is posing for a picture in front of a big Canada flag hanging on a blue wall. The photo is taking from below Romero's face, looking up at the flag. Romero is looking seriously into the camera, his brown eyes reflecting the flash and his wet black nose shining. In classic Romero fashion, he is holding his right ear close to his hear, and his left ear out to the side - silly boy!" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilvCiCOQYsw/TdHf79wz1QI/AAAAAAAAGFI/PYuuuWDKuy4/s400/IMG_0820.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5337896657568417050?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-54660562289585621212011-05-01T06:08:00.016-04:002011-05-16T22:37:01.723-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even at 5:30am, I love waking up to this face ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-bSJsAdfeA/TdHVODXIYII/AAAAAAAAGFA/95qEsLBck8U/s1600/IMG_0812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Five month old black lab puppy Romero is lying in his wire crate early in the morning, just after our alarm went off. The floor of the crate is covered by a comfy brown mat, and there is a red kong treat ball toy in the back corner of the crate. Romero is looking ever-so-sweet, pleading with his big brown eyes to be released from his crate and start the day. Visiting collie Tanner's tail is visible at the very bottom of the photo - he is lying in front of Romero's kennel." height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-bSJsAdfeA/TdHVODXIYII/AAAAAAAAGFA/95qEsLBck8U/s400/IMG_0812.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5466056228958562121?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-89427820471418453312011-04-30T21:21:00.020-04:002011-05-16T21:18:49.504-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrdC_Gv9di8/TdGlXQ1SIhI/AAAAAAAAGE4/8vgSpCNFafE/s1600/IMG_0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is lying on his big round dog bed in the corner of our living room, closest to the camera. A large TV is mounted in a white shelving unit on the opposite wall behind Romero. The picture is pretty blurry, but I believe the hockey game is playing. There are three couches along the other three walls - a small maroon seat farthest from Romero, and two larger olive green couches on either side of him. There is a small wooden coffee table in the centre of the room. Just behind Romero, you can see Tanner, the visiting collie's head peeking around the edge of the couch. Romero is resting his head on the bed next to his left front leg. He looks sleepy, but his eyes are wide open looking into the camera, and his ears are slightly perked up." height="300" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrdC_Gv9di8/TdGlXQ1SIhI/AAAAAAAAGE4/8vgSpCNFafE/s400/IMG_0811.JPG" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-8942782047141845331?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-72280461064251127222011-04-29T06:56:00.002-04:002011-05-13T19:53:35.762-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsarIAwnK4M/Tc24z705Z_I/AAAAAAAAGEw/oLBQtVSBPxM/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="This is a close-up of black lab puppy Romero's head as he rests his chin on a white bedspread. The alarm clock has just gone off and he is waiting for me to get out of bed and start our day. His black nose is wet and leathery. His lips are slightly flared out to the sides. His eyes are a very dark brown, and his right eye is fully open, but his left is slightly squinted, looking like he's still a little sleepy. His left ear is resting against the bed, so it curls out a little a the bottom." height="300" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsarIAwnK4M/Tc24z705Z_I/AAAAAAAAGEw/oLBQtVSBPxM/s400/IMG_0805.JPG" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7228046106425112722?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-54690405242184938952011-04-28T19:45:00.000-04:002011-05-13T18:56:56.038-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xXcHhuX_qw/Tcw6QbqrzyI/AAAAAAAAGEo/2z_z5Q8lO7o/s1600/IMG_0804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5 month old black lab Romero is sitting in the cereal aisle at the grocery store in front of the shelves packed with Rice Crispies, Shreddies, and Mini Wheats. Romero is wearing his green Future Dog Guide jacket, a blue collar, and black leash. He looks very focused, staring straight towards the camera, but his right back leg is sprawled out to the side in a cute puppy sit position. Beside Romero is a black plastic grocery basket piled high with groceries, including a box of shreddies, a carton of milk, and a bag of nacho chips. This was the first time Romero accompanied me for a full grocery shopping trip and he did fabulously!" border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xXcHhuX_qw/Tcw6QbqrzyI/AAAAAAAAGEo/2z_z5Q8lO7o/s400/IMG_0804.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5469040524218493895?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-56152008024325580422011-04-27T23:46:00.000-04:002011-05-13T18:56:24.792-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-py3rhXsQdDk/TcwVJkzUmfI/AAAAAAAAGEg/bz5WAeVPgi8/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is lying on the mint green carpet in the hallway, with an open white door and a thin wooden bookshelf behind him. Romero is wearing his blue and gray Blue Jays collar. Lying against his front right foot is a pair of black and gray scissor-style dog nail clippers, as Romero prepares for his manicure. Romero is looking slightly upwards, with a half-moon of white at the bottom of both of his eyes. He is behaving beautifully as always, but is giving me a look that says he'd much rather be doing something else." border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-py3rhXsQdDk/TcwVJkzUmfI/AAAAAAAAGEg/bz5WAeVPgi8/s400/IMG_0799.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5615200802432558042?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-39413724183427200572011-04-26T23:19:00.010-04:002011-05-11T13:44:21.071-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbFoycD6avw/TcrFbLUocwI/AAAAAAAAGEY/zbOOgzWuCnU/s1600/IMG_0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="5 month old black lab puppy Romero is is a down position in my bedroom with my messy desk in the background. He is resting on his left hip, with his back legs resting on a gray blanket to the right. On the carpet between his two front paws is a green dog treat (shaped like 3 peas in a pod). Romero has been asked to LEAVE IT, and is doing very well, looking into the camera instead of at the cookie. However, he does have a big string of drool hanging from one side of his mouth." height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbFoycD6avw/TcrFbLUocwI/AAAAAAAAGEY/zbOOgzWuCnU/s400/IMG_0796.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-3941372418342720057?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-60809955744271450592011-04-25T22:41:00.018-04:002011-05-11T13:17:58.350-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXW_t94qFno/Tcq80nknzYI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/ydJAnzc7HZA/s1600/IMG_0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is lying in the middle of my bedroom on the cream coloured carpet. He looks worn out, with his head resting between his two outstretched front paws. He also has a bright lime green, chewed up old stuffed toy under his right paw. Romero's new friend Tanner is lying on a thick gray blanket near Romero's back feet. Tanner is a big collie - he looks just like Lassie! He too looks pretty tired, with his paws tucked under him and his long nose resting on his blanket. Behind the dogs, the bedroom is rather messy, with various piles of boxes and stacks of books." border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXW_t94qFno/Tcq80nknzYI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/ydJAnzc7HZA/s400/IMG_0793.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Romero thinks that dogsitting can be tiring, but he's happy to have a new friend to play with.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-6080995574427145059?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-19522879453751313142011-04-24T22:19:00.000-04:002011-05-01T21:38:01.412-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2spaObJwoXk/Tb4HF2O8ErI/AAAAAAAAGEI/qT5PzmznLMI/s1600/IMG_0790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is in the easter spirit, posing with a pair of small white a pink bunny ears tied around his head with a pink ribbon. He is sitting and looking very innocently into the camera, he doesn't seem too bothered by his new set of ears. To the left of Romero is a wooden easter bunny decoration, slightly shorter than him and adorned with a wooden basket of easter eggs and a big purple ribbon tied around its neck. Both bunnies are sitting on a mint green carpet against a tan wall at the top of our stairs." height="400" width="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2spaObJwoXk/Tb4HF2O8ErI/AAAAAAAAGEI/qT5PzmznLMI/s400/IMG_0790.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-1952287945375131314?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-58956203915114340302011-04-23T17:22:00.056-04:002011-06-11T13:27:08.325-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzlFC_bj4pg/Tb318T60-_I/AAAAAAAAGEA/G2I_BAd_-8Q/s1600/IMG_0775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is sitting near the bottom of the field level bleachers at the Rogers Centre before the game. He is wearing his green future dog guide jacket and red leash, and is sitting in the middle of an aisle a couple rows us. There are blue seats on either side of him, and behind him a short blue gate that opens onto the field. The green turf field is empty, save for a bat boy sitting beside a bucket of baseballs. The vast stands are almost completely empty too - it is still quite a while before the game is scheduled to start. The dome roof above is closed (it is still April in Canada after all) and the bright stadium lights are reflecting down onto the field." border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lzlFC_bj4pg/Tb318T60-_I/AAAAAAAAGEA/G2I_BAd_-8Q/s400/IMG_0775.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Our Seat:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Section 526, Row 6, Seat 107</span></span></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Our Record:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">2-2</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Memorable Moments:</span></span></b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Being back at the stadium less than 12 hours after leaving last night<br />- Watching pitchers (including Ricky Romero) warming up before the game<br />- Hearing one of the pitchers thank their coach for the help<br />- Sam Fuld = still awesome, though I wish he'd stop scoring against my team<br />- The (excellent) return of Brandon Morrow<br />- Two more Bautista home runs!! (and a walk and a single)<br />- Seeing the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17020846082&amp;ref=ts">cheerleading usher</a> for the first time this season<br />- Yet again, coming close in the 9th<br />- No better way to spend a Saturday than at the game with my puppy</div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5895620391511434030?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-54476659443163449302011-04-22T23:53:00.036-04:002011-05-01T18:57:00.041-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aivIKLHh5SU/TbxFVkT6x4I/AAAAAAAAGD4/_9arc_-VVG4/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is lying on his side, asleep on the concrete floor of the 500 level stands at the Rogers Centre. He is wearing his green Future Dog Guide jacket, his Blue Jays collar, and a red leash that drapes over his shoulder. His face is completely relaxed, his top ear is flopped over the top of his head, and his front legs are stretched in front of him. Behind Romero's head, you can see the legs of the person in the seat next to him, as well as a fair bit of popcorn kernels and other garbage littering the ground." border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aivIKLHh5SU/TbxFVkT6x4I/AAAAAAAAGD4/_9arc_-VVG4/s400/IMG_0768.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Our Seat:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Section 522, Row 16, Seat 1</span></span></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Our Record: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">2-1</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Memorable Moments:</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- My mom and sister joining us for the game<br />- Sam Fuld = awesome, even though he's not a Jay<br />- An improved outing for JoJo Reyes (I'm rooting for him)<br />- Jose Bautista taking two walks when he's a single short of the cycle<br />-&nbsp;The wave going around Rogers Centre / SkyDome (I know it's silly, but it reminds me of baseball games as a kid)<br />- Extra innings<br />- John McDonald WALKOFF HOMERUN!!<br />- Romero sleeping through all of this<br />- Chants of "Johnny Mac" as we walked back to the train station</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5447665944316344930?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-63641357765439375652011-04-21T23:48:00.033-04:002011-04-27T18:13:31.545-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Romero helped spread the word about Dog Guides at a subway station this afternoon, and got to wear a special "donation dog" vest over his Future Dog Guide jacket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ok-0RJn-ATc/Tbh8kF4PJlI/AAAAAAAAGDw/_e05MJUGO20/s1600/IMG_0767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is sitting in the middle of a Toronto subway station, looking like a perfect dog guide ambassador! He is decked out in his Blue Jays collar, red leash, and green future dog guide jacket. Over top of his jacket, he is wearing a smaller purple vest. On each side of the vest it says DONATION DOG and there is a plastic pocket to hold donations. There is a blue five dollar bill in the pocket of Romero's jacket. In front of Romero is a red plastic Dog Guides donation bucket. Behind Romero are various pillars (we are on the lower level of the station), a small convenience store, and escalators leading down to the tracks. There is one person wearing a black jacket and light blue backpack heading towards the escalators. " height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ok-0RJn-ATc/Tbh8kF4PJlI/AAAAAAAAGDw/_e05MJUGO20/s400/IMG_0767.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Best comment of the day (from a lady who stopped to take several pictures of Romero) ... "He's going to be the next Prince William!"<br /><br />I'm not 100% sure of what she meant by that, but I enjoyed the thought of Romero as royalty being chased by paparazzi.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-6364135776543937565?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-78558946122349829702011-04-20T17:43:00.018-04:002011-04-26T17:54:54.774-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDSY6p3GNAY/Tbc8sdnTHCI/AAAAAAAAGDo/YGABS9rRk3E/s1600/IMG_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Yellow lab Baloo, black lab Dallas, and black lab puppy Romero are all relaxing in the living room. This picture is taken from the entrance to the room, which has olive green walls and a light hardwood floor. From left to right in the room is a brown leather chair and foot stool, a longer green chair with a coffee table in front and small wooden end tables on either side, and finally a maroon arm chair next to a large window. Baloo is comfortably curled up in the leather chair, his favourite spot in the house. Dallas relaxes in the maroon chair where she can look out the window. Romero, who is not allowed on the furniture, is politely lying down on the floor below Dallas' chair." height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDSY6p3GNAY/Tbc8sdnTHCI/AAAAAAAAGDo/YGABS9rRk3E/s400/IMG_0765.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Yes, Romero's the one on the floor)</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7855894612234982970?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-67145767441657025122011-04-19T22:05:00.015-04:002011-04-25T20:46:49.812-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JlFeRB_rEJQ/TbYVDOx7z5I/AAAAAAAAGDg/X8IXDs_N9ZE/s1600/IMG_0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is curled up, fast asleep on the light blue bath mat beside the white bath tub. His eyes are squeezed shut, his head is resting on his front paws, and his tail is tucked up beside his back feet. He is wearing a gray and blue Blue Jays collar. Behind him, a bright green, blue, and white towel is hanging over the edge of the bath tub." height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JlFeRB_rEJQ/TbYVDOx7z5I/AAAAAAAAGDg/X8IXDs_N9ZE/s400/IMG_0762.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-6714576744165702512?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-35625136489534204322011-04-18T21:47:00.018-04:002011-04-25T18:52:03.315-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Skn_DNuNaoQ/TbXsLB2_ptI/AAAAAAAAGDY/4NFwx3A69vQ/s1600/IMG_0760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is trotting down the sidewalk on an evening walk. It is dark out, but in this picture he is walking through the light beam from a street lamp. Romero is mid-stride as he walks towards the camera with his right front leg stretched forward. His brown eyes look reddish as they reflect the camera flash - he looks a little surprised to have been photographed. He is wearing a blue and gray collar attached to a thin green nylon leash that is knotted near the end. The grass behind him is starting to turn green (yay spring!) but is still short and brown in places." border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Skn_DNuNaoQ/TbXsLB2_ptI/AAAAAAAAGDY/4NFwx3A69vQ/s400/IMG_0760.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-3562513648953420432?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-72541153381240892152011-04-17T23:08:00.001-04:002011-04-25T17:19:58.065-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNjzLHim_Yw/TbXi_rnd6nI/AAAAAAAAGDI/LQWzxdcUOAQ/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is lying down on the mint green carpet in the hall outside my bedroom. Romero's body is facing slightly away from the camera but his head is turned over his right shoulder looking towards me. He is wearing his new, size 5 green puppy jacket. The jacket has Future Dog Guide printed in large font on each side, and on the back it has the dog guides logo and phone number, then more text reading Please ask my handler before you pet me. At the bottom of the jacket, sitting above Romero's hips, is the logo for the Lions Foundation, which sponsored the jacket. Unlike the size 4 jacket, which was looking like a tank top on Romero, this one sits comfortably on him, covering up most of his back ... at least until he grows anymore!" border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNjzLHim_Yw/TbXi_rnd6nI/AAAAAAAAGDI/LQWzxdcUOAQ/s400/IMG_0744.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's a big boy now!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7254115338124089215?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-70748874713841888742011-04-16T16:38:00.023-04:002011-04-24T23:51:40.099-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JITA4_puol4/TbTs_fFROkI/AAAAAAAAGDA/ZB2J8OnZsqw/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5 month old black lab siblings Jazzy and Romero are sitting side by side in the hall at the Dog Guides training facility. Both are wearing their green future dog guide jackets. You can tell they are being bribed with a treat because both are looking upwards, Jazzy has her mouth slightly open in anticipation and Romero's pink tongue is licking his lips. The two dogs have similar features - dark brown eyes, floppy velvet ears, and long slender faces. Romero is just a little taller than Jazzy but she is thicker-set. There are a couple people standing in the hallway around the dogs, and behind them is a black floor mat in front of the open sliding door to the relief area." border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JITA4_puol4/TbTs_fFROkI/AAAAAAAAGDA/ZB2J8OnZsqw/s400/IMG_0743.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Romero (right) met up with his sister, Jazzy, today at the Dog Guides spring open house</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7074887471384188874?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-77252866772997407432011-04-15T23:35:00.000-04:002011-04-24T21:20:34.652-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQ1v27H0MeM/TbTCFhIxq3I/AAAAAAAAGC4/3D2kThGCKGQ/s1600/IMG_0731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I am sitting on the floor in my bedroom, part way through getting ready for bed. I am wearing plaid pajama pants and a red t-shirt under a navy blue scrub shirt. Black lab puppy Romero is lying in my lap as though he is relaxing in a lounge chair. His head is resting in my left elbow and his wrinkly face is all smooshed up so only his one eye is open. My hand is resting on his shoulder. Romero's long slender front legs are stretched forward towards the camera - you can see he needs a nail trim soon! He looks like he could not possibly be more comfortable or relaxed." border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQ1v27H0MeM/TbTCFhIxq3I/AAAAAAAAGC4/3D2kThGCKGQ/s400/IMG_0731.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7725286677299740743?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-42443576725175416222011-04-14T23:13:00.087-04:002011-04-27T19:12:42.932-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We continue to slowly work towards our goal of raising $20000 to sponsor Romero's training as a dog guide. Check out the ticker in the right sidebar to keep track of our progress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's an update on some of our new and ongoing fundraisers for Romero's scholarship ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rkB-q9HUifU/TbXpDdw-uhI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/BXZQPOuIqng/s1600/IMG_0725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5 month old black lab puppy Romero is sitting in the corner of my bedroom where the blue wall meets the white door. He's in a typical puppy sit position - with his left hip sticking out the side, and his head just slightly tilted. He is wearing his blue and gray Blue Jays collar and looking towards the camera with a serious expression on his face. Resting against his front legs is a long, thin plaqued poster. The image on the poster is eight six-week-old labrador puppies sitting on a stone step in front of the green grass in our backyard. From left to right is a light chocolate lab in a red bandana, a black lab in a yellow bandana (hanging in front of his chest like a bib), a chocolate lab in a dark green bandana, a smiling black lab in a blue bandana, a black lab in a purple bandana, a chocolate lab in a pink bandana, a black lab wearing a maroon bandana and chewing on her brother's neck, and finally a chocolate lab in a lime green bandana who looks like she's about ready to lie down and go to sleep." border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rkB-q9HUifU/TbXpDdw-uhI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/BXZQPOuIqng/s400/IMG_0725.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>1) In the above picture, Romero is helping to display our newest fundraiser - cute puppy posters! These poster prints of the Dog Guides' 2009 "B" litter are $10 each (please note, poster plaquing not included in this price).&nbsp;Contact us at <a href="mailto:dogguideromero@gmail.com">dogguideromero@gmail.com</a> to purchase posters, or <a href="http://raisingromero.blogspot.com/p/for-sale.html">CLICK HERE</a> for more details.<br /><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">2) We also have some other great items featuring the above picture available at our <a href="http://www.cafepress.ca/raisingromero">Cafepress Store</a>.<br /><br />3) Romero's quilt is now complete! Raffle tickets are on sale from now until June - $2 each or 3 for $5. <a href="http://raisingromero.blogspot.com/p/quilt-raffle.html">CLICK HERE</a> for more details and to see the finished quilt, and email us at <a href="mailto:dogguideromero@gmail.com">dogguideromero@gmail.com</a> to purchase tickets!<br /><br />Of course <a href="http://raisingromero.blogspot.com/p/pitcher-pledges.html">donations</a> and <a href="http://raisingromero.blogspot.com/p/pennies-for-puppies.html">spare change</a> are always gladly accepted ... every little bit counts.<br />Thanks for all of your support, and stay-tuned for some upcoming fundraising events!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4244357672517541622?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-29042827554680902202011-04-13T21:26:00.021-04:002011-04-23T23:12:42.047-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TyBfuLeyRP0/TbOSF9V2-BI/AAAAAAAAGCU/lXxKULjgSgw/s1600/IMG_0714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Romero's quilt is in the final stages - it is now laid out on top of two large fold-out tables. The three layers - black back, white batting, and the completed top of the quilt are held together with tons of safety pins, covering just about every inch of the fabric in preparation for the final quilting. The pattern of the quilt is a centre of 12 colourful squares, surrounded by a thin black border, then a thick border of beige fabric, then another thin black border, then a row of black and coloured squares. Within the beige fabric are 6 black lab silhouettes - one with a brown harness and a red pouch on the handle, four with blue, yellow, orange, and purple jackets, and a smaller puppy silhouette in a green jacket representing a foster puppy. The six colours of the jackets are the same fabrics as the coloured squares in the quilt. Black lab puppy Romero is sitting proudly in front of the tables. " border="0" height="328" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TyBfuLeyRP0/TbOSF9V2-BI/AAAAAAAAGCU/lXxKULjgSgw/s400/IMG_0714.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-2904282755468090220?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-71039548783071702272011-04-12T23:21:00.000-04:002011-04-20T19:21:53.423-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nk4GZ0Cwz54/Ta9fLX9agcI/AAAAAAAAGCM/TdMJCbCsBLA/s1600/IMG_0710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5 month old black lab puppy Romero is playing lying on the floor in the bedroom playing with a new (to him) toy. The toy is a chain of three rubber rings - red, black, and red. Romero has his two front legs sticking through the red rings of the chain, so it looks as though he's wearing handcuffs. His right leg is reaching towards the camera and you can see how big his paw is! Romero is looking at the camera giving his best dejected look, hoping that someone will get him out of jail!" border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nk4GZ0Cwz54/Ta9fLX9agcI/AAAAAAAAGCM/TdMJCbCsBLA/s400/IMG_0710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7103954878307170227?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-16905822285618688612011-04-11T22:44:00.014-04:002011-04-20T18:30:13.209-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9DIhU2MugYk/TauKBacIXSI/AAAAAAAAGB8/MK5sYI8HUu4/s1600/IMG_0708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A sleepy black lab puppy Romero in his green future dog guide jacket is lying on his side under a computer desk at the library. Romero's neck and legs are stretching out and his eye is just barely open. You can see how long his muzzle is in this picture. His green nylon leash is between his front legs and reaching up to the chair where I am sitting. There is a black desk leg just behind Romero's head and the carpet beneath him has thin black and gray stripes. My red backpack is sitting on the floor just in front of Romero - I'm surprised that he isn't using it as a pillow like he usually does." border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9DIhU2MugYk/TauKBacIXSI/AAAAAAAAGB8/MK5sYI8HUu4/s400/IMG_0708.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-1690582228561868861?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-41456785007239945642011-04-10T23:37:00.013-04:002011-04-17T20:19:52.978-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qMaAz1HT2qM/Tapg6_lAeJI/AAAAAAAAGB0/-0gB2pXejas/s1600/IMG_0706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="5 month old black lab puppy Romero is lying at my feet on the wood floor while I am sitting on a couch. He has turned towards me, his brown eyes looking into the camera. His right front paw is lifted off the ground, resting on top of my right foot. Only the bottom part of my leg is visible, I am wearing black jeans and a white sock." height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qMaAz1HT2qM/Tapg6_lAeJI/AAAAAAAAGB0/-0gB2pXejas/s400/IMG_0706.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4145678500723994564?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-86982059037538335112011-04-09T17:11:00.013-04:002011-04-16T23:29:15.479-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6iKSR8eJ93I/TapcV4QYV0I/AAAAAAAAGBs/iYj4yHiObPk/s1600/IMG_0701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero, looking very puppyish in this picture, is trotting along in the backyard with a dirty green tennis ball in his mouth. He is very content, with his ears perked up, his tail waving, and his left paw stretched forward as he brings the ball back. The grass is just starting to turn green, but at the moment is mostly a pretty dull brown. The sun is out, and bare tree branches are casting shadows all over the lawn. Behind Romero you can see the bottom of a wooden fence enclosing the backyard." height="400" width="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6iKSR8eJ93I/TapcV4QYV0I/AAAAAAAAGBs/iYj4yHiObPk/s400/IMG_0701.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-8698205903753833511?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-71587876240008183542011-04-08T09:19:00.000-04:002011-04-16T23:03:17.574-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUePI3QBcLU/TapXyfxUSoI/AAAAAAAAGBc/2YEn9TXAiyU/s1600/IMG_0696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is sitting in front of the oven in our kitchen. He has just been told to WAIT and a small metal bowl filled with small brown kibbles is sitting in front of him. He is waiting patiently, deliberately looking at the camera and not at the food so that he can resist the temptation." height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUePI3QBcLU/TapXyfxUSoI/AAAAAAAAGBc/2YEn9TXAiyU/s320/IMG_0696.jpg" width="240" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iJiET2zptlo/TapQJ412P4I/AAAAAAAAGBU/VAaOrIkSvfI/s1600/IMG_0697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Romero has now been given the OK command and stepped forward to eat his breakfast. His head is down in the bowl as he grabs a big mouthful of kibble." border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iJiET2zptlo/TapQJ412P4I/AAAAAAAAGBU/VAaOrIkSvfI/s320/IMG_0697.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7158787624000818354?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-25775221270597366712011-04-07T23:22:00.000-04:002011-04-17T23:31:39.414-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Romero and I are taking a break from our normal "photo-a-day" format to join in the <a href="https://thetroubleisme.wordpress.com/2011/03/15/announcing-the-3rd-assistance-dog-blog-carnival/">3rd Assistance Dog &nbsp;Blog Carnival</a> with the theme of <i><b>REACTIONS</b></i>:<br /><blockquote>Spending the majority of my time with a dog guide puppy in training by my side, I encounter many different reactions from the people we meet throughout the day. Take today, for example ...</blockquote><blockquote>Romero and I were up early, catching the train into Toronto where we were helping out with a fundraiser at one of the subway stations. It's always fun to see the smiles on the commuters' faces as they pass by the puppies. Several people commented that puppy greetings were the best way to start the morning!</blockquote><blockquote>After the morning rush, Romero and I ran some errands and ended up at the mall. We stopped to take a rest on a bench, and were soon joined by an older couple who stopped to admire Romero. A brief encounter can turn into a thirty minute conversation when there's a puppy involved. We covered the typical topics ("How old is your puppy?" "What kind of dog guide will he be?" "How do you teach him to be so calm?" and of course "Won't you be sad to give him up?") and even ventured into a bit of baseball chatter (after explaining that Romero was named after a baseball player).</blockquote><blockquote>Next was a bathroom break for me. Romero does well in public washrooms, tucking in to the tiny stalls. I do wonder what people think when they see a little black tail sticking under the door though!</blockquote><blockquote>For lunch, we met up with a friend and her dog guide puppy - Romero's "girlfriend" Jewel. With two puppies, we attract even more attention (and you can imagine the reaction when get together with a group of ten or more puppies!).</blockquote><blockquote>The main event of the day was an outing to the Blue Jays game. I have taken Romero and my previous foster puppies to the Rogers Centre many times before, and never had any access problems. Today, they didn't bat an eye at the two dogs, but security was concerned about the roll of paper towels in my backpack. Once I explained that they were for puppy cleanups "just in case" and I wasn't planning to throw them on the field, we were allowed into the stadium.</blockquote><blockquote>We settled into our seats - way up top but with a great view for both us and the dogs - and the two pups promptly fell asleep. They remained that way for most of the game, showing no reaction to the clapping and cheering of the people around us.</blockquote><blockquote>Probably my favourite reaction to Romero ever came after the game. We had stopped to get a picture of Romero under Ricky Romero's banner outside the stadium, and a fellow Blue Jays fan must have overheard us saying Romero's name. He asked me if I'd named my dog after a Blue Jay, and when I said that I had, he stopped to shake my hand. This led to another conversation about both baseball and dog guides, and before we parted ways he gave me another sincere handshake, this time in appreciation of the work I do as a volunteer puppy raiser. It was an unnecessary gesture (fostering these puppies is more enjoyable and rewarding than I can explain)&nbsp;but appreciated nonetheless - so thanks, Mr. Blue Jays Fan, and I hope Romero and I will run into you at another game sometime!</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea75hsa0Yhs/TauKkZqMOUI/AAAAAAAAGCE/xZkomM46ETk/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is in a down on the concrete floor beneath a blue stadium seat at the Rogers Centre. He is wearing his green future dog guide jacket. His head is perked up and he is looking slightly off to the right, with his paws hanging over the ledge in front of him. Next to Romero (slightly behind him in this photo) is another dog guide puppy, black lab Jewel. Jewel is about 10 months old, but about the same size as Romero, with a thin, triangular face and big floppy ears. She is looking towards the camera with her chin resting on the ground. There is no one sitting in the seats above the dogs (we are in front of them taking this picture) but there are several jackets and bags saving our seats." border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea75hsa0Yhs/TauKkZqMOUI/AAAAAAAAGCE/xZkomM46ETk/s400/IMG_0691.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">And now for our report on our 2nd baseball game of the season ...</div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Our Seat:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Section 523, Row 10, Seat 1</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Our Record:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">1-1</span></span></span></span></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Memorable Moments:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Romero's first "date" with Jewel</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Seeing Ricky Romero pitch live and awesomely</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Aaron Hill (Sam's favourite position player) getting the first hit of the game, then stealing second and breaking his belt in the process</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">- Coming close in the bottom of the ninth</div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-2577522127059736671?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-71289818715989086432011-04-06T18:09:00.022-04:002011-04-13T12:52:49.429-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpr2Y16PSq4/TaEfxMROTTI/AAAAAAAAGA0/2q1hWk0_iYo/s1600/IMG_0679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="5 month old black lab puppy Romero is sitting on an olive green mat at the front door, ready to go out on an errand. He is sitting sideways so that you can see the FUTURE DOG GUIDE written along the side of his green jacket (which is getting a bit small for him). A green leash is attached to his blue collar. He is looking into the camera with a goofy smile on his face - he is holding his left ear out from his head (classic Romero look) and has his pink tongue sticking out just a little. In front of Romero is a small metal jar with a dog silhouette on it (used to be a dog cookie jar, now a coin jar) that has ROMERO'S SCHOLARSHIP written on it." border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpr2Y16PSq4/TaEfxMROTTI/AAAAAAAAGA0/2q1hWk0_iYo/s400/IMG_0679.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Romero and I are off to the bank today to deposit another batch of <a href="http://raisingromero.blogspot.com/p/pennies-for-puppies.html">spare change</a> that we have collected for Romero's scholarship.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7128981871598908643?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-46842497516388099692011-04-05T23:36:00.010-04:002011-04-09T23:08:53.929-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--RmzOjckOUI/TaERI9V8QFI/AAAAAAAAGAs/KMUXNhNT6sw/s1600/IMG_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is lying on the kitchen floor in front of the stainless steel fridge. This is a profile shot of his head and upper body as he happily chews on an ice cube, which is just sticking a little out of his mouth. A second ice cube is on the floor to Romero's left. Romero is wearing his Blue Jays collar, and you can see that his paws are all wet from playing with and chewing the ice cubes." border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--RmzOjckOUI/TaERI9V8QFI/AAAAAAAAGAs/KMUXNhNT6sw/s400/IMG_0677.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4684249751638809969?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-48229604332799456532011-04-04T16:58:00.002-04:002011-05-23T10:20:32.501-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpH3zyxQ_b0/TaDItkNSZTI/AAAAAAAAGAg/QGMYJ4HeHdo/s1600/IMG_0672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Five month old black lab puppy Romero is sitting on the metal platform of a vet clinic scale, raised about an inch or two from the floor. Romero's body is facing slightly to the right but he is looking forward into the camera, with his best serious face. His ears are in their classic position - with the left one held slightly farther out from his head than the right. He is wearing his blue and gray Blue Jays collar. To the right of the picture is a wood-paneled counter, and Romero is now about 2/3 of the height of it. The scale's display is mounted on the wall well above the counter, and it reads 43.2." border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fpH3zyxQ_b0/TaDItkNSZTI/AAAAAAAAGAg/QGMYJ4HeHdo/s400/IMG_0672.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4822960433279945653?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-32706553089948887232011-04-03T21:03:00.013-04:002011-04-09T16:53:10.478-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HkErlSANERE/TaDGQgYff6I/AAAAAAAAGAY/7Wv_jwMTvwU/s1600/IMG_0669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="This picture is taken looking down on black lab puppy Romero as he stands in the kitchen after coming in from the backyard. Romero's big brown eyes are looking into the camera, and all along his back his wavy black fur with spotted with clumps of white snow - he really does look like a reverse dalmation." height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HkErlSANERE/TaDGQgYff6I/AAAAAAAAGAY/7Wv_jwMTvwU/s400/IMG_0669.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Yes, that's more snow in April.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-3270655308994888723?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-5815377562555108662011-04-02T18:08:00.034-04:002011-04-30T11:49:03.305-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjZBokoLPaI/TZ45bCReHAI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/sNzK4cViEEk/s1600/IMG_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Just like yesterday's picture, this is a picture of the back of black lab puppy Romero's head as he watches the baseball game. Only this time - we're AT the stadium. We are sitting in the 18th row of the upper deck, so Romero is looking way down at the field. The railings and seats are all blue, and the stands look to be about half full. The row right in front of Romero is pretty empty, so he has a nice clear view. The field is pretty blurry, but you can see that the Blue Jays are on the field in their black jerseys and white pants." border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjZBokoLPaI/TZ45bCReHAI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/sNzK4cViEEk/s400/IMG_0664.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our Seat:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Section 532, Row 18, Seat 11</span></span></span></span></b><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Our Record:&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">1-0!</span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Memorable Moments:</span></span></b><br />- Our first game of the year!<br />- Jose Molina's homerun on his first at bat of the season<br />- Yunel Escobar's triple<br />- Jayson Nix's first game and hit (a homerun) as a Blue Jay<br />- Kyle Drabek's first major league win<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-581537756255510866?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-59471831418512561562011-04-01T23:13:00.001-04:002011-04-07T17:42:55.631-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWuWo7wGjvo/TZ0CK2eMg5I/AAAAAAAAGAI/bjxhstDyXnc/s1600/IMG_0662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This picture is taken from behind black lab puppy Romero's head as he is sitting on his dog bed in the middle of the living room watching the televsion. The tv is mounted in a white shelving unit in between a maroon chair and a gas fireplace. On the screen, the Toronto Blue Jays are playing their first game of the season, and Ricky Romero is pitching to one of the Minnesota Twins. Romero is looking at the screen and wearing his gray and blue Blue Jays collar." border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWuWo7wGjvo/TZ0CK2eMg5I/AAAAAAAAGAI/bjxhstDyXnc/s400/IMG_0662.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Congratulations to the Toronto Blue Jays on a great game to start off the 2011 season!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Romero's namesake, Ricky Romero, picked up his first win and struck out seven batters ... great news for our <a href="http://raisingromero.blogspot.com/p/pitcher-pledges.html">Pitcher Pledges</a> fundraiser. Would you consider making a pledge or giving a donation to support Romero's training as a dog guide?</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5947183141851256156?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-67095571927454601432011-03-31T22:13:00.016-04:002011-04-06T19:59:41.587-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6RVZQg81Qg/TZz0D1w-rUI/AAAAAAAAGAA/t4d9QKRRmOo/s1600/IMG_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="4 month old black lab puppy Romero is asleep on a carpeted floor, with his head resting on a small plaid pillow. He is curled up so his back paws are almost touching his nose. In front of Romero's face, a hand is holding a small canine puppy tooth that Romero has recently lost." border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6RVZQg81Qg/TZz0D1w-rUI/AAAAAAAAGAA/t4d9QKRRmOo/s400/IMG_0660.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-6709557192745460143?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-19990460884285788882011-03-30T19:06:00.000-04:002011-04-06T19:08:24.060-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-nMXx_XS1Y/TZzpy9qVoKI/AAAAAAAAF_4/0GxKxm6zSUc/s1600/IMG_0649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="4 month old black lab puppy Romero is in a down position under the seat in a streetcar. The picture is taken from down low at his level, and he is looking into the camera with his serious working face on. He is wearing his green future dog guide jacket and an orange leash. There is one single seat in front of him, and then a red barrier blocking the driver's seat. There was a similar picture taken of Romero several months ago on a city bus, and at the time he was a tiny puppy resting between my boots. Now he takes up nearly all of my footspace, and his head reaches nearly to my knee!" border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-nMXx_XS1Y/TZzpy9qVoKI/AAAAAAAAF_4/0GxKxm6zSUc/s400/IMG_0649.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Romero has now travelled by <a href="http://raisingromero.blogspot.com/2011/01/009-car-ride.html">car</a>, <a href="http://raisingromero.blogspot.com/2011/01/013-first-bus-ride.html">bus</a>, GO train, subway, and streetcar!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-1999046088428578888?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-67450926362710602452011-03-29T07:04:00.009-04:002011-04-06T18:26:18.920-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1Y-fymKxB8/TZetiXuD5nI/AAAAAAAAF_w/GLaiXIU59cI/s1600/IMG_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab Dallas and black lab puppy Romero, who is quickly catching up to Dallas in size, are lying side by side out on the back deck enjoying a bit of sunshine. Romero wears a blue and gray Blue Jays collar, and Dallas wears a red leather collar that has an octagonal metal license tag that is reflecting the sunlight. Behind the dogs is a wall of the red brick house and a sliding back door with white trim. " border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1Y-fymKxB8/TZetiXuD5nI/AAAAAAAAF_w/GLaiXIU59cI/s400/IMG_0647.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-6745092636271060245?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-408562669377319472011-03-28T09:16:00.016-04:002011-04-02T18:59:29.212-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy1o2U_ZEro/TZcjdbx3aaI/AAAAAAAAF_o/MiXlOfji5oo/s1600/IMG_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="In this picture, Romero's foster mom, Sam, is lying on her back on the kitchen floor with her knees bent up so that her feet are resting flat on the floor. She is wearing a red CANADA sweatshirt, blue jeans, and white socks. 4 month old black lab puppy Romero is lying on top of her, sort of on his side, so that his head is resting on her face, and his body stretches along her torso with his legs hanging off to the right side. Romero is wearing his gray and blue Blue Jays collar. Sam has her arms wrapped around Romero's body in a hug. At the very bottom of the picture you can see one of black lab Dallas' paws as she is also lying nearby on the kitchen floor." border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy1o2U_ZEro/TZcjdbx3aaI/AAAAAAAAF_o/MiXlOfji5oo/s400/IMG_0641.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-40856266937731947?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-42052522747595231462011-03-27T21:12:00.000-04:002011-04-02T09:13:18.027-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VB6nBBXCGM/TZcW4aGQ3lI/AAAAAAAAF_g/HgJE6FlJEGw/s1600/IMG_0628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" alt="Black lab puppy is lying down on the floor in a still quite messy sewing room. There are small cushions on the floor on either side of Romero, and a desk chair behind him. The chair is empty, but positioned in front of a sewing machine. Romero's quilt is sitting at the machine as the final touches are being added to the front of the quilt. The quilt has a centre of brightly coloured squares, a black border, a thick cream border, another thin black border, and finally another row of black and coloured squares. The newest addition is several dog silhouettes in the cream area. The only ones that can be seen in this picture are a small black lab puppy in a green (foster puppy) jacket in the bottom left corner, and beside that a larger black lab in an orange (hearing ear) jacket." src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VB6nBBXCGM/TZcW4aGQ3lI/AAAAAAAAF_g/HgJE6FlJEGw/s400/IMG_0628.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4205252274759523146?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-49127934607169518102011-03-26T21:27:00.021-04:002011-03-31T22:53:25.401-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PuCF6lDDRy8/TZUrZwr9B_I/AAAAAAAAF_Y/BXB6ofpXvTQ/s1600/IMG_0624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of a wall outside the space exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre. The wall is white and the following quotation is written in black across the top of the wall - Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure science - Edwin Powell Hubble (1889-1953), astronomer. The same quote is written in french below. Below that is a row of five large pictures of celestial objects (stars, planets, etc). Black lab puppy Romero is in a down position on the blue floor against this wall. He is wearing his green future dog guide jacket, a purple bandana, and has a thick purple leash draped over his back." border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PuCF6lDDRy8/TZUrZwr9B_I/AAAAAAAAF_Y/BXB6ofpXvTQ/s400/IMG_0624.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of Romero's possible future careers is Seizure Response dog, so today he proudly participated in <a href="http://www.purpleday.org/">Purple Day</a> by wearing a purple leash and bandana in support of epilepsy awareness.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4912793460716951810?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-2373318552203682582011-03-25T20:23:00.010-04:002011-03-31T20:30:01.836-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-718cHRBbVXg/TZUbH8YboyI/AAAAAAAAF_Q/_2QPHtjB1UE/s1600/IMG_0613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="4 month old black lab puppy Romero and his big sister black lab Dallas are sitting in front of a white door in a room with blue walls and cream-coloured carpet. There is a wooden bookshelf on the right of the picture. Romero is wearing a blue Toronto Blue Jays collar, and Dallas is wearing a plain red leather collar. They are sitting right beside each other so that their front paws are touching. Both are looking upwards into the camera. Both have pretty brown eyes, though Dallas' are a lighter shade than Romero's. Although Romero is still a fair bit smaller than Dallas, in this position his head is only about an inch or so shorter than hers - he looks huge!" height="400" width="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-718cHRBbVXg/TZUbH8YboyI/AAAAAAAAF_Q/_2QPHtjB1UE/s400/IMG_0613.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-237331855220368258?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-32819870377509831322011-03-24T23:50:00.021-04:002011-03-31T20:22:17.620-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqKLATuENs8/TZUUxcL7OaI/AAAAAAAAF_I/jpdSLMfgbP4/s1600/IMG_0609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is sitting in a large open room that looks kinda like a museum exhibit hall. He is wearing his green Future Dog Guide jacket and has a thin red leash draped over his back. Just behind him is a large white cylinder with two models of dogs sitting on top. One appears to be a yellow lab, and the other a Rottweiler. Around the cylinder are plaques with pictures and information about the various types of dog breeds, such as hound, working, etc. Behind this display you can see other posters and displays showing pictures of dogs and wolves." height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqKLATuENs8/TZUUxcL7OaI/AAAAAAAAF_I/jpdSLMfgbP4/s400/IMG_0609.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Romero had fun exploring <a href="http://pawsway.ca/en/About/Discovery">PawsWay</a>, the location of this year's live auction in support of Dog Guides.&nbsp;</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-3281987037750983132?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-43477759733215991262011-03-23T22:20:00.017-04:002011-03-28T20:51:56.054-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ_nraDH2eM/TZACbpWutUI/AAAAAAAAF-4/McfkSHB7inc/s1600/IMG_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is trudging through about 10 centimetres of freshly fallen snow in our backyard, with even more falling down around him. Along the top border of the picture is a wooden fence and one small tree, and the rest of the picture is white. Romero is in the centre of the picture walking towards the camera, and his black fur is speckled with snowflakes. The snow comes nearly up to his belly in some places. He is stepping forward with his left front paw, and there is a spray of snow coming from his leg as he lifts it." height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ_nraDH2eM/TZACbpWutUI/AAAAAAAAF-4/McfkSHB7inc/s400/IMG_0595.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4347775973321599126?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-74550819359500116322011-03-22T23:08:00.002-04:002011-03-27T22:17:54.630-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WlxKbTjg2tw/TY_tNYxqq1I/AAAAAAAAF-w/xXRsembvGtA/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="4 month old black lab puppy Romero is sleeping on his back underneath a desk. His back half is lying on a large grey blanket, with his head and shoulders on the white carpet. His neck is stretched back showing his blue and gray Blue Jays collar, and his mouth is very slightly open, showing his pearly white teeth. His front arms are held up by his chest like a hopping kangaroo. His back legs are sprawled open showing his little bare belly. Also underneath the desk are a big wooden chest and a stack of binders and paper." height="300" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WlxKbTjg2tw/TY_tNYxqq1I/AAAAAAAAF-w/xXRsembvGtA/s400/IMG_0591.JPG" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7455081935950011632?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-35985017430180743092011-03-21T21:30:00.019-04:002011-03-26T22:30:00.503-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U36yrtSYJak/TY6b998XXLI/AAAAAAAAF-o/_U_LkyxeCQM/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A blissful black lab puppy Romero is being hugged by two young boys in a school gymnasium. Romero is wearing his green future dog guide jacket. The boy behind Romero is wearing a maroon t-shirt and has his arms wrapped around Romero's neck. His face is cropped out of the picture but you can see his huge smile, completely with newly grown-in front teeth! The other boy is on the right side of the picture at Romero's head. He is wearing a blue plaid shirt and scratching under Romero's chin and chest. He is gazing down lovingly at Romero's face." border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U36yrtSYJak/TY6b998XXLI/AAAAAAAAF-o/_U_LkyxeCQM/s400/IMG_0586.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Tonight I brought Romero to visit my Beavers group for the first time. It was a great opportunity for the kids to learn about working dogs and for Romero to practice behaving around kids. The meeting went well ... Romero was on his best behaviour and maybe even rubbed off on the boys a bit. I have never seen them as obedient as when we played a game of "Ship To Shore" using dog commands!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-3598501743018074309?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-41661064091977118072011-03-20T23:58:00.015-04:002011-03-26T21:17:51.662-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jlOltesIs0w/TY6L89Ch5PI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/W9CgmBQ7p5A/s1600/IMG_0579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="4 month old black lab puppy Romero is taking a nap with his big brother, 7 year old yellow lab Baloo. They are both lying on the kitchen floor, with Baloo right along the sliding glass doors that lead to the backyard. He is lying on his side with his right front leg tucked up towards his body. Romero's head is resting on Baloo's back legs, and he is lying partly on top of an old white towel that we use to wipe the dogs' feet when they come inside. Both boys are fast asleep, oblivious to the rest of the world." border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jlOltesIs0w/TY6L89Ch5PI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/W9CgmBQ7p5A/s400/IMG_0579.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4166106409197711807?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-18949163113890173032011-03-19T20:21:00.015-04:002011-03-26T20:57:55.173-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0IticeQ7II/TY5byAwkkGI/AAAAAAAAF-Q/FMd1UAcB088/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" alt="4 month old black lab puppy Romero is lying in the middle of an upside down round dog bed made of a blue and tan patterned fabric which is on the tiled kitchin floor. Surrounding him is WAY TOO MANY dog toys that were found while we were cleaning behind the couches in the family room. Romero is looking pathetically up at the camera as if he can't decide which toy to chew on. There are five nylabones between his legs, two normal, a wishbone, and two dinosaur. There are about 6 small natural bones lying on the dog bed and spilling onto the floor. There are also six or seven stuffed toys in various states of disrepair. Spoiled puppy!" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0IticeQ7II/TY5byAwkkGI/AAAAAAAAF-Q/FMd1UAcB088/s400/IMG_0577.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-1894916311389017303?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-56064297320016616132011-03-18T23:27:00.026-04:002011-03-24T08:20:02.457-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4zCBY3a5b8Y/TYgJeorCX-I/AAAAAAAAF-A/XyqTrjHJJto/s1600/IMG_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" alt="This is a closeup of black lab puppy Romero's head as he is looking over his right shoulder. He has a longish muzzle with a leathery black nose and dark brown eyes that are looking into the camera. His right ear is pulled back as though he is listening to a sound behind him. Around his neck is a new collar, about an inch wide. It is blue and gray with a white pattern that looks like the stitching on a baseball. It also has the word JAYS next to the Blue Jays logo, a profile of a blue jay head. Behind Romero you can see a bookshelf, a brown laundry hamper, and Romero's wire crate." src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4zCBY3a5b8Y/TYgJeorCX-I/AAAAAAAAF-A/XyqTrjHJJto/s400/IMG_0574.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Blue Jays have won five of their six (albeit, meaningless as it's still spring training) games since Romero started sporting his Jays collar. Coincidence or canine good luck charm?</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5606429732001661613?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-49576099695903052842011-03-17T23:37:00.007-04:002011-03-21T22:16:48.310-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQLgytROYCA/TYf9quw23-I/AAAAAAAAF94/3_WOURBPRzA/s1600/IMG_0572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="4 month old black lab puppy Romero is sitting, facing the camera, in front of a movie poster outside a movie theatre. Romero is wearing his green future dog guide jacket, a blue collar, and a red leash. The poster above him is for The Adjustment Bureau, with the tagline Fight For Your Fate. Only the bottom half of the poster is in the photo, it shows a woman in a red dress and a man in a black suit running down a sidewalk. The bright movie theatre lights are reflecting off both the movie poster and Romero's eyes." height="400" width="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQLgytROYCA/TYf9quw23-I/AAAAAAAAF94/3_WOURBPRzA/s400/IMG_0572.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4957609969590305284?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-20347328443266053482011-03-16T19:33:00.018-04:002011-03-21T21:03:37.343-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4EnggDwCNVU/TYa83FRAHvI/AAAAAAAAF9w/tf22UFdeQWU/s1600/IMG_0565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="This is a picture of the shadows of puppy Romero and his handler as they walk down the sidewalk. It is late afternoon, so the shadows are long, stretching across the sidewalk and onto the grass that is just starting to turn green. The person's shadow is on the right side of the picture, slightly ahead of Romero's shadow. Romero's shadow is looking up towards his handler as he trots along beside her. The shadow of the leash hangs gently between the two." height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4EnggDwCNVU/TYa83FRAHvI/AAAAAAAAF9w/tf22UFdeQWU/s400/IMG_0565.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>Yesterday on my walk with Romero, I wore a hat and thought a scarf might have been a good idea. Today, the sun was out and I didn't even need a jacket!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-2034732844326605348?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-24260794731395847922011-03-15T18:41:00.016-04:002011-03-20T21:09:00.317-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxQMKQMr4WU/TYV4LjNNfOI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/wyFI78p8L4Y/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="This is a somewhat blurry action shot of black lab puppy Romero walking down the sidewalk in our neighbour in a nice heel position. The picture is taken at his level, so all you see of his handler is one blue-jeaned left leg as it is stepping forward. Romero's left leg is also stepping forward, and his shoulders are lined up with his handler's leg. His red leash hangs in a small J position from his blue and gray collar. Romero's head is looking towards the camera, and it is the only part of the picture really in focus. His wet black nose looks like a perfect button and his eyes look like shiny black marbles." height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxQMKQMr4WU/TYV4LjNNfOI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/wyFI78p8L4Y/s400/IMG_0551.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-2426079473139584792?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-3862394587918292852011-03-14T20:29:00.007-04:002011-03-19T23:38:42.309-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TevwKsDSYZo/TYVLTY4yu7I/AAAAAAAAF9I/fdx4yYPizZY/s1600/IMG_0541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Four month old black lab puppy Romero is sitting in front of one of the freezers in the ice cream aisle at the grocery store. He is wearing his green future dog guide jacket that is starting to get a little small on him. His green leash is looped over the handle of a small grocery cart that contains various containers of fruit. Although this is his first time visiting the grocery store, he looks very non-chalant about the situation." border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TevwKsDSYZo/TYVLTY4yu7I/AAAAAAAAF9I/fdx4yYPizZY/s400/IMG_0541.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-386239458791829285?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-18941625513293744042011-03-13T22:14:00.025-04:002011-03-19T20:25:56.731-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sjYEVeyU9o/TYAjHofXk8I/AAAAAAAAF9A/2V7_9DDr01c/s1600/IMG_0535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is lying at the top left corner of the partially sewn together quilt that is lying on the floor. The centre of the quilt is a rectangle of 4 squares by 3 squares of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple patterned fabric. Around that is a thin border of plain black. Around that is a thick border of cream fabric with white bones and light brown pawprints on it. Around the cream is another thin black border. Laid out around the edge of the outside black border is another row of coloured squares along with a few plain black squares and a few black squares with white paw prints. These squares are not yet sewn together as we were just in the middle of rearranging them to determine the best pattern. Romero is attempting to help out by laying on top of some of the fabric squares!" border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sjYEVeyU9o/TYAjHofXk8I/AAAAAAAAF9A/2V7_9DDr01c/s400/IMG_0535.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Raffle tickets will be on sale within the next month!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-1894162551329374404?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-1653485560593685592011-03-12T22:52:00.022-05:002011-03-15T22:13:40.331-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5AUs37AkNM/TYAYbWSFLTI/AAAAAAAAF84/wxJ9eh8MuF4/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" alt="4 month old black lab Romero is peacefully sleeping under a small wooden coffee table with his head resting on a big green pillow. The table is covered with quilting supplies and the beginning of a dog-themed quilt. Currently, the quilt consists of 12 coloured squares sewn together into a 4 by 3 rectangle. There are two each of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple fabric. The red fabric is patterned with white bones and brown paw prints. The orange fabric is sort of mottled, light orange in some places and darker orange in others. The yellow fabric is covered in straight lines of small dots. The green fabric has a very small leaf-like pattern. The blue fabric is covered in small light blue paw prints. The purple fabric is patterned with stars. Around the rectangle, long thin strips of plain black border have been laid out, ready to be sewn on next. One of these strips is hanging of the table and dangling right in front of Romero's face. On the end of the table is a large piece of plain black fabric, and a box of pins resting on top of a pile of more coloured squares." src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5AUs37AkNM/TYAYbWSFLTI/AAAAAAAAF84/wxJ9eh8MuF4/s400/IMG_0529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-165348556059368559?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-36219182031877245362011-03-11T21:39:00.013-05:002011-03-15T23:08:55.934-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2aUCmJ1J3M/TYAVpp-bAJI/AAAAAAAAF8w/A99w8JkHQCw/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The picture is a close-up of black lab puppy Romero's back. Romero is in a down position on a cream coloured carpet. Romero's fur is black and shiny, and a bit longer than a typical lab. Up between his shoulders, his thick fur curls in small waves. Lower on his back towards his tail, the fur zig-zags in much larger waves along his spine. His long tail is out of focus in this picture, but you can see that it is fairly wavy too, with a little tuft of fur at the tip." border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2aUCmJ1J3M/TYAVpp-bAJI/AAAAAAAAF8w/A99w8JkHQCw/s400/IMG_0521.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As a sidenote, congratulations to Ricky Romero for being named the Blue Jays' opening day starter, and to the entire Blue Jays team for a big win over the Yankees in today's spring training game!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-3621918203187724536?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-48439268396175018902011-03-10T21:52:00.000-05:002011-03-10T21:52:43.200-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3o0JUvcbnM/TXmJ-meZyJI/AAAAAAAAF8o/sFlaBwKVtME/s1600/IMG_0511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="4 month old black lab puppy Romero is sitting at the top of a sloping, paved path. He is wearing his green future dog guide jacket, a blue and gray patterned collar, and a red leash. He is sitting sideways to the camera, but his head is turned to face the camera. Both of his ears are perked up, making him looking very alert. Behind Romero is a black chainlink fence, and some distance behind that is the Rogers Centre, the home baseball stadium for the Toronto Blue jays. The stadium is basically a big concrete rectangle with lots of blue windows and red lettering that says ROGERS CENTRE along the top. It has a white domed roof, although it mostly blends into the sky in this picture. On the right of the picture you can see just a small piece of the base of the CN tower. The weather is quite gross, overcast and rainy, and there is still a little bit of snow on the ground." height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3o0JUvcbnM/TXmJ-meZyJI/AAAAAAAAF8o/sFlaBwKVtME/s400/IMG_0511.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4843926839617501890?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-49899800787564134102011-03-09T17:02:00.000-05:002011-03-10T21:02:50.320-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LB6SA2fJTDU/TXhLqUV5XUI/AAAAAAAAF8g/zQJ3doYT1Bk/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is lying in the centre of a fairly large glass elevator that is travelling from the second floor down to the main floor of a large shopping mall. He is wearing his green future dog guide jacket, is attached to a green leash, and is looking up sweetly into the camera. Through the glass, several customers are seen sitting at small round tables near a coffee stand." border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LB6SA2fJTDU/TXhLqUV5XUI/AAAAAAAAF8g/zQJ3doYT1Bk/s400/IMG_0499.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-4989980078756413410?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-38273957863396138292011-03-08T23:25:00.010-05:002011-03-09T22:50:04.424-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBtKhYwDnOY/TXhI0Mbm9TI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/7M8I8tkFU8U/s1600/IMG_0491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="4 month old black lab puppy Romero is lying on his round dog bed in front of an unlit fireplace. Hanging around his neck are about 10 shiny gold, green, and purple strings of Mardi Gras beads. His head is slightly turned and you can see his little whiskers around his muzzle. He looks very sweet and innocent, and festive of course." height="400" width="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBtKhYwDnOY/TXhI0Mbm9TI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/7M8I8tkFU8U/s400/IMG_0491.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-3827395786339613829?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-72861645935338337082011-03-07T20:03:00.016-05:002011-03-09T20:17:27.351-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9ZXtFt53pQ/TXgkxL4ijaI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/8duDO0-bYcA/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black lab puppy Romero is doing his best to cuddle up with his big brother Baloo. Baloo, a very big yellow lab with a white face and darker ears and body, is lying on a round dog bed in front of a purple couch. He has a blue ball and rope toy lying between his front arms. Romero is lying with just his head and front paws on the bed next to one of Baloo's paws, but not quite touching him. Romero looks content. Baloo's head is turned away from Romero and he looks like he's not quite sure about hanging out with his annoying little brother, and is contemplating moving to a better resting spot. " border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9ZXtFt53pQ/TXgkxL4ijaI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/8duDO0-bYcA/s400/IMG_0487.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-7286164593533833708?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-55929623303581912052011-03-06T18:10:00.020-05:002011-03-09T19:53:58.064-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtjIt2NWv6w/TXgJFW7T1EI/AAAAAAAAF8I/pxIqNncP8PQ/s1600/IMG_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="A close-up shot of 4 month old black lab Romero's head and shoulders as he is lying on a big, pillowy dog bed. The bed is a very pale yellowy cream colour with a pattern of pale green palm leaves on the top. Romero's head is lying in the centre of the bed, with his left arm stretched out beside him and his right arm tucked under him. He looks incredibly comfortable!" height="300" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xtjIt2NWv6w/TXgJFW7T1EI/AAAAAAAAF8I/pxIqNncP8PQ/s400/IMG_0481.JPG" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5592962330358191205?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-12944065434330103562011-03-05T22:56:00.014-05:002011-03-09T18:29:03.311-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nkUjua-aQ2c/TXgHGYSfAsI/AAAAAAAAF8A/k7PkPbsiroM/s1600/IMG_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This is a picture of a fairly messy sewing room containing an ironing board, an office chair, and a wooden desk piled with books, fabric, a desk light, a sewing machine, and other sewing and craft supplies. Black lab puppy Romero is on tie-down, attached by a red leash to the desk chair. He is fast asleep, curled up on top of a fabric cutting board and a small cushion on the floor of the room." border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nkUjua-aQ2c/TXgHGYSfAsI/AAAAAAAAF8A/k7PkPbsiroM/s400/IMG_0473.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-1294406543433010356?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-11908314662715922722011-03-04T21:08:00.000-05:002011-03-09T12:45:37.699-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvFeAEmaogo/TXWOZjZnlGI/AAAAAAAAF74/UGWxpCMpMOk/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" alt="4 month old black lab puppy Romero is showing off his DOWN position. The picture is taken from above him and he is looking up into the camera. He is lying on a somewhat dirty white carpet with his long front legs stretched ahead of him. He is resting on his left hip with his back legs tucked close to his body and his tail curled beside his legs. He is wearing a thick blue and silver patterned collar that is buckled right under his chin." height="400" width="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvFeAEmaogo/TXWOZjZnlGI/AAAAAAAAF74/UGWxpCMpMOk/s400/IMG_0463.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-1190831466271592272?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-18463002601994676252011-03-03T20:54:00.000-05:002011-03-07T20:58:23.388-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIP6epRWwFw/TXWK-1aqEHI/AAAAAAAAF7w/_cz_yw2nvrs/s1600/IMG_0460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="4 month old black lab Romero is sitting on a shiny metal scale in a vet clinic exam room. A black coiled cord reaches from the corner of the scale up to a small screen on the wall which reads 35.2. There is a counter/exam table to Romero's left. Sitting on the slightly raised scale, Romero's head is now about half as high as the top of the counter." border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIP6epRWwFw/TXWK-1aqEHI/AAAAAAAAF7w/_cz_yw2nvrs/s400/IMG_0460.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-1846300260199467625?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-85241779602866296582011-03-02T20:57:00.000-05:002011-03-03T22:56:32.417-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I04_IpXorxk/TXBHROC2xMI/AAAAAAAAF7o/odf0yXbdozA/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Black lab puppy Romero is tucked under a table at a restaurant. He is lying on a tile floor, leaning against the big black base of the table. He is wearing his green future dog guide jacket and has a green nylon leash attached to his collar. Romero is looking upwards toward the camera. He has just finished either sticking his tongue out or licking his lips, so he has a really funny expression on his face, with his lips all puffed out in an odd little smile." height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I04_IpXorxk/TXBHROC2xMI/AAAAAAAAF7o/odf0yXbdozA/s400/IMG_0458.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-8524177960286629658?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296909501684379478.post-58300053518019197502011-03-01T07:00:00.007-05:002011-03-03T20:56:31.519-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQPzst8KJoc/TXBCln3IogI/AAAAAAAAF7g/eAR4sL6-PrI/s1600/IMG_0453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This picture is a close-up of black lab puppy Romero's mouth. A hand overtop of his muzzle is holding his lips slightly open so his teeth are showing. Most of his teeth are his sharp, tiny little puppy teeth. His jaw is starting to get big so the teeth are getting quite spread out. However, he has lost his front 4 puppy teeth and the larger adult teeth are just starting to poke through the gums." border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQPzst8KJoc/TXBCln3IogI/AAAAAAAAF7g/eAR4sL6-PrI/s400/IMG_0453.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/296909501684379478-5830005351801919750?l=raisingromero.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Hobbes Dogshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03168649883112138723noreply@blogger.com0