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Today we got “The Letter.”

You know the one.

“Well, the time is here. The day you’ve been anticipating since you picked up your puppy all those months ago. It is time for Lomax to come in for training.”

Though I immediately knew what it was, I didn’t get upset at the sight of it, like I’d figured I would. After all, since the last turn-in in May, I’ve known this was coming — he’s 21 months old, and I think he’s finally ready.

It won’t make turn-in any less traumatic, but at least GDA does something nice for their puppy raisers:

“We know this is a hard time for you and we would like to try to make it a little easier by inviting you to a luncheon August 5, 2006 at 12:00 noon. You will get a chance to meet and talk to the trainers that will be working with Lomax.”

(Oh, good. August 5 at noon, in Sylmar. I’ll be crying AND sweating.)

“This is just a fun day for you and the other puppy raisers for moral support and to say good-bye to your puppy until Graduation Day. After we are done eating, talking and playing we will walk the dogs down to the kennel where you will be able to put them in their runs.”

Well, I don’t know about “fun” — especially the part where I’ll be walking away from the kennel with an empty leash and Tammy Faye-worthy mascara streaks — but I do appreciate the fact that we are appreciated. The school has no obligation to throw us a goodbye party or let us meet the trainers or anything like that…I’m just grateful I don’t have to answer the front door, put my dog in the back of a van and wave as he’s driven away by someone I’ve never seen before.

It’s comforting, actually, to know that I’ll be in the company of some of my best friends from the puppy group. They’ve turned in dogs before, and this is my first time doing so…but I’m told that it’s never any easier.

So I will show up on that day with my roommate, my friends, my friends’ dogs, my Lomax, and a toy for him to share with his college roommates.

Or I will show up on that day with my Lomax and my passport, in a country that does not have an extradition treaty with the United States. I hear Iceland is lovely this time of year.

It’s our final month together. The “lasts” have begun. Tonight was my final puppy raiser group meeting with Mr. Lomax.

The evening began, as always, with obedience; this time it was a nice training walk through the neighborhood to practice our “heel” position and some common suburban distractions (strange lawn decorations, little boys on bikes, wandering cats, barking beasties, etc.).

Once we had returned and gathered inside the meeting room, our group leaders called up everyone present who will be turning in their dogs on August 5: pictured are Laura and Katie (with Nevada), Amy and Matt (with Liam), and me (with Lomax). We all said a few words about what raising this puppy has meant to us…Nancy didn’t spring this on us until that very moment, so I was unprepared.

What I should have said is that Lomax is my little man, I’m going to miss him terribly, I’m very proud of him, and that despite my more than 2-and-a-half years as a “future” puppy raiser waiting for a dog, I could not have timed things more perfectly. Lomax and I were meant to be together, even if we got a late start.

I did at least manage to work in the fact that I’m gonna need to do some puppysitting very soon after turn-in! And I’ve already had offers….

Then, according to tradition, each dog received a congratulatory rawhide bone, and each puppy raising family received a bottle of wine. In case you can’t read it in the photo, here’s what the custom printed label says:

“Turn-In Tonic: Just a little something to help you get through the inevitable! Good Luck and Best Wishes from The South Bay Puppy Raisers!”

And the quote at the top, from a GDA employee and her guide dog, says:

“Whatever happens, you have given the gift!”

Crap. I’m crying already.

On Sunday, Lomax and I embarked on a high-seas (er, public transportation) adventure with five other scurvy sea dogs and the people whose lives they’ve shanghaied for the last year and a half.

Our tale begins at the Metro Blue Line station in Long Beach, where we gathered our crew for an hourlong trip on the train and subway into Hollywood. This is a rare photograph of our fierce captain, the Dread Pirate Nevada. That’s First Mate Liam and Bonny Wee Mika in the background — we promise, Captain Nevada, they’re not laughing at you:

And here’s Lomax the Cabin Boy, gleefully singing sea chanties from his deck-swabbing position on our vessel:

When we arrived at our destination, the humans needed nourishment for the remainder of the voyage, and the crew needed rest:

After a fine afternoon at our port of call — the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, where we saw Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, of course — we boarded our vessel and set our compass for home. Liam and Lomax joined Captain Nevada at his place for a little backyard pillaging and chew-toy plundering, then I took my sleepy little pirate home, where he drifted off in the arms of his favorite wench:

The Judsons, area leaders of the GDA Westside puppy raisers group, generously hosted a potluck “dock party” on Saturday at their sailboat in Marina del Rey. In addition to delicious (human) food of all kinds, we enjoyed the sunny weather, a dog-toy door prize drawing (Lomax is enjoying his squeaky mouse even as I type), and the company of new friends!

Here’s a photo of my boy with Clark, the black Lab being trained by the Judsons:

This lovely lady, Roxy, already knew about Lomax because she belongs to the group where he started out his training:

Lomax had a great time socializing, hanging out, walking in the nearby park, exploring the bow of the sailboat, and looking handsome in his jacket as always.

In addition to GDA pups young and old…er, make that “of breeder status,” we were also privileged to meet guide dog user Rebecca and Leslie, her guide dog (who is from a different school here in California, Guide Dogs for the Blind).

Many thanks once again to our gracious hosts Glyn and his wife Marilyn, who is shown here holding Chester (one of Chandler‘s littermates)!

I took Lomax to our vet this evening for a look at what I thought was a hot spot on his tail. It’s nothing serious, don’t worry — it just turned out to be a cut or scrape that got out of hand. I didn’t see anything happen, he never yelped that I know of, and I didn’t notice it because the hair on his tail is so thick.

Anyway, the point: as Lomax is at the vet, being poked and prodded and examined, he is wiggling furiously. With great joy. As always. He’s got a nasty cut on his tail, but that doesn’t stop said tail from whipping and wagging. With great joy. As always. And I am attempting to hold him still so the doc can get a look at the affected area.

As Mr. Exuberance is busy licking my face and folding himself in half in order to snort in Dr. Liebl’s face, the doc says to me:

“Happy little guy, isn’t he?”

Yes. Yes, he is.

Okay, fine. I’ll admit I pulled this photo off the Web…but only because at the fireworks show I took Lomax to, I thought I should keep both hands on him in lieu of one hand on him and one hand on the camera.

We spent Independence Day at a dear friend’s annual party. The small-town ambience of El Segundo serves the holiday well; there’s always a street fair in front of Recreation Park, the launch pad for the impressive fireworks display. People turn out in droves, hours early, to put down their blankets and chairs in the street and surrounding areas for optimal viewing. Fortunately, my friend and her husband live on the opposite side of the park, where there are no crowds. Who cares if the show is “backwards?” Thanks to some very sweet neighbors, we had our own private section — prime real estate in a fenced yard, and a gently sloping hill on which to lie back and enjoy the spectacle above.

Not knowing how Lomax would react, I chose a spot nearest the exit and made sure I had a key to my friend’s apartment. The first couple of booms surprised him a bit, but he didn’t bolt — it was more of a head-swivel in the style of “What the *&$# was that?”

But when I directed his attention to the sky and he caught the flashes of light that accompanied the booms, he seemed to make the connection. I just made sure I had one hand on the leash and the other on him, gently scratching his back. When he wasn’t stretch-inching toward my friend’s extended hand for some extra affection, he was calmly watching the skies along with the rest of us (and, surely, agreeing with my softly spoken assessments that he was a very good boy indeed). I wish I could have captured for you the picture of his sweet little head, nose pointed heavenward in silhouette against the blooming night sky.

As it turns out, the dog who leaves the room when someone turns on the stove (or the grill, or the toaster oven) has no problem whatsoever with actual explosives. Who knew?

Joanna, Lomax’s first puppy raiser, picked up her new charge today…and she’s created a blog for him! Everyone go say hello and welcome to Chandler, the goldendoodle.

And while you’re there, be sure to read Joanna’s wonderful entry about the early days of our very own Mr. Lomax. Perhaps I’m biased, but I don’t think you will ever see a cuter photo of a cuter puppy than the one at the beginning of that post. It’s true — our Mr. Lomax is almost unbearably attractive.

I know, I’ve been remiss; it’s been two weeks since my last post. But I’ve got some great pictures! Does that count for extra?

While I was in Fresno, Lomax had a great time here with Liam and his people. In addition to seeing a movie and having a nice Father’s Day with “grandpa” (Matt’s dad), the boys went to an Angels game.

Here’s Lomax in the stadium, questioning the umpire’s call:

And here’s Liam, doing his impression of Lomax, who is not amused:

Wonder Dog powers, activate!

By Monday, Lomax had exhausted poor Liam, but the Unstoppable Yellow One was still ready to play. He was nice and wiggly for me when I got home, which was just what I needed. There’s nothing like a Lomax, that’s for sure.

Lomax is spending the weekend with his brother Liam! I’m going on a quick trip and won’t be posting for a few days, so I’ll just leave you with this picture of the two handsomest dogs in town: