May 30. 3:30pm. Russo is recalled to the Guide Dog centre for medical checkout and then on to training. She will come back for Christmas vacation, and I will see her when she graduates, probably next spring. Peller and Nikita have both been placed with young university students. Peller will be back in Toronto in the fall because his person, who is blind, is running in a marathon here.

the cat thinks it's a dog, and Ru was very impressed.

yes. professional. Nikita is a vision guide dog and she has been called back. there are people who need her, and it's either the west coast or the east coast, so maybe we will never see her again.

Ru has always been nothing but a bad influence, and they have been spectacularly bad together.

hats off and bon voyage to nikita. and to maggie, pete, jeff and alison who worked so hard, and love her so much.

a picnic moment on the block. ru has done a lot to convince the local small people that they are powerful even if adults haven't noticed yet.

ru feels it is a good deal to obey as long as there is some sort of food reward when we get home.

for making piles of snow in the summer. nothing like piles of white snow on a black hot furry body when it is least expected.

Sunday in High Park, pulling invasive Garlic Mustard. Ru also supervised the kids.

Ru has been recalled for guide dog boot camp. I take her back Sunday, May 30, 3:30 pm.

She is ready to go--she knows everything I can teach her. It is time to send her on to do her job, but I will really really miss her. So there are lots of Ru shots coming at you.

When she is working she is very snobby, and adopts this face and attitude that is totally unlike the silly girl I know. She is totally unphased by rush hour subway crowds, pigeons, cats, birds, puddles, floor food, automatic doors, escalators, fire escape stairs, loud noises like fire engines, ambulances, screaming kids.

I am really proud of her.

-this is my nearest subway, bathurst.
-I hate going down the escalators. Up is okay.
-Sometimes there are pigeons on the second level.
-the noise and the people don't bother me because I am WORKING DOG!

Last weekend we met Idol, Ru's dad, and his brother. Ru's sister, Nikita was there too.
-family photo
-the wonderful Sue with Ru's dad, Idol and her brother.
-a working hearing dog
-last two photos: more future guide dogs.