Home to Stay

Yes...Alfie made it home!

Alfie wriggled and licked my face so hard he knocked my sunglasses off!

Doesn't he look happy?

Alfie was thrilled to see the girls again. 

He just leaned into them, snuffled, and wagged himself silly.



 Many, many thanks to Larry Gelvin and all those at GDTx who helped make Alfie's adoption possible.  We appreciate you ALL so much!  Alfie's a special boy and we're so happy to have him!!

At home in Missouri.

A couple of days into his new life with us, he seems to be relaxing and settling in well.  Our days usually start off with an hour's walk/jog through the surrounding neighborhoods, woods, country roads, and even a nearby cemetery.  He's still good about keeping a loose leash, which is nice, although we no longer stop for every overhanging branch and manhole cover in our path!  For the most part I am very thankful for his guide dog training and plan to keep it up.  There are several areas, however, that I've loosened up on -- much to Alfie's delight.  One of those is that now he's no longer working, I've started allowing him to greet people who want to pet him on our walks.  He loves this new attention and has been very well mannered about it.  This morning, we had a nice chat with an elderly gentlemen who wanted to pet him, as he'd just recently had to put his golden retriever to sleep.  Alfie seemed to know that he just needed some extra love and laid his head gently on the man's knee. Sweet... 

He has also discovered the formerly forbidden toy...RUBBER BALLS!  Guide dogs aren't allowed to play with them but in his new civilian life, Alfie has discovered that they're great for chewing and fetching! 

It's interesting that although we're in a new house in a new state, Alfie remembers all our little routines and seems to be picking up right where he left off.  For example -- when I put the kettle on for a cup of tea, he will come nudge me with his nose to alert me right before it boils.  I've always thought he just must not like the sound of the whistle, who knows?  Funny boy!

Alfie seems happy and relaxed, even at grooming time.  I pick him up, put him on the grooming table, and go to work...he just flops down and closes his eyes.  He's not asleep, just relaxed.  Nice, because there's a lot of fur on this dood!  The next pictures you see, he will be sporting a shorter haircut...

...For now, we're just glad to have him back!

Lovin' my new life!  Woof!