I don't know how many times I had heard from people that puppy raising is a roller coaster. I knew it would have its ups and downs, but I don't think I truly, whole-heartedly believed them.
I honestly do not even know where I am going with this post. I have not had enough time in the past few weeks to sit down and sort through my thoughts on my own, let alone write a coherent blog post. Sometimes I just have to write, even if I don't publish it, just to get my thoughts straight for my own good. We'll see where we end up.
Hourly, my thoughts and emotions about Dante's imminent Matriculation are changing.
Up
Did you see how good he did with that distraction? I think he just might make it.
Down
Oh my gosh! He didn't just steal that hand towel for the umpteenth time today, did he? There is no way this dog is ever gonna graduate...
Up
We just spent 1.5 hours in the mall, and not once did he need any more than a verbal correction. He went "under" the table and never tried to lick a single crumb!
Down
You seriously just blew off my "here" command and headed for the kitchen with a wagging tail? You're not going to make it to your first report card...
Oh, the list could go on, but I think you get the gist.
I knew all along that I will miss my boy like crazy, but I was not prepared for the emotions of worry that would come up as well (it doesn't help that many things he has just started since the spring). I don't really know why, but I guess I kind of figured we would have things "sorted out" by this point.
First and foremost, I know it is wrong to worry about anything because my God cares even about these seemingly small things, such as Dante, and knows exactly where he will fit best.
I think right now, the not knowing which way Dante will go is the hardest. While I would be ecstatic to see Dante graduate, because this is what I have raised him for, I will welcome him back as my pet in a heartbeat. Even in the midst of this roller coaster ride, I know that Dante is ready for this next step in Advanced Training, whether he thrives and graduates, or decides it is not for him. He will make the decision on what he wants to do.
People ask me all the time what will happen if he "fails"? Advanced Training is not about Dante "failing" or "passing." It is unfair to expect every single one of the (around) 1,000 puppies born to Canine Companions each year to become assistance dogs. If he graduates, good for him! He found his place in life! If he gets released? It is still good for him, because he found his place in life!
It is so hard not to worry. It is so hard not to say, "I should have done this better," or "I should have done that differently." My job is not to get Dante to graduation. I remind myself of this every day. My job is to get him to Turn In, and cheer him on as he decides for himself where he will go from there.
Puppy raising is the closest to a roller coaster you'll ever get me on, haha! With three weeks until Turn In, I know that it is nowhere near over. It has been hard at times. But it has been so, so good! I wouldn't trade a single minute of it for a break from the ups and downs.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Pool Party!
Early last week, and email came addressed to Dante and Moray from their best friend, CCI puppy Young. Dante and Moray (and the humans) were invited to their first pool party with Young, his raisers, and Chief, Gregor, and Ivy. To say we had a blast is an understatement! Dante got a little over-excited and accidentally fell in. It took a lot of coaxing (and cookies!) to get him back in the water, but he got fairly comfortable. Dante thinks he is Hot Stuff, but when he is nervous, he melts into a 68 lb. baby who clings to "His Hannah" (seriously, you should have seen the scratches on my arms and back from him clinging to me). Moray was in heaven! He came right in, and even though he couldn't stay afloat, he kept swimming. Someone just had to keep a hand under that belly to keep him up. ;-)
Thank you to Young and his raisers for being such awesome hosts!
**All photos courtesy of Marsh Creative Studios**
Thank you to Young and his raisers for being such awesome hosts!
**All photos courtesy of Marsh Creative Studios**
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| Young and his raiser |
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| Young and Moray |
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| My sister and Moray |
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| My big baby ;-) |
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| "I think I can, I think I can..." |
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| This one just makes me laugh |
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| Young trying to get Dante to play with him |
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Working Together
This week was the first time I have taken Dante and Moray on an outing together. My mom, sister, and I headed to the outdoor mall. It is a great place to bring the two puppies because Dante can work in and out of stores with my mom while Moray and I work on his loose leash walking, polite greetings, "sits," and "shakes."
We went right when they opened on a Monday morning, so there were very few people or added distractions. Dante was in a little bit of a funk because he was jealous that I had Moray, and it was the first time I have made him wear his gentle leader in about 10 days because of his hotspot. But it is good for him to be able to work with someone else besides "his person."
I put Moray on top of this wall because even though he won't learn "jump" for a few more months, it is good to get him used to being up off the ground so he won't be afraid.
Moray was very excited to see his big brother when we met up with them again! Dante wagged his tail, but let him know that this is working time, not play time ;)
It can hard to balance having two CCI puppies at one time, as it is different than two pets. But it has been so great for both Dante and Moray, as well as growing my skills as a handler. I love these two boys!
Note: You have probably noticed, but I finally changed the blog! Our URL (dayswithdante.blogspot.com) remains the same, but we do have a new name. If you have been so kind as to add "Days with Dante" to your blog roll, our name will not change automatically to "Puppies and Possibilities" on your blog, but has to be changed manually. Thank you!
We went right when they opened on a Monday morning, so there were very few people or added distractions. Dante was in a little bit of a funk because he was jealous that I had Moray, and it was the first time I have made him wear his gentle leader in about 10 days because of his hotspot. But it is good for him to be able to work with someone else besides "his person."
I put Moray on top of this wall because even though he won't learn "jump" for a few more months, it is good to get him used to being up off the ground so he won't be afraid.
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| Yup, Moray outgrew his baby cape. I cannot believe he is getting so big already! |
It can hard to balance having two CCI puppies at one time, as it is different than two pets. But it has been so great for both Dante and Moray, as well as growing my skills as a handler. I love these two boys!
Note: You have probably noticed, but I finally changed the blog! Our URL (dayswithdante.blogspot.com) remains the same, but we do have a new name. If you have been so kind as to add "Days with Dante" to your blog roll, our name will not change automatically to "Puppies and Possibilities" on your blog, but has to be changed manually. Thank you!
Monday, July 8, 2013
Again
Last summer was not my summer. I landed myself in the emergency room twice, and Dante accompanied me to countless allergist and orthopedic appointments through to the fall.
Needless to say, I had high hopes for this summer.
I have been to the vet too many times in the last month. As most of you know, Moray had been sick twice with kennel cough and a urinary track infection, and this week was poor Dante's turn.
Dante started not acting right on Friday night, but I summed up his quietness to running hard on the playground that afternoon with Moray and Young. I woke up Saturday morning only to have my mom tell me that she had been up until 4am with Dante because he was whining and restless, but she could not figure out what was wrong.
When I got him out of his kennel I noticed under his ear and the side of his face was wet/oozy and he wouldn't let me touch it. Thankfully our vet was open this weekend.
The perfect mixture of bug bites/scratching/swimming and not drying out quick enough, caused Dante to develop a hotspot under his ear/cheek.
This poor baby spent pretty much all day Saturday and Sunday sleeping. He was so pitiful and literally thought he was dying. This is the first time that Dante has been sick and my heart broke that he didn't understand what had happened.
By Sunday night, the antibiotics had kicked in and it looked a lot better. I knew when he came trotting out of the kitchen carrying a hand towel that he was back to himself again. ;-)
He is doing much, much better today, and was getting restless and mischevious in the house, so I took him to Starbucks and a quick grocery stop, and he was so glad to get out. Because of the placement of his hotspot, he cannot wear his gentle leader for a little while, but proved himself to do well on just his flat collar.
So now that sickness has made the rounds to everyone, we should be done, right???
Needless to say, I had high hopes for this summer.
I have been to the vet too many times in the last month. As most of you know, Moray had been sick twice with kennel cough and a urinary track infection, and this week was poor Dante's turn.
Dante started not acting right on Friday night, but I summed up his quietness to running hard on the playground that afternoon with Moray and Young. I woke up Saturday morning only to have my mom tell me that she had been up until 4am with Dante because he was whining and restless, but she could not figure out what was wrong.
When I got him out of his kennel I noticed under his ear and the side of his face was wet/oozy and he wouldn't let me touch it. Thankfully our vet was open this weekend.
The perfect mixture of bug bites/scratching/swimming and not drying out quick enough, caused Dante to develop a hotspot under his ear/cheek.
This poor baby spent pretty much all day Saturday and Sunday sleeping. He was so pitiful and literally thought he was dying. This is the first time that Dante has been sick and my heart broke that he didn't understand what had happened.
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| Dante's hotspot. This is from Saturday, it is looking much better today. |
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| Wallowing in sorrow amidst his favorite toys. |
By Sunday night, the antibiotics had kicked in and it looked a lot better. I knew when he came trotting out of the kitchen carrying a hand towel that he was back to himself again. ;-)
He is doing much, much better today, and was getting restless and mischevious in the house, so I took him to Starbucks and a quick grocery stop, and he was so glad to get out. Because of the placement of his hotspot, he cannot wear his gentle leader for a little while, but proved himself to do well on just his flat collar.
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| Just a peep of his healing hotspot shows from under his ear. |
So now that sickness has made the rounds to everyone, we should be done, right???
Friday, July 5, 2013
Wet 'N Wild
We purchased a kiddie pool this week for the puppies. Our summers get very hot (usually 90-105 all summer). Dante, and especially Moray, hate the heat and will be waiting to be let back inside within 10 minutes of getting out. I'm still having to carry Moray out to potty sometimes because he doesn't want to go out.
Dante, Young, and Moray had an absolute blast playing on Thursday. Moray was the first one to want In, as it took Young and Dante a while to warm-up to the idea. Once they did, they had so much fun, and better yet, were TIRED. ;-)
Dante would just run around the yard like crazy and wouldn't even come near (even though he has been swimming several times and loves it), so I finally put him on-leash, not to force him, but so he would stick around long enough to find out that he really does like it!
And now... the cuteness that is Moray will grace you with his most adorable romp in the water that will make you smile. It will. (and if it doesn't, don't tell me. You obviously don't know Cute when you see it :P Just kidding. But really.)
Dante, Young, and Moray had an absolute blast playing on Thursday. Moray was the first one to want In, as it took Young and Dante a while to warm-up to the idea. Once they did, they had so much fun, and better yet, were TIRED. ;-)
Dante would just run around the yard like crazy and wouldn't even come near (even though he has been swimming several times and loves it), so I finally put him on-leash, not to force him, but so he would stick around long enough to find out that he really does like it!
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| Happiness! As you can tell, Dante enjoyed it quite a bit! |
And now... the cuteness that is Moray will grace you with his most adorable romp in the water that will make you smile. It will. (and if it doesn't, don't tell me. You obviously don't know Cute when you see it :P Just kidding. But really.)
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Happy Independence Day!
Most of the time when a photo shoot is attempted, only the best pictures are posted anywhere. With two puppies aged 18 months and 11.5 weeks, there are waaaaaay more outtakes than good shots. The story that they lay out is priceless, as this is how I will always remember these crazy puppies after they leave. So, without further ado...
Happy Independence Day!
And now for the decent ones...
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