1,000 Words

Lookin' Sharp

There has come a point in a puppy's life when they are Ready.  Ready to take on the world.  Not that they do not like outings and new places, but it becomes a need.  Canine Companions puppies are bred for confidence, and thrive off of adventure.  It has happened with both my puppies; a light switch turns on, and they are ready for adventure.  Now!

The other day, I was overwhelmed with school, and couldn't seem to keep my focus on one thing long enough to make any progress before I was distracted by something else that needed to get done.  Moray was also getting restless, so I gathered some books, packed a couple things for Moray, and we headed to Barnes and Noble.

 Barnes and Noble is located at an outdoor mall, and is nice and quiet during the day.  The few times I have taken Moray out, he has proven himself to be fantastic at settling and being still and quiet, and he was here as well.  After two hours of studying (Moray sleeping), I ditched my stuff in the car, and we took off to explore, and practice loose leash walking.  

While keeping a loose leash still takes a lot of focus from both of us, I had so much fun with my gorgeous boy.  He has such an innocent awe toward the world, and it is So. Much. Fun. to explore with him.  One of my favorite things about puppy raising is watching them learn and take new places in.  Moray takes everything in stride, and loves every single minute of being out and about.  

While all Canine Companion's puppies possess intoxicating levels of cuteness, not much is sharper than a jet black lab pup in a trim, blazing yellow vest.

 

 

 

 

Update!

Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to get my first update on how Dante is doing in Advanced Training.  I will not receive his first training report for another month, so while this was just a generic email sent to all puppy raisers who recently turned in pups, it was still nice to get something.  

In the last three weeks, Dante has made it through his preliminary temperament testing, a thorough health exam to clear him to continuing in training, as well as a field trip.  He has been assigned to a trainer (I will not know who until his first report), and has been working on proofing the 30 commands he learned with me.  

While it is so, so, so hard to not get minute by minute updates on Dante; right now no new is good news.  Dogs in Advanced Training (or the puppy program for that matter) can get released at any time, so no phone call from CCI today means he is doing well enough that they want to keep him tomorrow.

I miss that little Firecracker like crazy, but am also very excited for him.  Now to start counting down to his first real training report, and not die of impatience before it comes!

Our "last hurrah" of an outing -- SeaWorld Orlando, the day before Turn In.

Updating

Life around here doesn't look like it is going to calm down any time soon.  Hence the lack of blogging.  Unfortunately, it has fallen down on my list of priorities, which I hate, but for now is just how it is.

I have many, many thoughts still swirling in my head about Dante and turn in (has it only been 2 weeks?!?).  I am not a self-proclaimed writer, but I need to write to get my thoughts straight for my own good.  These I have chosen not to write on the blog because I do not like to feel that I have to justify my feelings, and while I hate to feel that I leave "loose ends" on here, that is just the way it is for now. 

Now on to Moray!  Although I hate to have a lag in blogging, it almost feels right in this case -- a kind of "reset" to Everything Moray.  

Moray is such a sweetie!  Oh my!  Do I love this age!  He now responds to not only his name, but "Hey Gorgeous!" as well.  ;)  The last two weeks have taken some adjusting for him too.  Since he arrived in June, he has had at least one, but up to four other dogs in the house all the time.  

It feels so serene around here with only one puppy.  So far, he has amazing house manners.  Having a puppy that (so far) ignores anything inappropriate in the house, and only goes for his toys is so weird.  I still stand in awe that at 4.5 months, he is better in the house than a certain Golden we all know-and-love was when he turned in at 20 months!  I know it won't last long.  The Terrible Teens are just around the corner, but it is nice to have hope!  

We have been in school full-force for a month now.  I have a very full schedule with co-op, homeschool classes, and class at the community college.  It will be a few months before Moray can keep up with that, but he is making good progress in his training.  

I always hate to compare puppies, but it is hard not to note the differences.  Moray is not nearly as high-energy as Dante was, and he is learning to settle very well.  He came to co-op on Friday for the first time.  We meet in a church, and it is pretty calm with not that many people, and he did fantastic.  Slept or played with toys the whole time.  The only complaint one could have was the noises he makes in his sleep, but if that is it, it is the least of my worries!

We are getting ready to head into "big boy status" as 5 months is less than two weeks away.  This means wearing the "official" Canine Companions Puppy in Program vest, and going on public outings.  He is ready.  Moray has grown a lot in his commands and maturity in general.  He gets so serious when his vest and gentle leader go on.  It is so adorable!  He loves to work, learn new things, and go to new places.  Not much else you can ask for!

I do not have much to say about these, other than that in writing this post I have realized just how few pictures I have of this cutie.  Moray loved his first visit to the grocery store to learn about carts though!

Turn In

The sixteenth of August, two-thousand-thirteen has been a date marked and saved on my calender since February of last year.  A day that at times, couldn't come soon enough, but a date that most of the time, it seemed we were rushing toward at lightning speed.  Well, it has come and gone -- nearly a week ago now.  There is a weird quiet now that it is passed.  Maybe because the absolute c.r.a.z.y. life was up until then (okay, life itself hasn't calmed down that much, but I digress).

 I originally planned a more fun, two part post of our trip for Turn In, but I'm not feelin' it today.  Maybe I'll add deltails of our trip itself later... We'll see.

It is hard to find a place to start about what Turn In is like.  I have heard it from countless other puppy raisers, read the itinerary of the day several times, and have tried to mentally and emotionally prepare for this every day for eighteen months.  I have even told scores of strangers how it was going to be.

Let me tell you.  Nothing prepares you for it.  Nothing.

It was so good, sad, downright sucked, exciting, hopeful, and inspiring all at the same time.  You leave a chunck of your heart on that campus, but go home wanting to raise ten more puppies.

Dante and his litter mate, Deacon.

The day itself was good.  Life has been so busy, I hadn't had time to really process it until we got there, and then it hit me, and with all the "festivities," it was hard to think about much else, and it was a battle to fight the tears on and off through the day.

They way that CCI aligns matriculation with the graduation of new teams is so perfect!  It keeps you grounded and in perspective of just why you can do this.  There was a 13 year old boy who graduated with a Skilled Companion, and I had a view of his mom from where I sat.  She cried tears of Joy throughout the entire ceremony.  We don't give puppies up for "disabled people."  We do it for little K, and E, and the amazing, selfless wounded veteran that graduated that day.  

Dante and Novel.

Dante and I with Katherine and Novel.

Not to say that I am in any way perfect.  While I know I have raised this puppy for the right reasons, feelings of selfishness creep up in the exact minute you kiss that baby goodbye, and you really don't want to do it.  You only do it because you have to.  I wish that didn't happen.  I know every day I had Dante, and even in the hours and days following, I have wanted this, but I wish that even in the act of handing the leash over I had wanted it.

My last words to Dante were not good luck.  Even though his future career is unknown to me, it is not left up to luck.  Even if Dante doesn't make it to graduation, I have peace that Dante is right where he needs to be right now.  I know that God has the perfect place picked out for him, and I pray that I will be at peace wherever that may be.

Crazy

I cannot believe that tomorrow is the day that we head to Canine Companion's Southeast Regional Training Center.  The last week (let's face it, the last two months) have been on the crazy side.  It is a good thing because it has helped kept my mind off of turn in, and kept me sane.  

 Last week we headed to North Carolina for a week.  Moray stayed with Young's raisers, had a fabulous vacation, and grew about three inches. 

One of the many photos I received of Moray's grand time away.

Dante came with us, and also had a good time.  He somehow got hold of aluminum foil without us knowing, and was sick for the first three days.  We ended up taking him to our old vet there, and he is fine now.  But, he had fun on outings to new places, and seeing my older sisters one last time.

Visited my sisters' school

Sit (stays) at my sisters' school

Novel stairs checked off as well.

Saying goodbye to my sisters.

On our way home Monday, we picked up a sweet CCI puppy named Odina.  Odina is turning in with Dante, but sadly her raiser isn't able to take her, so she has spent the last few days with us, and will be flying with my mom, Dante, and I.  Odina is such a sweetie!  She is so good with her commands, is super cuddly, and gets along great with Dante and Moray.

Dante and Odina at Starbucks

Grocery shopping together

Hey, look! They are capable of being in the same room and NOT playing ;)

Last day together.  Moray is already 32 lbs!

Gonna miss watching these two play together.

At the vet.  Moray for his last set of shots, and Odina for a health certificate.  Moray is now legal to go to dog-friendly places, and Odina is cleared to fly!

Practicing his settling.  He always puts his paw on my foot to make sure I reward him for a job well done.

Counting

Fifteen days until we board a plane for Orlando, Florida.

Sixteen days until I leave Dante at the Canine Companions kennels.

Seventeen days until I return home with an empty leash.

While I knew before I even picked Dante up that this day would come, it is still hard to believe that my work with Dante is coming to a close.  

I'm going to miss this dog.  Sure, he has put me through a lot.  More so than I have posted here.  Most of the time sometimes I didn't think we were going to make it this far.  But we have.  And while there are certainly things he does - or doesn't do - that drive me crazy, everyday I stand in awe that this is the same dog that I had eight months ago.

I am past the panicking stage about Dante's skill level. I am past the Oh my gosh, if he doesn't make it it is all my fault stage.  I am at the point where, even with his quirks, I know he is ready for this.  Oh, and I am now entering the stage where I want to cry as each day brings me closer to August 16th.

My family has an extremely busy schedule the next two weeks, so this week the lasts have already started, as it is Dante's last "normal" week here.  Saturday was his last puppy class, Monday was his last trip to Starbucks, where they adore him.  Last night we took a trip to Lowe's.  Walking the isles and practicing commands with Dante brought back so much.  This was one of Dante's first outings besides the library and post office.  This is where he learned the "Up" command on the many counters and boxed merchandise.  This is where, for the first time, he worked perfectly without getting distracted by another dog in the store.

It is easy to be caught up on remembering and cherishing these last few days with Dante.  And don't get me wrong - I do want to cherish them.  But thinking of a friend who will be anxiously awaiting the call if the dog her family raised makes a match next week, or the dozens of excited students who will be starting Team Training with their new service dogs on Monday keep things in perspective.  They keep me grounded that I can do this.  And not only that I can, but that I want to.
 

Down-stays

Stand-stays

 

Visit, while on a high chair

Under

Just being good

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