Most puppy raiser's dream is to make sure each of their puppies makes it into a great home, whether it's as a service dog or a happy pet. Most people, upon hearing I give the puppy up, say "I couldn't do that." I won't ever tell them it's easy and it's probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do (each and every time) but they go to wonderful homes.
#1- Yancie was my first puppy and was one of the hardest puppy I have ever had to raise. She was nicknamed "Psycho Puppy" by our contract trainer. It was pretty bad but she graduated as a skilled companion. Her new handler updated me that she is doing well and has been keeping a good weight. I have photos but they take scanning.
#2 Zastrow was my second puppy, a mellow giant dog who was willing to do anything to work. He failed training because of medical problems. He would have been a service dog, he had a drive to please that no other dog has ever shown me. I got to see him at Sunke's turn in and graduation and I hear from him often by e-mail.
#3 Pismo was a sweet little boy that always wanted a cuddle and a hug. Everyone was his friend in his opinion. He embarrassed me horribly at his turnin by doing his trademark "Happy Dance" on stage, causing the crowd to laugh. I was bright red. I always knew he didn't care to work but he ended up in a great home. This is him at the pool this summer. The dog I once feared would drown is now an avid swimmer.
#4 Lacey came to me at 10 months of age as a crazy dog. She bit me in her excitement to steal my treats. I believe my dad, upon seeing this dog yank me down the hall, asked if I could do this (doubting me). So of course I did. Lacey was like nuclear energy, harnassed and used correctly she can do a lot of good. She now works as a facility dog with special needs children. Her handler sent me two videos of her working as well as booklet of pictures about Lacey's summer vacation at a doggy camp. Isn't she gorgeous?
#5 Sunke was another big, handsome giant, who enjoyed working almost as much as Zastrow did. He was a big lug of a dog that loved to sit on my lap and cuddle, he used to get in my lap and fall asleep on his back. He was extremely gentle, I used to let a 3 year old walk him and he always was very good to her, even though he was almost taller than she was! Even though I have yet to meet her, his handler has sent me many pictures and e-mails about him! I feel like I've gotten to know her. These are a few pictures she has sent me!
#6 Genevieve has matured by leaps and bounds this summer. She turned one years old in the Happiest Place on Earth where she was SHOWERED with love by the characters she met there. The dog that was once terrified by these characters played tricks with Goofy. He sat. She sat. He downed. She downed. He shook. She shook. He rolled. She rolled. Goofy kept coming to see her and her amazing skills. Woody, Mickey, the Princesses, and Pluto also came many times.
