goodbye and hello..

sooo, here we are, another check in day at NEADS..but this one is also another goodbye, Bogey has been called back for advanced training. This is my third goodbye this year!!! We turned Ginger in, got Norton... turned him in, got Bogey.. and now it's Bogey's turn.....

Other than the fact that the "goodbyes" come more often, I don't mind working with the "older puppies"... basically, I finish up their basic obedience, hop up their social visits a bit and have lots of fun waiting for their call.... isn't he handsome????

We played together for a while (note... this really isn't the way you're suppose to play!!!) but one small session won't hurt at this point and time!!!! Then we were off to meet up with the rest of the "chapter" folks... bye Bogey boy.... we'll be looking for those future reports!!!!

At NEADS.... looks like a lab convention. Right now, there aren't too many other goldens or other breeds ... Labs are good steady workers and are preferred...

For the most part, the rest of the day went as usual... our trip into the hospital where we get a bite to eat, and go on the elevators....

This team should look familiar. Yup, that's "my" Norton!!! He had to be pulled from service work, because his hips did not pass "inspection". But, because he is such a good worker, he was adopted by Dave (our head trainer).. who uses him as an ambassador dog/demo dog/family dog. Norton will certainly have a very happy life, and I will get to see him often!!!

He can still schmooze the crowd that's for sure. Everyone is so drawn to him... Dave will have lots of opportunities to talk NEADS when Norton is around....

I can just hear Moxie... "ya, go ahead Norton.. steal the show".......

Elevator work is beginning to be old hat!!!!!

Now, onto the train station.... (hey, wait for us!!!)

Handlers get more training tips and ideas... dogs practice "unders"... there's a lot to this service dog stuff!!!!!

Do dogs look like their handlers??? Or do we look like them... I have never quite answered that question in my years of work!!!!

Ohhhh... my two boys together.....

Norton is telling secrets about me, I am quite sure....

and here's our group... that's (I to r)  Vicki, Norton, Bogey, Moxie, Marv, Jackie and Monty....

Up and down on the train. Some day we plan on taking a real ride, instead of just rushing when the train is waiting in the station....

for me.. all too soon, the day is coming to a close...and this handsome boy and I are going to be parting ways.... ho hum, the part of puppy raising that I'm not excited about.

I remember thinking, "don't cry, just smile"... not so sure I convince myself.....

We wanted to get a good photo of our chapter.. only Bernice is missing,.. so this is (l to r) Linda with Marv, Kathleen with Monty, Me with Bogey (and incoming Rylie) Linda (chapter leader) with Jackie and Rick with Moxie......

"How do you say goodbye and let them go??"  well, you hand the leash to Dave and watch them go to the kennel..... and you cry.... it's really pretty "simple"

And then,  you take a deep breath and look at this little face... who is wondering "what's wrong with you".. and says "I'm ready to begin......."

And the group does it's inspection ... Moxie says hello.....

and since you have been crying anyways.. might as well cry some more.. as you pick up the next puppy and begin all over again...




say hello to...... Rylie!!!!!