Friday, June 28, 2013

say hello to Debbie!!!


Normally, I love our day at NEADS... but today not so much, saying goodbye to Rylie is so hard. I love raising the puppies for sure, but I "hate" the goodbyes.....
Rylie knew something was up, she wasn't too excited about getting out of the jeep. Course the fact that we did a photo shoot early in the morning and had a little run around the farm more than likely clued her into it....
She laid quietly under the table during our discussion... perfect "service dog style".... she's been such a fun girl to work with....and we'll at least have the day together ...
Dave's challenge for the day.... manage your puppy and take care of a cup of water...he wanted to see how much water we had in our cups at the end of the day... (no problem --LOL)
It was warm in the city, but not beastly hot as it has been all week. We were glad of that.... the city is "hot" enough without any help from the summer weather....
First stop was the train station. Walking up and down the large stair case, watching the trains go in and out.. and practicing "unders" under the benches....
We walked over to the park after that. They were having a farmer's market and all sorts of things going on...including a nice little band playing music...
We  took the time to enjoy.... being together as friends and puppy raisers.. enjoying our canines together....
Dave brought Norton along... he still loves me... and I love seeing him month to month.. as with any of the puppies that I raise, each one will have a special spot in my heart....
I snuck in as many hugs as possible.. after today, Rylie won't be mine to do that with.... her hugs will belong to someone else....
Our day in the city went zipping by (as I knew it would)... I headed back to the car with my two "puppies"....
Back at NEADS... it's time to take the vest off and begin the transition of grown puppy to baby puppy... at least the vest won't stay "empty" for long.....
Rylie and I went out to the garden for a few moments of being together and to say goodbye. I thought by now letting the puppies go would become easier, I have to report... it doesn't.. and maybe it's becoming even harder.....
She can still fit in my lap.......
After our time, I wanted her to have a little goodbye time with her pals..Otis and Rayvan were more than happy to lighten the mood with a bit of Labrador play time....
And then here comes Dave.... walking down from the puppy house.... look what he's carrying.....
Rylie and Otis got the first hello's in.....
And here we go again.... goodbye to one, hello to another......
In all my thoughts about saying goodbye to Rylie... I need to say that Kathleen is saying goodbye too... Mercury is heading in along with Ry... Kathleen didn't have him as long as I had Rylie, so she was handling her goodbye slightly better than I was.....
And here's a nice group photo... Bernice with Zuzu.. Rick with Debbie... Linda with Otis... Me and Rylie... Linda and Rayvan and Kathleen with Mercury..... the puppy chapter of summer 2013......
Mercury was the first to head to the kennel.. Kathleen gave him some last minute tips.....
Rylie looks worried....
And then it's time, Dave is ready to take her and it time to turn over the leash.... they head to the kennel.....
And the last that I see is her tail and it slips threw the door.. heading into her future. Whether she makes it as a service dog, or becomes someone's pet... she will be an awesome little dog. My almost year with her has been amazing, and another little piece of my heart is tucked away with the name of Rylie forever printed on it......
But I bearly have time to catch my breath... because a little yellow girl is ready to jump in and begin her training with me.....
Her name is Debbie... she was born on April 14th... she is from Guiding eyes and is as cute as a button....
She looks about, checks us all out....














And then says to me.... "I'm ready to get going... what are you going to teach me!!!!"

It all begins again.......................