Sunday, April 06, 2014

GRADUATION!!!!


I feel like I have waited for this day... "forever"... it's Rylie's graduation day... and not only do I get to meet her new owner, but I get to see "Ry-ry" for the very first time since I turned her in last June!!!!!! I have been getting "reports" here and there about her, and how amazing her work is going, but there's nothing like seeing "the real thing"....
As we came into the building, there was a slide show going, and look who was up on the screen..... I almost cried......
but, before I get too far ahead on this story, let's get back to the beginning of the day. We met up with the rest of the group in the parking lot, where Linda had made a picnic (tail gate) lunch for everyone. Now, I must say, this wasn't just a "lunch".. this was gourmet, which happens to be sort of a hobby of her's and she loves to try things out on us... like we mind!!!! It was wonderful.....
The only part, was it turned out to be a very windy day.... the sun was beautiful, but it was a bit "cool" standing in the parking lot. Next time, we're going to find a "sheltered" place to park...... 
We even had Dave and Lee (from NY) join us. What a fun way to begin an already extremely exciting day!!!!!
Abbie has been looking forward to this as much as I have. She kept asking me if Rylie would remember her, and how big I thought she had grown, and about a million other questions (all of which I couldn't answer!!!) and she had all sorts of questions and assumptions for everyone else..... 
Linda always makes these really cool ID badges for us at graduations.... Abbie was beyond thrilled when she saw Linda had made one just for her... (it says... Rylie's puppy raiser on them).....
So, after lunch, and getting out badges, (and Rylie's gift) it was time to head in... time to see Rylie!!!!! Abbie kept telling Debbie that this was all going to be OK... and not to worry about meeting Rylie!!!!
And finally.... there she was.... Abbie sat right down with her and gave her a big hug... then gave Cheryl her gift (the book we had made from the blog)... Cheryl couldn't believe her gift, and she and her husband are the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Right away... the stories were swapped. 
I have to say, that at first Rylie didn't seem that excited to see us. But (as maybe you can tell from the background).. it was very busy there. And Rylie has so many people in her life, that perhaps, we were just "more fans"... but then, it seem to dawn on her just who we were....
And it was a very special greeting for sure.....the "task" is done, the training is complete.... the chapter has it's final page....for me......
But, for Rylie and Cherly, the work is new, it's on going... it has great plans!!!!
And much of this... began right here.... with these two, who just over a year ago, were so much smaller than they are now....
We also got to see Mae... who was Rylie's weekend puppy raise while she was going threw advance training. Mae loved little Debbie and introduced us to her newest puppy...
After the "meet and greet" (which I happen to call "meet and weep") it was time for graduation. As we knew, the place was packed... everyone so happy and excited to support, encourage and congratulate the new class.....
Twenty teams make up this spring's graduation.....
And here they are..... Cheryl and Rylie... their official ceremony of the "red vest"!!!!!
Debbie got rather bored with the whole event..... but one day.... it will be her turn!!! (with a bit of luck and hope!!!)













Course, right now... neither Abbie nor I want to talk about that.... because as happy as graduations are, and we look so forward to them...


a "goodbye" comes first!!!!