I am quite certain that this photo was taken a few days ago... but actually it was taken almost three years (!!!) ago... the day I brought Miss Debbie home to puppy raise. Of all the doggies, she is (has) been my favorite, and I always thought that if she didn't pass, I would ask to keep her. She did pass, of course, she was too smart not to... and was matched with Sami....
Sami has been so gracious and has stayed in touch with me over the past couple of years... and then one day last week, she said they were going to be in the area and she would like to bring Debbie by for a visit to the farm. Needless to say, I was beyond thrilled and began looking forward to the visit.....
Debbie has not been on the farm since the day I turned her back to NEADS. When they arrived, she seemed a little "confused" (for lack of a better word) like she knew where she was, but didn't know why she knew. Sami and I chatted for a bit and then, suddenly I could see that Deb remembered and she went all silly on us!!!!
She ran all about sniffing and checking things out, and I think if she could have talked... she would have been saying... "yes, I remember this.... I remember that....." it was so much fun to watch her...
She ran to the fence and talked with Shadow for a bit, and then was off racing around the lawn. Which is something she wasn't able to do as pup.... strict NEADS rules we don't allow the pups to be free unless fenced... but we didn't have to worry about that now...
The doggies in the house seemed to remember Deb as well... Tazzy went right over to say hello. Livy was just a very little baby at the time, so I'm not certain she remembered Deb....
We had a nice visit.... and as much as Deb was happy to see me, and spent sometime with me... she very much kept an eye on Sami ... and several times, went over.. like this... to check in on her owner and make sure all was well. There is an amazing bond between these two and it does my heart good to watch them together. And now, I'm so happy that Deb did become a service dog.. actually a hearing dog, because it's easy to see her life is very rewarding to her.
Shadow puppy was quite taken with Miss Deb... and she was very patient with him.... but you can tell she's at that adult stage where puppies can just go and do their thing...
I liked that she sat with me for a long time... she knows me... but she has moved on, and that's as it should be.
We walked up to the barn... where we had so many mornings.... she showed her Mom all around, and we talked about all the things we did when she was a baby and living here on the farm..... Sami loved the farm and the horses and I think she appreciated seeing how Deb was raised....
nice photo opt of my three.... Livy and Debbie and Shadow puppy....
such a fun fun day and so rewarding... guess that's why I choose to raise puppies....
It must be summer once again when we meet at the beach house with Lee and all the puppy raisers from the past are together once again. Not everyone is still raising puppies, but we all made very good friends and it's nice to catch up and see how things have gone while we have been apart.
This year, it's Shadow puppy that came to the cookout.. with little brown dog too (of course).
Kathleen has Miss Cadi... and these are the only two puppies we have in the Maine puppy raiser chapter.... we're small, but mighty....
Steve, Bernice with daughter Sara.. and of course Zuzu... Rick and Kelli with Attiicus.... and then Linda came down. Linda S. wasn't able to come, but she was the only one missing this year...
All the puppies were so good while we ate lobster, and had fun together... good part of their training too....
Shadow was pretty happy with his comfy brown "pillow".. I was kind of surprised that Livy put up with this.
Such a nice afternoon.......
Monday dog classes began again.... I had the month of June pretty much off, and it seems good to be back to work after a break. I love teaching this community class... being out on the streets and working where the work really counts is just plain fun.....
It's a really nice group and quite a variety of dogs... Belinda is coming with Little Bits... who always draws attention, especially from children...
There are 8 in the group...and everyone takes advantage of "things" as they come up... statues can be surprising sometimes, but these puppies seem to know the difference...
I love that we have so many great places to work ... and the weeks ahead will certainly bring up the best (and perhaps the worst) in the puppies...
but that's what the class is all about...
So, summer is in full swing... cookouts, dog classes.. lake, visitors...
no wonder it flies by so quickly....
It seems as though we have been waiting for this day for weeks!!! Today we finally get to know "who" will be arriving in November!!! It's reveal day..... We were all invited to Jessie's Mom's house (Terri) to have a cookout and be told the good news.
Sadie has been keeping this as a secret...
I'm not exactly sure how Miss Abi feels about all of this.. she has no choice, a little sibling is coming. And I'm sure she has no real idea of how she feels either. But, just knowing Abi, I think everything will be just fine and she'll turn out to be a very good big sister. She has known the secret all along as well, and hasn't let one word slip out as to who it is... We have tried to catch her once or twice but she is on to us and never has been caught!!!!
Kass, Nate and the boys came too.... everyone is excited to know...
After a very nice lunch.. the revealers arrive... smoke bombs will be telling us the news.......
And the Grandfather's to be get the honors of lighting them. Course for us.. this is grand #4.. but for Jessie's side of the family, this is grand #1....
Up to this point, I'm am quite certain its a boy......
but quickly learn that I am wrong!!!! We have a little girl arriving...
Kelsey Rose!!!!
And this beautiful family will go from three to four!!!!!
Smiles and tears all around.......
and now lots of planning begins.... a baby shower to start things off....
And Cal.. you keep the honors of being the youngest boy (on our side....)
November.... sounds far away right now, but if my life continues as norm... it will be here in a moment.......
(can't wait!!!)
