Monti makes us proud

Nothing represents our puppies' raising year like the photographic records we collect and treasure.

Take it away, Monti!

 

Arriving at his first puppy meeting, ready to rumble.  ;-)

 

 

Meeting Dakota

 

Visiting with Jordan on a rainy morning

 

 

Shaking off the ocean at our kayaking meeting

 

 

Doing "guy stuff" with Dad...

 

 

Basking in the sun at a crew regatta

 

 

Enjoying a play date with his puppy group pal

 

 

 

Checking out Bert & Ernie!

 

 

Working obedience at a meeting

 

Snoozing away at Burger Monger   ;-)

 

 

Soaking up Florida

 

 

Learning to swim!

 

 

Checking out the fountains at the Straz

 

On our scavenger hunt at Target

 

Bored with meeting announcements!

 

Meeting Captain Fear and our soldiers at MacDill AFB

 

 

 

Limbering up before miniature golf

 

 

  

Meeting one of our newbies

 

 

In full control on a staircase at USF

 

Wearing the guide dog harness body for the first time

 

Enjoying Dad at our holiday meeting

 

At the sporting goods store for his last puppy meeting

 

 

Touching up his tan

 

 

Marveling at the dancing fountain

 

Checking out Florida's awesome sea cows!

 

After all the fun and exploration of a puppy year, Monti's biggest adventure will be his time in college. 

 

On a day of torrential rain, the skies hold fairly nicely for the turn-in event, including photos at the rock and with the signature signs.

 

 

 

 Then the program begins!

 

 

Reuniting with his littermates

 

 

The boys of Monti's "class"

 

Awaiting Monti on his kennel window

 

Waiting with Mom and Dad for his "moment in the sun"

 

A final shared gaze with Dad

 

Brother Bill

 

Making plans with Bill for tonight's party!

 

The moment of handover.  Yes, it's as tough as you would imagine, but we don't need these dogs.  We love them, but we raise them to change the lives of people who need them.

 

Off to do a little puppy hugging -- one remedy for some pretty sad puppy raisers.  ;-)

 

Finally, just a reminder that Monti was sponsored by the Tampa Area Puppy Raisers in honor of beloved Monti Cat, who shepherded many a puppy through its first year.

 

 

The moment is now, Monti.  Soak up every lesson from your stellar training staff, and go off to make a difference in the world.  We will never forget you.

 

 

Hey, Mom -- we're on TV

Nina catches her buddies Subie and Mastro on a news report publicizing Southeastern's Walkathons!

Painting with purpose

As part of her fundraising effort, Loretta arranged a painting party to raise money for Southeastern.

Supplies were all provided, as was a teacher who walked everyone through the project.  Her challenge was for the painters to reproduce van Gogh's Starry Night -- albeit with a slight canine alteration!

The master canvas:

 

Our fabulous TAPR painters!

 

 

Good fun!