Black dogs rule

At least at this play date!

Fifo cools down

 

Big money for you if you can identify BJ, Noli, and Fifo!

 

Beach bunny

Suba enjoys the holiday weekend.

 

Team mascot

Noli inspires Ross and his team on the road to the finals.

 

 

Health nut

Noli embraces the quinoa.

 

Maybe just a little odd...  ;-)

 

New friends are everywhere

You just have to keep your heart open.   ;-)

 

(Suba)

 

Toughing it out

Snoopy dozes contentedly, confident that the dental equipment is not going to be used on him.

Noli thinks the dentist is great!

 

Going out on a limb, here...

...but perhaps Mr. Fifo is considering trying out for the Fifo and Drum Corps(?)!

 

Again, our pups go

Off before sunrise, two families and a bunch of supporters head down to campus for another Guide Dog U -- this time for Bart & Sparks.

 

Arrival photos help capture some of the final minutes of puppyhood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A trip back to the dog runs allows us to see their new living quarters and their clever, personalized signs.

 

 

Puppy raising shirts await the raisers.

 

Titus begins the program with supportive and welcoming words.

 

Don and Bart share some final guy talk.  (And Bart gets comfy with his new frat brother!)

 

 

 

 

Sparks's turn.

 

 

 

 

Campus volunteers stand ready.

 

 

One raiser's shirt sums up the adventure.

 

 

After all the dogs go back to their dorms, a very nice program awaits.  Admittedly, most raisers move through it in a fog.

 

Trainer Karen demonstrates clicker training and targeting.

 

 

Raisers "board the bus" for a trip down to hug puppies.

 

 

 Puppies can fix almost any mood...

 

Now Bart and Sparks begin the professional training that will lead each of them to what we hope will be a perfect-fit career.

 

We will miss them.  Our blessings go out to them and to their raisers; we share your pride and your pain.

 

This is your moment, Boys!  Forward Together.

 

 

Winding down their puppyhoods

Puppy raisers are rarely ready for puppy turn-ins.  Puppy groups have a hard time believing that our "newbies" have become our matriarchs and patriarchs.  All of us treasure the all-too-short time that our dogs are with us.

Here's a look back at our two senior dogs' time in their puppy homes.

Bart's homecoming!

 

Receiving the Lola Stamp of Approval.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing a moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Absolutely, the mess was worth it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sparks meets his family and heads for home!

 

First puppy meeting.

 

 

 

 

Loving those ducks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passing the "scary carpet" test!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two puppies.  Two families.  Countless hours of effort and joy.  Extraordinary futures.

 

Next stop, college.