Anna enjoys some super gymnasts

Don't get any ideas, little lady!  Four on the floor is our puppy mantra.

Beat the heat

Together at a play date or home alone, Lucca and Anna are big fans of dodging the Florida heat in their kiddie pools!

Faithful shadow

Anna accompanies Marie to a doctor's appointment, learning how to be a good girl in the waiting room.

Body-handling practice

One of the things that many pups need to practice is their acceptance of being handled in various ways.  Veterinarians will need to perform examinations throughout their lives, and guide dog / service dog handlers will check regularly for any problems that might be brewing.  (Students in training to receive guide dogs are taught to do a daily inspection with their hands given that they probably could not see a problem developing with a claw or an eye or the skin.)  Regional Manager, Carrie, led this session for us.

Julia

Carrie, presenting

Anna

Visitor, Nyad

Julia

Lucca

Julia

Lucca

Bruno starts college!

People we pass while we're out with our coated dogs frequently ask, "How do you give them up?"  Lest anyone think we are superhuman, we cry.  But we refocus.  We know why we've taken on this mission, and we know that someone else truly needs them.  Hats off to Sue and David for relinquishing Bruno this morning to explore his destiny.

Jennifer, your boy did you proud.  Sue gave him every finishing touch he needed, and his future is now in his paws.

Some odd distractions

In Jan's absence, Linda and George planned a great meeting focused on distractions and "advising." Several topics of interest to newer raisers were discussed by our veterans.  We try diligently to avoid having first-time raisers feel they need to reinvent the wheel.