Meeting Sharon

I was so at peace that I did not have the typical butterflies that could easily have swirled around as we left from the hotel to the campus of Canine Companions. Friday, November 8th, was the day we were to meet Sharon, see Haddie again, and watch the two Graduate into a beautiful Service Dog Team. The moment we had been waiting for was finally here ~ everything about our volunteer Puppy Raising of Haddie was coming to a close on this day ~ and I could not have been any more happy, excited, joyous, and proud.

Other than my phone completely freezing, and becoming non-recoverable, as we pulled out of the parking lot (insert panic - as we needed contact with our dear friends and family), the day went smoothly. Perfectly, in fact. And looking back, the closure of my phone to all those supporting, cheering, and waiting for me to share this story back home and around the country, really was perfect too, because it really made me focus on every detail and every second of this best Canine Companions Day.

Prior to the eleven o'clock meeting of the Puppy Program Manager to officially start our day, we enjoyed the gift shop, strolled the campus taking pictures of the beautiful grounds with lemon trees, fountains and statues, and met up with our sweet friends at the dog park. With the 75 degree temp, clear blue skies with yellow rays beaming upon us, the dry air, the quietness of campus, it really did not feel like a typical November we had ever experienced. We soaked in the beautiful weather and took our time enjoying everything about this day.

In the square outside of the Administration Building, we were handed an envelope, and inside was Sharon's quick bio that she had filled out about her interests, and a picture of our Graduating Service Dog Team. It was our first photo that we saw of Sharon, and of Haddie, and we were all smiles as it certainly bumped up the excitement even greater that this was really about to happen.

The large reception room in Gittinger Hall was set with long, white, linen lined tables and a massive bunch of people anticipating their first meeting of their Graduate, or their Puppy Raiser. We were escorted to Sharon, and I kept it together (somewhat) and gave her a giant hug. I knew from the moment she spoke she was a very sweet, kind, and fun-loving person. We got right into introductions of our two families and found our seats at the table. From there - the conversation flowed. (In respect to Sharon, I have cropped all photos as I forgot to receive her permission to post her photo). 

God made this match ~ evident in so many ways, but the most interesting was the story of Sharon's much loved pet labs, a black and a chocolate - one named Hailey, one named Maddie - who have recently passed away. While one will never replace the other, it gave me chills to see the connection of Haddie, a yellow lab, to Hailey and Maddie. Sharon was beaming  - thank you, God, for even the little things that add to the big things that make this match so perfect.

The lunch could not have gone any smoother, as we chatted nonstop while we got to know one another. Sharon gave me a beautiful bracelet that she had made; a silver chain with dog paw print links. I immediately put it on and have worn it every day. What a kind reminder of our new connection. The gift bag that we gave to Sharon was unwrapped and we shared stories of Haddie, and listened to the new things that Haddie has been trained to do for Sharon. We sat in awe that our puppy has grown so much to do so much.

Puppy Raisers cover 30 basic commands and socialize the puppy to the outside world. But there are very definite training commands that we are not allowed to teach our puppy as they are so advanced. So to hear stories that Haddie can pick up Sharon's Kindle off the floor, or a piece of paper, or a credit card made us so proud. Those are just a few of the many new things that our girl has learned to do since being in College since February. And to hear Sharon tell the stories of learning to work with Haddie - to purposefully drop these objects and watch Haddie pick them up for her for the first time - no words. Simply beaming.

Similar stories that made our table of new friendship laugh were the non-working times for Haddie. We had put Haddie's coveted Red Ball in Sharon's Gift Bag. It was one of the first things she pulled out of the bag with a surprised look on her face. They had figured out that Haddie loved to play ball, and the day prior the team went on a field trip to the pet store. They had purchased a Green Ball identical to the Red Ball that Haddie grew up loving (and this is a very unique ball, so it was another amazing connection). She said when they gave the ball to Haddie later that day, she went crazy spinning and playing ~ she definitely remembered.

As the luncheon came to a close, we knew the next chapter in this perfect day was the moment we would get to meet Haddie, and present Haddie to Sharon on stage at the Graduation Ceremony. Sharon was so encouraging as she wished us a sweet goodbye with a "Get going, you got to go see Haddie!!"

And with that - we were off to drive to the Center of Spiritual Living where the puppy vans were waiting and the ceremony would start in one hour.

Pinch Me ~ Haddie has matched.

What happened yesterday was truly the start of everything that we have been hoping for, striving for, working hard towards, dedicated to for the last two years. The moment seemed surreal and I am sure it was visible to others that I was visibly shaking as I tried to text my daughter, who was at school, about that moment.

I have this friend - I have mentioned her early on this blog about how much she supports us in Puppy Raising, how truly amazing she is to "get" what this is all about, and yet she is not a Puppy Raiser. But perhaps more important than whether she has raised a puppy or not, is that she is a genuine person who will go out of her way to help others. She was highly influential in helping a student at the University where we met; this student had a disability and a service dog. My friend - was her human lifeline and stepped in where the dog could not. She gets it. She is truly my most dear and sincere and heartwarming friend.

God put us together yesterday. It was planned, but I really had no idea when we set the date that it would happen the way it did. We had planned to meet two weeks prior, but her sweet girl had gotten really sick and it has taken this time to reschedule.

So we were having a pre-lunch date at a coffee shop, the non *$ kind, when I shared with her that I needed to keep my phone out because it just might ring from Canine Companions; match calls were starting that day through Wednesday. She said it would be fine to answer, so long as I shared the information (wink).

We had reservations at a very high-end restaurant in this very high-end outdoor mall that we were just about ready to head to, when my phone rang. Area code-707. With pen and paper in hand I took the call.

Her name is Sharon, her husband is Marc. She enjoys reading, making jewelry, swimming, chocolate, purple, books from John Grisham, and country music. Family, kids, and animals are important to her. I will save her occupation, but it sounds like she is a very educated and smart woman. The paper side of Haddie's match sounds perfect, I know the real person will be amazing.

Haddie has made a match. Her Forever Person has been found. Haddie will be a working Service Dog. We will be leaving Wednesday for our road trip to California and we could not be any more excited to complete this week.

My friend and I continued our joyous get-together at our fancy lunch with a gift card that was part of a basket she had purchased at our recent Canine Companions Gift of Miracles Gala. She took me to lunch. It was beautiful, a very fancy treat, and I am so grateful that my Monday Match Day was exactly the way it had gone.

Thank you, Jennifer, for always being a solid friend; for taking the time to accommodate Haddie when we were together, for being interested in all-of-us, for just being you. The lunch was fabulous and a perfect memory I will always remember. {HUGS}

The rest of my day was busy filling in my friends and family about Haddie....and continuing to prep for. our. trip. We are really going. We are really going to see Haddie on Friday. We are really going to meet her Forever Person - the one we have done all of this for.

Pinch me ~ Haddie has matched.

Kolby Car Rides

Kolby loves to ride in the car. Our curious puppy enjoys sitting straight up and taking in all the different sights that we pass. He doesn't care if the car is moving forward, in reverse, or going around a sharp corner. He is all about the view and having the ride.

When I met the Parole Officer off-site the day Kolby started his Prison Sentence - HA! - I know, so dramatic ... we had arrived early and I was playing with my phone. After time enjoying the view from the car of the parking lot, Kolby laid down and waited for his next adventure.

I love his calm demeanor. For as much PUPPY as he acts, on the silly side with much personality, he does have a very calm nature that is great at just doing, well ... nothing.

I miss my Mister, but I am also thankful that the calendars aligned because we have stepped up the busy around here so we are prepared for that final Haddie phone call to jump into the car and start our long road trip to Canine Companions. I am glad that Kolby's life has been filled with much attention and training, as he would not be getting that much around here lately.

Kolby Plays Dress-Up

We got to enjoy an outing with Kolby before he left for 2.5 weeks, and the outing was prior to Halloween, so you can imagine the fun we had at the Party Store.

Here is our photo journey: 

This scary sea monster-gross-looking-thing would bob up and down from this can as creepy noises were made from nearby speakers. My girl opted to take Kolby through the store, which meant she had to get close to this monster just as Kolby had to too. Kolby was fine with all the sight and sounds, and was very interested in the moving creature inside, but not enough to warrant any extra training to get him desensitized. Kolby is one curious pup by nature. 

The body bag with a gross head was mechanical, so the head shifted from left to right while the eyes flashed. Kolby found this to be the person he was meant to help that night, and while his ears were perked and he flashed his head-tilt a few times at the moving head, Kolby eventually decided on his own that laying down was just about the best he could do for this body-less creature. 

The scary sections of the store were over for the night, but I love how Mister is holding the paw of my girl - as if to say, don't leave me!! We found the costume section with bits and pieces for the puppies to try on. We came away from the Party Store with the knowledge that Kolby needs to play more dress up at home. I wouldn't say he fought us on trying anything on - but he just seemed too hesitant of the idea. I mean, really - look at his facial expressions!! 

Work with us, Kolby. This is fine and part of your job description. You don't know ~ you might be paired with a sweet little girl who wants nothing more than her dog dressed in glasses, hats, scarves, and tutu's. 

I know you are enjoying time in Prison, my sweet Mister, because I have heard firsthand that you are responding well to your new training schedule. YAY! 

Godspeed, Haddie!

The difference between August and November has been maturity. No longer was I thinking about the vacation to Santa Rosa, the train travel, the luggage to pack, the sunshine outings, the beach, hugging Haddie in the sunshine, and meeting her forever person.

Many shared while consoling me in August when Haddie did not pre-match, that her Forever Person just wasn't ready yet. That something needed to transpire before they could show up on campus. I believed it.

However, as time passed I found that I was the one needing to grow. I was the one that needed something to happen before I was ready to send Haddie off to her Forever Person.

While I find myself occasionally thinking about the road trip to California, it is not all consuming. I find it to be a healthy balance. And in that I have found peace and the understanding that the giving of Haddie is really not about me. It is not about my puppy and all the memories that were made together. It is not about my feelings for that perfect home.

As a Puppy Raiser, I am not doing this for my benefit, I am doing this for another person's Independence. And sometimes that was lost when I was in the mix of puppy raising and having fun watching Haddie grow, and during all the times when the focus was on us; weekly classes, outings, and even during Turn-In and months after with Puppy Reports arriving to tell us about our puppy.

I would like to say that I could point my finger at one occurrence that changed my view and emotions. But I can not. It was truly that something that everyone had shared that needed to happen. Only that something was within me, perhaps not with her Forever Person.

Beyond all understanding, it is really about them. It is about the Team created by the loving outreach of Canine Companions. While I raised the puppy, the story begins now, and what a story it will be and how proud I will always be of Haddie.

It is with great joy that I announce that HADDIE, our first puppy in program, has made a Pre-Match this week. At 10:21 am, as I was carrying my phone from room to room, it happened to ring (loudly) just as I entered my family room. Seeing area code-707, I sat down on my big comfy chair in the room where Haddie first learned to play, sit, roll, and every command she checked off the Puppy Report while under our care. The Puppy Program Manager shared that Haddie had found a Pre-Match and that Canine Companions would be evaluating the team during the week, and that he would call me no later than next Wednesday morning with a final answer.

The Pre-Match Candidate is a woman who needs a Service Dog.

Enter Haddie.

(the one leading the pack and about ready to knock over the photographer in the above photo; she is ready to Go! Godspeed, Haddie).

Finally Friends - at least for a moment.

It is no secret that Cora, our sweet 8.5 year old Beagle, is not very fond of our quest to puppy raise for Canine Companions. And the obvious part is not due to any aggression from sweet lady to the puppies, it is very opposite of that. She is more the passive-aggressive type.

Cora knows the buttons to push to wind-up the puppies to frenzy status - all by just walking very slowly across their path. And then they, being the curious puppies that they are, might disengage from perfect to more challenging. She will hear the commands barking from the two-legged to the puppy, and instead of just continuing to move along at a snails pace. She. will. sit. and. stare. at. puppy. going. wild. and. human. trying. to train. said. chaotic. puppy. And I know she is smirking inside. You can almost see the turned up sides of her mouth.

Really, Cora? Yes, I know - you find it highly amusing and entertaining.

There we have Cora's style for the better part of half of the training period when the cute little squirts are under our care. The slow-motion Beagle who won't go so far as letting the puppy actually touch her, but will highly accept the love of getting a rise from the puppy.

And then somewhere along the travels of Puppy Raising, she will surprise us and show interest in the puppy. One day we will look over to find this - the Beagle snuggled in the bed of the Canine Companions Puppy. Her look continues with the passive aggressive style of, "Whatever, so I laid down beside him. Ya' know I could move at any moment. Slowly, of course."

I love Cora. I love how she is in complete control of the situation and she is so tiny against Kolby's long legs that she easily clears under belly, and him being three times her weight. No worries. Just her terms.

I am glad this series of photos worked, because I am not so sure it will ever happen again before Kolby's return to California in August.

Finally Friends - at least for a moment.

Where is Kolby

Unfortunately, there has been some sadness in our Chapter when our beloved Puppy in Program, Lago, received quick news, after a quick turn of medical happenings, that ultimately shortened his life. Today our chapter is remembering Lago with a proper and full military memorial service at our Chapter's Joint Base.

You see this beautiful puppy named Lago was the first, along with his brother Laredo, to be raised at the Joint Base Military Correctional Facility. Under the watchful and highly capable guidance of our Trainer, this group of men and women Soldiers have cared for, loved much, and shared deeply with Puppies in Program, Lago and Laredo, to create a fantastic training environment. The program is soaring with success within the correctional facility, and ultimately with the Canine Companion Puppies they are in charge of training and returning to Santa Rosa.

While under the direction of the military, both Lago and Laredo received rankings higher than their two-legged counterparts and handlers. They are Private First Class military men and are treated as working soldiers. So today Lago was laid to rest in a full military ceremony fit for any soldier who braved the path of life. Today Lago rests in the hearts of many he changed, touched, and made smile with his adorable puppy face, and wisdom beyond his years.

It was decided within hours of Lago's passing that Kolby would step in to fill the paws of Lago for a short time. To sooth the emotions of those who had worked with Lago daily, to provide new challenges to keep their strength going, and to provide Laredo with a companion after the loss of his brother.

I thought I was ready to say a two-and-a-half week goodbye to my Baby Mister, but as I loaded him into our Trainer's car last night after class, for him to go to the Base today, I was really sad. I might have gotten a few eye rolls from my Teens, but what else is new, right?! The thought of a mini-vacation from Puppy Raising sounds good on email, but in reality it is just hard!

She had me lift him up into the wire crate that was situated in the back of her tall Jeep. She helped lock the crate door, made an appropriate joke to keep the mood light, and shut the vehicle door. But in the instant that that all had transpired, I should have not looked at my puppy-dog's face; his sweet Golden Retriever eyes hung in a look of disbelief. You know the look, the one that says, "Why aren't you coming with me?" 

I know Kolby will be in fantastic, high capable hands. Kolby will thrive. He will get one on one attention 24/7 from men and women that have been accepted into this program because they show leadership, and remorse for their wrongdoings, they are ready to prove they are capable of re-entry into society, they are strong willed, highly motivated. They are perfect for Kolby's current teenage stage.

I will think of Kolby daily - and write more frequently to get caught up on all the things I have neglected to write about Mister. There is much to say. I will stay busy. And I know Kolby will stay busy too.

Today marks a sad day on Base, but I pray that a little love from my playful, mischievous, extremely smart, highly capable, and ultra-loving puppy will heal their heart, but never replace Lago. And if Lago looks similar to Kolby, it is because they share the same dad. Half-brothers teaming to do good in this world.