Saturday, May 28, 2011

ONE YEAR of Puppy Raising

Really? Truly? Is it possible?
Yep, I've been puppy raising for ONE YEAR!!! On May 28th, 2010 at 3:30 PM I went to Canine Companions for Independence to pick up my very first puppy.
I remember waking up a year ago with my heart pounding and my joy overflowing. I was getting my new puppy. On that day my grandfather and dad were working with a backhoe to get some work done around the house. I helped some just to keep myself from dying with excitement. We went out to lunch and I could hardly sit still. I was waiting to leave! Before going to CCI my mom, brother, and I went shopping. I was on the edge of my seat! I WAS GETTING MY DREAM! It had been a few weeks since we had put in our application and six days since we had been approved. For the week before getting Dembre I imagined, and prayed, and read the CCI manual, and thought about what I was about to start! I'm happy I had some time to think, because now I realize that, though puppy raising isn't my life, it's a big part of it and it's now a part of me. I get to serve others by raising dogs. I get to take my puppy with me everywhere. I get to train and I get to meet new people!!!! I walked into CCI and met Suzanne, the lady in charge of the puppy program. We signed a contract, looked through some other papers, asked some questions and then we got to meet Dembre!!!! It was one of the best days of my life!!! Even long after Dembre is gone I will remember MAY 28th as a day of joy!!!
one year ago today :D
Dembre and I few weeks ago

Now a year later I only have a few more precious months with Dembre and then I'll start this miraculous journey all over again with puppy number two! How can one little puppy make such an impact? I think it's the fact that putting all the love and energy that you have into something that isn't yours really makes you think. It makes you think about someone other than yourself and think about doing something to benefit someone other than yourself! It's pretty AMAZING!
I hope to do it again and again and again!!!!!
As some people say puppy raising isn't something you do, it's a lifestyle. I pretty much agree with that. My first and foremost lifestyle is being a follower of Jesus Christ, but there are other things God has given me to put my life in to. Puppy raising is one of them!

~Elijah & Dembre

7 comments:

  1. Elijah, congratulations on the anniversary day that began your journey of puppy raising! Enjoy the next few months with Dembre. I have enjoyed reading about your experiences as a puppy raiser . . . your passion for what you are doing is inspiring.

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  2. Elijah, it is truly a wonderful thing, raising a puppy. Yes, I believe it is a touch from God.

    I have a blind friend, who since she got her first leader dog, says every morning she says a prayer of thanks for the puppy raisers.

    BrownDog's Momma
    http://browndogcbr.blogspot.com/

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  3. Happy Puppy Raising Anniversary!!! What a special day!

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  4. Thanks everyone :)
    ~Elijah (& Dembre)

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  5. It is so cool to read about how people with CCI get their dog. Happy 1 year anniversary with Dembre. Hope you guys continue to have a great few months left together and it would be really cool if Dembre continued on as a CCI! Good luck!!

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  6. Happy Anniversary, you two. I love how you've journaled this experience to share with everyone. I totally agree, the first time you meet the puppy you'll be raising is a day like no other - very special stuff.

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  7. Thanks Catherine and Donna :)

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Elijah and Hobart