It's My Birthday

YAY! IT's my birthday! today I'm fifteen! That means that I started considering puppy raising over 3 years ago now! WOW! I can't believe how the time flies! Today we'll be celebrating with a little party with some of my close friends and Hobart will be able to join in the festivities as well :P




~Elijah & Hobart II (with more pics of Hobo coming soon)

8 for 8 (another month gone by)

Hobart is 8 months old! Is that really true? YES! A few days ago I officially picked up Hobart six months ago!!!!!!

1. Hobart is handsome! I know that doesn't improve his chances of being a service dog, but he's certainly quite good looking. Everyone wants to pet him!!!

2. Hobart is good in public! Two weeks ago we went to a debate tournament and was out in public for like 40 hours straight. That was a lot for me and him! I was very proud of him for being so good.

3.Hobart is quite intelligent. He has a good brain and he tends to use it! Though, he's not always keen on using his commands, he does learn them very fast!

4. Hobart is a great companion. He's a good comforter and friend. He doesn't need to talk he just sits next to you and puts his head up against you and tries to understand. I'm not really even joking! He makes dog emotions very clear.

5. Hobart is friendly. Dembre was a one person dog overall. He got sick of having hundreds of people asking to pet him. Dembre never gets sick of attention. He's always wags his tail and gives his happy look when people constantly invade his personal space.

6. Hobart is playful. Playing, is his favorite. He can go from serious and perfect to complete clown and goof ball. I can't really get upset about that, because at 8 months old he still isn't an adult and he has his puppy craze moments. It's actually kind of funny!

7. Hobart is another reason to keep on raising for CCI. When I got Hobart I loved him and then he got to the age of about three months and kind of started to get on my nerve (mainly because of his puppy phases). We had our struggles and it took me three more months to get a grip on the idea of Hobart's personality. Now that I have realized how I can work with him I'm happy to say that we get along great and I think he's an amazing dog!

 8. Hobart makes so many memories. The look on his face when we go running; the play bow and wagging tail when I have his Wubba; playing with Pepin in his free time; and so many other adventures. He keeps me busy, but also keeps me sane!

This day seems so far away

and this day came so soon

~Elijah & Hobart II

DEMBRE'S GRADUATION (THE OFFICIAL POST)

Dembre graduated! It has been one of the best days of my life. First we got to the rec center where they hold the graduations and got to take Dembre out and get a bunch of pics (which you'll see below). Then we handed Dembre back to his trainer and went to lunch with his new partner, Imelda. She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met and she makes the most perfect match with Dembre. She loves him and he returns that emotion quite clearly. It was so amazing to hear her stories about him and all the things that he does for her and then getting to share photos and stories from my time with Dembre. Imelda lives a quiet life of prayer, which is great because we have our faith in common. Before hand I was scared that there wouldn't be enough to say, but that wasn't the case. Our hour long lunch flew by and was gone before I knew it!

So proud of that boy!!!!!!!

Then came the ceremony! I got Dembre back and walked him around to meet more of my friends and say "hi." Both of my grand mothers came as well as three families that are friends of ours. Then I got to walk up and hook Dembre's leash on to Imelda's wheelchair and give her a hug. I got to watch some of my wonderful friends turn-in their dogs and hand over their dogs at graduation! It was SO SO SO amazing!

You cannot describe the feeling of utter fulfillment and happiness when you get to hand over that leash and say, "here's your puppy." The moment I saw Dembre I knew he wasn't mine. He looked and looked for Imelda when I had him, because she's his new leader. It's great!

one more "lap"

Handsome as ever

The other amazing thing about graduation was all the support that I received. I can't recall how many of my wonderful CCI puppy raising friends came up to me and gave me a hug and said that they were so very proud of Dembre and I. All of my CCI mentors were there cheering me on and it was so encouraging. I even got quite a few CCI staff members saying that they were so excited for me. It's indescribable. Watching all these people I respect so much tell me how much the care!!!! I want to thank all of you readers for all your support via comments and sharing. Many of you have watched Dembre grow up from the time he was 2 months old and I thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement.

Reunited once more

Me and my boys!!!

Those eyes

handing over the leash!

Imelda, Dembre, and I!!!

Thanks again for everything!!!!!!

with so much joy
~Elijah & Hobart II (saying goodbye to Dembre)