1,2,3, and then back to the beginning

It starts with the basics. Don't Mouth; Don't toilet in the house; Respect human authority. Basic commands like Sit, Down, and Here. That's what I'm working on with Hobart II. It's super strange! I switch from a full grown pup like Dembre, who knows 30 commands, can be left free in the house, and knows the rules of the house to Hobart, who is just a 8 week old baby, who learns by touch, and smell.

It takes some adjusting. Apart from continually calling Hobart by Dembre's name, I also have to remember that he knows nothing. I have nothing to go on. Not that I don't like it, but it's definitely different. For months Dembre had known most of the commands and my concern was how good he would be for turn-in. Now it's time to give Hobart some good roots that will lead to a good service dog.

It's a big jump!!! Dembre weighs 65 lbs, and isn't growing anymore. Hobart is 13 lbs. and will be shooting up like a weed. Dembre knows and loves me as his mentor and master. Hobart isn't sure what's going on! I guess this is the life of a puppy raiser. Pick one up, drop one off and hope that your dog can change someone's life. This time around. I have some basic idea of what I'm doing and what to expect, but it's a constant challenge to not compare Hobart with Dembre!

Isn't he cute?

Adoring eyes

Hobart II

Sweet little face

Hobart II

It's a big jump!!! Dembre weighs 65 lbs, and isn't growing anymore. Hobart is 13 lbs. and will be shooting up like a weed. Dembre knows and loves me as his mentor and master. Hobart isn't sure what's going on! I guess this is the life of a puppy raiser. Pick one up, drop one off and hope that your dog can change someone's life. This time around. I have some basic idea of what I'm doing and what to expect, but it's a constant challenge to not compare Hobart with Dembre!

Just some thoughts,
~Elijah & Hobart

Hobart's first night and more pics

Hobart is adjusting quite well. Well, I should say Hobart II, because we found out that yes he has some cool roman numerals after his name! He did well meeting the family and had no energy yesterday. We only had to go out twice during the night!!! He woke up this morning and I see what I think is his real personality. He isn't high strung, but he certainly isn't perfect. He really is good for a 7 and a half week old puppy, but I'd say he's assertive and independent. He loves to cuddle and be held, but he also likes to wander on his own. He's got spunk!!! He weighs 13 lbs. and is super wrinkly and ADORABLE!!! I LOVE him!!!!! We got out and got some pics of him this morning!

Aren't I cute?

Happy as can be!!!!

gotta love the puppy eyes

"Seriously, I have to WEAR this thing?!?!"

Hobart with the Wubba

Peek-a-boo

~Elijah & Hobart II

Introducing HOBART!!!!!

Introducing Hobart (I think he's Hobart II). He's cute, he's sweet, he has puppy breath, a green ear, and there's nothing not to love!!!!! I absolutely ADORE him! I met my friend who was picking up his sister, Hoya. We got some pics and I have some other exciting news that I will write below the Adorable puppy pics!

Hobart and I at CCI

ADORABLE!!!!!

 

In front of the CCI sign

in front of the sign

Hobart and I with Sara and Hoya

Sara with Hoya and Hobart and I

Hobart at home

 And now the news! I talked to Adrena Dembre's trainer and got an update! She said that he's adjusting fine! She did temperament test this morning and he did pretty well. He was off leash in a training room and she clapped her hands to see what he would do and he came bounding over and got really excited (Dembre style). She said she thinks they can shape that energy in to a good thing and wasn't concerned. The only thing she had a concern about was that they put a huge stuffed lion in the room and he growled and then barked at it. But they won't release him unless he does it repeatedly on leash (he was off leash.) I felt like that was pretty good! She let us see him and he was very happy to see us!

Dembre and Ansel III

Can't wait to post more adventures with HOBART!!!!!

~Elijah & HOBART!!!!

Goodbye Song

I came home Saturday night and of course when I'm feeling emotional I play piano and sing! Well, I started writing a song and I thought I'd share the current lyrics!


Verse 1: Hello, Goodbye, tears in my eyes as the time flies by,
              Remember yesterday when tomorrow was miles and miles away,

Chorus? (maybe pre-chorus): You laugh and you cry, 'cuz it's time to say goodbye,

Verse 2: Farewell, So long, just a moment and then you're gone,
              Yes, No, it's already stop, but you just said go. 


Now I need help from all the other PRs who have turned-in puppies. I need your thoughts. I am thinking about adding verse three and a bridge as well as adding to the chorus. This is a song dedicated to all of you who do this over and over so I want your ideas!!!!!!

And once again Hobart's coming tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All those exclamation points.... they mean I'm SUPER excited! I'm going to be picking up that cute little chub ball and raising miracle #2. Can't wait to continue to share my thoughts with you and continue to follow all of your blogs!!!!!

Number 1- ADORABLE

Number 2- ADORABLE

~Elijah & Dembre
P.S. and I know I'm way overposting!!!!! But I have so much to say right now so please bare with me or ignore me :)

Dembre's Slideshow and a Picture of Hobart

Here's a pic of #2!!!!! What do you think? Cute??? I'm really looking forward to raising him!!!!!!!!!!

(photo credits Leann Armbrust)

(photo credits Leann Armbrust)

~Elijah, Hobart, and Dembre

And the name is.....

Well, some of you might have noticed that I already posted the new puppy on the sidebar, but those of you who don't glance at the new items that appear on the blog will still be surprised. The name is........

Hobart

Like it? I think it's cool! And guess what he's YELLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For that I'm super excited! I can't wait to pick him up on Wednesday!!! Once again thanks for the support over the time I raised Dembre and thanks for your encouraging comments over the last several posts!

and since I don't have pics of the pup yet (my own pics) I'll post a cute pic of my AMAZING Dembre boy!!!!!

And just as a reminder to myself I AM NO LONGER A FIRST TIME PR!!!!!!!!!! That's really hard for me to get my head around! I must say that I always thought that when turn-in came it would be our GOODBYE and that then afterward Dembre was GONE! Now I think of it as more of a necessary transition to his next position as a release or service dog!!!! And even if I didn't get all emotional like I thought I would. I still miss him tremendously and can't wait for my first report on him!

~Elijah, Hobart, and Dembre

I'm keeping that name until I actually get Hobart!