Remember when......

Time slips away quietly. It sneaks past us all and suddenly we think... Where has the time gone?

this is a precious moment :)

I find myself asking that now! I'm excited that friends Mark and Deb get to watch their first puppy, Ansel, who turned in with Dembre graduate! This gives me a reality check. Wasn't it just yesterday that we were talking about turn-in and graduation... the bright future. The thing that is strange is that I talk about the future, but so easily forget how fast the time flies... soaring away before I even know it's there.

Two things sunk in recently... Dembre is actually fulfilling his purpose, and no matter how many times I said it, it seemed strange until now... somehow surreal. and secondly that Hobart is now 10 months old and not so far from turn-in. I'll be traveling for a lot of the summer, which means I'll be apart from Hobart and before I know it.... BOOM it'll be turn-in.

Something inside me screams, "Stop! This can't be happening. What happened to that little puppy? Those perfect summer days playing in the yard?" but another voice speaks softly. "This is what is supposed to happen... it's destiny and this is your chance to change a life."

was that almost two years ago already?

I'm embracing the second one... no matter how fast the time moves or how much I forget that it's going... I, no all of us, need to concentrate on what really matters. We can so easily make life into a routine without any joy to it... any picture perfect moments, but I urge you to take time to live NOW and to make memories. There's only so much time and it's ours to use wisely! Today is a gift from God!

~Elijah & Hobart II

Happy Belated B-day, Dembre

Dembre is 2 years old as of one week ago. Ooops! My bad. Here I am saying it now. I'm so amazed that he has grown up so quickly. 2 years ago this miracle was born and now he is living to serve :) I thought I'd share Imelda and Dembre's latest partnership vid with you all to show you what Dembre has learned in his last two years!

IT's amazing what I dedicated puppy can do! :D

~Elijah & Hobart II (with best wishes for Dembre)

At work!

Here is a YouTube video that Imelda made to show how well Dembre works! He's not perfect in this video (he doesn't listen to the off command, and takes awhile to pick up the bowl) but it's still awesome to see the pup I raised at work in the world! 

~Elijah & Hobart II (so proud)



 

Thoughts on Dembre's Graduation

Most of you probably saw my last post about Dembre graduating! I thought I'd come back and touch more on the emotional end of the graduation experience.

Until the moment I met Imelda the fact that Dembre was a service dog was hard to get a handle on. I had imagined that day for so long. The day that I picked up that cute little ball of fur (May 28th, 2010) I told him that I was going to try to make him graduate. I did and I guess it payed off. It's so amazing to be surrounded by your supportive friends and be holding the leash of the puppy that you spent the last 15 months loving and caring for and then getting to say, "Dembre is yours!"

I am so proud and thankful that I get to be part of such and amazing program as CCI

The thing that I love most about puppy raising from the eyes of someone who has had a puppy graduate is that instead of spending time and energy to better the lives of hundreds or thousands of people I get to put my life into raising one puppy who will drastically change the life of one person. I didn't get to watch Dembre do much for Imelda, but from what she's told me he provides a lot of independence. I love that I get to impact the world one team at a time. A lot of people are concerned about the numbers reached. For a puppy raiser the best possible feeling you could ever get is getting to watch the one puppy you raised become the "best friend" of one person.

It's amazing, especially watching Dembre, to watch the emotion in dogs that so many people cannot see

You might believe that now that I've seen puppy number one graduate and am only ten months away from saying goodbye to number two that I'm done, because I've gotten to see one life changed. I don't only want to change one life, but I want to change one life at a time. It's a personal thing (thankfully CCI sees it that way) and CCI allows us to become part of our puppy's partner's life.

I have helped people in other ways, but there is none that seems more amazing than this. I am now officially "addicted to puppy raising" or as I've heard it said, "Puppy raising is like eating potato chips. You can never just have one." 

Now more than ever I look forward to turning in Hobart and picking up pup #3, raising puppy #3 and then picking up puppy #4. It's a beautiful thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Elijah & Hobart II (so many dreams fulfilled)

Dembre (Advanced Training Day 2) Hobart (update)

It's Thursday. That means that Dembre is beginning day two of AT today! Tomorrow we'll know if he makes a match! I'm praying and hoping that he does. I'm very, very nervous/ excited. He's so close. It's only 8 days until he should be graduating. *heart pounding*. Wow! I never thought it would sneak up on me like this! I'm just imagining the people he's working with and the stuff that he's doing! It's simply amazing that I might be handing the puppy that I raised over to his new handler in a matter of a week.

August 17th, 2011

Hobart has been sick! Poor guy! He's been feeling really bad. Thankfully he is getting back to normal and is now eating again. I was scared that something was really wrong, but he seems to be returning to his healthy state of being.

Sooooooo Tired

~Elijah & Hobart II (with Dembre in our prayers)

Exciting News for Dembre!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday we got a call from CCI! No, it wasn't a release call. It was Dembre's final AT report via phone!

His trainer said that he's a really good dog and that he was very strong on his commands coming in to AT and that she really appreciated our effort. We were informed that this team training group consists of 6 facility dogs and 6 successor service dogs! "Successor teams" are SD teams with a handler (or human partner) who has had a CCI dog in the past. Most of them have a CCI service dog that is either retired or has passed away! 

Dembre's trainer told us that Dembre is currently (with nothing official) slotted for a service dog match!!!! It also sounded like his back up match was also as a service dog! She said that he could go either way, though. It's amazing to think that they already have a good idea of who he might go to!!!!

I'll say that I'm so excited that the first puppy that I raised is doing so well! I'm SO PROUD of him! I'm extremely happy that he's so close to graduation (unless he gets held over until may)!

I'm really excited to meet his new partner (hopefully in a few weeks)!!!!!!!!

I don't know if I really thought that Dembre would go this far when I put his cape on for the first time

~Elijah & Hobart II (with Dembre in our prayers)

Dembre News, Hobart's Puppy Class, Weigh-in, etc...

I have a lot to say :D

We got Dembre's FINAL WRITTEN report!!!! At the end of next month we will get his final report via the phone (as long as he has not been released by that time).

His report was really good!!!!! He is officially working on all of his commands with his handler on foot and in a wheelchair. According to the report, "Dembre is responsive to commands and responds to correction for distractions." Once again he has mounted other dogs in the play yard, but it has decreased and is not a concern. If Dembre graduates he will graduate on Friday, February, 17th. That's not very far away!!!!

I also got to say "hi" to Dembre at class today! His kennel mate switched.... again, so he is with Gallaghar II. It took me a minute to tell the two apart, but one of the dogs was more excited to see me and came to Dembre's name so I figured it out which dog he was. I got to give him a hug and tell him that I'm so very proud of him. I can't wait to see him.... if it's God's will... GRADUATE AS A SERVICE DOG!!!!!!

I turned in Mr. Dembre in August and now four months later he's SO close to graduation

I also went to class at CCI today (for the first time in five weeks) and picked up Hobart from his puppy sitter. Connie, who puppy sat him for me, said that she liked him and thought he was a "good dog" in CCI terms. That's good for me to hear, because it's been hard for me to see Hobart as a good dog. I'm really excited that a puppy raiser on number 21 can say that my 2nd pup is doing fine!

It was really nice to have class and catch up with my CCI friends! I enjoyed encouragement from other puppy raisers and lots of good training tips! I've really missed not being able to get a reality check from other, more experienced raisers.

now..... last and definitely least..... Hobart now ways 50 lbs. !!!!!

Hobart on day one (2 months)

Hobart last week (5 months)

~Elijah & Hobart II (With Dembre in our prayers)

Dembre - 2nd Semester!!!!!!!

 Today was the CCI November graduation ceremony. I was unable to attend, because church thing. That officially makes Dembre a 2nd semester dog!!! I can't believe it's already been three months since I returned him to CCI for AT! So far all reports have been good. The most exciting part of him making this far is that in most cases, but not all, the trainers think that the dogs are good enough to graduate. There are dogs that get released after this point, but not close to as many. I am so proud to say that this is the halfway marker!!! If he graduates he will most likely graduate in February. I can't believe that in three more months I might be handing him over to his new master!!!!!!!!! Can't say how proud I am!!!!!!

Picking up Dembre

Turning in Dembre

~Elijah & Hobart II (With Dembre in our prayers)

That reminds me......

I'm looking out the window to see another gorgeous Ohio fall! Fall just has this touch that makes me remember the past. In the Autumn of 2009 I remember dreaming about puppy raising while raking leaves and taking walks. I still remember thinking, "I am going to be a puppy raiser!" That dream came true!

I also remember the fall of 2008 (I'm pretty sure) when my mom and I were driving to pick up one of my foster dogs. I had this great feeling that I was doing what I was where I was supposed to be.

Then I can remember when I was little playing with friends in the leaves. There's something about the cool, colorfulness of it all. It makes your brain pause and snap a picture that you'll have forever.

Now it's fall again and I'm making memories while walking through the woods with Hobart at my side. There's this kind of bliss that comes over me. Seriously, I believe that many years from now I'll look back on all of these memories and smile at all of those blessings!

~Elijah & Hobart II

Dembre's AT Report (1 week early)

I came home from a friends house today and was quite surprised to find a report on Dembre. I wasn't expecting it, because according to our schedule we were supposed to get in on the last Wednesday of the month. I guess his trainer just sent it early.

Dembre COMPLETED ALL HEALTH EXAMS!!!!!!!! That means his hips, knees, and eyes are all functioning well enough for him to be a service dog. Once again he has been mounting dogs in the play yard, but "will stop for a short time with correction." His trainer also mentions that she is "not terribly concerned" with this behavior. Still, I hope that he doesn't continue with this behavior. It doesn't seem like it will get him released, but it's still a negative behavior. Other than that he's doing really well! Dembre is reviewing basic commands and learning retrieve, get, hold, and push. I'm thrilled that he is progressing in his advanced skills. According to his trainer he has done great out on field trips!

His overall progress is mostly marked under moderate, which CCI tends to like. The only thing marked high is motivation.

I'm so proud of that dog!!!! I have prayed that he'll do well and so far he has, but there is still more than three and a half months to go. Wherever he is, is where he belongs.

~Elijah & Hobart II (With Dembre in our prayers)

Never my own

Turning-in Dembre made me fully realize that I don't own him. I might know him better than anyone else and love him more than anyone else, but I don't own him. People don't always get that! "He's not yours?" Nope I just raise him! It's what we do. My friend and puppy raising Mentor is raising #31. People are always shocked! "She gave back 30 dogs?" Yep! I think it's hard for people to believe that someone would go through the pain of turn-in just to serve someone else, but it's not only hard. It's not like throwing yourself in front of a gun just to block the bullet from hitting someone else. When you raise a puppy you get to love every minute of it. I've heard people compare it to raising kids. There are moments that make you smile, moments that make you want to scream, but in the end your kid graduates and goes off to college and your proud of what they did and what you did even though it hurts to let them move on!

puppy raising is watching a puppy grow from small

to big and then saying goodbye

And now for a short update on Hobart! He's as cute as ever and coming along quickly. He's only had one accident (one that he wasn't caught in the act of). He's learning "sit", "down", and "here" as well as tolerating the crate! He actually slept THROUGH THE NIGHT from 10:30 last night until  7:00 this morning! He's not extremely mouthy, but he likes to chew on everything! We'll see how it goes!

~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 :)

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!

DEMBRE'S TURN-IN (PLEASE READ)

Dembre and I at CCI

About an hour ago I put Dembre in the kennel at Canine Companions and said goodbye!!!

As you might know, every August CCI holds a NCR Puppy Raiser Workshop where you come for the day and listen to some lectures on being a puppy raiser and what it's like turning-in a puppy. It was amazing fun!!!!!!! I woke up at  6:00. I showered, walked Dembre, ate breakfast and mentally prepared for the exciting and exhausting day that lay ahead!!!

First thing when I got to Columbus State for the seminar I got to meet my wonderful blogger friends and fellow CCI puppy raisers Mark, Deb, and their wonderful puppy Ansel (Ansel's Blog). You should all stop by and follow it!!!!! Mark and Deb gave me a wonderful gift.... a Kong Wubba and a very thoughtful card. They said that Ansel's favorite toy was the Wubba and they wanted to share his favorite toy with me and so my next pup will get his very own new Wubba!!! Then my dear friend, who inspired me to puppy raise came with her pup and gave me a very sweet card, as well!!! You guys made my day!!!

Over the first workshop we covered the topic of turn-in and what dogs get released for as well as the testing the pups receive. It was very enlightening!

below the pics is the turn-in experience.............

Tenor with Dembre

Dembre and I with Dembre's trainer Adrena

Dembre and his brother Dash II (five minute kennel mates)

Dembre and his new kennel mate Ansel

the cookie

My card from Deb, Mark, and Ansel

My card from Marybeth

the new Wubba from Mark and Deb

Then came the ceremony!!! I walked up and got a pretty flower. I didn't get emotional just enjoyed getting to say that I raised Dembre. We enjoyed seeing wonderful teams graduate!!!! After that I enjoyed good lunch with my whole family (except for one brother), including my grandmother, and my friend Mary Beth.

Then came the second workshop where we talked a little while and then worked on commands. I got to meet Dembre's sweet brother Dash II and his puppy raisers and reminisce about puppy raising memories. I really loved talking to all the different puppy raisers from out of state.

............ and then turn-in. I'm sorry to say I didn't take it hard. I didn't even cry. I wanted to cry and get emotional, because I cried last year when I thought about turn-in and what it would be like. I enjoyed talking to Dembre's very nice trainer Adrena and talking more to close friends picking up and turning in. When it came to putting Dembre in the kennel it wasn't that hard. I put him in and he started to play with his brother and his kennel mate. A few minutes later they switched Dembre out and put him with Ansel III, because Ansel was with another intact dog so they wanted to switch them out. We took pictures. We laughed; I really felt like Dembre was happy... not stressed. And so I felt good about turn-in! 

Now I'm puppyless!!!  For a couple of days until I receive Mr. H. on Wednesday!!!!!!!

I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR READING MY BLOG AND ENCOURAGING ME THROUGH THE UPS AND THE DOWNS! THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO! AND EVEN THOUGH I NEVER MET MOST OF YOU I FEEL LIKE I KNOW YOU AND AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dembre and I before the ceremony

at CCI

Dembre and his brother Dash II

Dash and Dembre

Dembre

Dash

Dembre and I with Dash and his wonderful puppy raisers!

~ELIJAH AND MR. H. (NAME TO BE REVEALED ON MONDAY)

The Night Before (commands)

Today my Mom got pictures of Dembre and I doing all our commands!!!! I'm super excited about tomorrow and I thought I'd share these pics with you! Please pray for me as I prepare to say goodbye.

I am still so proud to be part of a miracle and can't wait to get number two! The BIG post will come tomorrow night! And I hope you all have the chance to read it!!!!!!!!

Down

Shake

up

sit

jump

lap

off

jump

stand

visit

turn

roll

dress

kennel

~Elijah & Dembre