Time is ticking away.....

I've been reminiscing about my last few years as a puppy raiser. Fall always reminds me of my original puppy raising resolution 3 years ago. It's gone so fast. I am proud of every moment. My journey with Dembre was much easier than my journey with Hobart, but both have taught me so much even if sometimes I haven't felt like it!

So far I've been able to watch one puppy graduate and start a new life as a servant and have gotten to see another grow up and change so much. I really cannot believe he's ready for turn in!

I'm so proud of what I've gotten to be part of so far and I'm so thankful that I have made the choice to sacrifice a bit so that I can live my life with great people and dogs and goals!

Hobart has been such an interesting puppy to raise. In some ways his time with me seems long, but in others it seems just like a moment. I'm sorry to say I haven't done as good of a job with him as I did with Dembre, but I've tried and some pups are just harder to work with.

As leaves fall now I can't help just remembering all the good times I've had so far.

Now with 3 weeks left with Hobart I just have to remember to let it all sink in :)

then

and now

~Elijah & Hobart II

Dogs Make A Difference (the dogs that have changed my life)

Yesterday I was catching up on my blog list reading. I follow A LOT of blogs and I want a chance to read them all. So I try to read a couple of posts a day. I saw that Ours for a Year  had a new post. The post was about BD (before dog) and AD (after dog.)

There are so many views on dogs and how they affect people. I won't bring this up in a controversial sort of way, because I know that most of you who will read this love or at least can put up with dogs.

In that blog post on Ours for a Year Mimi talked about the difference a dog can make in a person's life. I believe that God can use things that in some people's minds are "just animals" and turn them into one of the biggest blessings ever.

My life has been changed so much through being a pet owner, working with rescue dogs, and raising puppies for CCI. People may see dogs as "trivial" things, but I see them as an amazing work of art.
I've seen dogs that got on my nerve and dogs that seem keenly in tune with human emotions.

I'm changing lives and my life is being changed. From some people's views there's know point in seeking happiness in the simple things of life, but it will never cease to amaze me that a furry, affectionate animal can change so many people's lives for the better. I know that my life has been more fulfilling than it would be if I had not chosen to share my life with animals.

Pepin-- The dog who has stayed by my side over the last six years (I don't have a picture of the two of us on this computer :(

Dembre-- The dog who taught me how to love selflessly

Hobart II-- the dog who is teaching me that I'm being changed, no matter how hard it may be.

Dogs change us in easy to see ways when they turn on the light for their master and also in subconscious ways by giving us some stability in a world that is never at peace. I thought I'd share these couple of paragraphs to express how much dogs have changed my life and how much they make a difference.
~Elijah, Pepin, Dembre, & Hobart II

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 2 Full Months in AT!!!!!!!!!!!

Dembre has made it a two months in advanced training! That's 1/3 of the way through AT!!!!!!!!!! I can't express how proud I am of him! I got to see him last night at puppy class!!!!!!!!! He has been moved with another black dog so I didn't recognize him so our program manager checked his tattoo. I knew it was him when I said, "Dembre!!!" He started wagging and when we released him from his kennel I could tell he was thrilled to see me! I told him how proud I was of him and to keep up the good work! He still had his Dembre personality, but he has STOPPED LICKING! That is a miracle! And his excitement is not nearly as evident! It felt so great to get to see him and play with him again! I must say I am absolutely thrilled!!!!!!!!

...............To the beginning of the end!!!!

From the beginning .............

DEMBRE I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

Elijah (& your little bro.)

2 Days Left

I have Dembre for TWO more days. That's it. We took a nice long walk this morning! I'm gonna miss him!

~Elijah & Dembre

Let's do this! (then and now)

so cute! two months after I got Dembre

So handsome! Two months before turn-in

 In a few minutes we'll be leaving for the conference we're attending the weekend! I really hope Dembre does fine! It will put him to the test and I will hopefully have some opportunities to talk about Canine Companions.

~Elijah & Dembre

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

So Long So Soon

When I got Dembre he was a cute, calm, cuddly little puppy. Now he is a great big, excitable, but still cuddly dog.

When I got Dembre I thought that a year and a half was enough time with one puppy and that it would seem like a long time. Now I see that I only have a few short months left with my wonderful first puppy and that the time has flown by so quickly that I don't know where it went to.

When I got Dembre I thought that it would be such a wait until he could go out in public. Now I realize that I should have been less excited about the future and more content with the present.

The second and third things on the list are both newbie mistakes. I told a friend that next puppy I want to enjoy the little puppy stage and introduce each command and manner with patience and consistency. I don't want to rush the puppy and I want to enjoy each stage easy and tough.

I was at puppy class this evening with many other puppy raiser friends with dogs around Dembre's age that will be turning in their puppies in August with me. One of my good PR friends is turning-in her wonderful pup in the middle of next month. When I first came her puppy was young and had a long way to go. I realize now that I am starting to see dogs arrive as little puppies and will soon see them turn-in. So far all the dogs who have turned-in were already in training when I got Dembre. Since I started raising at least 7 or 8 new puppy raisers have joined and I'm not the only novice.

So long so soon. I look at Dembre and realize I can't just do some training and take him into public. I need to stay focused and passionate. Only too soon will he be gone. I am trying to live and love every moment with my puppy.

a blurry picture of Dembre

there I am a new PR with a fluffy puppy. I was SO excited on the day I got Dembre

Dembre and I now a happy trainer and dog.

Upping the Ante

As a puppy raiser and dog trainer in general I have to raise my expectations. I realized that I've never left Dembre by himself out of the crate for more than 20 minutes. He is supposed to be able to be left for longer without any doubts about him chewing stuff up or having an accident. As a puppy raiser for CCI I need to teach Dembre 30 commands. He is really good at about 20 and knows about 25. He still needs to be introduced to "Out" and a few other commands. I have to remember that I have 4 months to have him well prepared for his job as a service dog.

young Dembre practicing

Dembre doing a nice down now!

IT'S TIME! It's time to expect more. Not to see a little pup, but a grown up almost ready to work dog. It's time to practice, practice, practice. I need to know where Dembre is in his training. I need to see where he needs more work and where he is most comfortable. I need a well rounded puppy.




~Elijah & Dembre

Dembre's First Birthday!!!! (long post)

 Dembre's one year old today! Yes, it's really true! He's 12 months old! To suit this special occasion I'll tell twelve things that I love about Dembre and I'll share photos from our past ten months together!

12 things

• Dembre is the most AMAZING dog! (with an exception of my beloved Golden Retriever, Pepin.) He's great in public and he's great at home (for the most part). I had seen my friend raise puppies and thought that she did a great job, but that if I raised a dog that my puppy would never turn out that well. It's partially true and partially false. I haven't done the best job, but Dembre has turned out well :D
• I never cease to be amazed at how much Dembre cares about me. He always wants to be with me. He's had a hard time with a down stay, because he wants to be with me. He's become more attached than I have :)
• Dembre usually listens without being corrected and for that I'm thankful
• Dembre makes a great companion. As I mentioned he likes to be with people so he is always good with people
• I never thought I'd find a dog who was perfect in the crate. Yes, almost literally perfect. Unless, he needs to go to the bathroom Dembre is great in the crate. I couldn't hope for more
• The first thing that Dembre does when he is placed in a stressful situation is look to me for direction
• Dembre can be really calm and really excited, but he's usually a balance of the  two.
• No matter what I do Dembre will always be a dog with a good personality
• Dembre loves to come energetically!
• Since I got him Dembre has always been good on leash
• When I teach Dembre commands he learns quickly and listens carefully

• I'll say it a million times, but I just really love Dembre

Dembre--8 wks

Dembre 10 weeks

Dembre 13 weeks

Dembre 4 months

Dembre 4 months

Dembre 5 months

Dembre 5 months

Dembre 5 1/2 months

Dembre 6 months

Dembre 7 months

Dembre 8 months

Dembre 8 months

Dembre 8 months

Dembre 9 months

Dembre 10 months

Dembre 10 months

Dembre 10 months

Dembre 11 months

Dembre 11 1/2  months

Dembre 1 year old!!!!!!

 I love that puppy!

~Elijah & Dembre

Then & Now

Dembre at 3 1/2 months (I think)

Dembre at 11 months. See a difference?

I thought I'd do a then and now post to show how much Dembre has grown. I'm constantly amazed by how grown up he is. Yesterday we left him in the crate for 9 hours and our neighbors let him out. After that he went back into the crate for another 4-5 hours. He didn't even seem overly stressed when we got home. He's always been a good crate dog, but we've never given him that much of a test. I'm so proud of Dembre!!!!

~Elijah & Dembre

Then 'n' Now

                               

Dembre sitting in the grass at 10 weeks old

Dembre sitting in the snow today (9 months and 2 weeks old)

Then and Now

On pick-up day (5-28-10)

Dembre & I (11-7-10)

~Elijah & Dembre
P.S. I now have a Shutterfly account for Dembre! Feel free to stop by to see the different pictures from my puppy raising journey!

Then And Now +......a weigh in :)

Dembre at 8 1/2 weeks

Dembre at 6 1/2 months

                                           WOW!!!
                                                           BIG DIFFERENCE

I guess they don't stay little forever.

Before I know it Dembre will be turning in for advanced training and there'll be a new little puppy at my side!

And Now,

for the weight in....

Dembre is:

55lbs.

Then and Now

I enjoy looking back a couple of months to see how much Dembre has grown. I'm amazed that 3 months ago I picked up a cute, furry fluff ball and now he is a much more mature 5 month old puppy. (The first picture shows him the day I picked him up, the next one I took for his 4 month photo shoot 4 days ago.)