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Pupdate – Sierra flew to Oregon
My “keeper puppy” – my pick of the litter… I sent her to Oregon on Saturday to train with Joys of Living Assistance Dogs – the organization I worked with for awhile when I was a trainer with the State of Oregon. Before her big flight, I took Mama Bliss and Auntie Magic with Sierra to a local “dog day” at the botanical gardens. A final photo op. 😀
I’ve heard from Jill, the woman who flew out to Tulsa OK and back to Portland in a day (!) to pick her up. Jill is also the main socializer for Sierra’s brother, Danner (formerly Jasper). What a delight to meet her and talk about all things puppy. She also shared some training video and stories! He’s doing well.
I also got a quick check in from Mandy, Sierra’s new socializer. Sierra is settling in just fine. She’ll spend 2 weeks with Mandy then go into the prison for 2 weeks. They rotate in and out like that – best of all worlds.
It was tough to let her go, but somehow I always knew she wasn’t mine. I will get weekly updates on both pups from this amazing organization. Thanks for following this litter. What an experience to plan for them, and prepare them for their futures.
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5 Replies
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How lucky this group is to have received, not one, but TWO, of your lovely pups! ????
Can’t wait to read future updates!
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I can’t imagine letting them go, has to be hard but exciting to see their new adventures and getting so many updates! Such beautiful photos! Can’t wait to hear more updates. You did such a wonderful job!
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Awe, you have such a kind and generous heart, @catherine . I read this post, saw all the lovely photos, and then almost cried. I had to take a moment away before coming back to tell you how special I think Miss Bliss’ first litter has been. I forgot, correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t Danner (Jasper) originally placed in a family home? But maybe he was returned or that didn’t work out? Also, he had gone through a fearful phase a bit longer than the girls?
It’s amazing to me that he would be such a resilient little man and be doing this fabulous work! And…getting teary here again, you are such a special person to notice his inner gifts and find the right people to guide him!
I don’t even know what to say about Sierra…I’m sure she has everything she needs already to speed her towards her great destiny! YOU made it so. The very emotional side of me wonders how and why…I am very moved by this litter, but so in need of a dog of my own (that just never seems to work out), I cannot imagine giving her away. It is my hope that you will allow me to send you a very big, emotional hug for everything you went through to deliver these sweet pups to their special lives!
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Ah Paula – you have such a big heart. You get it, for sure. Thank you.
I did hold Danner back a few weeks before sending him to JLAD… during his puppy evaluation he had a crisis of confidence and I worried that he didn’t have the moxie to be a SD candidate. But, he pulled through and we chalked it up to a fear period. He will still be a bit of a sensitive soul, but every SD has their own personality and JLAD does a great job matching them with their handlers… he’ll get into just the right partnership, I’m sure.
And Sierra? Honestly, our household is a LOT calmer since she left. I hadn’t anticipated the magnitude of mamahood changes for Bliss in keeping a puppy. Bliss and Magic are back to being besties and that makes my heart happy.
You’ll find your perfect match soon, I just know it. It’s hard to wait and jump through all the hoops, but hang in there! Any dog will be the luckiest dog to be in your family. Hold out for the right fit! ????
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Thanks, Virginia and Krista! It has been my great honor to bring these pups into the world and I can’t wait to see what they do. I think raising Guide Dog Puppies all during my youth helped prepare me for “this isn’t really my dog”… and I’m absolutely gonna be there the day they graduate!
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