Meet Charlotte!

As I mentioned in previous posts, while we were down in FL taking Baity back we were also getting another puppy! We didn't know anything about her except that she was a Golden Retriever from a donated liter. When we were at the school on Friday doing the tour we got to see a picture of the litter. On Saturday after turning Baity back in we got to go over to the puppy kennels to see the liter, but not allowed to touch them since they were in quarantine (just to be safe and not spread anything). We also were told that her name was Charlotte!

Finally, on Sunday we met our area coordinator at the school (she was picking up puppies to bring back for our group) and were able to be the first ones to see Charlotte. She was so tiny and just 8 wks old (same age Baity was when we got him). We also found out that another puppy raiser in our group who is currently raising Baity's half brother Oakley, was getting Charlotte's sister Magda. Our area coordinator also brought home a 3 month old black lab named Chris, and a 6 month old chocolate lab named Harris. Because of the long drive home we decided that it would be best for the sisters to ride home together.

 Chris, Charlotte, and Magda

They also spent the first night together at our area coordinators house. Monday morning we picked her up and we stayed around a bit to let the puppies play with each other.

 Magda          Charlotte

On our way home we made a couple stops and even took her to Target for the first time! We may have to get her whining a bit more under control until we take her back. Many people were confused as to why my shopping cart was whining. She spent the rest of the day just sleeping away...

My sister holding her (don't worry, the car wasn't moving :) )                  

First time in Target

Charlotte's adventures are just getting started...

Walkathon and IFT

Saturday was a very long day. It started with getting us and Baity ready for Walkathon which is a walk in FL put on by the school to raise funds When we went downstairs for breakfast I couldn't help but laugh at everyones expressions seeing a bunch on dogs laying down calmly in the hotel while the raisers chatted and enjoyed their breakfast before walkathon. There were definitely lots of question as to why there were so many dogs in the hotel. One person guessed a dog convention on some sorts.

We then headed over to the walkathon location down in St. Petersburg which was a beautiful location. It was great seeing so many puppies in training there! Everywhere you looked there were puppies with their little blue coats on and working guide dogs as well. This event was not just for Southeastern Guide dogs. It was for families and other dogs as well. It was great seeing so many people come out to support Southeastern Guide Dogs. This walk had even more meaning to it for many of us raisers because this was the last walk we would have with our dogs.

After the walkathon we headed over to the school in order to get pictures done. The best part was that we were able to meet up with the wife of the fallen police officer Baity was named after. There were three dogs in Baity's litter that were named in honor of three local police officers who were killed. I've had the great opportunity of keeping in touch with the wife of the police officer and have loved sharing pictures and updates on Baity with her. She truly is a remarkably woman. I am honored to have gotten to raise a puppy named after such a great man. 

Before I knew it, is was time for us to attend the ceremony. Not very long after we sat down, they began calling each dog one by one. The raiser(s) would bring the dog up, take off their leash and collar, give a last hug, and watch the trainer take the dog away. It is a very emotional process to go through and it is the hardest thing a puppy raiser has to do. But its the sacrifice your willing to make

Video of me handing over the leash.

There sad reality that your dog is no longer by your side soon sets in, but the minute you are reminded of  their purpose and your purpose in their lives, it is all worth it. Hearing from a graduate who is blind and was recently matched with a dog was very inspirational and reassuring; hearing how much he has changed her life gives you happiness and hope that one day your dog with change someone else's life as much as he has changed hers.

Baity, be a good boy, listen to your trainers, make sure to get SOME rest from all your partying with your new room mates, and have fun. But most importantly, we love you bunches and wish you luck on your new adventure... 

Day before IFT

Its been almost a month since I last updated about Baity. The reason is that he has been recovering from getting surgery and hasn't been doing too much. But as I had mentioned in earlier posts, March 3 was Baity's In For Training date, which was this weekend.

The drive to the school is about 10 hrs, meaning it would be a very long trip. So we broke the trip up and left Thursday night, drove to Jacksonville and spent the night, then drove the rest of the way in the morning.

The school was having a puppy raiser open house on the main campus. It was great because not only was there some great information, but Baity's siblings were there as well! This included Austin (See previous posts), Ally, and JoJo. Us raisers had a good time sharing things about our dogs and also figuring out if our dogs were related! (Their Mom is Misty, Dad is Bently)

From Left: Ally, JoJo, Austin, and Baity (4 out of the 8)

We then headed over to the kennels to have a tour. While we were going to the different kennels we were able to put our dogs in the vans (they are used by the trainers to take the dogs to different locations). It was good for the puppies to get an idea of what they are going to be ridding in!

We then got to head over the puppy kennels and play with some of the puppies. I knew that the new puppy we were getting would be there, but because they were a donated litter (the school didn't not breed them) and had only been brought back a day or so earlier, they were under quarantine so we could not see them. One of the workers did offer to take a picture!

Golden Retrievers (One of these is ours! [6 in the litter])

 Playing with the puppies

New born puppies! (Note: The barrier is to keep the puppies in, not keep the mom out. She can easily get in)

We then headed to the beach to do a photo shoot with Baity. He was super excited to be at the beach and desperately wanted to go into the water. But because we are in a hotel and didn't want to worry about bathing him, we couldn't let him swim and get all dirty. We did sit and watch the water.

Back at our hotel I put Baity on his tie down right by my bed. He had no problem sleeping by me and anytime I would move throughout the night, he would pick up his Buddy (stuffed dog he's had since we got him), put his face right at mine, and wag his tail. It was sweet little thing he did that showed how much he cared.

The dreaded trip to the vet...

Friday morning we had to take Baity to the vet to get neutered. We felt so bad for Baity and I felt as if I was betraying the poor thing since he had no idea what was coming! In case you are wondering why we took so long to neuter him, the guide dog school has us wait to neuter and spay the dogs in order to see if they will be breeders. We weren't really given a reason as to why he needed to get neutered, but I'm assuming that once they saw all his vets visits, worms incidents, and problems with his tummy and food, they were like no way!
He is recovering just fine and has definitely been a little loopy today doing nothing but sleeping and staying put in my room. Sadly, he will be confined to the house for the next two wks (at least one wk depending on how he heels) which means he will miss his very last puppy meeting this Saturday. I was really hoping he would get to go since it is his half siblings birthday party and there will lots of playing and running around, but obviously those aren't very good conditions for him since he will still be healing. But I know he will be back to his regular self in no time :)'

Until the Next Adventure...

Police and Fire Station Meeting

On Saturday we got to go to a great meeting with the police department and fire department. It was great for the dogs because they were able to heard the sirens and see the different flashing lights and vehicles used by the police. They are VERY loud cars. For most dogs this is quite a frightening noise to hear so its important that they are introduced to it now so that they don't freak out later in life when a police car passes. We also got to have them walk around the fire trucks and small the different clothing and parts of the car. We even managed to get some photos of the dogs on the front and back of the cars!

Dogs:From left- Baity, Brandon, Fran, Emilee

 First time seeing a four wheeler

He barely fit on the back of the truck!

Until the Next Adventure...

In For Training/ Raising Again??

We officially got the notice for Baity's IFT date, and just like we had expected it's March 3rd. It's hard to believe we only have a month left until he goes back. I know that once he goes back everyone at school will be asking where he is. It's funny how you can be so well known just for your dog. March 3rd is also the date that the school is going to be having their WalkAThon, which I am really excited we get to be a part of. Baity was picked up during the WalkAThon last year (brought home by another raiser), and I find it funny that he is also going back the day of WalkAThon. I heard that a large group of puppies will be going back that day so I am hoping, and assuming, that his siblings will come back the same day. It will be a like one big family reunion!

On a happier note. A question I have been asked now that we are telling people Baity is going back, is if we are going to raise another puppy. Originally we had decided that we wanted to keep raising puppies, but then it looked like our schedules' over the summer were not going to really permit it. My schedule has been getting more hectic and I would need my sisters to want to commit to becoming more of a co-raiser with me. So we decided we would take a break. Then we got an email that some puppies are available for our group and that we would be able to get one when Baity went back. My sister/sisters' decided they really wanted to commit to it, so now we are going to be raising another puppy again! This time we decided it would be a good idea to get a girl because if my younger sister will be handling the dog more, we need one that won't actually be bigger than her! We are very excited to be getting her. She is a female golden retriever. What's great is that I will be on break for the whole week after we get the puppy (spring break) so it works out really well! So although IFT will be very sad, it ill also be exciting because we are getting another puppy.

Until the Next Adventure...

First Time In Harness

Today I had to run some errands and decided to take some shots of Baity in front of a fountain in the shopping center. It was Baity's first time getting to wear a harness today! (Note: We are not allowed to harness train them or use it in any way, it's simply a tool we use for them to get used to wearing a harness :) )

Until the Next Adventure...