first snow....

Yesterday , Mom and I were up bright and early. She had to meet up with a family because she was going to be watching their dog. So, she decided that it would be a good time for us to make our first public outing. We went to Walmart, there is a Dunkin Donut shop there, and while Mom sat and had a coffee, I sat and watched the crowd go by. There were a lot of people out shopping (it's called black Friday), and I saw a lot of shopping carts and big bags. But none of that bothered me. Mom let people who wanted to, pet me, and I thought that all the attention was pretty grand.











I just wanted to show you this picture of the chickens. I am not allowed to chase them... and the white fluffy bird is Mom's favorite, her name is Beeker!!!










And this is my house!!! The weather is kind of grey looking...













And this is what it brought... SNOW!!! not very much to be sure, but it's my very first!!!












course, I thought it was just grand!!! I ate it, rolled in it and zoomed around.












You know, life is pretty good.... I'm having fun!!!

Love, Ginger!!!

Thanksgiving.....

Hi, it's me again - Ginger!!! Today is Thanksgiving, I don't really know what that means, except the house smells really good and there are people coming to visit today. Mom tells me that "the family" is very excited to meet me. She says that they loved Chester and she knows that they will love me just as much. I have been doing very well these past couple of days, I am sleeping thru the night, working out my house training skills and practicing some of my obedience commands. The days a full and fun.












I wanted to tell you about baby Abbie. She and I are going to be great friends!! I love to follow her all around the house, she is just learning to walk, so whenever I follow her, my Mom is always telling me "gentle". I guess they want to make sure I don't topple her over.







This is what the dining room table looked like. Sadly I didn't get any of "this" food, in fact, I wasn't even allowed near the table. I had to go into my crate while the people ate.










But, after dinner, I was let out and got to play with another little girl, she is Naomi.. my Mom's niece. She was fun to play with and we had a great time together....













we wore each other out. My Mom says that tired puppies (and children) are "good things".. whatever that means!!!!


so another fun day,


love, Ginger

day one....

Hello, my name is Ginger, I am 11 weeks old and have just arrived at a place called Sweetgrass farm. I am a golden retriever and my future plan is to become a service dog. My new Mom says she will do everything she can to help me make my goal. This blog is all about me, and will be a story about my first year. I am my Mom's second puppy that she will raise for NEADS and I can tell you, she is so happy and exited that I am here.

My first day was a time to get settled in, though my Mom believes too in jumping right in (notice in the last photo, I am wearing my gentle leader!!) There is much to do and see, I live with six cocker spaniels, two cats and a little baby who is called Abbie. The house is filled with sound and sight, and after a little bit, it made me sleepy and I found a little spot to myself under Abbie's chair.

I also live with Sadie. She gave me a brushing and trimmed my nails. I was a very good puppy and quietly sat in her lap while she fussed over me.

Then Mom said it was time to check out the barn. We took a short walk and came to another building. At first I wasn't so sure, there are some mighty strange animals in this place. Mom says it's home to "the horses, guinea hens and chickens". I didn't mind the birds so much, they pretty much kept to themselves...

but the horse-things wanted to be friends. At least I think they were friendly, as they came right towards me. I had to think about them for a minute, but they seemed nice.....

so, I got brave and walked up to "her" (this is Mocha by the way - she is a miniature horse). I even sniffed her nose, she didn't seem that interested in me. It was fun at the barn, but I have to admit, I took a good nap when we got back to the house.

Later in the day, we went and got Kathleen and my brother Leo. Did I tell you, that Leo is just in the next town and my Mom and Leo's Mom are good friends. So, we will be able to see each other often. My Mom is so happy that she and her good friend can raise us puppies together!!! But as I was saying, we met up with Kathleen and Leo, and went to "puppy school". Mom is the teacher at puppy school, so I worked with a nice lady called Wanda. Here Leo and I are working on a command that is called "down".




It didn't take us long to figure it out.. we're both very smart puppies. So, that was pretty much my first day. Mom says I am off to a good start.. and that sounds good to me!!! After puppy school we drove home, I was happy to climb into my little crate and I slept the whole night thru.

and so I will say good night, and sign off....

love, Ginger

Chapter Two.....

Finally... the day has arrived!!! Puppies again, and back into this grand place of "puppy raiser". Both Kathleen and I got puppies, they're litter mates... Ginger is "mine" and Leo is "Kathleen's" As it was with Chester, I tend to keep a log of her training and life with us, in hopes that,one day when Ginger is placed with her new owner, this blog will go along and "they" will have the opportunity to watch her training days.



Our day began with the fall graduation, which of course is always wonderful.



















And this year, begins the 35th anniversary of NEADS. I dare say there will be lots of exciting things to do and see with such a monumental year... so Ginger and I will probably be on the road a fair amount with NEADS.








Kathleen had the pleasure of running into Kelly at the graduation. Kelly is now in the home of another puppy raiser.. she had started in the prison program, but wasn't doing very well there. So, NEADS decided to give her more time "at home" and see where her training goes. She has the ability to do "social" dog and I believe it is every one's hope that she will do that. One nice thing, there is plenty of time on Kelly's side...



















but as much fun as the day was... I couldn't wait until the end, when we went to get our babies...Finally, it was off to the puppy house and here she is...... Miss Ginger!!! an 11 week old golden puppy.. she was born on Sept. 1st and is from Maine!!!












Both Kathleen and I were so excited!!! It's been a long time for her, as she turned Kelly in last May. But these past two months has felt long for me...











As I gave my new "charge" a great big hug, all I could think of ... "hurray.... Chapter Two"...
welcome home little girl, at least for a year.....

tomorrow.....

two month ago (today) Chester was turned back to NEADS... and tomorrow.... it begins again

the closing post.....

It has taken me a long time to write the closing post to Chester's blog. For some reason, I posted it right away on the farm blog, and then just guess I haven't wanted to re-visit this, until now. Not that I regret in any way taking on this wonderful project, but it has come full circle and I now completely understand the story of a puppy raiser. That being said, I anxiously await the arrival of our next puppy, for I am a "lifer" in the puppy raiser game. I had a few quiet moments to myself with Chester before we headed out, actually it wasn't til just a few days ago that I even knew this picture had been taken of the two of us.... Chester being "Mr. goofy boy" and I knowing what the day was about to bring to us... well, this says it all.......








(as written on the farm blog - September 20,2010) "So... how did it go?"


Today was "turn in day" for our Chester. I like to refer to it as "turn in day" because now the real training begins that will "turn Chester into a service dog". And even though it was a day of tears, I want to assure all dear readers, that I feel very much at peace this evening, and I feel it has been a job well done. I'm excited for the future and eagerly await the progress reports.

For those of you who know me personally, you know that God and my faith are a HUGE part of my life. I live knowing that God is in every part of my life. And not to make this a sermon, but as you read at how this day played out, I am certain you can see where the Good Lord was working His wonderful way. We started the day out with a photo opt at the farm. Chester has spent much of his first year here (as well as at the camp) and I wanted "something" that put this on record. The we loaded up and headed out.

I picked up my dear friend Kathleen, then Ed with Sadie and Abbie went and picked up Rick, and two trucks headed for NEADS.

We arrived safe and sound on this beautiful fall day. I was so pleased to have all this company with Chester and I. My had never been to NEADS, so it was nice to show them around. Now, when I talk about the campus, they will know just what it is like.

I took Chester for a little "pit" stop and the others went into the building to do the same for themselves. When I entered the building, a man came into the lobby with a yellow lab. He sat and waited for a while, we smiled at each other. He kept petting the dog, talking to him and telling him "what a good boy" he was. I asked him "is this your dog" and a huge smile appeared on his face. "Yes", he answered "we were matched last week, he is such a joy and you can't believe how much my life has changed in just this short time". He then asked me about Chester, and when he found out I was a puppy raiser and that we were here for turn in, he nearly teared up and said "thank you so much for what you do, people like you do so much for people like me". (Okay, it was all I could do already not to burst into tears!!!)


Then one of the trainers, Brain, came out and said to the man "ready to train, we'll head up to the training room" I asked Brian if we could take a quick look at the training room before they began (I wanted Ed and everyone to see it) and Brain said "come on up and watch us work". This was such a gift for me, because as hard as it was to be turning Chester in.. to have this opportunity to talk with this gentleman and watch them work, brought it back to me... "why" I had decided to give this a try. Definitely the Good Lord .. reminding me what "it" was all about.

This is what we got to see (among several tasks) this beautiful dog, turning on the lights, fetching the phone, opening the frig and taking out a bottle of water...

Opening a door, and closing it behind him. And the whole time this dog worked, you could easily see his happy spirit. But even more so, was the owner, because at each task accomplished, done correctly, done better... his handling skills improved, the confidence in his voice and his directions became clearer... better. I could have stayed the whole day and just watch lessons like this.

Dave then took the group to the puppy house. There were lots of puppies in right now, and both Kathleen and I hope that "our puppies" will be coming soon. Maybe within a couple of weeks, but we do understand that much is still be sorted out before it all comes to that.

Then it got down the wire on time. So, we took some family shots....

and photos with Rick and Kathleen - who aside from Ed and my family - have been my biggest supporters.....

a "good-bye" kiss captured.....

and then, our final walk together..... for me, the end of a good time and many wonderful memories... and for the golden boy.. the beginning of his next chapter in life...








"Best wishes, Buddy... I will always love you and will always hold onto that little spot in my heart that belongs just to you... and tonite, in my prayers... I will say a prayer for you future owner and all the wonderful things that you will bring to their life... because you certainly brought it to mine"