Chapter six... "days with Debbie!!!"

Hi!!!! My name is Debbie... I am a yellow lab and I was born on 4/14/13... that makes me about 10 weeks old. I understand that I am about to embark on a great adventure, and maybe one day... become a service dog. But for now, I am heading home with my new Mom to a place that is called Sweetgrass Farm. Since I have no idea who my Mom "is" or what a farm "is"... I guess I'll just have to wait and see.......

but, before I get to all of that. My life has begun with being at NEADS... and this is Dave. He is the trainer who oversees my Mom and the other puppy raisers. He thought that Sue might be a good Mom for me, and also the fact that Sue had to turn in her last puppy, Rylie......

When I first met my Mom she was crying... I don't know what that's all about, but I think I can fix it. I gave her all the puppy kisses I could and tried to tell her not to be sad.... (I wonder why she is so sad though... I usually make people smile!!!)

After we kissed, she set me down and I got to say hello to some big labs... Rylie is the dog to my left and Otis is the one to my right.... I have a feeling that I will be seeing alot of Otis, but not Rylie.....

My new Mom said she wanted to get some pictures of her "two girls" together... guess I am one of those girls.....

And these are my new friends... this is the Maine Puppy chapter... and for NEADS, these folks are full time raisers, which means we go home and live with them - all the time - the first year of our life. I understand this is very special, and all these people take their job very seriously.....

Rylie was very sweet with me, but I sensed something was up with her too... I get the feeling that this is kind of sad day... and all I want to do it make it all better. I wonder what is going on......

So, after some more photos, and a few more hugs and kisses... Rylie is going with Dave, and I suddenly understand. When I went with Dave it was so I could meet my new Mom and I will be with her... And now, Rylie going away must mean that she is headed to another Mom... so, I guess my Mom raises puppies until they are big enough to go to another place for more training... and that means, that I won't be with my Mom forever either. Well... I'm not going to worry about that just now.

I listen while the people talk.... I am very curious about all of this....

Hmmmmm...... it's all so interesting and I am ready to get started and see what this is all about....

Some more hugs with Mom and she seems to be feeling a bit better. Boy, am I glad that I came along.....

Then she says it's time we think about heading for home...... so, I take a minute to scratch....

And do a little sniffing.....

And find that "right spot"......

And then I have to try on a cape to make sure it will fit... (wonder why I'll need this???)

And another little chat with a big lab.....

And then it's time to get into the car.... I hear it's a rather long ride.....

I don't mind riding, especially when I have a nice lap to cuddle in.....













And take a little snooze, because I think I'm going to be needing the energy...

so, this is where it all begins.... and Mom and I will keep all of you up to date on the days and the year ahead.... because it's training time... and these are...



the days with........ Debbie!!!!!

birthday and goodbye...

So, here we are... "turn in day"... the day that we say goodbye and Rylie starts her advance training.. "turning into" the dog that she is suppose to be. I, of course, hope that she goes into service work, but it's a big calling for a dog to do that, so "who ever" she turns out to be.. service or pet.. is fine. It's also her very first birthday... she has matured quickly and we feel that she is ready for her advance work.

This has turned out to be the "parting photo" with all of my puppies, sitting the out by the old mower, with the farm in the back ground. This mornings fog only seemed to add to my own "weepy" feelings.....

Rylie knew things were different, and I had to pull it together, so not to upset her. You'd think that by now, I would be used to turning puppies in.. that it would be easier in some sense... truth is....it's NOT...

Favorite kitty, Mona... came by to bid goodbye... Rylie seemed to enjoy a few moments with her......

But, it's time to get moving.. the others are waiting, and it's a big day ahead. Perhaps Rylie will have the chance to come and visit us again... (Ginger does)... but more likely not.... she heads down the drive.. she' s ready...

When we arrive a NEADS she doesn't jump right out of the jeep....

But all her friends are waiting.....

Our day starts out as a usual check in day. A time to chat with Dave and give him all the latest news in training and life with the puppies. Rylies waits quietly... she is in her "working mode" and knows just how to behave....

And then into the city, like we have done a "million" times before. It's a nice day.. not too hot for summer and the puppies always seem to enjoy the sights and sounds. Certainly different from the quiet country life that we lead....

Rylie shows off all her skills.. like "under" a bench in the train station.....

And checking out the sights and sounds at the park....

Which today, was quite busy with a farmer's market.. people out enjoying the day and even a little band playing... All the puppies took this in stride....

The day zipped by, we had lunch at the hospital and poked around the city streets... but going back to NEADS in time to get Ry settled in... I took her to the garden in the back for a few quiet moments, just us....

Smiles are hard to pull off right now....

But Dave isn't going to give me much time for tears (yeah!!!) and is already planning out my new "little project"......

Our wonderful group .... the Maine puppy chapter of June 2013... because as with our group, it changes each year.... some of us have puppies, and some are taking a break... but, we are still a great group that work together and provide the best "trained" puppies that we can.......

My two girls... Debbie will be my partner for the next year.. and Rylie.. my partner from last year.......

Dave is ready... and I have prolonged this long enough.. a quick hand off of the leash (and that last hug)....

And she is off......

As her tail slips threw the kennel door, I send a little prayer with her.... I can't wait to hear what the future will bring.. I can't wait to meet her "real" family..... I can't wait... I can't wait....

Another "empty" vest.... another piece of my heart is heading out into the world.... another moment of tears and goodbyes....












and then.. at my feet... this darling little face... who says to me....


"get it together... we have a lot of work to do and only a year to get it done!!!!"



"The life of Rylie"... becomes "the days with Debbie"

a story

 

Tomorrow is my first birthday... I can't believe that a whole year has gone by and I have learned so much and seen so many things!!! But Mom says that there is much to come in the times ahead. I have had an amazing year here on the farm and I can't imagine what the future will be holding for me...I have grown too... when you look back on the photos of me, and even though I'm  not a "big" Lab...Mom says there is a "job" out there for me.

 

Because also, tomorrow, I say goodbye to my family and the farm... Mom will be leaving me at NEADS for my advance training work. She says it will be a happy/sad day all at the same time. I understand....... but, I have a "reason" in life, as does she and sometimes, you have to part ways to move on.....

 

and it's been..... "the life of Rylie!!!!!"

first day of summer...

These days, the sun is up so early and the moon goes to bed so late... Mom said today is the first official day of summer and it is the day that we have the longest daylight. We got up just in time to watch the moon go to bed.....

Abbie  and I having an early morning play....

Life on the farm is good. I like it here, but Mom said that some news has come... and it's official that in a few days --- actually --- my first birthday, I will be returning to NEADS and going in for advance training. This news always makes my Mom so sad, but she said that she knew from our first day together that this time would come.... am I ready...

Mom says I am......

In the meantime, things are busy on the farm. It's hay season and the humans have been busy getting it into the barn, so the horses will have their food next winter.....

Up to the hayloft it goes... on an elevator no less... but certainly not like the elevators that I have ridden on!!!!!

The guinea hens are busy keeping the bugs away.... I have gotten very used to them and Mom says that's why I know not to chase birds... even though I am a Labrador!!!!!

We've also been getting a lot of thunderstorms... Mom doesn't like them at all... neither does Camille....











They are kind of scary and they can be very loud. But they don't bother me at all.. which Mom says is a very good thing.

So, it looks like my last week here on Sweetgrass Farm has begun. I knew there had been other service puppies here before me.. and that there are going to be more to follow... but Mom says, like her other puppies, there will always be a little place here on the farm and in her heart, that will belong just to me...

life of ...Rylie!!!!