It never gets any
better than "Graduation Day.”
Sure, raising a Canine
Companions for Independence puppy isn't for the faint of heart. There are
sleepless nights, housebreaking, chew-prevention, introduction to manners,
socialization, command practice, and more. But as a 7X puppy raiser, it has
been worth every last ounce of energy, time, and financial donation because of
days like "Graduation Day."
Feldman II is my
fourth Canine Companions puppy to graduate....but my first as a skilled
companion dog. That means Feldman was matched with a child and their
facilitator. In his case, that's Maddie and Lydia Brown from Indiana.
When I first learned of Feldman's placement, I wasn't shocked. After all, he
was always the kind of dog who loved children. Growing up in a preschool
classroom, Feldman got his foundation from the help of 36 four-year-olds, two
times a week, throughout his time in his puppy raiser home. As a
preschool teacher, fortunate enough to bring my assistance pups in-training
into my classroom with me, I am so grateful for the experiences my dogs get
with children. And in this instance, it paid off for Feldman. He
found his forever match with a little five-year old kindergartener, Maddie.
As if his upbringing
didn't set him on the path he works today, Lydia Brown (Maddie's mom) shared
with me, at graduation, that her maiden name used to be....wait for
it....Feldman. I know, right? How serendipitous is that!
As I get ready to
embark on another puppy raising journey in a few months with Canine Companions
puppy #8, I dream about what the future might hold for my new pup. Will
he make it to "Graduation Day?" It just doesn't get any better
than that....
No comments:
Post a Comment