Beware — Puppy cuteness …

My daughter keeps telling me that she wants a puppy.  However, I take this with a grain of salt since she also wants rats, kittens (as opposed to our three cats), mice (especially wants to save any that the aforementioned cats are currently playing with), and any other mammals she can think of at any given moment.

I figure we have the best scenario possible.  We are a foster family for service dogs in training.  On weekends, snow storms and holidays when we can take a dog … we pick up a dog, crate and food.  On weekends we can’t we send an email and say so sorry we have school, work and/or family commitments.  Yes we have a certain code of behavior for the dogs in our care because they will be service dogs and they cannot jump on people, cats or furniture and a list of other expectations.  But it is rewarding because the dogs are moving towards graduation when they will help someone who needs assistance.  Also because of our rather hectic schedule, it allows us to be sort of like grandparents, able to see and play with the dog but not be a full-time care-giver (though I know many grand-parents who are full-time caregivers so that analogy doesn’t quite work!)

People say to me when I mention what my family does, “oh but I couldn’t give back the puppy, I would want to keep it”.  Well maybe if I didn’t work 45 hours a week and if I had time to sip tea and eat bonbons I would also have time to take out dogs constantly and train the dog for hours a day and everything else that it means to be a responsible dog owner.  But I am perfectly accepting with the idea of helping with the raising of a dog and then allowing it to move on.

One of the most meaningful experiences I have had in a while was when we went to a graduation for this organization.  We saw the ultimate placement of some of these dogs with their people.  It was great to see how the people, after two short weeks of being placed and trained to take their dogs in public, how much they have already helped.  I can truly say there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

I am rarely tempted by the thought of being a long term dog owner.  Not until I no longer work more than full-time and have time to play with a canine.  But when one cuddles with such sweetness … one does wonder about decisions made.  Maybe just one?  They are SO small… yet I have seen them in all stages between fit in your arms and almost two years of age.  These dogs have a purpose and it is an amazing purpose.

To learn more about these dogs and a great organization.  Please follow this link to Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities

Thank you and have a great day!