Wild, Crazy, Fun, Interesting, Wild...
Monday night Cassie (Toby's sister), her Raiser and her Raiser's sister showed up.
They spent the night at our house, then the next morning we headed down to FL.
We made a "quick" stop to pick up Duchess (Toby's other sister).
Then with 2 female dogs in a car with 1 INTACT male we continued on :)
For the first 20 minutes it was 3 young dogs trying to play... with no space. Once they realized it would be more comfortable for ALL of us if they just laid down - they decided that was the better deal.
I brought 5 sterile dog bones for the trip down (for the dogs... not us!). And for some reason 1 dog always ended up with ZERO bones to chew on??
After about 5 hours of driving Toby got fed up with the "girls" stealing all the space. He decided there was MUCH more room somewhere else... on my lap. Yes, he crawled on to my lap and fell asleep!
Of course it didn't last long, I told him "off" and he went back on the ground with the "Space stealing" girls.
I remember when we stopped for lunch - taking 3 dogs out of the car, giving them a restroom break, then coating them up and heading inside.
I've had some people stare at me before thinking I was blind - but with 3 dogs in a restaurant... we got a LOT more looks!
Toby was perfect, not one bit dog distracted like I totally thought he would be.
He even did a down-stay beside his siblings PLUS ignoring them!
While in the car the dogs did have their "moments". All would be fine, 3 dogs sleeping at our feet. Then all of a sudden they all decide to jump up and start chasing each other, we calmed them down real quick!
All in all the car ride was quite "fun" and I really enjoyed having some other dogs with us.
My camera was in my hand for the entire trip... so yes the card is quite full!
Tuesday night was quite fun. 3 dogs in a hotel room! All who listened quite well (yes I was surprised!).
Wednesday morning we finished breakfast rather quickly, with 2 hours to spare we decided to visit the beach. (Toby's never been!)
Since it was a "no dog" beach we had to be careful (guide dogs in training are allowed on - but people do have problems sometimes).
I really wanted to let Toby play in the water... but we forget to bring towels!
We spent about 30 minutes on the beach taking photos :)
Still having time to kill, we went downtown to walk the dogs.
While on the walk we saw across the street a dog... in harness... working with a SEGDI trainer!
That was really neat watching them work - thinking Toby might be doing that in a couple months!
All to soon the time came... for us to head on over the the guide dog school.
Before "turn in" we took pictures with the SEGDI stone. Then I had an appointment with the lady in charge of the gift shop. I planned on showing her my dog & dog bone goat milk soap (same style as the giveaway is for).
She really liked them and decided to try them in the gift shop!
Of course once we finished with the soaps it was time... to turn him in, it was time... to say goodbye.
I don't think a single puppy raiser could ever turn in a dog WITHOUT crying. Goodbyes are hard and it doesn't make it any easier knowing that you may never see him/her again.
After Toby "left" we headed over to the puppy kennel to look at... PUPPIES!
There wasn't any puppies old enough for "puppy hugging", but I did get to peak in Ginger's kennel and see her cute black goldador pups... knowing one of those fluff balls will be mine in one month!
Heading back home without any dogs was hard, but we did make it.
Making a couple stops on the way, while inside I may have used "find the door" for entering and exiting. Yes, some people looked, wondering why in the world I would tell MYSELF "Find the door"?
I have lots of pictures of the trip down and many from "last things" with Toby.
I plan on posting them all through time before the new puppy gets here.
Thank you for following this blog and leaving comments on the way. I really appreciated reading all the wonderful comments from you guys on the last couple posts - thank you!
Pictures coming soon,
Toby's Raiser
The human without a dog that has a blog
FrEYEday SkEYEday
4 hours ago
13 comments:
Thanks fur pawmitting us to feel as we were along fur the ride!
We khan't WAIT to see some pikhs!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
That sounds like a wild ride, but a great way to say goodbye. Looking forward to the photos.
Slobbers,
Mango
Sounds like a wild ride! We're looking forward to pictures later. :-)
You must be so proud of Toby...you've really done a great job with him!
Aw, sweetie... you are such an important person in this world. By training these dogs and then selflessly giving them up, you change so many lives. Thank you for having the strength to do this. I admire you more than words can say.
Heather in MN
Hello there!
Thanks for taking us with you to Toby's college-send off. We are looking forward to seeing the photos. You and Toby sure had a good trip with his sisters. It's also good news that your pawesome soaps will be there in the gift store. It is very pretty.
We are sure the Toby will do really well in college for you have such a good relationship.
-Fudgie, Princess & the Piappies
You are awesome, such a wonderful gift you and Toby gave, going to miss Toby, but can't wait to hear the adventures of the new puppy.
Aw. It's gotta be tough. That's why we admire you and the dogs you raise so much. I certainly look forward to the photos when you get a chance to post them, and also any Toby pupdates you might get. And of course there is the new pup to look forward to.
wags, Lola
It's miserable to say good-bye to someone you love even if you know that they are going on to bigger things and to make their mark in this world. My ♥ is with yours. I admire 'raisers' they do a job that I don't know if I could ever do.
BTW, Toby, you want to cuddle with that cake, really? You sure you wouldn't like to take a bite☺
wow, the car ride down to FL was action packed. :) i'm looking forward to seeing the pictures from your journey.
thanks again so much for all you do in raising and training these dogs! i know it's sad to have to give toby back, but you must be so proud of him and what he has already accomplished!
the booker man's mama
We know all about 3 dogs in a car. But we weren't nearly as well trained as Toby and Co. We rode all the way from Kilgore, TX to Colorado Springs, CO. A day and a half in the car. We do much better now after more practice, and mom putting a wonder memory foam pad in the back of the car for us!
Wags!
Mr. Nubbin
I'm glad that you guys had a safe and enjoyable trip! It sounds like it would be a lot more fun with several people and dogs.
I really hope that amongst all those pictures you took, there are a few of the new puppy who will be joining you soon! It sounds like Toby's come even further than you realized!
sounds like our road trips with the three hooligans!
I think you are an angel to do what you do!
Thank you,
Kit
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