I know you guys have been waiting for the "exciting/sad" news I told you I would be posting soon, but I wanted to put it off as long as possible.
This post will be so hard to write - that I'm actually going to hand the keyboard over to my raiser...
(written by Rudy's Raiser)
Hey guys!
If any of you guys out there are puppy raisers, I know you are already guessing what this "news" may be.
If any of you guys out there are puppy raisers, I know you are already guessing what this "news" may be.
As you know, Rudy is in training to be a guide dog for the blind - which means, someday... he'll end up having to leave. (We call it "IFT" - In For Training, where they head down the guide dog school for further training... and then hopefully get placed with a blind/disabled person).
We thought that IFT date would be in March/April, but we were quite glad to here Rudy wasn't going in around that time.
I was then told to expect him to return late May/early June. Which, back in March (when I was told) seemed like a while a way... but when I received this email last week, it seems like moments away:
" Good morning,
It's that happy/sad news time…. your puppies are almost ready to head off to college.
We were able to learn through somewhat "unofficial" channels that Al and
Rudy are due IFT June 13-16, so you probably won't get the letter from the
school for another few weeks.
Let me know if you'll need help with transport. Once the letter goes out we can contact
other groups and see if there's anyone else going toFlorida
other groups and see if there's anyone else going to
Hugs to you, and to Al and Rudy!
So to sum this post up... Rudy will be going IFT around the week of June 13-16 2011.
In some later posts, I'll write up some more about the IFT process and such - but for now, I really can't stand to think about it.
What makes it even harder, is the fact that I really don't know if I'll be raising again. These dogs take a lot of green papers... and though the school pays the medical bills (and heart worm pills) - everything else is paid by us puppy raisers. (Unless I have a sponsor)
Yes, I'd love to raise again, and I really hope I'll be able to. This guide dog puppy raising is my life, and I don't know what I'll do without it.
After Rudy returns to the school, my goal would be (if I'm not raising) to be a puppy sitter for the group - but I'll be sure to update all of you on Rudy's training progress once he returns :)
I will be keeping this blog up, and even if I'm not raising puppies - I'll find something to post about! And we all know Liberty (our English Mastiff) will love to step in and do some posts.
Have a wonderful day, and Rudy sends kisses to you all!
Rudy's Raiser
Rudy's Raiser
24 comments:
That is Good and Sad news for you and all of us. Isn't it nice though on what you did and what Rudy accomplished. It is amazing to me what you can do with your raisers. It really seems like yesterday that you got Rudy. You have done a great job and you should be very proud of what you did. Think of the person that you are going to help. Not just that person but his family too. But all in all, I'm still sad for you. Thank goodness you have Liberty!
xxoo
Deborah
Fur sure the bittersweet part of the great work you do!
Enjoy all the memories - and be sure to khreate lots of new ones!
My tail is up in your honour!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Oh wow, I know u will be missed, but we will be happy when u go to a nice place and help someone. Luv to u!! :)
Sad and yet Sweet that Rudy has just about made it!!
I think that Liberty would enjoy a brand spanking new blog... I'm just sayin.
Bittersweet, isn't it? We will all be sad to see Rudy go, but he can be a pup that will change the whole life of another person. And YOU will have played a huge role in that happening. Enjoy your last few weeks with Rudy and take lots of photos.
Hugs and Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Wow, I don't know how you do it. You must be filled with so many mixed emotions - sad to lose him, but so proud of what he will accomplish!
Your pal,Pip
Wow, what amazing work you do. My mom person & I are so greatful for what you do.
Give Rudy an extra hug from us.
Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar
hey Rudy,
I am furry happy for you that you are going to college, but furry sad that you are leaving. I can imagine how hard it is on your Raiser. And I know it is going to be extremely difficult for the both of you when it is time to say and woof good-bye.
Your Raiser did an excellent job with you because you are a very beautiful, smart, and funny pup! And you are going to make some human's life incredible and much more enjoyable then they could have imagined. You will be that human's Angel. I am so glad I met you Rudy!
Suka
It will be very hard for you to leave, Rudy... but you are part of something so wonderful. :)
Woofs & hugs,
~Bailey
WOWZERZ Rudy - you gitz tu go tu COLLEGE - u iz 1 really smart doggie!
From the mom to Rudy's Raiser - this must be such a bittersweet moment for you - on one hand to know that you have done such a wonderful job not just with Rudy but others as well - you must have or else they wouldn't have been willing to place a puppy with you after the first one. But such good and bad feelings to about Rudy leaving - yep, one gutsy person and I know for sure that I couldn't do it.
Kim
Yeah, as soon as Rudy told us that he had 'exciting/sad' news I was thinking "Oh NO! So soon!" It honestly seems like just yesterday that you were doing your Name Game. Rudy is going back at the same time as Rocco, so we'll get to follow them through their different schools at the same time. :D I hope you're doing ok and aren't thinking too much about it just now.
That is good but yet sad news. It is nice to know he is ready and will be helping someone soon but so tough. I really hope you can keep raising as it benefits so many people who need dogs!! We are all so PROUD Of Rudy and Al.
wags
Jazzi
That news is happy sad. Of course Rudy will be a great student and do important work with his handler, but it must be heartbreaking to have to say goodbye. Keep us posted.
Mango Momma
Oh, this has to be the hardest part of puppy raising! I hope it's comforting to know that Rudy is destined to do a fantastic job helping others. Thinking about you both...
Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com
While I admire what you do and mentally understand it, that happy/sad news is why I am not strong enough to do it. But, thankfully, there are people like you strong enough to do the job, because of the terrific things dogs like Rudy do with their training.
Oh, this is sad and happy all at once. Speaking as a guide dog user, you have no idea what it means to us that wonderful people like you raise puppies for us. Without your generosity and dedication, those of us who choose to work with dogs, would have a much more difficult time. I really hope you are able to keep raising, because it sounds like your dogs are well rounded, well experienced dogs. Enjoy these last few weeks with him and just know that we blind folk appreciate your efforts and sacrifices. :)
PS: I know you raise for a school in Florida, Have you considered raising for a different school that may provide more financial support to its puppy raisers?
The OP Pack & pretty much everyone else took the words right out of my mouth! I know Rudy is going to miss you just as much. Rudy is going to be a wonderful guide dog for somebody.
Bless you & Rudy.
I tip my hat off to you for being such a strong, caring trainer for Rudy and the others you've had in your life but I don't think I could handle it emotionally when I had to give the dog over to someone else!
Such sad and happy news! I know Rudy will make you proud!
It must be so very hard knowing you'll have to let him go soon. In fact that must be the hardest part ever. He's coming to Florida?
doesn't seem like he's old enough yet - good luck in formal training!
Not easy at all when you get that call ....
But remember that kids like Murray have benefited so much from people just like you who give up their time and put such effort into the initial training of service dogs.
Murray's life today has been transformed because a puppy walker had Clive for the first 12 months of his life and that such great work with him over those first crucial months. Clive's brother Clint who we meet regularly is a guide dog who has totally transformed the life of his guide dog owner too! Again Clint had a brillant puppy walker for his first 12 months.
So be very proud of all the work you have put into training Rudy and the very best of luck to Rudy with the next stage of training.
regards from us all
Clive & Co
feel you Truffie went back today. Now the wait begins. we get our reports every thurs. Kiss him and give him a big hug.
lov carrie and Waffles
Awww I'm so sorry :( That must be so hard to do!
Aww...that is happy/sad news! But congratulations in a way for Rudy - he's on to the next phase in his life now!
I know how important the puppies are to you so hope you will manage to have another one to raise. But I have to say, as a Mastiffy-doggie myself - I would love to hear more from Liberty on this blog!!
Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane
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