Career Changed

*(Written by Brandon's raiser)*

I received the devastating news Wednesday morning, that Rudy was career changed. I know I kept reminding you guys, that no matter how far any dog gets in their training phase (even once they're placed with a blind person) there is always a chance the dog could be career changed. (Some dogs just "develop" something out of the blue - which I assume, is what Rudy did), but it still came as a sudden shock to me.
Below is the email I found in my inbox:

Subject: Rudy was career changed this morning
"Hi there
I have just heard that Rudy has been career changed due to “general anxiety”. His fears mean that he can’t be considered for any service dog role – and he will be made available for adoption. I know this is always tough to hear – but for some of these puppies we raise – there are other plans for them.

Because you were his raiser – I want to see if you are interested in adopting him yourself. If so – let me know and we can probably arrange transport after WAT.

But you are not obligated at all – and if you can’t adopt him – the adoption program at the school is amazing with a long list of folks waiting to love on these dogs.

Please let me know what you decide.

With love and thanks again for all you meant for Rudy.

***"
It broke my heart to read this email, and it was extremely hard to email my Area Coordinator back, saying I'm unable to adopt Rudy.
Yes, I would LOVE to have him back, but I can't both adopt him & continue raising puppies (not enough room...).
 
I know Rudy will be placed in a loving home, but you don't know how hard it was for me to hear this news.
Rudy LOVED to work, he adored it; I think he enjoyed shopping out in the mall MORE than I ever did (I never could handle large crowds, but boy he was amazing at it!).
 
I'm still so shocked that he was career changed, more for the fact that it was for something he's never shown signs of before.
I know, it can happen at any time, for any reason; but it still hurts.
 
It makes it even harder, since I just received a new report card the day before (Tuesday), which I would have been posting this week, with a note that I hope he gets matched in the next class (coming up in just a few weeks).
 
I will keep you updated on ANY news I hear about him; if you didn't understand in the email I included above, Rudy will be adopted out, and not be evaluated for another career path (due to the reason he was career changed).
 
-Brandon & Rudy's Raiser
 
 
I miss my handsome & sweet boy!

Picture of Rudy & I sitting on the sidewalk, with lots of traffic in the background (puppy meeting)

Toby Who?? (New UPDATE!)

Oh yeah - Toby is the pup my raiser had before me!
You guys remember the post my raiser did - announcing that Toby was being adopted out due to severe allergies? (post back in Nov.)
That was over a month ago that she heard the news - and she's been "dying" to know who Toby ended up with; and what state he'd be living in.
Yesterday she finally decided to contact her Area coordinator - hoping to get some info about Toby's new family. Sadly she got an email back saying that the lady at the school who deals with the adoption program - would be out of the office 'til next Monday. (Go figure!)
But much to her surprise - my raiser found an email from the Area Coordinator waiting in her inbox this morning.
Just is case something falls through; my raiser will give you the cool news next week (after she has contact with his new owner) - but here's a hint...
Toby may be working after all!
Here is a piece of the email my raiser received:"which means he'll be doing very important work!"
(No - he's not being put back in the guide dog school - he still is being adopted out - just not to who I expected!)
News to come next week, sorry to make you all wait - but just in case this falls through; my raiser doesn't want to get to many hopes up :)
If you feel like guessing what Toby will be doing - go right ahead - and feel free to leave it in a comment... BUT my raiser will not be answering questions on what he'll be doing... you just have to wait & see :)

(pictured below is of Toby - taken before he headed to the guide dog school in April 2010 for IFT)

Furry cool kisses!

Rudy
The dog with a blog

It's Official

I had left a little hope that Toby may be able to make it into the Gifted Canine program, but evidently his allergies are to severe. I just wish they didn't draw it out in a whole 7 months - and now he's just getting adopted out.
Here's the email I received from my AC when we got back from the craft show -
"Hi *******,

We just got a message from SEGD that Toby's going to be put up for adoption…his allergies are too severe for him to be placed as a gifted canine. ******* said to tell you they'll find him a wonderful new home.

I know it's disappointing for you that Toby won't be a guide, but you did a great job raising him.

Thanks for all your hard work!

*****"

This isn't the email I like to see when I get home, I don't get why all my dogs like allergies so much, maybe it's just the Labs. I hope Toby will find a great home, and I'll be letting you guys know when I here anything on when/where he's placed.

What's really sad is - the day before I recvieved this news, I got an email from a raiser in our group who was down at the school dropping off their dog last week, and was allowed to walk an older dog. They just so happened to be given Toby - and even got a picture for me (posted below). Seeing this picture and hearing about him; made me think that he just may make it into the gifted canine program after all. Guess I wasn't right.
The raiser who took the picture for me also has a blog - feel free to stop by, the picture of Toby was also posted on their blog.
I know Toby will still be a great dog, he'll be a awesome pet for some family and we know they will love him.
Updates coming from Rudy later, enjoy the picture!


Rudy's Raiser
The human that has a dog with a blog

No News... ISN'T Good News

*(Written by Rudy's Raiser)*
Most of my older followers will remember Toby, the third dog I raised for SEGDI (he went back in April 2010). I've been getting monthly report cards from the school about him. But when it got to October - I received nothing, asking my Area Coordinator, she said when they have time - they send them. But I remember always receiving them on (close to) the same day each month. I'm told "No News is Good News" but in this case.... No News is bad news...
I got a call from my Area Coordinator today - telling me she heard from the school.
I'm crossing my fingers; wishing for good news... then I hear her say
"Toby has been career changed". Yes he's out - he'll never be a guide dog.
I'm told he was let go do to severe allergy issues. BUT he isn't out of the program completely (which means he isn't just being adopted out as a pet). Toby does still have a slight chance to become a gifted canine. Though he can't become a working guide dog, the school did really like him and have decided to evaluate him for a different line of work. (could be with a veteran - or as any kind of service dog).
I wish Toby the best of luck with his evaluations, and hope he blows the people away with amazement.
I'm so sad to hear he didn't make it as a guide, knowing all those hours, days, months, I had him raising him up to be the best guide dog I could didn't work out. But knowing he does still have a slight chance of working makes me happy.
We all know, that if he doesn't make it in this program - he will get adopted out (which I did tell my area coordinator I can't adopt him, though I'd love to - we don't have the room). But even adopted out as a house pet, Toby can always change peoples lives. Just cuddling up with a family who needs a pet is helpful.

For those who have no idea what I just said up there - he's a review :)

1. Toby was just "put out" of the guide dog program due to severe allergies
2. Toby isn't being adopted out yet, as the school does really like him - and hopes he has a chance with a different career (the gifted canine program)
3. Toby will undergo some different evaluation tests, to find out if he is capable of doing a new task
4. Over the next 2-4 weeks I should be hearing some more news (I hope for good news!)

Thanks so much for following our blog, Rudy will be posting before he heads off to his puppy sitter tomorrow (as we will be heading to a dairy goat show). Just thought I'd update you on Toby,

Toby's & Rudy's Raiser
The human that has a dog with a blog

Cross That ... Career-Changed...

Right after I finshed writing that post I got this email:

"This is to let you know that Frankie has been career changed due to Skin Allergies and Harness Reaction. Due to her allergies & Harness Reaction she will not be placed in Gifted Canine and we are offering her back to the raiser. Please contact the raiser and let me know if they would like to adopt Frankie back. If the raiser decides not to adopt Frankie she will go to public adoption."

I decided to go ahead and publish the other post just because it took me so long to write it.

I am told Frankie will go to her new home in 1-2 weeks. I really wanted to adopt her but I couldn't raise another guide dog puppy if I do since we already have so many dogs with our old farm dog, new pup Liberty, and Red.

I think it was more medical issues than anything that put her out. She wore the harness 3 times before she went down to school and she didn't have a problem. If she didn't have medical issues I bet they could get her over the harness reaction.

But hey I am not the expert, they are.

Oh well, I hope to have a better dog next time (less medical issues!!).

If I find out who is adopting her I will post any information on the blog, I know she is getting spayed in the next couple days, but that is all.

Please hope that she is placed with a person that will let me visit her(and lives near me!).

I was bored so I added more photos of her at the bottom. (I think I take too many photos of my dogs!)

Enjoy,

Frankie's trainer