I felt I had prepared myself for the day Janet would arrive. These past few months I kept reminding myself, and the rest of my family, that he is a short timer and we would soon have to bid him farewell.
To be perfectly honest, I was not prepared......major separation anxiety on my part and that of my husband and son. The worst was not how I felt, but my concern that our now full grown pup would think we were abandoning him......that we didn't love him anymore. I expressed these thoughts in an email to fellow puppy raiser Carol and she was quick to point out her vet said dogs don't process events like we do. They adapt quickly to whatever life throws at them. Her comments did help, but I wish I could ask him how he feels and to tell him one last time how much we love him and how much he has meant to us and enriched our lives.
Raising a Seeing Eye dog from a 7 week old ball of fluff has been one of the most rewarding, exciting experiences in our lives. We wouldn't trade one second.....not even the day Janet drove away with our precious baby, because we knew he was starting the next leg of his journey toward giving mobility and independence to a sight impaired individual.
GOOD LUCK baby......we will never forget you......you've blessed our lives with your wonderful loving and gentle disposition.....and those soulful eyes will warm anyone you meet. I have oodles and oodles of photos and videos of you to keep me company. The puppy blanket on the couch next to me is empty as I type this, but wonderful memories are flooding my mind and are what I will carry with me close to my heart always.......hmmm, I must have something in my eye. Love, kisses and a great big hug......Mommy